Scottish Referendum debate - watch with Mumsnet

[KatieMumsnet]

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

Wise words, SunnyL. I'm expecting tonight to be fairly civilised, and a source of a few giggles at Darling's blink rate.

SquattingNeville I'm not even going to reply to that, I may have unintentionally caused offense by the way I worded something, your post is just plain rude.

squoosh I didn't mean it offensively, but why did no-one jump on SirChenjin for saying the same thing in relation to voting No? That's why I said I believe, not "this is the absolute truth". I genuinely think staying under Westminster rule is detrimental to Scotland.

I don't have anything to add here - my feelings on the future of Scotland within the UK are clear. Bring on the 18th, and lets move forward - I'm fed up of it all. You either believe Scotland is a repressed country that should govern itself and decide its own future, or you believe that it's better as a devolved power within the strong structure of the UK - and never the twain shall meet.

Our votes don't make much difference at WM but they do matter in September. Every one of them, yes or no.

It's okay Neville, I just don't like swearing in response to things that weren't meant to be rude.

I'm sure a lot of No voters do care about Scotland, as in theory we are all doing what we believe is best by voting Yes or No. I just worry that people may not realise how much Westminster will tighten the reins on us if it's a No. But I suppose it's up to the majority to decide. :)

Should have added - we ALL care about Scotland. Neither side has the right to stake that claim any more than the other.

Also worth noting that neither side has access to a crystal ball, so telling people what will happen if they vote the wrong way is hogwash too.

I hope Salmond clarifies during the debate that he wouldn't be the leader of an independent Scotland without an election, a lot of people seem to think he will be. Should be interesting to watch regardless.

Do you have a source for Westminster tightening the reins if Scotland votes no, Numanoid? I thought it was the other way round:

www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/05/scotland-promised-new-powers-no-vote-referendum

Alex Salmond has divided a country that was never divided.

Tories have one Scottish MP but got 16.7% of the vote here in 2010 (first past the post not working well for them there). Lib Dems 18.9%. Which makes 35.6 for the parties currently in coalition ( figures from Electoral Reform website). Not that meaningful with the current electoral system. But as I said before, I don't want this to be about particular parties. Although it does grate when I get called a Tory for being a No voter, when I have never voted Tory.

Thanks for the offer to watch along with you Mumsnet but I think I will be watching with my husband and will resist the distraction of checking what people are typing in favour of listening to what is actually said during the debate.

newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/9509-carmichael-threatens-to-tighten-westminsters-grip-if-scots-vote-no

Irene, they promised us "more powers" back in '79, what actually happened? If WM wanted us to have more powers, they'd have worked out between them what devo plus/extra meant, and offered it in September. And it would have won by a landslide. Ask yourself why Cameron insisted on yes/no, and why they're desperately "promising" extra "powers" now?

So...Alex won't be PM of an independent Scotland. ...which leaves us Joanne, Ruth or Willie....?

Run, run fast, and don't look back - and may God hsve mercy on our souls

Darling has absolutely no powers whatsoever to promise anything.
I'm lost as to why he is debating, pointless.

Person in charge of the UK following independence or otherwise is Cameron, he's the one that will be making the decisions and it should be him debating Salmond.

Lib Dem MP Carmichael? The Lib Dems making increasingly desperate attempts to distinguish themselves? I'm not too worried what he says.

Thanks for posting the source OldLadyKnowsSomething. :)

"Speaking to the Herald newspaper, the Lib Dem MP said that Scots would need to be reminded that they were governed by Westminster and not just Holyrood."

^ Very worrying. I also agree that I have a bad feeling about it as we have been promised more powers before, and they never materialized. I think it's very clear that Cameron is scared, as the UK needs Scotland more than Scotland needs the UK.

So...Alex won't be PM of an independent Scotland. ...which leaves us Joanne, Ruth or Willie....?

Depends on who wants to run for it. I don't think Sturgeon would be a particularly bad choice, if I'm honest. That said, Salmond would be in charge... if we vote him in. Much like the referendum, it would depend on who an independent Scotland voted for I guess.

Christ is Carmichael a Lib Dem, I thought he was the one Tory Mp.

Ah no it's David Mundell that's the Tory Mp.

Alex might be FM in the first iScotland elections, or he might not be. He might stand down and let Nicola take charge. I think it probably will be another SNP majority gvt, but thereafter, once the other parties have had time to regroup and rethink their policies, (assuming we stay with the PR system we currently use) I'd like to see a far better balanced Parliament, representing fairly the views of as many people as possible, and working out policies that are less ideological/party-political and, most importantly, are actually in the best interests of Scotland.

Aye have a dream...

They will all run for it, given that they are the leaders of the other parties (Sturgeon excepted obv). The thought of any of them on an international stage doesn't bear thinking about...unless you're up for a bit of a larf

Alistair Darling heads the No campaign. The debate is about Scotland. Although was Nicola Sturgeon not put in charge of the Yes campaign? Why is she not debating tonight? Or for maximum confusion the two Blairs?

As for the yes/no question I imagine the main concerns were splitting the no vote, or people going for devo max as the 'safe' option. But just to show I can be critical of the UK government I think there should be a second paper as there was in 97. Then we could have voted on independence, and expressed a preference for devo max/devo plus/something else in the event of a No vote. not sure if the Yes side would want a similar set of options? I have seen a broad spectrum of opinion on both sides, not sure how well a single question captures it.