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Scottish Referendum debate - watch with Mumsnet

617 replies

KatieMumsnet · 05/08/2014 11:30

So tonight sees the first TV debate of the Scottish Referendum with First Minister and key advocate of the pro- yes campaign, Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling, leader of the pro-UK Better Together campaign coming together for a head to head debate for the first time.

You can watch live from 8pm on STV and if you're south of the border can tune in via the STV player.

Fancy watching along with us? What are you hoping to see from tonight's debate? What are your thoughts on the campaigns so far?

If you've decided which way to vote, why? And if not, what will help you decide?

Do feel free to share these, and any more thoughts you have

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 07/08/2014 19:16

All I know is that if you vote Naw you'll get Hee Haw!

I'm sorry Irnbru, but on this I have to disagree with you Sad.

A no vote gets us lots of wonderful things:

A state of the art nuclear weapons system, a necessity in today's scary scary world.

A modern fit for purpose NHS driven by competition and private contracts rather than the antiquated system we have at present

And most importantly, as an oil rich region we must not be allowed to squander this wealth. The financial and political institutions of London are far better placed to manage the oil, and run our magnificent, and united, country.

Numanoid · 07/08/2014 19:22

A state of the art nuclear weapons system, a necessity in today's scary scary world.

Better keeping Trident here in Scotland. That way, Westminster can get involved in wars, but ensure that the dangerous weapon is as far away from them as possible, with the most risk to the Scottish people living near it. We also have the benefit of being drawn into wars the UK gets involved in.

A modern fit for purpose NHS driven by competition and private contracts rather than the antiquated system we have at present

Soon to be privatized if the Tories get their way.

And most importantly, as an oil rich region we must not be allowed to squander this wealth. The financial and political institutions of London are far better placed to manage the oil, and run our magnificent, and united, country.

I just found this insulting. Scotland has intelligent people with great financial prowess. We're not a silly, gormless little nation who shouldn't be trusted to run our own finances. I'm so shocked that many Scottish people think this way.

flamineckpip · 07/08/2014 19:28

Westminster can privatise the English NHS all they like but they can't touch the Scottish NHS. It's devolved and has been since 1998.

Numanoid · 07/08/2014 19:38

flamineckpip That voids the argument that we would benefit from a UK NHS even more.

I just hate the assumption that Scotland can't be trusted to look after itself, like a teenager being left at home alone for the first time. We don't need Westminster to govern us, or slap our wrists if we spend too much.

An independent Scotland would take its fair share of current UK debt, then after it was paid off, I think the naysayers will be very surprised at how the Scottish economy flourishes.

I realise this thread has a majority of No voters, and each to their own, everyone is entitled to their views. :) But to any Yes people out there, I've seen a huge increase in support for independence, it's really heartening. Grin

prettybird · 07/08/2014 19:40

The Scottish NHS has been a separate entity since the formation of the NHS. It has never been part of the English NHS.

However, Andy Burnham, the Shadow Health Secretary, has suggested that the different NHSs should be more one grated and follow the same policies Hmm. Makes me cynical about the promise of extra powers. Hmm

SantanaLopez · 07/08/2014 19:46

I think the naysayers will be very surprised at how the Scottish economy flourishes.

If you've got a crystal ball there, I'd like this weekend's lottery numbers.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 07/08/2014 19:53

Blush guess I needed a "lighthearted" somewhere in my post Grin . It is a tad scary though that I thought I was very obviously taking the piss, but others thought I was a genuine no voter Shock

Numanoid · 07/08/2014 19:54

If you've got a crystal ball there, I'd like this weekend's lottery numbers.

Already been said further upthread. I do have a bingo card though, and I'm waiting for "plan B" to be mentioned so I can also tick that off. Grin

Well, of course no-one can say with certainty (which is indicated as I said I think -_-)but based on what I have read from both sides, Scotland does have a chance. There's nothing to say an independent Scotland definitely wouldn't flourish.

Numanoid · 07/08/2014 19:57

ItsAllGoingToBeFine Really?! I'm so sorry. Blush I haven't read the entire thread as it's hard to keep up with so many posts, and I hadn't seen your earlier posts. My apologies!

I've heard so many No voters saying the same things with absolute sincerity that I thought you were too. :( Especially the old "Scotland can't run itself, we need Westminster to guide us" line.

SantanaLopez · 07/08/2014 19:57

Neither is there anything to say that an independent Scotland definitely would flourish, is there?

Numanoid · 07/08/2014 20:00

Neither is there anything to say that an independent Scotland definitely would flourish, is there?

No, there isn't. Again, that's why I said I think and not that it would definitely happen. I really can't see anything in my original post that suggested I was making a statement of fact rather an opinion. But having read the White Paper as well as literature from Yes Scotland, Better Together and many other sources, I formed the opinion that it would.

Numanoid · 07/08/2014 20:05

Santana Hope I don't sound like I'm being blunt in my posts or anything, I think things can come across as being harsh when they aren't, in text! :)

Viviennemary · 07/08/2014 20:07

Well it boils down to this. The English certainly think they know what's best for Scotland. That is David Cameron and his cronies. It's an insult if you ask me.

SantanaLopez · 07/08/2014 20:08

Literature is really being generous there, and that goes for BT as well as YS!

SantanaLopez · 07/08/2014 20:09

Yes, you did come across very bluntly, but I couldn't think of a way of pointing this out without coming across as a total bitch Grin

IrnBruTheNoo · 07/08/2014 20:18

A No vote means we're a great target for being nuked (cheers Trident). Move it to London instead. Scottish people are obviously worth sh*t so if they get nuked it's no biggie.Hmm

No one in Scotland wants to be ran by a Tory government, thanks. It's not suitable for Scotland's demographic, where we've many who have social problems/need lots of support through the benefits system. These people are not getting the financial help they need in today's Scotland with the current Government. I just need to throw a stone out of a window and I've hit another food bank. They're popping up like Tunnock's tea cakes.

It's only those who work in the finance sector, from wealthy backgrounds who will be bricking it if there's a Yes vote.

And I'm also aware of Cameron's sneaky wee visit up to Shetland the day of the Commonwealth closing ceremony....we're no daft!

IrnBruTheNoo · 07/08/2014 20:19

And my biggest bugbear is that I do not WANT a privatised NHS, as that's the way England's NHS is going. Huge no thanks to that.

IrnBruTheNoo · 07/08/2014 20:21

"The financial and political institutions of London"

Sorry but the whole world doesn't revolve around London!

I think you'll find Scotland will be in a much better position to manage their own finances as a country as we know what our people need.

prettybird · 07/08/2014 20:23

I'm old enough to remember a) the promise of undefined extra powers if we voted No in 1979 Hmm (I suppose it could be argued that since we voted Yes, but not be enough, they didn't need to follow through on the promise Hmm) and b) the dire threats from (some) companies about how dreadful devolution was going to be and that they'd be forced to move to England if we voted for devolution. Hmm

Is it any wonder that people get turned off by politics/politicians? Hmm

All the things that are currently possible/impossible/will happen/won't happen/will cost too much that after the vote (whichever way it goes) suddenly become impossible/possible/won't happen/will happen/doesn't cost that much after all Confused

prettybird · 07/08/2014 20:26

The b) was referring to the Devolution vote in 1997.

SantanaLopez · 07/08/2014 20:27

A No vote means we're a great target for being nuked

Oh come on. What total tripe. Why on earth would Scotland be attacked with a nuclear bomb?

No one in Scotland wants to be ran by a Tory government, thanks.

Actually, 276,652 Scots voted for a Tory government in 2011 and 412,855 Scots voted Tory in 2012.

These people are not getting the financial help they need in today's Scotland with the current Government.

And putting the Scottish economy and political system through a massive upheaval is unlikely to help these people.

It's only those who work in the finance sector, from wealthy backgrounds who will be bricking it if there's a Yes vote.

It's no crime to have something to lose.

SantanaLopez · 07/08/2014 20:29

Sorry, that should be 2011 and 2012 respectively.

caroldecker · 07/08/2014 20:29

Scotland can do fine on its own, but the honest answer is that all financial institutions will move south of the border and and raising of taxes will drive out high earners who are mobile.

SantanaLopez · 07/08/2014 20:29

Oh FFS, 2010 and 2011.

OldLadyKnowsSomething · 07/08/2014 20:53

Santana, as a total aside, I'd like to say it's good to see you posting here, albeit so long after it started. You weren't on the gvt sponsored thread either and I was getting worried about you. Then I did an advance search and saw that you're ok, not that I'm a stalker or anything Blush

Ahem. Right, back to disagreeing with you. Grin