BBC Debate Night brings your burning questions to your screens, with your host Stephen Jardine.
Tonight’s panel members were Michelin star chef Nick Nairn, broadcaster Gemma Cairney, Scottish Conservative’s MSP Meghan Gallacher, Richard Baker from Scottish Labour and Michelle Thomson from the SNP.
After some warm-up questions about working from home and schools banning phones, the cameras started rolling.
“Can we still consider our ‘special relationship’ with the US viable? And for who?”
The evening kicked off with a thought-provoking question about the future of UK/US relations.
Trump’s threats to impose tariffs and proposal to bring American development into Gaza has shocked politicians and members of the public.
Meghan Gallacher focused her answer on Scotland’s place in global trade, and America’s political position: “I think we do need to have a relationship with America”.
Gemma Cairney said she is afraid of what Trump is planning: “It makes me feel very fearful about what’s happening”.
Members of the audience cited changes in the UK’s trading capabilities after Margaret Thatcher and the inheritance tax on farmers.
“Why are politicians not fighting harder to save Grangemouth?”
Scotland’s last oil refinery is closing in June, with redundancy notices already being sent to the 400 workers who will lose their jobs.
Michelle Thomson has been “fighting like a dervish” to save Grangemouth. She has attended meetings with unions and brought up the subject in Holyrood multiple times. And she has pushed the government to define what a “just transition” to green energy would look like.
Nick Nairn, who owns restaurants and a cooking academy, was concerned about what an energy transition could bring to the hospitality sector. “The minute you ask use to raise more taxes…we will have to pass that on to you, the consumer.”
Richard Baker has spoken to people looking to keep investment in Grangemouth for other means of energy. Such as, hydrogen and e-fuel.
Gallacher asked if he would lobby the government to “remove the red tape” and save local jobs.
“Why on earth are taxpayers paying for prescription paracetamol and ibuprofen when it can be bought in local supermarkets for as little as £0.37?”
A packet of paracetamol can cost a taxpayer £8.53.
Baker began the discussion and said: “We have to ensure the best possible investment of government spending on public resources.” After continuing to bring up free prescriptions and how essential they are, audience members became frustrated.
One asked: “Can you answer the actual question?” Which lead to the audience applauding and cheering.
Audience members who spoke after her agreed that the NHS was wasting money and not using resources efficiently.
Thomson suggested technological advancements. However, Cairney disagreed with the state of technology in the NHS: “I’m confused by the idea that more robots will help.”
“Could Nigel Farage’s Reform party become a major political party?”
The debate’s final question had less airtime than the previous three. However, every panellist thoroughly gave their view.
Nairn immediately replied: “When the mainstream parties aren’t delivering on the things that we really care about…people will start to look to more extremist policies.”
Gallacher agreed with Nairn’s statement and acknowledged that politicians must pay attention to the public’s attitude.
Baker was adamant that the government needs to scrutinise Farage’s policies. He also believed that a lack of fact-checking on social media led to his popularity.
Next time
BBC Debate Night will return next Wednesday in Aberdeen. You can watch tonight’s episode and others on BBC iPlayer
Featured Image Credit: BBC
Third year journalism student. 2025/2026 Lifestyle and Comment Editor at Brig. Published in The Yucatán Times, Mi Campeche and The Mourning Paper. Host of From the 40s with Air3Radio.
