David Maddox: For Foulkes Sake (1)

MSPs have this morning been debating the parlous state of broadcasting (and the media in general) in Scotland which has allowed the Steamie to bring the first in what should be a regular series of Foulkesisms by Labour Lothians MSP Lord George Foulkes (pictured).
Baron Foulkes of Cumnock made a very colourful speech in which he lambasted the quality of BBC Scotland.
"Just take a few examples," he said. "Listen in the morning. Switch from Good Morning Scotland – and that awful, parochial, kailyard stuff – to the Today programme with erudite people, incidentally who went to Keith Academy, like James Naughtie appearing."
He went on: "Look also in the evening at Drivetime with Abeer McIntyre whining away or turn on your radio, switch it over, to Radio 4 and you hear mellifluous wit and wisdom of Scotsman Eddie Mair."
He claimed the most "astonishing example" came on yesterday's Reporting Scotland when newsreader Jackie Bird presented a story about BBC presenters, including herself, who had "limited" medical information disclosed by a Fife doctor.
"We almost had Jackie Bird interviewing Jackie Bird about this astonishingly parochial thing," he said.
It should be said that there was much concern raised about STV potentially disappearing and BBC Scotland reducing staff in the debate general. But it was interesting that in these difficult times no MSP (not even Lord Foulkes) looked at the issue that a mammoth state funded media outlet (the BBC) is actively crowding out a struggling market on lots of different platforms. STV and other commercial interests have a difficult battle on their hands on the TV, radio and the web against such odds.