Talking politics

A host famous faces from the worlds of politics, arts and the media feature in a series of lively topical debates next week as the Edinburgh Festival of Politics returns to the Scottish Parliament.

Back for a fourth year, and with a Global Issues - National Perspectives theme, 2008's highlights include former government minsters Denis Healey and Douglas Hurd discussing their careers, and comic performer and activist Mark Thomas talking about how he uses comedy to address important issues. Actor Simon Callow discusses equality and changing attitudes to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgende people, and author and journalist Peter Oborne airs his views on the current political and military situation in Iraq.

There are also debates on the role of women in politics, European cultural politics, the credit crunch, as well as the ever popular Parliamentary Questions, where leading politicians from across the political spectrum discuss topical questions from the audience.

Also worth looking out for are are two tie-in events on in Dunfermline as part of the Carnegie Festival: Carnegie Question Time features a panel of experts focussing on the special relationship between the UK and US. Elsewhere, maverick leftist firebrand George Galloway joins Today programme presenter Evan Davies to chew the fat on the subject of his colourful career.

Edinburgh Festival of Politics is at the Scottish Parliament from Wednesday 20 to Saturday 23 August.