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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Adam Robertson

John Swinney and Douglas Ross set to appear on Question Time from Musselburgh

THE BBC’s weekly debate programme Question Time will be broadcast live from Scotland this evening.  

Hosted by Fiona Bruce, tonight’s guests will be speaking from Musselburgh with a range of big names set to appear, including Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

Tonight's show starts after the 10 o'clock news on BBC one and will also be available on BBC iPlayer. 

Below is a list of everybody set to voice their opinions tonight and a bit on their background. 

John Swinney 

Swinney (below) has served as the Deputy First Minister of Scotland since 2014, as well as taking on a range of other cabinet roles. 

He is currently covering the role of Finance Secretary while Kate Forbes is on maternity leave. 

John Swinney and Douglas Ross are set to appear on Question Time tonightJohn Swinney has taken on the role of Finance Secretary while Kate Forbes is on maternity leave

The Deputy FM has also served as the education secretary. He has represented Perthshire North as an MSP since 2011, having previously represented North Tayside from 1999 to 2011. 

Douglas Ross 

Ross (below) is the current leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, a role he assumed in 2020. 

He serves as both the MP for Moray and the MSP for the Highlands and Islands. 

John Swinney and Douglas Ross are set to appear on Question Time tonightDouglas Ross will appear on tonight's programme

This week, he claimed it was a “disgrace” that the Supreme Court was asked to rule on whether Scotland can legislate for indyref2.

He called it the “legal battle that nobody wants”. The Scottish Tory leader also came under fire for previously calling for Holyrood to replicate the UK Government’s planned tax cuts.

Anas Sarwar

As well as the leader of the Scottish Tories, the leader of Scottish Labour will also be appearing on Question Time. 

He assumed his role in February 2021, having previously served as deputy leader from 2011 to 2014. 

He has been an MSP for the Glasgow region since 2016 but was previously an MP for Glasgow Central from 2010 to 2015 - a seat he lost to the SNP

John Swinney and Douglas Ross are set to appear on Question Time tonightAnas Sarwar will be one of the guests on Question Time this evening

Last week, SNP president Michael Russell accused Sarwar of “fooling himself” after he claimed the party were “rattled” by polls which showed a Labour resurgence. 

Isabel Hardman

As is the norm on Question Time, there will be a couple of guests featured who are not politicians. 

Hardman currently works as the assistant editor of Spectator Magazine and is the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Week in Westminster

She also edits The Spectator’s “coffee house” blog and has appeared on other political programmes including The Andrew Marr Show and Have I Got News For You. 

Stuart Murdoch

The lead singer of Scottish band Belle and Sebastian will also make an appearance this evening. 

The popular band have performed around the world and have released 11 studio albums since their debut in 1996.

Murdoch is also an ambassador for Open Medicine Foundation which aims to improve health care for patients suffering from multisystem chronic, complex diseases. 

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