30/04/2012 Newsnight Scotland

BSkyB, it is to do with stuff that happened under the previous

government. Thank you. On tonight's programme, one side

lobbies Holyrood, the other lot say they'll be sending 300,000 leaflets

ahead of the election on Thursday. Is gay marriage about to dominate

the political debate, even if the politicians don't want it to?

Island life ahead of the local election on Thursday - we're on

Islay to hear about the big issues there. And find out why this

programme's been causing a stir on the other side of the Atlantic.

an interview with the BBC, the former Liberal leader talked about

the end of the -- the inevitability of Quebec separation.

Good evening. Tonight we're talking about the union, who it's for and

if we need a referendum to decide its future. No, it's nothing to do

with Scotland's constitution. We are debating marriage and whether

it should be open to same-sex couples. The Catholic Church has

led the campaign against changing the law, but a range of faith-based

groups have formed a rival campaign to make clear there's more than one

religious view on same-sex unions. They lobbied Holyrood today. We'll

hear from both sides shortly. Another day, another lobby at

Holyrood, over proposals to allow religious same-sex marriages in

Scotland. This group, faith in marriage, which includes Christian

churches as well as many other religions, handed in an open letter

to MSPs demanding the right to conduct same-sex marriages. We have

been here before, haven't we? The row over this can be charged, and

when you have different sections of society moving at different speeds

it can become fraught. We will not stand back and allow politically

correct minority to wonder line the important position of marriage in

our society and determine morality for the majority. We did not vote

for it and we are not having it. This man spent a million pounds of

his own money funding the campaign in 2000, and staged a referendum to

oppose the repeal of legislation which for they'd local authorities

from intentionally promoting homosexuality. Its opponents had

considerably less cash to throw about but they did have the support

of the main political parties, including the MSP for which he was

a political donor. -- the SNP. The public has ended up being caught in

a battle between politicians and religion for hearts and minds. The

the SNP accepts religious organisations that don't wish to

conduct same-sex marriages should not have to, but in recent weeks

campaigners led by Cardinal Keith O'Brien have been at the Scottish

Parliament arguing the case against any change to the status quo.

urge everyone in our country to unite in support of Scotland for

marriage. More limbs are also concerned and imams have come out

strongly against any change to the status of marriage as anything but

a union between man and woman. But today the argument came from those

for religious gay marriage. The SNP might be minded for change but it

is well aware that sexuality and politics can be a volatile mix.

I'm joined by Tom French of the Equality Network, speaking for the

campaign group Faith in Marriage which supports the idea of gay

marriage. And by John Deighan from the campaign group Scotland for

Marriage, which opposes the idea. What do you make of the claim that

opposing the idea is actually homophobic or entrances homophobia

in our society? It is good to see the argument come out like that now

so we understand how this will impact on society. We have found

about 85% of people believe you can support the tradition of marriage,

and they have found if this goes through they will not tolerate that

position. The country needs to wake up to this am change the minds of

politicians. What about homophobia? Homophobia - you are accused of

being homophobic simply for holding of a value that all societies have

got hold it. The instruments of our society operate on have always

upheld. Really it is quite worrying where about to go down the path

where normal people believe in what people have always believed, they

will be charged for with something the Equality Network sees as a

counter racism. Defended as a tradition? Marriage has changed

over centuries numerous times, one example is that you can no longer

beat your wife legally. In terms of defending tradition, it is fine for

groups like the Catholic Church to be able to hold marriages in

whatever way they see fit, but we are calling for other faith groups

that want to conduct same-sex marriages and the state - civil

marriages - we feel they should be allowed to conduct same-sex

marriages. It is not about requiring them to conduct them, it

is about allowing those groups that want to to be able to. You said in

your letter today that not to do that was entrenching homophobia,

that is what you are saying his position is about. I think opposing

same-sex marriage altogether, so what we are saying is that if the

Catholic Church do not want to do same-sex marriages themselves they

should not have to, but it seems they are going beyond that am

wanting to impose their views on other faith groups. If so? If so, I

think that is wrong. Other faith groups want to conduct same-sex

marriages and should be able to. One not let them do that and you

carry on doing your thing? Tom is confusing two things. There is an

understanding of marriage which is for the public good, for bringing

together men and women for the sake of children and we have to operate

in a society where we can do that the best we can. You presumably

don't accept that that is what marriage is about? He no, I think

marriage is about two people come together who love each other and

one to celebrate their partnership. We have seen seven countries in

Europe have already legalise same- sex marriage. What is wrong with

his position? Every one knows that love is a good thing but the love

between a husband and wife is something different. Any biology

lesson can teach us that. To say two men can form the same

relationship as a man and woman is illogical, contrary to reason. It

flies in the face of common sense and people are starting to wake up

to this now. When they see the case we had in England last week when a

Catholic school were teaching their marriage is between a man and a

woman, and the amount of campaigning from groups has now led

to a government inquiry. This is what it will do for religious

freedom, this is what it will do for the 85% of people who believe

traditional marriage can be upheld at the same time as recognising the

rights of others, which we have recognised. Civil partnership gives

them the same rights as spouses. Are you now in favour of civil

partnerships? By am not in favour. It has led us to the position we

are now because we said it was preparing the way for same-sex

marriage. At the time we were told, don't be silly, no one could

redefine marriage. They are was a time when people on your side of

the argument said all you needed to be equal was civil partnership, the

same rights. When did the argument changed? The Equality Network said

we will support this as a step forward, but in our submissions to

the government at the time we said this is not equality. We believe in

the same rights and rules for everyone. Equality under the law is

a principle that is key to Scotland and that is what we are calling for.

We are calling for equal rights and equal treatment. Are you trying to

make this a political issue ahead of the elections? No, council

elections are about improving local communities, not dividing them as

John wishes to. This is about standing up for the values of

equality and tolerance in Scotland. Whatever you, John? This is about

the imposition by a minority and an understanding of marriage that the

world has never seen before being imposed on local authorities.

you trying to make this an election issue? You want people to vote on

this issue? Yes, we want them to check with councillors what they

will do in schools, will we have children taught this way? How do

you feel about that? I think John and the Catholic Church is one

example to have every right to not conduct same-sex marriages. The

proposals and our campaign is not calling for that. There is a wider

agenda going on. What is the election agenda? I think it is

unfortunate because it is dividing communities. Why? You divide it

today. Telling people they should not vote for candidates who support

same-sex marriages. With asking for... We are running short of time.

We are asking for candidates who will support freedoms. This is a

taste of what will come in the imposition of a minority view in

the rest of society. You are saying it should be settled in a

referendum. One that suit you? don't think it is necessary. Do you

think you would lose? Four out of five parties had this in their

manifestos, so we elect them at They do a good job. Taxpayers'

money goes to fund your campaign. They have pushed politicians and

without thinking, it is live and let live, but they realise the

impact this has on the rest of society. How much have you spent?

How much? �50,000. You spend millions of pounds of taxpayers'

money. Millions. John and Tom, thank you both very much. Ahead of

this week's local election, Iain Hamilton has been dispatched to the

four corners of the country to find out what folk are talking about. In

his forth and final report he's headed west to Islay. The global

whisky boom is helped bring much needed tourism to the local economy.

But as with many rural areas, the challenges of affordable housing,

transport costs and low wages are major factors in people's lives.

Not that this has affected their spirit, as Iain reports. The Isle

of Islay. Remote. Tranquil. And beautiful. So, why have I found

myself in the middle of this...? For families who come from here and

those who move here, they are clear about why they make this their home.

Everybody knows your children. You can speak to everybody and the main

thing is committed to spread. There is no were like this island. I know

that my children are safe, I can let their children play in the

cordon and not on tour. -- in the garden. In the mainland, you cannot

take your eyes off them for one minute. It isn't all rosy. We are

living in a two-bedroom flat with three children, sharing a room. The

smallest bits to be moved into a single bed and we are crammed into

a single bedroom. There isn't much room. We will sit tight and wait,

basically. When Paul Patterson's relationship broke up, he had to

move back with his parents and younger brother because he could

find nowhere else to live. How difficult is it to buy summer?

wages you would not cover the mortgage for the prices now. The

only decent place to get a job is a Distillery job and that is dead

man's shoes. There has been a huge thing about this million-pound

investment with the hotel and eight new houses. That only scratches the

surface. He is quite nice. Cheeky with good attitude. These sheep are

looked after by Tony. On his parents tenant farm. I am not going

to eat this. I don't think you will be eating less. Tony has a degree

in agriculture so he is fully committed to the lifestyle but

along with many others in his generation, they have found it

almost impossible to get their own tenancy. And there is no guarantee

that Tony will be allowed to take over his parents tenancy when they

eventually retire. I only have 10 sheep, it's a hobby. But he wants

it to be a profession. Young potential farmers believe they can

get started -- cannot get started because so much land is absent in

two private estates when tenancies end. We will have less people in

all of these houses, the houses around, five empty houses on the

neighbouring farms around this small farm and these houses are

empty. The school up the road, that was under threat of closure due to

the lack of pupils. The local shop is closed. This whole valley is

going to be one farm and a couple of holiday homes and then the

ground might well be farmed by men from other parts. If we can get

more people here residing on the land and owning the land, they can

decide if they want to give the land to young people to build

houses and we also have to add affordable housing. And not be

selling plots for �80,000. We need to be selling plots for �10,000.

Get the houses back into the equation and get families back. Get

the lights back on. What has been interesting about my trip is how

much what impact on families is outside the control of the council.

Like the availability of land to build affordable housing and the

high cost of ferries, fuel and food. Fuel is expensive. But I love you

because it's the most beautiful place in the world. I have two

small children and I would not bring them up anywhere else. As I

have travelled around Scotland, from Dundee, Murray, Lanarkshire

and here in the Isle of Islay, one thing is clear. People's passion

for their community and their willingness to stay and make things

better. Renton has worked hard so it's time to give him some fun...

Iain Hamilton. Last Monday we brought you a report from Canada on

lessons from the most recent independence referendum in Quebec

in 1995. And judging by the reaction to our programme, it's

still a very sensitive issue. Our coverage included an interview with

the former Canadian Liberal leader, Michael Ignatieff. It has, to put

it mildly, caused something a stir. Tonight he may no longer be a

politician but Michael Ignatieff knows how to what Parliament held

into a frenzy. An interview he gave to the BBC Scotland... For formal -

- former Liberal leader talked about the inevitability of the

separation after back. It focused on the Scottish independence

referendum. The effect of it, we are almost two separate countries.

A asked whether separation is inevitable, he said more powers to

kickback might have been like a good idea at... But it is a way

station, you stop for a while but the logic is independence. For four

quid back? That is eventually when it goes. He suggests that his words

are being taken out of context. Parties are trying to downplay

these remarks but the damage is done. Relief from the good judgment

of the Canadian public that they did not make him Prime Minister and

also, where his Paul Brady... is a glorious future for Canada and

Quebec lying in that great Federation of Canada and Michael in

that it does not think so either. Tomorrow's tapirs... The Herald...

Household debt fears as mortgage rates rise. Homeowners could be

plunged into a spiral of debt as banks hike mortgage repayments.

That the picture of the Blue Knights, the man at the centre of

that, Paul Murray, and how they submit the new bid to take over