Brian Taylor introduces Shirley Williams in the RBS Main Theatre, just before the rain begins to rattle the tent. The co-founder of the Social Democratic Party, the title of whose new book Climbing the Shelves refers to her childhood habit of climbing her parents bookshelves to reach the enticing literature near the ceiling of their Georgian flat, dives straight into current events.

On the subject of Al Megrahi, Williams tells us that she admires and respects the fact that Scots law includes compassionate release, asserting the importance of reconciliation over revenge in a civilised society.

Williams pays tribute to Donald Dewar, referring to the group of high profile politicians who have, like Dewar, been products of the University of Glasgow. As she speaks of events leading up to devolution, Williams refers to what she sees as the particular devastation to Scotland under Thatcher's government, with the loss of industry and the poll tax experiment. The former member of both Wilson and Callaghan's cabinets tells us that Dewar created a modern, radical parliament - including the hybrid election system and the particular role of the presiding officer. Williams asserts that, although election turnout has been poor since 1999, the project has been a general success.

Williams refers heavily to the Obama campaign, and particularly the current issue of health reform in the US, noting that although young people helped to elect Obama the same people have remained disastrously silent during health campaigning.

We hear Williams' opinion on the changing public image of politicians, which she attributes to a healthy lack of public deference combined with an unhealthy lack of public respect as a result of events such as the expenses row - which Williams asserts the Scottish Government dealt with quickly and effectively. Williams has no patience, she tells us, for the “football terrace” atmosphere in parliament, and would like to see a basic thread of politeness in politics.

Questions from the chair and the audience, though plenty, are not particularly challenging. I would have been interested to hear more from Williams on her experiences of grassroots politics. The relevance of US health reform seemed a bit disconnected from the rest of the lecture, though certainly topical.