media release

everyone campaign

Unique election event aims to find out if parties are in tune with the Big Green issues

 

16th April 2007

An election event in Edinburgh on Tuesday evening (17 April) will not only put environment spokespeople from each of the political parties on the spot and ask the 'Big Green' questions - it will also entertain the audience with live music by Celtic band Capercaillie and allow those who cannot attend to get involved in the debate.

Organised as part of Scottish Environment LINK's everyone campaign, the Big Green Debate, chaired by broadcaster Lesley Riddoch, will use questions submitted electronically by the public as well as questions put forward by the live audience on the night.

 

The debate, at which the audience will be voting on issues using electronic 'Votepods', will be recorded and made available as a podcast for people to view after the event. Questions for politicians can be submitted in advance of the debate through the event website www.scottishvotepods.com

The Big Green Debate event is being produced with ScottishVotepods.com and aims to make election time more engaging, interactive and fun, incorporating live music. The Big Green Debate is one of a series of Votepod events taking place across Scotland. More information is available at www.scottishvotepods.com.

The everyone campaign is Scotland’s environment charities campaigning together. For the Scottish Parliament elections it is asking for commitment from political parties to take action on four key areas: Green Networks for People and Wildlife; Tackling Climate Change and Fuel Poverty; Better Protection and Management of Scotland's Nature; Healthy and Sustainable Food in Scotland's Schools and Hospitals.

The debate, beginning at 7.30, will take place at The Hub, Castle Hill, Edinburgh.

Notes to editors

Party representatives:

Labour: Sarah Boyack - Deputy minister for Environment and Rural Development
Liberal Democrats: Ross Finnie - Minister for Environment and Rural Development
SNP: Richard Lochhead - Environment spokesperson
Conservatives: Alex Johnstone - Environment spokesperson
Greens: Mark Ruskell - Environment spokesperson
SSP: Colin Fox - Party convenor
Solidarity: Patricia Smith - No 1 candidate for the Lothians region