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.

Thank you. I had followed the webchat so assumed that he was talking about that and was a bit surprised.

www.mumsnet.com/politics/mumsnetters-on-scottish-referendum

Poll.

48% Yes, 41% No, 11% DK

Yes, there was a poll, but it was separate from yesterday's debate, it polled MNers in Scotland and found a majority would vote yes. On phone, so not sure how to link.

Besides, AS only answered more questions by staying longer. That shows some commitment to answering questions, but at 2.45, they had answered the same number, as far as I counted.

Xpost there...

Ok - thanks.
Page 7 of today's Times assesses yesterday's MN debate and the answers given as 12/20 for Salmond and 13/20 for Darling.

So it seems that, true to form, AS saves face by dredging up out-of-date stats after the media's general assessment that he came off worst yesterday.

And all those people intending to put the futures of their grandchildren in this man's hands!

Some of the responses were them responding to each other's replies - think AS did this a bit more.

Oh apologies. I thought a ' Mumsnet poll' might be a poll that being a Mumsnetter, and of Scots background, I might have actually known about.

Another No here who didn't know about the poll....

This was the poll where many of the comments were very critical of the questions, I think? Quite a few people did not complete it because of this.

The poll was pinned to the top of active conversations for a while and I had it emailed out as well...I assume because I'm signed up for the mumsnet panel stuff.

I don't know what else they should have done?

chemenger, yes it was the one with loads of mistakes and stupid questions about AS and AD.

I am a total 100% yes.
Westminster are scandalous..the press have been outrageously bias!! especially the BBC! I dont believe any of the crap sentimentality about the love of scotland and please dont separate from any of the parties. Im old enough to remember us being crapped on by parties we have never voted in. This is about being in control of our own future in Scotland...and i wholeheartedly agree. Let the scottish people get on with it. Im so sick of all the Westminster tactics. They are shocking. If you are undecided...question what you read from the BBC and look further.

DH recorded the Big Big Debate for me. Brilliant viewing for a Yesser.

I'm voting yes, I'm happy with my decision. I have friends and family voting no, and I'm happy with their decision. I've thoroughly enjoyed the debate and will keep my interest in the running of my country going whatever the result.

Sorry that should have said please dont seperate from England ha ha!!!

Further, Greengarden? What to wingsoverscotland? Or some of the other biased stuff being peddled by Yes.

You don't like the fact at you are losing the debate because questions are being answered with shouting and bulky tactics. And so, you cry foul.

I bet your campaign are the sort tipped over the Monopoly board when they lost.

Look very closely at Alex Salmond. Very closely. If you look closely enough you will see that the emperor isn't wearing any clothes.

It isn't about Salmond. It is about the people of Scotland having a government they voted for, every single election, forever.

I really and seriously want to know from Alex Salmond the counter arguments to all the (mainly financial) points being raised from many quarters in recent days. However, all he ever seems to say is that Westminster is "panicking, scare-mongering and bullying.

It's quite worrying that that is his chosen answer, rather than some hard economic facts and a credible plan.

And it's all very well the Scots banging on about being in charge of their own affairs - how's that going to work when they have no currency to use, are hanging around waiting to see if the EU will accept them, many large-scale businesses are de-camping south of the border as soon as you can say RBS and their oil reserves are proven to be running out fast?

Do you know. That is rubbish. The "people of Scotland" are not one thing who all vote one way and are all ignored. Some vote Conservative, some Liberal, some Green, many vote Labour. In the last general election the figures for SNP were not significantly higher than for Conservative.

Interesting to see the history lesson on the news tonight. It was when the SNP withdrew support for Labour in 1979 that the subsequent general election brought the Conservatives to power, overwhelmingly.

Many people who live in Scotland (not the people of Scotland - I am British) actually voted for what they have got in Westminster - a coalition.

Grow up. I did not vote for the SNP and yet I have to go through this, quite frankly terrifying, referendum to appease a minority view.

You are, if anything, massively over-represented; I have 3 councillor in my ward; the Council itself; my area MSP; the list MSPs; an MP, an MEP.

Bloody hell. Every single one of them with their noses in the trough and their meetings and their expensive decisions. But, I am democratically represented.

If you are not represented because you didn't vote for what the majority
did, you get another shot at it.

I face a future in a foreign country, peopled by bigots and those who hate my country and blame it for all the ills of the world. And there is no turning back.

Roseformeplease Well first let me start by correcting your assumptions

It has been proven, beyond any doubt, that the referendum bias is solely the product of mainstream media namely BBC and newspapers and you like many on this board are being manipulated by those within the No Campaign.

Ask yourself why, why does the UK government want to keep Scotland so much, it has never shown any interest in developing it to make it a better place. Could it be the same thing they want to "protect" the Falkland Islanders or the illegal war they brought us all into in Iraq.

When you wake up and see your Government blatantly lying to you, you too will see this my way.

Ask yourself, do you want to run your childrens affairs all their life or do you want them to grow and make their own way in life - why would anyone not want that, the only difference is YES Campaign want it on a larger scale.

Finally, you like many millions across the UK are being lied to everyday as the Public Service Broadcaster BBC and possibly others whom we pay for through our taxes and licence fees should be there to report FACTS. Instead they edits out the bits they don't want you to know, successive Governments have withheld professional reports that prove Scotlands case because it is contrary to Westminsters agenda.

You need to inform yourself of the FACTS before you take part and voice opinion I wont tell you where to look, but I would ask you to take the time to look and you will find them. Then once armed with FACTS come back to see if your opinion has changed

Finally you need to understand that this is a grassroots movement with every sector of Scottish life represented, this is no longer a project of a political party.

"Grow up. I did not vote for the SNP and yet I have to go through this, quite frankly terrifying, referendum to appease a minority view."

All the polls are coming back in at least the high 40s for yes...that's only just a minority view.

You may disagree and it may well come back as a no next week, but it is looking to be a very close run thing, that's nearly half the population saying yes.

Why do Yes people like to write FACT in capital letters? Does it somehow make your opinion more convincing?

I've looked at lots of facts, followed many links from both Yes and No. I'm still voting No.

I've eaten too much chocolate. FACT

clam in answer to your comments, I agree you should be given the facts about how an indy Scotland will provide financial stability.

However it is not in Alex Salmond's gift. Instead this is in Mr Carney's gift. Mr Carney of the Bank of England.

He, and he alone, has the absolute control that will trigger financial collapse of UK financial position and he fully intends to cause the collapse of the Pound - why. For one reason - The UK Government cannot pay the obscene level of debt they have built up over the last three decades and the only way they pay their debt is by devaluing our Pound. This means those with savings, property, pensions etc across the UK will all be shafted as the value of these assets is effectively stolen by stealth by the UK treasury - don't believe me - take a read of Money Week

As for oil, geophys studies prove beyond any doubt that a massive oil field way bigger than the North Sea fields have produced is accessible if the nuclear presence on the Clyde was relocated.
We already have a currency its called the Pound Sterling
The EU will accept Scotland as they are on record as being a body that enables and empowers self determination
Large scale businesses are making CONTINGENCY plans which is both pragmatic and sensible to protect their legal responsibilities as the majority of their customers reside in England

As said to Roseformeplease look for the FACTS and place yourself in a state of vulnerable openmindedness to inform yourself. If you do, you will find that you are free of the thought constraints of those with vested interests trying to manipulate to achieve and fulfill THEIR agenda and not necessarily yours.

OOAOML use of caps is for emphasis, as its difficult to relate effectively in type, did't think anyone needed this explained.

Its also very interesting to note how many MNers say what their voting intention would be but not where they live - how distorted is that.

Surely to have any validity in voting stats the only relevant opinions are from those residing in Scotland - (Scots background doesn't count either)

Banging on about running our own affairs? How very dare we?