David Cameron has given Alex Salmond an opportunity to play the statesman

Rhoda Klapp

As I understand it, all Scots are for a vote on independence unless it is an english initiative. Shouldn't independence voters be keen to support any referendum? Can it be left hanging for as long as it takes for the SNP to be sure of victory? Because if it is a case of wicked england exploiting the puir scots, wouldn't we all be best off bringing it to a close ASAP? If it is so unclear that it is the timing which decides a once-for-all vote one way or the other, isn't that a rather unsatisfactory basis for proceeding?

Still waiting to hear the case for union. To an English person the case for a split presents itself, no need to explain that. But I have observed that Scots on these posts will not accept being agreed with.

George Shepherd

Tories and SNP gain from this rather clumsy move

It gives Cameron a few good Daily Mail headlines and it gives the SNP the opportunity to complain about London interference

They would refuse to take part / campaign in a London imposed referendum and the whole thing would become a sham

Devo-max would then follow which suits the SNP technocrats and also dampens Labour support in Scotland which suits the Tories

Who's to say Salmond and Cameron haven't actually planned the whole thing behind the scenes??

ps Alex - you came over as a voice of common sense on the news today !!

Edward McLaughlin

This is about Scottish things again isn't it?

Edward McLaughlin

Actually, having now listened to the clip, I thought you came over very well, pointing out quite a few things which rang true and which I've heard nowhere else. Never mind you wanted to include more - what you got in was strong.

The analogy with the EU's smothering tactics was especially telling and likely to resonate in many hitherto uninterested minds.

Joe Heron

Great stuff Alex.

In2minds

"As is always the case, I forgot half the things I wanted to say" - Forgot to put a tie on as well, Verity will be livid.

Laurence

Alex, You like like Kurt Russell in The Thing. Did something happen to you on Jura?

andrew kerins

'A two question referendum.

If, rather than a 'menu' with three choices, we are talking about two individual questions;

A Do you want Independence ? YES or NO

B Do you want Devo Max ? YES OR NO

It is quite possible that the result could be a vote for Independence, by 51% of voters and a vote for Devo Max by 62% of voters.
In which case ?

Peninsula

Alex, do you really think using the word 'foreigner' in a pejorative way is a good way to promote the union in Scotland?

Or maybe it would just galvanize the cliche about Tories/little englanders/johnnie foreigner hating; the very things many Scots dislike about the union?

You were doing so well too.

Craig Strachan

Very good, Alex. You should do more on-camera stuff. (Although preferably without being stuck in one-third of a split screen, with a PBS-style "Flying over Scotland" travelogue occupying the other two-thirds. What were they thinking?)

Ian Walker

So much fun watching the whingers from the north pout and wail at their bluff being called. He's your Prime Minister too, y'know.

Cameron can't lose on this one. Scottish independence would mean the end of Labour's chance to win an election based on English votes alone. And a vote to keep the union would fatally wound the dangerous Salmond, and cheer up the crusties in his own party.

RJBH

Aye Alex... you have it prettywell summed up..Alex Salmond will out think and outplay old boy Cameron..Im not even sure what Cameron is trying to do...but what he has done.. has not endeared himself to those who will vote... If Scotland wanted to be like England...we would not have our own parliament already.. would we?

Sheumais

As the proposed change is for Scotland to leave the UK, the case has to be made to support that change, not maintaining the status quo. Salmond has not provided any detail as to how or why we would be better off either as an independent nation or as a very small and insignificant member of the EU, just some nonsense about emulating Norway. Why on earth you think Cameron would agree to be summoned to a meeting at Bute House I don't know, but there is no reason he should.
It is entirely false to believe Scottish independence would ensure a Conservative government in England in perpetuity, as the result of the 1997 general election will confirm. Labour had a comfortable majority in England then and, whilst they may have made an unfortunate decision when choosing their current leader, that can change.

Barry B

Can someone explain why having English friends and relatives as "foreigners" is any more objectionable to having Australian, Canadian or American foreign friends and relatives?

ThigArLatha

What if Alex Salmond really takes the high ground?
"Well, I am concerned for the future of Scotland and so I am inviting the PM,DPM and Ed Milliband up to Bute House to see if we can not sort this out amicably for the best interests of Scotland AND our neighbours"
Result - Alex wins, putting Scotland first rather than falling into Cameron's politically motivated trap. People also forget why he wants to delay the vote.
He also wins because he is taking the lead. If DC/Cleggie and Milliband refuse to go up they appear like boors to the Scots, If they do they show him as the leader of a nation, not as a jumped up regional figure.
Seriously it is like watching Kasparov take on my 3 year old. I can only assume that Cameron has a hidden agenda against the Union because he has made a monumental error here.

James Matthews

Wrong on all counts. Cameron is entirely right, in the interests of the 92.5% of UK citizens who do not live in Scotland, to ask for a clear decision from the 8.5% who do and for that decision not to be unduly delayed.

The bottom line for the rest of us is that an independent Scotland is much to be preferred to a Scotland which constantly threatens to leave but never sets a date. Cameron has much less to lose than Salmond as the consternation and outrage from the cybernats at the possibility that their bluff might be called clearly demonstrates

Rhoda Klapp

Much from Massie about how this person is wrong, and that policy is bad. What do you actually want to happen. Status Quo OK with you? We can just keep on going like this, and a union with the sword of damocles hanging over it is better than no union at all? What is the case for union? What is the case against resolving the issue?

Jo MacDon

"And then I would ask just this: do you really wish to make foreigners of your English friends and relatives?"

Addressed by the SNP here:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/politics/snp-suggests-dual-citizenship-plan-for-an-independent-scotland-1.918528

“Given Scotland’s close ties to the other parts of the British Isles a positive approach to dual citizenship would be essential.

“And given the existence of EU citizenship consideration could also be given to the creation of enhanced citizenship arrangements with the nations of the UK.”

This could include rights such as voting entitlements, along the lines of the current set-up which gives Irish Republic citizens rights to vote in the UK.

Mac

Scots probably have more friends and relatives who live in Canada, US, Aus and NZ than in England.

Cameron will now be welcome with open arms when he dares to cross the border. A sure fire vote winner for the independence cause.

Finally the Scottish government will gladly accept powers from Cameron to run a legally binding referendum without any conditions attached. Just don't expect that power to be handed back though.

Kingstonian

Jo MacDon - I rather suspect that the dual citizenship idea will be a bit of a one-way street; the idea that Salmond would allow English people the right to vote in Scotland is laughable while he is certainly brazen enough to demand that Scots in England are given the right to vote here.

If being a citizen of England as well as Scotland (and presumable Wales and Northern Ireland too) is so important, why would Scots want independence in the first place?

David Ashman

Camereon wants SCotland to leave the union. He can then get the majority he needs in England. Cunning.

Nicholas

"This could include rights such as voting entitlements, along the lines of the current set-up which gives Irish Republic citizens rights to vote in the UK."

Personally I find that outrageous and believe it long overdue to be rescinded, especially after decades of that rogue nation exporting terrorism here.

gordy

I hope that Alec finally brings independence to Scotland. I suggest that he extends the referendum vote to we millions of Scots overseas. There are already precedents, in that Italians living in Australia get to vote in the Italian elections.