BBC’s ‘Any Questions?’

1. Any Questions?

This is a topical discussion in which a panel of personalities from the worlds of politics, media and elsewhere are posed questions by the audience. From a different location each week.

Friday 10th February Alex Forsyth presented the political debate from St Fillan’s Church Hall, Aberdour.

This was part of St Fillan’s Church’s 900th anniversary celebrations.

2. The BBC team

There was an enormous team from the BBC. The presenter, 4 production team, 3 sound engineers from BBC Radio Scotland, 3 security personnel and 4 drivers! The photo shows the sound support van in Aberdour station car park. 

3. Satellite van

The plan had been to have ‘Any Questions?’ from the church but this was not possible, therefore it was held in the Church Hall. The satellite van had to be within 100 metres of the venue and have a clear line of sight south – therefore it was situated in the old cemetery!

4. Ready to start

The event was free and 150 tickets distributed through the church, the Purple Shop and Willies newsagent’s in Aberdour.

Photograph was not allowed during the recording.

5. The Questions

All the questions were submitted by the audience. The production team then chose which to use. The panel had no knowledge of the questions until they were read out.

6. Timeline

16 May 22 – After hearing Any Questions? were looking for venues and ‘”don’t think your venue is unsuitable”, email sent to BBC.
23 Aug 22 -BBC asked us to host Any Questions? on 10 Feb 23.
8 Dec 22 – Site visit by BBC sound engineer to St Fillan’s Church.
9 Jan 23 – Site visit BBC sound engineer to Church Hall.
10 Jan 23 – BBC confirmed they would go ahead with program.
9th Feb 23 – Names of panel confirmed.

7. The broadcast begins

This photograph is © David Wardle and can not be used without permission.

The Panel:

  1. Murdo Fraser MSP – Conservative & Unionist for Mid Scotland & Fife
  2. Angela Haggerty – Journalist
  3. Fiona Hyslop MSP – Scottish Nationalist Party for Linlithgow
  4. Michael Marra MSP – Labour for North East Scotland
The Questions:

  1. Should the UK supply fighter jets to Ukraine?
  2. Do members of the panel agree that passing of legislation in the Scottish Parliament on gender recognition has considerably damaged the case for Scottish Independence?
  3. Could accepting strikers pay demand be a good way to get the economy out of the woods.
  4. Is Richi Sunak’s appointment of Lee Anderson as Tory party deputy chair, a) an act of folly, or b) a strategic masterstroke?
  5. Historic Scotland has closed 60 historic buildings all at the same time, this resulted in thousands of fewer tourists. It has caused business closures and distress to small communities trying to recover from Covid. How can the Scottish Government justify this damaging decision?
  6. A new series of Faulty Towers is coming back to television. Is there any program you would like to see return to the TV, or radio? There was no time for this question but it was asked after recording stopped. 

You can listen to the program here: BBC Radio 4 – Any Questions?, Murdo Fraser MSP, Angela Haggerty, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Michael Marra MSP

And Any Answers here: BBC Radio 4 – Any Answers?, 11/02/2023