Scottish Referendum debate - watch with Mumsnet

Darling has absolutely no powers whatsoever to promise anything.
I'm lost as to why he is debating, pointless.

Person in charge of the UK following independence or otherwise is Cameron, he's the one that will be making the decisions and it should be him debating Salmond.

So...Alex won't be PM of an independent Scotland. ...which leaves us Joanne, Ruth or Willie....?

Run, run fast, and don't look back - and may God hsve mercy on our souls

Irene, they promised us "more powers" back in '79, what actually happened? If WM wanted us to have more powers, they'd have worked out between them what devo plus/extra meant, and offered it in September. And it would have won by a landslide. Ask yourself why Cameron insisted on yes/no, and why they're desperately "promising" extra "powers" now?

newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/9509-carmichael-threatens-to-tighten-westminsters-grip-if-scots-vote-no

Tories have one Scottish MP but got 16.7% of the vote here in 2010 (first past the post not working well for them there). Lib Dems 18.9%. Which makes 35.6 for the parties currently in coalition ( figures from Electoral Reform website). Not that meaningful with the current electoral system. But as I said before, I don't want this to be about particular parties. Although it does grate when I get called a Tory for being a No voter, when I have never voted Tory.

Thanks for the offer to watch along with you Mumsnet but I think I will be watching with my husband and will resist the distraction of checking what people are typing in favour of listening to what is actually said during the debate.

Alex Salmond has divided a country that was never divided.

Do you have a source for Westminster tightening the reins if Scotland votes no, Numanoid? I thought it was the other way round:

www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/05/scotland-promised-new-powers-no-vote-referendum

I hope Salmond clarifies during the debate that he wouldn't be the leader of an independent Scotland without an election, a lot of people seem to think he will be. Should be interesting to watch regardless.

Also worth noting that neither side has access to a crystal ball, so telling people what will happen if they vote the wrong way is hogwash too.

Should have added - we ALL care about Scotland. Neither side has the right to stake that claim any more than the other.

It's okay Neville, I just don't like swearing in response to things that weren't meant to be rude.

I'm sure a lot of No voters do care about Scotland, as in theory we are all doing what we believe is best by voting Yes or No. I just worry that people may not realise how much Westminster will tighten the reins on us if it's a No. But I suppose it's up to the majority to decide. :)

Our votes don't make much difference at WM but they do matter in September. Every one of them, yes or no.

I don't have anything to add here - my feelings on the future of Scotland within the UK are clear. Bring on the 18th, and lets move forward - I'm fed up of it all. You either believe Scotland is a repressed country that should govern itself and decide its own future, or you believe that it's better as a devolved power within the strong structure of the UK - and never the twain shall meet.

SquattingNeville I'm not even going to reply to that, I may have unintentionally caused offense by the way I worded something, your post is just plain rude.

squoosh I didn't mean it offensively, but why did no-one jump on SirChenjin for saying the same thing in relation to voting No? That's why I said I believe, not "this is the absolute truth". I genuinely think staying under Westminster rule is detrimental to Scotland.

Wise words, SunnyL. I'm expecting tonight to be fairly civilised, and a source of a few giggles at Darling's blink rate.

I'd like to reiterate - we're not on different sides. We all want the best for Scotland we just have opposing views as to how we achieve this.

The unpleasant behaviour and language used by both sides is undignified and not something I want to associate with whichever way I vote.

I like Alistair Darling. He was my MP until recently (I moved) and I found him very very useful for sorting out some issues I had for my business.

I also like Alex Salmond. My god you'd always want him on your side in an argument.

I'd like them both to maintain some dignity through this and remember - at the end of the day we are all Scottish and must all live side-by-side whatever the result.

Have to agree (see, OOAOML, we do agree sometimes! ) that I hope the debate shows it's not about Salmond/Cameron, it's a far bigger deal than that. This is about how we want our country to be run, not until the next General Election, but forever.

Ok how about those of us that care about Scotland being fairly represented?

How can anyone think having a conservative government with only one conservative MP in our country is right.

Our votes make no difference, just like at the next general election when conservatives get in again then have a vote on the EU, our votes again will make no difference.

'I truly think those of us who care about Scotland.'

That attitude hacks me RIGHT off.

I hope that the debate shows it isn't all about Salmond and the SNP, nor is it about Cameron and the Tories. I find it very depressing when people have such a short-term view on the question.

To those who mention the Facebook aspect - that has been pretty vile at times but is hopefully a minority on both sides.

those of us who care about Scotland - that's pretty offensive, a lot of people on both sides care deeply about Scotland, they just have different ideas on the way forward.

Agree with those who say the growth of interest in politics has been great. I've never been very involved in politics before but am now because I feel so strongly about this.

To add to the above, there will be abuse on both sides, unfortunately. But in all honesty, I find the Yes Scotland page to be more welcoming, with proper, well-formed arguments.

I have tried and tried to get answers from BT. I'll never vote No, but I wanted them to justify the points in their leaflets since they are full of contradictions. Their campaigners ignore me (I hadn't said which way I was voting, just asked for further explanation on points made). Anyone else I know who has asked has also been ignored by them.

I'm not trying to be rude to anyone, but with all that said, I find it hard to believe that being in the UK is in Scotland's best interests. I think everyone is entitled to an opinion and a vote. I actually think the referendum has gotten more people interested in politics, which is surely a good thing. I quite like all the campaigning, etc. :)

Crutchlow The only time I have been subjected to utterly disgusting abuse is on the Better Together page. I also witnessed a pensioner being verbally abused by them. I was polite, as was he, as I think debate is healthy. But they have nothing else to fall back on, as there really are no benefits for us being a part of the UK.

SirChenjin Sorry, I know it's a debate with different viewpoints, but I truly think those of us who care about Scotland don't want to be suppressed by Westminster any longer. They are scared, as they need us more than we need them. They have vowed to ensure that we are never allowed to do this again should we dare to act up and want to stand on our own two feet. It's getting too insulting.