This photo gallery features images of the Festival of Politics 2008
Pictures from Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
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Eighty years after all British women won the right to vote, the Women and the Vote session looked at reasons why fewer females take part in political life than men. In the Scottish Parliament, 34% of MSPs are female. The issue was discussed by businesswoman Lesley Sutherland, a board member of the anti-sexist organisation Engender, Beatrice Barleon of the Electoral Reform Society, and MSPs Cathy Peattie and Bill Butler, from the Parliament's Cross Party Group on Men's Violence Against Women and Children.
Ms Sutherland praised Holyrood's work on the issue but said more had to be done to encourage women to become MSPs.
She said: "In Scotland we took a huge step forward but we need to make sure this continues to take place."
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In the No Time To Retire session, a generation of older carers recounted powerful personal experiences as they tried to ensure their children received care and respect now and in the future.
Rhona Lamond is mother to 45-year-old Craig and a member of campaigning group Enable. Summarising a lifetime of struggle and achievements, she said: "All I want for my son is a meaningful, happy and enjoyable life. Is that too much to ask for?"
She was among a panel of contributors, chaired by Jackie Baillie MSP as chair of the Cross Party Group for Learning Disabilities, including Sally Ann Elfverson from the cross party group, parent and Quarriers member Ken Ferguson, and chair of Enable Alex Russell.
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| Former Chancellor of Exchequer Denis Healey, pictured right, discussed his political views and life in politics with the Parliament's Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson. Talking about lessons he had learnt in life, Mr Healey said: "When I was in the army I discovered two important lessons about life. The first was, that we all depend on one another. The second, that planning is essential. Both these lessons proved fundamental and invaluable in my political career." |
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Talking about his life now, Mr Healey said:
"I have led a very interesting political life and enjoyed it very much, but now my political interests are more limited.
"I am still interested in specific issues such as Iraq and the monetary system, but my main interests are in the arts, poetry, music and painting." |
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Six MSPs - Robert Brown, Roseanna Cunningham, David McLetchie, Malcolm Chisholm, Margo MacDonald and Patrick Harvie - took part in a lively debate during Parliamentary Questions. They gave their opinions on a wide range of topics including climate change, council housing and Edinburgh's new tram system. They also discussed the ups and downs of Scotland having its own Olympic team, following the success of Scots cyclist Chris Hoy and canoeist David Florence.
BBC Scotland's Political Editor Brian Taylor chaired the hour-long session which saw seven questions posed by members of the public debated. |
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The ability of philanthropists to make a difference to the social and economic fabric of global society was put under the spotlight at the Politics of Giving. The event, held in association with the Carnegie Festival, saw former Scotsman editor and now Times columnist Magnus Linklater chairing a debate between Mike Edwards of the Ford Foundation, publisher, anthropologist and philanthropist Sigrid Rausing, and Lenka Serkova of the Carnegie UK Trust.
During the debate Mike Edwards said: "Less than 12 percent of all philanthropic activity in America is used to address issues of social rights and injustice." |
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| A Life in Politics: Douglas Hurd. In the final event of the day, chaired by Deputy Presiding Officer Alasdair Morgan, Lord Hurd urged the audience to consider politics as a future career, not just for roles in government but for the important role politicians play in holding governments to account.
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Lord Hurd talked about his career in politics, touching on what it was like to work with prime ministers Edward Heath, Margaret Thatcher and John Major. He also looked at issues including the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the European Union and engaging the public. Speaking of the Scottish Parliament, he said: “I am impressed by what I’ve heard the Scottish Parliament is doing to engage people.” |
2007 Gallery | More pictures from 2007 Festival | 2007 Open Day gallery
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