Members -- 3 months ago
Post-fight analysis: #bbcindyref
The great Scottish Referendum has been on the political agenda for a while and is coming to a head in less than a month. The outcome of the vote could still go either way, with Scots still largely undecided on whether they’ll stick it to the British or make Braveheart’s dreams come true. With the passionate Alex Salmond in one corner fighting for change and self-government, and the experienced Alistair Darling heading up the Better Together campaign, the two have been going head-to-head in the televised debates. Salmond emerged as the clear winner from last night’s debate according to a poll by The Guardian but who really won the war of words? We’ll let you decide
Currency
Darling said, “the currency union would be bad for Scotland, because our budget would have to be approved not by us, but by what would then be a foreign country.”
He also (surprise, surprise) called out Mr Salmond on not having a plan B. Unfortunately, Salmond was ready for old eyebrows this time and came out swinging.
“I’ve heard of ‘one trick ponies’ but this is the most extraordinary thing that’s happening tonight,” Salmond joked.
Darling took it in his stride and put it in layman’s terms.
“I set out the options very clearly – three Plan Bs for the price of one. They are just like buses… you expect one and then three turn up at once.”
Let’s get personal
“A good line is not always a good answer,” Darling said. “It is answers that we need now, or the answer to independence is ‘No Thanks'”.
Salmond reiterated his desire to empower Scots and reminded his countrymen that it was their decision as to whether Scotland should be run by Scotland (just in case they’d forgotten).
“Three weeks on Thursday, we can take matters into Scottish hands. No one, absolutely no one can better run the affairs of Scotland than Scots.”
We are a “rich nation and a resourceful people,” chimed Salmond, “this is our time, it’s our moment, let us do it now.”
The slippery politician’s charisma and hung-ho attitude to independence did make him the clear winner of the second debate by a 71% to 29% margin. But we will have to see if his personality politics will be enough to sway Scots, or if they’ll be put off by his ‘leave now, plan later’ strategy. Either way, we’ll find out on September 18th.
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