Independence - how would you vote?

[Ad Lib]

Spin it how you like. As Cameron signed the Edinburgh agreement he's duty bound - he makes the major decisions about Scotland so to say the debate has nothing to do with him just doesn't make any sense!

Perhaps you'd like to point me to the part of the Edinburgh Agreement that says David Cameron is "duty bound" to do anything in respect of this referendum beyond delivering the s30 Order and respecting the outcome of the vote?

No one is saying that the debate has "nothing to do with" David Cameron or the rest of the UK. Simply that the key players in that debate should be the people exercising their right to self-determination, namely the people of Scotland. David Cameron is not one such person. You know fine well the rhetoric that would come from the SNP if he did so. An English Tory Prime Minister coming to Scotland telling us to know our place. He'd be on a hiding to nothing no matter what he said or did.

[harry94]

I don't think Cameron would do too badly in a debate providing his expectations were low enough.

I think most people would agree that Salmond would destroy him but if he was well prepared and had a team studying Salmond's habits for a while then he surely wouldn't do too badly. Anything where he come across as remotely decent on anything would be a big win from the no side.

They will see themselves comfortably in the lead right now so won't take the risk.

[xbl]

I don't actually, think Salmond is all that as a debater. I also think that Cameron is much better than he is given credit for.

[renton]

I don't think Cameron would do too badly in a debate providing his expectations were low enough.

I think most people would agree that Salmond would destroy him but if he was well prepared and had a team studying Salmond's habits for a while then he surely wouldn't do too badly. Anything where he come across as remotely decent on anything would be a big win from the no side.

They will see themselves comfortably in the lead right now so won't take the risk.

It's a tonal thing. Even if Cameron was sweeping all before him with brilliant cast iron arguments, he'd still be the toff's toff - he'd look and sound so alien to Scottish viewers that Salmond couldn't help but win. Darling on the other hand, has that quiet air of understated competence, or at least pretends to it anyway. It's a fairly well lauded archetype in Scots culture, and he'd come off well against Salmond, who's self confidence has always been a turn off to sections of the Scottish electorate.

[Baxter Parp]

Correct. I didn't know anything about them, so I did some research to check whether you were right or wrong. I acknowledged you were right about the speaker at the 2012 rally, which I was unaware of. But you were wrong, unintentionally or otherwise, about the VVB's core values. You repeatedly referred to them as fascists, which they aren't.

What's he on about now?

"In 1956, the VVB was founded by Maurits Coppieters, a notorious politician and anti-fascist Flemish nationalist"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlaamse_Volksbeweging

[AberdeenBud]

 

Correct. I didn't know anything about them, so I did some research to check whether you were right or wrong. I acknowledged you were right about the speaker at the 2012 rally, which I was unaware of. But you were wrong, unintentionally or otherwise, about the VVB's core values. You repeatedly referred to them as fascists, which they aren't. 

I'm sure he'll admit his mistake and thank you for the information. As do I.

[Jamaldo]

I'm sure he'll admit his mistake and thank you for the information. As do I.

Oh I think we both know that's unlikely.

[caleyjaggi]

Correct. I didn't know anything about them, so I did some research to check whether you were right or wrong. I acknowledged you were right about the speaker at the 2012 rally, which I was unaware of. But you were wrong, unintentionally or otherwise, about the VVB's core values. You repeatedly referred to them as fascists, which they aren't.

Aye, thats the problem with spouting lies from the Telegraph. The VVB are an anti-fascist group, not to be confused with the right wing VB, unless you want to.

[H_B]

After the good week Yes have had I've got a feeling that it will more likely be a tear-stained resignation from yourself next year.

In what way have Yes had a good week?

[sons superhero]

so why doesnt he shut up about it then? cameron has no place in the debate I agree but it hasnt stopped him stickin his oar in regularly

Or Osbourne or Gove or Cable. All have stuck their oar in lately also.

[Jamaldo]

In what way have Yes had a good week?

20,000 at the march, Miliband making a blunder regarding the NHS in Scotland, pensions being confirmed as being secure after independence and the desperate scrambling that followed after that, just to name a few. However, as someone who has never ever been wrong, I hold your opinion with the utmost regard. How do you think it's been?

[H_B]

20,000 at the march,

Were there? Where was that confirmed?

I think it's just been a usual Yes week. Nothing much happening - people not interested.

[doulikefish]

xbls signature seems about right

[~~~]

http://drderekbateman.wordpress.com/2013/09/27/who-will-fill-a-cowards-grave/

We learned two things today. One, that David Cameron is a coward. Two, that the No campaign isn’t nearly as sure of itself as it likes to pretend.

[H_B]

I assume Salmond is also a coward?

[Frosty]

Where's that british bulldog spirit? Churchill wouldn't have been feart to debate. Thank f**k Cameron wasn't PM in WWII

Of course Churchill would have needed a visitor's pass for Saughton if he'd wanted to debate with the SNP leader for much of WWII.

[Jamaldo]

Were there? Where was that confirmed?

Scottish Police Federation stated that, or do they not count?

[Reynard]

Of course Churchill would have needed a visitor's pass for Saughton if he'd wanted to debate with the SNP leader for much of WWII.

A genuine Quisling, in the truest sense of the word.

Shouldn't fat Alex be stamping his foot and tearfully demanding a TV debate with that Belgian fuckface Herman Von Rompuy, because he is the bloke who wields all the power and over 80% of all laws passed at Westminster and Holyrood are simply rubber stamping that unelected c***s dictats?

Or was fat Alex just looking for a convenient Englishman to hate on live TV? Not only an English, but a fucking Tory one!!

[Frosty]

In fairness, I think Cameron is well within his rights to not debate Salmond. I've said this consistently. However, Salmond is well within his rights to not debate Darling.

I agree with you on this XBL. Any debates that take place are likely to be between those who are considered the equivalent from the other side. The debates are also likely to be between Yes/No or Holyrood parties.

[Reynard]

Canavan v Darling would be quite funny as well. Canavan is slow witted at the best oif times and can only deliver a spiel, Darling is a bore (I take it he was a lawyer or an accountant before he decided to make some real money by getting into politics) but he is an able guy.

Id be happy enough to see that car crash of a debate unfold. Hysterical Marxist half wit versus a fucking boring ex socialist w****r turned taxpayer troughing millionaire.

I cant actually remember Darlings performances at the despatch box at all, I assume he just talked and talked? He should grow his beard back too. Caravan kept his Marxist beard whilst Darling symbolically shaved his off when he renounced its total stupidity as an idea.