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.

Scotland is being torn in two by the arguments and in fighting.

I can think of plenty of things you should change your name to. I won't suggest them. I have better manners than that.

FactuallyInnaccurate (aka StatisticallyChallenged) seem a little touchy there, are you getting confused with the fact that I don't claim to know it all, but I do know you're avoiding the potted history lesson above perhaps because its difficult for you to hide the lies of the more distant past than it is the immediate past (e.g. Nick Robinson, BBC)

Since the United Kingdom can be considered a country SC seems factually accurate.

In more than one way.

Green you are getting personal and even more goady.

As WildThong has said. Scotland isn't exactly blame free or 'perfect' either.

I have no lies to hide, I have told none. Just because I believe a No vote is the correct decision does not believe I agree with everything that has ever been done in/by the UK.

And stop calling me that, you are crossing the line in to offensive.

Crossed the line already, don't engage with the hairy handed one ladies!

Sorry United Kingdom is not a country, that's akin to saying Europe is a country. I bet any one of the EU nations would disagree with that statement.

What is it about my post that you cannot understand, I did not accuse you of telling lies, if you would simply read the words and then respond to what I said you would clearly see that I did not levy an accusation that you lied, it states clearly because its difficult for you to hide the lies of the more distant past than it is the immediate past (e.g. Nick Robinson, BBC) where does that say you lied?

You said "perhaps because its difficult for you to hide the lies of the more distant past than it is the immediate past (e.g. Nick Robinson, BBC)"

I said "I have no lies to hide, I have told none". This is an accurate response. I do not need to hide the lies of a more distant past, because they did not involve me. Which was my point. I'm making no attempt to hide them. Because I don't need to.

One final point before I depart,

If your were as diligent in carrying out your "extensive research" into independence debate as you have been reading my posts I suggest their is a high possibility and a degree of probability that you misread some of the information which casts doubt on the validity of your "No" view.

Sorry it is.

The level of attention I paid to your posts was in line with the validity of their content.

Now I am sorry that I went to bed last night - clearly I missed a classic. Green the UK is a country. It is my country. I hadn't thought about it much until the last few years, but people like you have made me. The more I read rants like yours, the more I feel British and the less I feel Scottish. Thanks for that. Thanks for showing Scotland up.

And you are immensely offensive. It is a shame, because most Yes and No voters on these threads had started to get on reasonably well, with a few exceptions on both sides. We are all just trying to do what we think is best. People like you jumping in just raises the tension again.

onwards and upwards! Im letting go.. ahhhh i'm floating like a butterfly here ! Off to catch the plane better go!

Oops . Wrong thread!

Thank Heavens for greengardenpixie and Jim Sillars! -

exposing the true colours of the Yes campaign and the ugly truth behind Alex Salmond's claim on MN debate of the 'joyous' nature of his campaign.

The Yes main 'argument' from top to bottom seems to be using the term 'Project Fear' to insinuate cowardice and lack of patriotism on the part of those considering voting No to independence.

Similarly their hysterical screams of BBC 'bias' in the face of totally objective reporting. FYI Channel 4 Dispatches several weeks ago included business and academic leaders who had been told 'Vote Yes or else'.

This is not democracy, nor is it any sort of launch-pad for a 'fairer' Scotland

As a Scot, living in England, and therefore not exposed to the continuos propoganda that my family and friends back home have had to put up with, I've been really shocked at some of the things they've been telling me.

Jim Sillars comments though, are a whole new depth. Possibly (probably) these sort of threats have become common currency at Holyrood meetings with businessmen and journalists, but to threaten businesses in public in this way is even worse, because it shows abuse of power without any embarrassment. However, worst of all, is how accepting people have been of it.

Only a year or two ago, Scots people would have been horrified and would be rejecting it wholesale. Now, it doesn't even stop them voting to transfer all political power into the hands of people like Jim Sillars.

Someone I know has been comparing the rise of the yes vote to the rise of the nazi party.

I thought it was over the top, but thanks to Jim Sillars I can now see that what people will tolerate (and sometimes even give their approval to) has genuinely shifted.

Whatever the vote next week, i think Scots will wake up ashamed one day when they realised what they've let happen to their country.

Jim Sillars has stirred some business owners right up. The Iceland stores boss certainly isn't happy!

It shouldn't just b business leaders that are concerned. His threats, if carried out, will have direct consequence on everyone who owns unit trusts, pensions that has shares ina company that does business in Scotland.

But really it should concern anyone who values not living in a dictatorship.

The Iceland boss seemed relaxed in the interview I saw. I liked his style!

I like his style too Bardar

I also thought Paddy Power the bookie seemed a great lad. Who knew there was a Paddy Power!

Everyone invited to take part in a giant aerial NO Thanks -
3pm today Sunday 14th at The Grange sports club, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH4 1HQ.
Details here -
goo.gl/Xy43lD

If you can't make it tell someone who can.
Thanks x