to start a new Scottish Indyref thread?

[FannyFifer]

Round 2 folks, ding ding!

I found it curious that neither Salmond nor Darling used the opportunity to draw from history. It could have made a compelling narrative, either way.

It is hard to disentangle today's crew from your mind though.

More of a diverse audience than the last one that's for sure.

This is on Facebook already

I'd agree the audience weren't great - too interested in their opportunity to take a pot shot and look smug that they'd delivered their line rather than asking a proper question.

What's on Facebook?

As a scot living in England, I have no say in a referendum and so I hadn't given much thought to how I'd vote.

I don't think Darling debated particularly well, and Salmond is a better public speaker, but there just seemed to be no specific answers to any of the questions if there was a yes vote. It may well be a case of better the devil you know, but there were some big questions for me about how all this would be funded - the NHS, social security, education etc and where all the money was actually going to come from. Especially as there are no firm currency plans and the potential for job losses, and an apparent plan for reducing corporation tax - how would an independent Scotland be funded?

watched some but all too miserable. can't believe these shouty people can change anyone's mind. i'm still no.

We should have more referendums in general in Britain. Some Swiss-style direct democracy would do a great deal of good for our politics. In particular, it takes power away from politicians, and puts it in the hands of the public.

If anyone needed convincing that Salmond is a base opportunist and half-crazed bully, this should have done it ... granted the presenter was terrible, but Salmond can't seem to allow anyone else to talk without braying interruptions, even when answering his questions

It appears that his mind is made up: ignoring the views of the rest of the UK, he wants a currency union (and the bail-outs it would guarantee if thngs go wrong) and will default on debt repayment if he doesn't get it. No doubt that will appeal to some, but fine - okay - just let him try it and see what businesses and the financial markets will do to Scotland

I've never really believed the (usually pretty intelligent) Scots would fall for him and now I'm certain of it. For their sake, I honestly hope I'm not mistaken ...

Barely anyone bothers to turn up for the Swiss referendums though!

Am I reading this wrong? Is the yes campaign basically that although we'd have no control in a currency union (of our borrowing power etc) that the benefits of deciding what we do the money we do have outweigh the risks of someone else controlling it? I'm so undecided. I believe scotland can make better decisions for scotland, but I can't see how we won't be skelped in a currency union. Can someone tell me how it can work positively?

they are both pretty repugnant. but salmond won this one.

to be honest i don't see what is so different between them, why salmond gets peoples backs up so much. he's no different to any other politician.

Is the yes campaign basically that although we'd have no control in a currency union (of our borrowing power etc) that the benefits of deciding what we do the money we do have outweigh the risks of someone else controlling it?

Spot on.

I really don't think there will be a CU. There is no reason at all for the UK to sign up to it; their published research is hugely against it, the public are against it, basic economics is against it.

in the first debate salmond tried a quieter more polite type of debating and darling trounced him and he appeared weak , and he lost. this time he;s stepped up and debated like he usually does and has won the debate, but he still loses because he appears unlikeable!

he won the debate! the momentum is going with yes, every week. Yes is going to win!

Salmond kep on and on about "getting a mandate for a CU". Darling wasn't expecting that and should have called him on it. The referendum is about 'should Scotland be an independent country' - nothing more.

I think that's basically it Angelina. We would get skelped in a currency union, as the only way there would be any chance of it being agreed to would be for the terms to be as tight as a ducks arse. It's unlikely however that it would be agreed as all political parties have made such a hoo-ha about saying no chance.

Watching..

BBC said polls showing 7-23% of voters still undecided.

I am not.

And, the yes campaign is also now "oooh, be careful, Westminster doesn't do the naughty corner - it's going to be cruel and unusual punishment after a "no"".

Which is a surprisingly effective campaign strategy.

Unfortunately, Angelina, he didn't address the point about Westminster still having a major say if he secures a currency union ... I got the impression he wants it so that someone else can provide the financial backing, with him deciding how it's spent

Maybe someone should explain to him that this isn't how independence works ... if they could get a word in edgeways, of course

deeedeee As I said to you on the last thread I wish you well, but I fear there will be tears.
Salmond can promise you the earth, but without the money to pay for it you'll be in for a very tough time.

I think there will be a lot of wavering on the day, tbh.

I like salmond. He's clever and quick witted. He's knowledgable and trustworthy.

I won't even begin to list why Alisdair D is a self righteous twonk.....

Why did he keep pointing like a schoolyard bully?

Last time salmond did Darling the courtsy of not talking over him while Darling shouted and refused to let Alex speak. This time he gave a bit back.
Good on salmond.

I hope we can show you your wrong no voters.

Why did he keep pointing like a schoolyard bully?
Because he couldn't get a word in!