Scottish Referendum debate: Alistair Darling and Alex Salmond, Wednesday September 10th, 1.45-2.45pm

[JustineMumsnet]

Hi all,

We're delighted to announce that Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling will both be joining us on Mumsnet this Wednesday at 1.45pm, to take part in a live debate in the lead-up to the Scottish Referendum on September 18th.

The decision with which Scottish voters are faced this month constitutes a significant moment in the history - and future - of Scotland and the UK. And with polls currently predicting a result that's too close to call, this final showdown between the two leaders could potentially prove decisive.

The debate will be conducted along typical Mumsnet webchat lines, but with each guest free to question and respond to the answers of the other. We know the referendum has been a topic of serious discussion on the site (we're currently on IndyRef thread number seven - and counting ...) so in order to ensure that the leaders answer your questions, we're restricting the ability to post to Mumsnetters who'd been members of the site for more than 24 hours before the launch of this thread. Otherwise, the usual guidelines apply.

Please join us on Wednesday at 1.45pm - and if you can't make it then, as ever, do post up any comments or questions in advance.

Is that responses, or questions? I thought both of them spent a bit long going over the same ground several times. But then that kind of sums up a lot of the referendum to be honest.

@LineRunner

Is that because AS hung around longer?

He stayed roughly and extra 5 mins

@OOAOML

Is that responses, or questions? I thought both of them spent a bit long going over the same ground several times. But then that kind of sums up a lot of the referendum to be honest.

Responses.

PeaceLovingMum if you are here you were quoted in the FT!

I saw a quote in the Metro from daisyfraser. I think she said 'salmond ye are a snitty wee bastart'. Oh no that was me thinking out loud.

Yes, I was a bit premature with my counting up the responses; Alex Salmond got more in after I thought it was all over... but he still didn't answer my question .

I couldn't be a politician, I was quite stressed just reading it yesterday. But I think that is because of the general uncertainty the whole thing creates, although I guess life is uncertain anyway.

Round-up of MN debate in Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/10/scottish-referendum-mumsnet-hosts-final-showdown-before-vote

Bizarrely includes analysis/critique of MN's debate format - style over substance anyone?

Also on STV website:
news.stv.tv/scotland/291574-salmond-and-darling-criticised-in-live-mumsnet-referendum-debate/

nicename - funnily enough that's what my advocate friend said when I emailed him the AS response

Quoted in the Guardian. Day made. Shame I forgot my serious question until the end.

Its a fairly common response.

Me too, they quoted me. Yay me!

I a German born parent of a young family living in Scotland and working in a bank. I will be voting yes. Despite or perhaps because or the UKs right wing press popularity for independence is growing in Scotland. Scottish people are perhaps the least zenaphobic in UK. Not once has a Scottish person accused me of being ss. Yet look at English media anytime you don't like reason bring up the war. Honestly some of the made up shite in the papers is unbelievable. Scottish people and those who have moved to Scotland want to have better social care. Why is it so hard to understand.

Please don't Katjasm. This will in effect make me a foreigner in my own homeland.

My dad was a very proud Scot but I will refuse a Scottish passport. It is a nonsense.

I'm a German born mother with a young family living in Scotland and I'm voting no, for many reasons, mostly economical ones, but every so slightly in the background for me is also the experience of having gone through the unification of my own country.
I have lived in 4 countries over the last 20 years (12 in Scotland though) and I found it easier to make friends outside work everywhere else although I think it is mostly due to working full time. Not that this matters at all for my decision.

Hello all

Before yesterday's webchat, we filmed Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling answering some of the questions that were put to them on the thread. Do have a look at the video below and let us know what you think - and for their answers to the critical biscuit question, ...

quietbat I did chuckle at that bit!

My mum was english, as were her parents (who moved up when they retired). They didn't (nor I as half n half) suffered anti english sentiment.

I got crap for having red hair (believe it or not), having a gay sibling (not enlightened times, the 1980s), or being 'posh' because we had a big house (there were a zillion kids, so where did peope expect us to sleep?).

I have got plenty anti scottish 'jokes' since living in London since 1990.

Nicely-done MN. Thanks for shedding light on the debate

Any experts here in body-language care to chime in?

Body language - AD who is good at finance but not being a public face of anything particularly, very nervous worried about putting his foot in it; AS confident as ever - doing very well. He is just a better politician than most of them. I hope he wins.

I'm pretty sure it's not coincidence that they picked Scottish biscuits..

And do you believe a fairer Scotland will be the outcome Greengrow?

My son was saying today nicename that he is accepted as Scottish in school. He hears the "all English are.." stuff, primarily as he says from people who've never been to England. He has also had "Your Dad's an English cunt .." gibes but has remained mates, such is the schoolyard.

He wouldn't know about stuff from me as it's been low key and I've always been brushed it off.

Some people are bigots, wherever you go.

I suspect its a combo of where you are and I guess its got worse with the referendum debate trundling along.

The smallest minded ones are the least travelled in my experience.

Bloody awful for your DS though. I'd be tearing a few new arseholes.

No, don't worry, he's zen like.