Stephen Daisley
by Stephen Daisley
The Scottish independence referendum has arrived at its most critical day so far, as the first minister, Alex Salmond, and the no campaign leader, Alistair Darling, go head-to-head in a TV debate. The common wisdom is that TV debates do little to shift public opinion. That might be true of general elections but the referendum offers a clear-cut choice between two visions of Scotland’s future. And the prize remains up for grabs for both the yes and no campaigns. The most recent poll of polls puts no on 56 percent and yes on 44 percent. With 43 days to go, the no campaign needs to solidify its lead and the yes campaign needs a game-changing event.
Tonight’s live two-hour showdown will see Salmond and Darling put through their paces. First, they will face questions from STV’s political editor Bernard Ponsonby before being given the opportunity to cross-examine each other. Then the floor will be opened to questions from an audience of voters. The Scottish press wants to see sparks fly and will be keen to declare a definitive winner after tonight’s proceedings – if for no other reason than to spice things up.
Darling’s primary line of attack will be the future of the pound in an independent Scotland. The Scottish government wants a currency union with the rest of the UK in the event of a yes vote. While George Osborne, Ed Balls and Danny Alexander have all ruled out a “sterling zone”, Salmond insists they are bluffing and will come around after the referendum on 18 September.
The “No Thanks” campaign, as Better Together has been rebranded, sees currency as the first minister’s weakest point, followed by Scotland’s membership of the European Union and the impact on jobs of leaving the UK.
Salmond likes to boast that he is leading a positive campaign, taunting his rivals with their nickname “Project Fear”. But he appreciates the value of fear – and of loathing. That is why “Tory” – truly a four-letter word in Scotland – will trip freely from his tongue.
Scotland has a Tory-led government it didn’t vote for, had to fight Tory welfare policies such as the “bedroom tax”, and a Tory prime minister who refuses to debate Salmond on TV. And here, the SNP leader will conclude with a flourish, is a Labour politician fronting for the Old Etonian feartie.
Why, you might ask, does this sound like a general election debate, with all its talk of jobs, the economy and Europe? Where are the questions on Scotland’s proud history and national identity?
The truth is that both campaigns rarely speak of flag and country; social justice is the watchword of the referendum. This is because of the large number of undecided voters – anywhere between 10 percent and 20 percent – many of whom are thought to be disaffected Labour supporters.
They might vote yes if they can be convinced it would deliver progressive politics. But if the no campaign successfully presses its message that the union allows us to pool and share resources, it will keep this demographic on board.
The referendum has been an exciting, and excitable, mix of old and new politics. We have seen a wellspring of activism and creativity. Websites such as Wings over Scotland and Bella Caledonia vie with newspapers for influence on elite and popular opinion. National Collective, an umbrella group of pro-independence creatives, has made art a battleground in the campaign.
The winner of the debate – and the referendum – will be the campaign that can tap into this new Scottish political confidence.
THE GUARDIAN
by Stephen Daisley
The Scottish independence referendum has arrived at its most critical day so far, as the first minister, Alex Salmond, and the no campaign leader, Alistair Darling, go head-to-head in a TV debate. The common wisdom is that TV debates do little to shift public opinion. That might be true of general elections but the referendum offers a clear-cut choice between two visions of Scotland’s future. And the prize remains up for grabs for both the yes and no campaigns. The most recent poll of polls puts no on 56 percent and yes on 44 percent. With 43 days to go, the no campaign needs to solidify its lead and the yes campaign needs a game-changing event.
Tonight’s live two-hour showdown will see Salmond and Darling put through their paces. First, they will face questions from STV’s political editor Bernard Ponsonby before being given the opportunity to cross-examine each other. Then the floor will be opened to questions from an audience of voters. The Scottish press wants to see sparks fly and will be keen to declare a definitive winner after tonight’s proceedings – if for no other reason than to spice things up.
Darling’s primary line of attack will be the future of the pound in an independent Scotland. The Scottish government wants a currency union with the rest of the UK in the event of a yes vote. While George Osborne, Ed Balls and Danny Alexander have all ruled out a “sterling zone”, Salmond insists they are bluffing and will come around after the referendum on 18 September.
The “No Thanks” campaign, as Better Together has been rebranded, sees currency as the first minister’s weakest point, followed by Scotland’s membership of the European Union and the impact on jobs of leaving the UK.
Salmond likes to boast that he is leading a positive campaign, taunting his rivals with their nickname “Project Fear”. But he appreciates the value of fear – and of loathing. That is why “Tory” – truly a four-letter word in Scotland – will trip freely from his tongue.
Scotland has a Tory-led government it didn’t vote for, had to fight Tory welfare policies such as the “bedroom tax”, and a Tory prime minister who refuses to debate Salmond on TV. And here, the SNP leader will conclude with a flourish, is a Labour politician fronting for the Old Etonian feartie.
Why, you might ask, does this sound like a general election debate, with all its talk of jobs, the economy and Europe? Where are the questions on Scotland’s proud history and national identity?
The truth is that both campaigns rarely speak of flag and country; social justice is the watchword of the referendum. This is because of the large number of undecided voters – anywhere between 10 percent and 20 percent – many of whom are thought to be disaffected Labour supporters.
They might vote yes if they can be convinced it would deliver progressive politics. But if the no campaign successfully presses its message that the union allows us to pool and share resources, it will keep this demographic on board.
The referendum has been an exciting, and excitable, mix of old and new politics. We have seen a wellspring of activism and creativity. Websites such as Wings over Scotland and Bella Caledonia vie with newspapers for influence on elite and popular opinion. National Collective, an umbrella group of pro-independence creatives, has made art a battleground in the campaign.
The winner of the debate – and the referendum – will be the campaign that can tap into this new Scottish political confidence.
THE GUARDIAN
