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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:
Numanoid · 08/08/2014 19:02

Tha mi air cupa Irn Bru a ghabhail, finally. Wink

WildThong · 08/08/2014 19:15

numanoid 0.5% of the Scottish population will get it! Grin

Numanoid · 08/08/2014 19:38

I know, nothing bad, just "I am having a cup of Irn Bru". Grin I don't want to see Gaelic die out, but at the same time having road signs, etc. in Gaelic seems pointless as every Gaelic speaker is obviously bilingual.

OOAOML · 08/08/2014 19:43

I have explained numerous times that I do not believe an independent Scotland will offer even a fraction of what is promised. I happen to have a financial background. I fail to see how that makes me selfish. I think it makes me a realist. Equally, it is clear that there are people who believe an independent Scotland will be a wonderful place. I really don't think we're going to convert each other's here.

I am voting No because I think independence is the wrong path to take. I have many reasons, not just personal. But pardon me for wanting the best option for myself and my family - even if I believe it is also the best option for my country.

Numanoid · 08/08/2014 19:47

I am voting No because I think independence is the wrong path to take. I have many reasons, not just personal. But pardon me for wanting the best option for myself and my family - even if I believe it is also the best option for my country.

I don't know if you were directing that to me, OOAOML, but I wouldn't demonise you for voting No. It's your choice.
My opinion is that independence is the best way forward. I want my future children to grow up in a more prosperous country with education they can actually afford, and I want better job opportunities myself.
We have different viewpoints - but I feel when I give my opinions, it is sometimes portrayed as a Yes voter making everyone feel bad.

I suppose the message between the lines there is that Yes voters are not realists, either. Hmm

Numanoid · 08/08/2014 20:11

Just wanted to add:

I really don't think we're going to convert each other's here

I agree, it seems that most people who have decided how to vote will stick to it. :)

OOAOML · 08/08/2014 20:28

No Numanoid it was mainly in response to ItsAllGoingToBeFine.

It would be a dull world if we all agreed on a single path to take, and I imagine people on both sides get heated because they genuinely believe they are right and other people are wrong.

You don't make me feel bad. Yes voters make me worried for the future, but then I imagine No voters make you worried for the future.

And at least on Mumsnet the debate tends not to sink to the levels Facebook reaches.

Shenanagins · 08/08/2014 21:08

As with ooaoml, I have to put my family first in this. Both mine and my oh's job will go to the se England. This would leave us with the choice of uprooting our family to the se England with no money to fund our move as it is unlikely our house would sell as there will be many others in our situation.

The alternative is to stay here with no jobs and with little prospects meaning we loose our home. Not really an alternative.

This is the reality for us and many others and one I'm not prepared to sacrifice my family for.

StatisticallyChallenged · 08/08/2014 21:26

I'm like you shenanagins - I work in a relatively small profession within FS, and it seems likely that an awful lot of the jobs would go south. It's very likely that mine would be one of them, probably to the SW or London in my case.

I would guess we'd be offered some sort of transfer package, but it could just be outright redundancy. Been there once, not keen to repeat frankly. Like you we'd have to sell our home to get the funds to move.

Numanoid · 08/08/2014 21:31

And at least on Mumsnet the debate tends not to sink to the levels Facebook reaches.

Yes!! The amount of people on both sides calling each other "stupid" and the like beggars belief. There's no need to belittle anyone else's views. I'm all for debate, but rudeness is not needed. I think both Salmond and Darling let point-scoring get the better of them during the televised debate, too.

prettybird · 08/08/2014 21:40

Yes - the discussion on here has been much more reasoned. It's not always been as good on MN - although the chief culprit at lowering the tone (who doesn't even have a vote) hasn't actually shown up on the recent threads.

Shenanagins · 08/08/2014 21:47

Statistically it's quite frightening isn't it.

Numanoid · 09/08/2014 19:10

prettybird That's true!

Ed Miliband was apparently at Braehead yesterday, with more "no more Pound for you!" nonsense.

Okay Ed, I'll vote No so that unemployment rates can continue to rise, then I won't have money anyway. No point in retraining either as it's only a matter of time 'til Westminster start charging horrendous university fees (I was still at uni when the current fees were introduced, but thankfully didn't have to pay as I was in my final year, if I remember correctly). Ed Miliband is just David Cameron mark 2, it gets harder to distinguish between the main parties the more time passes.

Numanoid · 09/08/2014 19:18

Apparently there is another debate to be aired by the BBC, hope some questions are answered by both sides this time, sadly that didn't really happen with the first.

StatisticallyChallenged · 09/08/2014 19:49

Westminster has no control over Scottish tuition fees...

I don't think you can dismiss the currency issues just because you don't like the politician saying it.

Numanoid · 09/08/2014 20:14

Not at the moment they don't, but our devolved powers are given to us by the grace of Westminster. They're not definite, they can be taken away as and when the UK Government pleases. And they've made it quite clear that in the event of a No vote, they would tighten control to avoid situations such as the referendum happening again.
The Conservatives really oppose free tuition for Scottish students, and Peter Duncan in particular if memory serves well.

I don't dismiss the currency issue purely because Ed Miliband rattles on about it being a problem. It's been widely-reported and acknowledged that a CU is possible, and that currency won't be an issue in iScotland. It seems to be Better Together alone who refuse to acknowledge that. There is a piece on it in today's i Newspaper which is quite good.

SantanaLopez · 09/08/2014 21:22

And they've made it quite clear that in the event of a No vote, they would tighten control to avoid situations such as the referendum happening again.

Confused How have they demonstrated this? All those extra powers they've promised?

They'd actually be pretty much entitled to do so anyway; if there is a no vote the referendum will have just cost money and achieved nothing except causing divisions.

It's been widely-reported and acknowledged that a CU is possible, and that currency won't be an issue in iScotland. It seems to be Better Together alone who refuse to acknowledge that.

Erm, no, the top 3 parties in Britain have all acknowledged that a CU won't be possible. There's also been substantial government research confirming the decision. It's the yes campaign who has their head in the sand.

StatisticallyChallenged · 09/08/2014 21:34

I actually think our free tuition is at greater risk as part of an independent Scotland. At the moment we can afford it, but part of the reason for this is that we exclude students from the rest of the UK from being free. We get away with this because it's an "internal" issue for the UK so the EU doesn't get involved, but EU rules state that you can't discriminate against students from other EU countries

How would free tuition remain affordable with high numbers of English/Welsh/NI students coming here for free?

OOAOML · 09/08/2014 23:08

Absolutely Statistically - it beggars belief that there is apparently no inconsistency between 'automatically in the EU/fast tracked into the EU' and breaking EU rules.

caroldecker · 10/08/2014 01:41

Agree - if Scotland is independent and part of the EU, they would have to offer free education to all English people.

GlaikitFizzog · 10/08/2014 10:39

But if RUK vote to leave the EU we'll be hunky dory!

StatisticallyChallenged · 10/08/2014 10:59

Agreed OOAOML, it's really inconsistent. If we're in we have to follow EU regulations. We're not a big enough country to negotiate massive concessions for ourselves.

StatisticallyChallenged · 10/08/2014 11:03

I think an independent but in the EU Scotland attached to an out of the EU rest of the UK would be a pretty shit situation tbh!

saintlyjimjams · 10/08/2014 13:29

Why do people keep saying CU will happen - when it's pretty clear it won't? I've read a lot of evidence on why it won't happen, but can't find any proper evidence on why it will. I am trying to read both sides, please can someone post a sensible 'will' link.

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