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.

"rinio SARAHSCOTIA tells us the facts of what we will have after the referendum"

Of course, rino, there are no "facts" as it hasn't happened yet. Just as you have no "facts" as to what the future holds under the current union.

We have a good idea of what we will have available and how we are placed to deploy those resources. We have a plan as to how we can use them to build an independent Scotland. Things like our outstanding fisheries and forestry resources will of course not go anywhere. As I am sure you know, all the things you mentioned have been thought about and considered and are available for parousal.

Sarahscotia, you still haven't answered my question on the other thread about what you think the fiscal case for independence is. Are you going to answer or run away again?

I must go for now, but will hopefully be back to chat during the week. I will leave you with some great links from the past few days.

An open letter in reply to JK Rowling's article this week: teachersforyes.net/2014/09/10/an-open-letter-to-jk-rowling/

Butterfly rebellion: www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/robin-mcalpine/butterfly-rebellion

Tommy Sheridan with Andrew Neil today. Hot and cold on Tommy, but loved this:

Fun one that touched a few people....hope!

Peace! x

Trixymalixy, I certainly wouldn't run away from your question, but I must go for now. IIRC, Tommy Sheridan touches on it in his video, and there is some good stuff from the excellent Duncan Hamilton in an earlier Glasgow Uni debate, here.

Hi all thought I'd jump back in again and bust some more bubbles

rino People die in illegal wars a damn sight more painfully than those in their cancer beds. No one wants cancer but surely it is a result of our industrial past and colonial past. Look back in GRO death certs and you will see people died of natural causes and old age - insatiable appetite to label merely allows big business to keep you scared.

unlucky83 I'm actually shocked that anyone who lives where we do would be a Yes voter - oh my, whatever next - dyed hair, tattoos and rock music. I'm so delighted for you that you have such a pleasant life, why would you try deny your grandchildren that same opportunity?

nicename ask yourself why life expectancy is lower after 300 years of Union, ask yourself why big business don't want indy scotland and ask yourself why BBC employee Laura Bicker posts a photo from Pacific Quay implying pro indy event only attended by a couple of hundred when STV report 1000's at it and whole world via social media livestream reported 1000's more watch it online

EarthWindFire polls are not accurate. they first need to be commissioned by someone and that someone gets to write the brief and can extract any relevant stats to fit their argument and before you all start baying - I fully acknowledge this applies to ALL sides. Pollsters also unaware of how to engage with so many dispirit groups and "categorize" them

ICM put yes on 54% last night, don't see many yessers believing that. we know it will be worth waiting for the only one to matter on the 18th

You all show a remarkable ability to regurgitate the Project Fear mantra, opinion of the true BT Woman. Coupled with your offensive comments in your post you truly are a product of your environment and YES want to change that. Personally I don't give a rat's arse what your politics are but I can say with 100% conviction that I don't want to live in your idea of a Better Together world. This view is replicated across Scotland and all walks of life.

Make the most of the time you have left, wallow away in the prententiousness of suburban ignorance and wake up to the realisation of a new socialist Scotland that will resign your pathetic uninformed views to the history dustbin

So in other words, SarahScotia, we'll all lose all our money and have to work for benefits from the State. Didn't they try that in the USSR, etc.?

Why would anyone bother getting off their backsides to earn fresh air?

And how would you get into the EU, bearing mind its single market is based on classical neo-liberal values and removal of governmental restrictions on the market?

We shall not be slaves to the banks....

Erm, yes you will be. Even if you get currency union which is unlikely without the agreement of rUK, rates will be set by B of E.

sarahscotia how will you defend your "outstanding fisheries". With the Scottish Navy? Oh wait, there isn't one!

*Hi all thought I'd jump back in again and bust some more bubbles

rino People die in illegal wars a damn sight more painfully than those in their cancer beds. No one wants cancer but surely it is a result of our industrial past and colonial past. Look back in GRO death certs and you will see people died of natural causes and old age - insatiable appetite to label merely allows big business to keep you scared.

unlucky83 I'm actually shocked that anyone who lives where we do would be a Yes voter - oh my, whatever next - dyed hair, tattoos and rock music. I'm so delighted for you that you have such a pleasant life, why would you try deny your grandchildren that same opportunity?

nicename ask yourself why life expectancy is lower after 300 years of Union, ask yourself why big business don't want indy scotland and ask yourself why BBC employee Laura Bicker posts a photo from Pacific Quay implying pro indy event only attended by a couple of hundred when STV report 1000's at it and whole world via social media livestream reported 1000's more watch it online

EarthWindFire polls are not accurate. they first need to be commissioned by someone and that someone gets to write the brief and can extract any relevant stats to fit their argument and before you all start baying - I fully acknowledge this applies to ALL sides. Pollsters also unaware of how to engage with so many dispirit groups and "categorize" them

ICM put yes on 54% last night, don't see many yessers believing that. we know it will be worth waiting for the only one to matter on the 18th

You all show a remarkable ability to regurgitate the Project Fear mantra, opinion of the true BT Woman. Coupled with your offensive comments in your post you truly are a product of your environment and YES want to change that. Personally I don't give a rat's arse what your politics are but I can say with 100% conviction that I don't want to live in your idea of a Better Together world. This view is replicated across Scotland and all walks of life.
Make the most of the time you have left, wallow away in the prententiousness of suburban ignorance and wake up to the realisation of a new socialist Scotland that will resign your pathetic uninformed views to the history dustbin*

How condersending can you get?

pathetic and uninformed views

Now insults... Nice.

Sorry epic highlighting failure!

Green - life expectancy is probably a mix of genetics and bad lifestyle choices. Are you seriously blaming the union?

I watched both of my parents die untimely deaths. The NHS did all they could but without resources, what the hell can they do? Going forward, I just can't see how investment levels can be matched, let alone increased. So don't bullshit me about life expecancy.

And as for big business - wooooooo are they scared of us, is that it? Or maybe they don't want to be investing in a banana republic?

Sarah probably had to go and do a stock take to make sure there are enough pitchforks and flaming torches for the Day of Reckoning.

Green I don't want to live in your world either.

Or get her school uniform ready for tomorrow. I remember being so young and idea-unrea-listic.

Sarah don't rush back love, we're doing just fine without you :)

Other long winded, patronising posts are easily ignored :)

Nicename, NHS spending has fallen under the Scottish Government even though it has risen in England and we've had smaller cuts overall. They're already not protecting it.

I had heard that but hadn't seen the stats.

To have a healthy health service you need a relatively healthy and wealthy population. The scots lifestyle and diet is just not all that healthy. Top that with fewer higher tax payers, less businesses paying tax, public money having to be stretched further and further... There's just more going out than coming in. It can't work. Very Basic Economics.

Stats were from the IFS but I have seen similar elsewhere too.

nicename
Green - life expectancy is probably a mix of genetics and bad lifestyle choices. Are you seriously blaming the union?

No I'm blaming big business supported by Government backers.

Most industrialised cities have same issues of poor health, social deprivation and low life expectancy and most of us have ancestors who for economic reasons have some association with city life. Industrial Glasgow of the 19th Century had so many large filthy factories spewing out all manner of pollutants into a crowded population giving them a wonderful toxic mix of smoke, chemicals and fibres. Wealthy industrialists built factories where the wanted without any real regulation, then they built crappy quality housing stacked one over each other, then they put pubs on each and every corner, then they worked their employees to the bone so the only release was to drink - so big business is at the heart of all society's ills (including wars)

I have no wish to upset anyone who has family tragedy however the youngsters of today are not to blame WE ARE because we keep voting in political parties that don't give a damn about you or I. At least the Scottish Referendum has a diversity and energy that will shake up the system so our children can have a better chance of long life.

Hey Sarah want to explain how Scotland's renewables sector will continue to flourish without the subsidies paid by energy bill payers in rUK? Or do you expect the sector to continue receiving the same level of subsidies post independence?

I wish Sarah luck.

ninename whilst genetics and lifestyle choices won't help it is simply vacuous to suggest they are the primary cause. Also your term banana republic is extremely racist

GREEN cancer is the result of our colonial past?!?!? No I don't think you have burst my bubble. I don't believe there were any offensive comments in my post. Those came from you. I am firmly a NO voter and if you are in the least bit representative of an independent Scotland where cancer is a result of our colonial past so the loss of funding for research is not a problem then I don't want to live here. I'm guessing though you are a one off.

Lifestyle choices are certainly significant - as are genetics. We're still learning about the genetic factors which contribute to various diseases associated with high mortality and premature death. Industrialisation and pollution are certainly factors too.

Statistically Challenged Good to see not every point being made is dismissed. Its never been my intention to change anyone's opinion as I don't have your life experiences but I simply cannot accept the blatant refusal from some quarters to perpetuate such a distorted picture of the UK. There will be facts we are both right about and similarly wrong about, my only issue is with those that don't even take the time to investigate for themselves.