Tempers flare in heated TV debate on Scotland's future

Alex Salmond was easily beaten in the debate because he has no answers to many of the most important questions any Scottish voter would quite reasonably ask, such as what currency an Independent Scotland would have.

The nationalists don't want the Euro, but they cannot have the Pound without a currency union, which would not be in the interest of the rest of the UK. In the event of independence, why would the British want to underwrite the Scottish financial sector, much of which would move south of the border anyway? And would the Scots really be independent if their interest rates and monetary policy were under the control of the Bank of England ? It's a nonsensical position to propose, even if he was able to offer it.

Salmond also claims that the EU would welcome an Independent Scotland with open arms, but this is far from certain (especially as adopting the Euro is a requirement of membership), and definitely not within his power to promise, just like the currency union.

The Yes campaign's arguments wither under logical scrutiny. That's why Scots will, quite wisely, vote NO to independence next month and remain an influential nation within the United Kingdom.

"It's a nonsensical position to propose"

I don't think so. Leading UK politicians are making strong statements about there never being a currency union, but that's largely bluster too. If Scotland votes for independence, there will be a serious assessment by both countries, and a currency union will probably be seen to be of benefit to both sides. But if it doesn't happen, the alternatives are fairly obvious - a Scottish pound tied to Sterling, a Scottish pound as a totally separate currency, a Scottish pound tied to the Euro (Danish model), or adoption of the Euro. All are workable and not particularly unusual.

"remain an influential nation within the United Kingdom"

Yes, but with no ability to negotiate on its own terms outside the UK, and where its own resources such as fishing rights become a bartering tool of British policy. Why would a resource rich country of 5 million, with the functions of law and government administration largely in place not want to be independent.

Why would a resource rich country of 5 million, with the functions of law and government administration largely in place not want to be independent.

Yep. This Englishman reckons it's time to stand strong and throw off the yoke of Edinburgh!

if it doesn't happen, the alternatives are fairly obvious

Not obvious enough for Salmond to be able to outline his currency Plan B when asked.

The olde new country of Scotland will not need some fiat national currency. Scots can manage their own accounts better than the British have done for them.

Salmond was shown for the bullying liar he is. There will be no currency agreement, Scotland would not be in the EU - things the Yes campaign still insist are true. If Scotland votes for independence (which I doubt) it can't expect the rump UK to underwrite them. That isn't independence. This is like some stroppy person wanting a divorce but only if they can take their spouse to the cleaners.

Would be scary if the yes campaign had a charismatic or competent leader. As long as they don't show Braveheart the night before the vote, everything should be ok.

Braveheart...ouch. Cracking SNPs political grip (plus felling Alex Salmond) are both probable and desirable outcomes from independence. Gripes alone are not what is driving attitudes about the coming vote. Some just think small might be more beautiful and more inspiring and ultimately better for all concerned north and south. Sir Darling failed to persuade to the contrary although that should have been his primary aim rather than just racking up debating points against an opponent and looking smug once it was over.

@cleo

"Not obvious enough for Salmond to be able to outline his currency Plan B when asked."

Salmond is a politician, and so lies like the best of them. But I don't get this Plan B thing. Whatever happens will depend on the outcome of negotiations between Scotland and the rUK and not from blueprints drawn up by one side. Salmond has discussed the alternatives and stated that they seem unworkable from England's point of view. For example, if the rUK want to keep Sterling all to itself, presumably they have to keep all the debt too. I'm sure this is not acceptable to England, and Salmond has said the same. The SNP have laid out their position. Surely the next step is for the UK government to make their proposal. But this won't happen until after a Yes vote, and the hard bargaining begins.

If Scotland votes to walk away from the UK, then good luck to them. But in such case, the UK has to decide what's best for its citizens, quite regardless of what happens to be good for Scotland. This is quite natural and reasonable. Agreeing to underwrite the financial sector in Scotland, when there is no prospect that the Scots could reciprocate such support, makes a currency union a complete non-starter. It would be political suicide to support such a move, which is why all of the main Westminster parties have unequivocally ruled it out. It simply isn't a bluff of any sort, and the Scots are in for a nasty shock if they vote for Independence on that assumption.

As many have pointed out without a convincing response from the Yes campaign, it is a strange sort of independence that Salmond and the SNP are offering. Having declared independence, they are proposing to rely on the whim of the Bank of England's policy, and would effectively have LESS influence over their interest rates, spending and monetary policies than they currently do as part of an established political union. What kind of "independence" would that be?

It simply ain't gonna happen, and the same applies to Salmond's assurances that Scotland would be able to re-enter the EU in short order, which there's very little evidence for, especially since new members must commit to the Euro.

I hope that Salmond, having staked his future on the result of this referendum, will have some decency and resign when Yes loses. It sounds like the natives are already getting restless in the wake of his poor performance.