WE suspect many of our readers have wanted to attend Question Time but are put off by the BBC’s audience criteria which seems to find nowhere near the number of independence supporters necessary to reflect the make-up of the electorate.

It’s not on the BBC, but the Yes DIY page is delighted to announce a Question Time-style event which could make a significant contribution to many people’s understanding of the current state of the independence cause.

Scotland’s Debate is being hosted by the Edinburgh Yes Hub in Queen’s Hall in the capital on Wednesday, April 15 at 7pm, with doors open at 6.30pm.

Mike Blackshaw of the Edinburgh Yes Hub told The National: “We might have to wait for the second independence referendum but we are holding our third event in April.

“This one is a Question Time-styled event without Fiona Bruce so that we can have some honest answers and no interruptions.

“We will also have music from Andrew Gordon and a wee political sketch from Andy Paterson of 3000 Trees fame. The event will include the Yes Choir at 7pm with the panel taking its seats at 7.30pm.

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“Questions will be from the floor and will be answered by Paul Kavanagh, aka the Wee Ginger Dug, Colin Fox – lead spokesperson of the Scottish Socialist Party, Michelle Thomson – ex-MP and co-author of The Scottish Business Diaspora, and Robin McAlpine, director of Common Weal, who have just produced a Green New Deal.

“We will announce three other panellists later when confirmed but do not worry, we will have a balanced and divergent panel. Lesley Riddoch could be away filming more of the series on Nordic countries, but if not will chair the event. If Lesley cannot make it, it will be the first of our series of Queen’s Hall events she will miss, but our loss will be Estonia’s gain.

“The event will be screened in Catalonia – Europe has a great interest in Scottish independence. We also hope that a delayed YouTube screening will take place.”

Tickets are now on sale at the Queen’s Hall box office, telephone 0131 668 2019, priced £10 and £7 which includes booking fees. A £1 deduction is available to the Edinburgh Yes Hub members, just quote yesmembers in the promo.

Before that there’s another Big Debate being hosted by Stirling University’s Students for Independence. It will take place at the university on Friday, March 13, at 6.30pm.

They told us: “Join us for a debate on the question that’s been on everyone’s mind for years – should Scotland be an independent country?

“We will have six big speakers still to be announced. Free tickets will be available through Eventbrite in due course.”