By stewartb
I don’t watch BBC Question Time anymore. I do occasionally watch clips posted on social media when there is something specifically about Scotland – usually regretting my decision!
Just watched a clip of Stephen Flynn on the latest episode striving hard to communicate facts and provide perspective in a discussion about the NHS in Scotland. Multiple individuals sitting at the ‘top table’ were intent on rubbishing his claims and I lost count of the number of times he was interrupted. Can’t permit a BBC audience to hear a coherent, reasoned rebuttal from an SNP MP!
My wider point concerns the power and influence of ‘facts’ – or indeed their lack of impact. How many of Mr Flynn’s opponents on the panel and in the audience will have actually examined the comparative waiting times statistics for the NHS in England, NI, Scotland and Wales? I suspect precious few Unionists. They will have been exposed repeatedly to the negative framing of NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government. How many of those questioning the veracity of Mr Flynn’s statements will take the time and trouble to factcheck them? Any?
Indeed, do ‘facts’ actually change political opinion? Changing the ‘frame’ of debate and being able to repeat time and again a changed message, including ‘facts’, may change views but it is very hard to do. It’s especially hard when faced with multiple opponents aligned with the combined resources of the BBC and mainstream media all intent in sustaining the status quo in terms of the tenor of discussions.
It’s very hard for SNP politicians to get off the back foot on programmes like QT..
Talking-up Scotland 
Oh, but I bet his fellow Indy campaigner helped out…
I’ve often thought that SNP/Indy panellists should make a table with a column for each of the contributors (and, of course Her Ladyship, FB).
They should take this plus a couple of pens or pencils onto the set. Using the 5-bar gate system for speed they should ostentatiously mark every single interruption under the relevant column.
If asked what (s)he’s doing, they should simply turn the paper round to show the camera and audience and say “Counting interruptions. That column’s mine.”
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I can only say that your idea is brilliant – and needs to be implemented asap.
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There are varying comments of last night’s efforts depending on which political view. Independence supporters thought Alex Salmond and Stephen Flynn worked well together despite constant interruptions by the host.
Unionists have called Flynn a bully, ignorant, lacking good grammar, a disgrace to Scotland while praising the input of the rest of the panel. So far I’ve noticed little comment on Alex Salmond.
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I don’t know how to show it,AS was speaking and spoke about the endowment effect the 400 billion that has disappeared to WM have a look at the faces of the three beside him says it all.
stewartb as I cant show it please can you just so we can see the look on FB face.
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I took your word for it, but having now seen a clip posted over on WGD https://x.com/implausibleblog/status/1791204412393713917 jeezo… Only Alex Salmond and Anas Sarwar let the man speak, the other 3 on the panel (including the host) were ganging up to derail him… unbelievable…
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What is the point of any SNP/Independence supporter putting themselves through the one-sided Unionist Inquisition which masquerades as QT ?
Leave them to it ! They won’t be persuaded by ”Facts” – they only WANT to hear that Scotland is SH*T to reinforce their prejudices .
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I posted a comment over this on WGD, reproduced in full below “
When I heard Dale announce he had read the figures that very afternoon I immediately thought of James Cook in an earlier iteration insisting he had seen non-existent Spanish emails before taking a US based paid holiday courtesy of the public purse having screwed with Indy chances in 2014…
Yet there were a few things which signalled a stitchup and it begins at 10 seconds into the clip with the click of a pen hitting a hard surface courtesy of Fiona Bruce, which at a further 15 secs later triggers Ian Dale’s intervention. Yet the crafty bit is the overdub from the audience clapping as Ian Dale’s line was delivered.. I’d love to hear an audience member’s response to this as it’s very much “and he said nothing…” copyright Nick Robinson territory… “
Make your own mind up over what you hear and see…
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Ireland did the right thing , dont send MPs to Westminster dont do interviews with englands newspapers radio or tv , simple , look where it got them….independence from the english scroungers
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Ireland illegal Partition and years of strife. Illegal Partition 1923. Universal suffrage 1928. If 5 years had been waited. Ireland would not have been illegally Partitioned. People would have voted against it.
Ireland can vote to reunite.
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