It’s Thursday, it’s 10.35 pm … it’s BBC1’s Question Time.
The incorrigible Lembit Opik is the Lib Dem representative on tonight’s edition – fresh from helping launch today’s ‘Say No to Size Zero’ campaign with model Katie Green. The Lib Dem MP for Montgomeryshire has been the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the party’s spokesman on housing. However, his two attempts to win the party presidency have both ended in resounding defeat, to Simon Hughes, then to Ros Scott.
Joining Lembit on the panel will be Labour’s foreign office minister Chris Bryant, vice chairman of the Tory party Margot James, talk show host and campaigner Trisha Goddard, and the editor of the Financial Times Lionel Barber.
If you’re tuning in, you can join the simultanous online Twitter debate here at #bbcqt, or the LDV debate in the thread below. Meanwhile Lib Dem blogger Mark Thompson will be liveblogging events via CoverItLive at his own blog.
4 Comments
He’s done it again!
I know it’s a hobby-horse of mine, BUT … in what order did Dimbelby invite speakers?
Labour – Tory – newspaper editor – 2 members of the audience – celebrity – Lib Dem.
Yep, Trisha Goddard is called to speak on millitary procurement before the Lib Dem.
I have been very critical of Lembit in the past, but I am delighted to see him campaigning on this issue.
When I organised a local debate on this subject, the main opposition to doing anything about this issue came from libertarians who believe that government has no role in getting involved in this. They even tried to argue that the fashion industry’s obssession with size zero had no bearing on the levels of anorexia amongst young women. Yet a google search of the research done into this suggests otherwise.
It was again with emphasis from Lembit Opik that helicopters are an indispensable part of transportation for our brave soldiers, in Afghanistan.The government should increase helicopter transport for our troops in the front line.
How many helicopters can you buy for the same amount being wasted on ID Cards?
The `Euthanasia’ debate was very moving and touched a raw nerve with all panel members.
The the ability of the law to be totally inconsistent and incomprehensible in practice and case for requiring reform on `assisted suicide’ is overdue.
Lembit Opik was is one of the best and count me as one of his fans but not for President!
I thought Lembit was excellent- it is so fustrating that he can be such an articulate and intellegent person and at the same time make so many poor media misjudgements about his private life (and segways!)
I thought Chris Byrant was suprisingly good though- not nec. on the same page policy wise but he handled himself well.
Have to say Margot James was dire- poor answers, snooty manner and ran in to a couple of brick walls- prime example of what the Tories are deep down.