Salmond 1 Paxman 0

[malvolio]

Not really actually. I grew up in the union I know nothing else, I'm not using history to form the basis of a decision.

From talking with peers one opinion is clear. An opportunity now exists for Scotland to govern itself independent of London politics. Ever since parliament in Scotland was created changes are noticeable. Change that effect peoples daily lives. I think any vote for independence shall be an extension of that. No one in Scotland actively wants the union broken up, myself included. However the protest for meaningful self governance is noticeable and strong and shall only became stronger without London. That's what will win independence and nothing else IMO. I know many Northerns in England who feel the same way.

If the PM wants the union intact he only needs to abandon city focused politics and Salmond's career is over.

I took these pictures when Scotland won the right to have it's own parliament 13 years ago. We had a right party.

So with one tenth of the total UK National Debt to service and no discernable income, how long do you suppose that party would last?

And if Salmonds's such a brilliant politician, how come 4/5ths of his population don't agree with his one policy objective?

Best you can hope for is Devo Max and for UK to keep picking up the bills. If Salmond keeps trying to persuade HMG he's some kind of world leader, you won't even get that much.

[scooterscot]

So with one tenth of the total UK National Debt to service

70 Million people in the UK of which 5 million live in Scotland, I make that 1/14th of debt to service. And if you keep letting people through the door into kent that's only going to get better.

and no discernable income, how long do you suppose that party would last?

Of course there's income, income that exceeds spending. The topic has been so done one wonders the opponents real reason for asking.

And if Salmonds's such a brilliant politician, how come 4/5ths of his population don't agree with his one policy objective?

4/5th (actually it was 23%) way back in 2007 that did not agree. Fast forward to today and now the figure is 38% (actually last year).
YouGov/Scottish Election Study (1) puts the 2007 vote at 42%. The case for independence would appear to be growing.

The UK polling report: UK Polling Report

Best you can hope for is Devo Max and for UK to keep picking up the bills. If Salmond keeps trying to persuade HMG he's some kind of world leader, you won't even get that much.

See first quote,

[wobbegong]

Desperate! I love how the taxman compared Salmond to Mugabe - straight for the jugular.

BBC News - Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond spars with Paxman

I got the distinct impression it was a bit of gentlemanly sparring and oneupmanship between two old adversaries, purely for the benefit of the cameras.

[scooterscot]

As Winnie Ewing said at the opening of the Scottish parliament in 1999-
'The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on the 25th day of March in the year 1707, is hereby reconvened'.

[gingerjedi]

I'm backing Salmond on full independence, I don't want the feckers to continue having their cake and eating it.

Does anyone have the number of the company who put up the West Bank barrier?

[wobbegong]

I'm backing Salmond on full independence, I don't want the feckers to continue having their cake and eating it.

Does anyone have the number of the company who put up the West Bank barrier?

No, but it might be worth giving these guys a call "Hadrian Construction Ltd Tel. 01782 82380"

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Paxman was More worried about the f**king BBC license fee than how Scotland would cope with independence.
Why did he not ask Salmond to explain how Scotland would run its currency, defence, how it would create jobs and if you like fund its own BBC.
I loathe Salmond but Paxman made it very easy for him to look good.

+1 for loathing Salmond. I can't understand why people would vote for such a character....

[The_Equalizer]

+1 for loathing Salmond. I can't understand why people would vote for such a character....

A load of people also vote for Martin McGuinness.

[TestMangler]

+1 for loathing Salmond. I can't understand why people would vote for such a character....

Says someone who comes from a country who voted in Blair THREE times

[oscarose]

A few points on this one:

1. The polls indicate the Scots don't want to breakaway from the UK.
2. No problem to England if they want to; we'll take the oil from 'the falklands' and Scottish oil will run out shortly (England has the gas).
3. Defence - who wants to invade a Scotland? It's a nice place to visit and good folk, but very cold and bleak, full of loony lefties and depressives with no decent sport to watch i.e. no football or cricket.

Downside or upside, depending on your point of view, England becomes forever Tory blue if this comes to fruition.