Scottish Independence

I watched the second debate tonight between Alistair Darling and Alex Salmond on BBC2. Both camps entered this evening's debate hoping for a late break of opinion in their favour. Darling wants Scotland to remain a part of the United Kingdom. Salmond wants an independent Scotland, a nation state in its own right.

A Guardian/ICM poll suggested Alistair Darling beat Alex Salmond in the first debate. On tonight's viewing I reckon that Salmond came out on top. This seemed to be confirmed by the audience's reaction.

Much of the argument has been about an independent Scotland's right to retain Sterling as its currency, joining a 'currency union' as it were with England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Sterling is supported by the Bank of England and Scotland would be remiss to turn its back on this safe harbour. But the other UK countries might disagree to such an arrangement. Salmond was challenged throughout the debate by Darling as to what his 'Plan B' was. He did not seem to have one.

The 'debate' descended into the anticipated rhetoric with both sides scoring points on such key issues as currency, the National Health Service, oil revenues, Trident, jobs, the welfare state, etc. etc. etc....

Salmond bases a great deal of Scotland's fiscal future on oil revenues. Depending on which NGO's financial forecasts you care to consider, this could be sound or indeed foolhardy. Salmond places significant trust in these revenues providing 15% of an independent Scottish economy. Darling, on the other hand, said that the revenue figures were alarmingly overstated. And so it went on.

As an Englishman I have no influence whatsoever on the outcome of the Scottish Independence referendum, which takes place in three weeks time. As an Englishman I am tired of listening to Alex Salmond, who clearly dislikes anything British that is not Scottish, who is prepared to turn his back on a United Kingdom that has helped in many ways to provide jobs for thousands of Scottish people. He maintains an arrogant air in front of the camera, with a smug look and a dismissive wave of the arm when Darling says something that challenges Salmond's position on any point. And he has still not come up with a 'Plan B' concerning the currency issue.

So, here's my position Mr Salmond, as an Englishman, who has many Scottish friends. I don't give a fig. Stay in the United Kingdom, leave the United Kingdom. I don't give a fig. I will continue to put my support behind Westminster, the house of government for the United Kingdom. And if the good people of Scotland are convinced with your arguments and vote 'Yes' for independence, I won't loose any sleep over it.

But if Scotland does vote 'Yes' in three weeks time you might just find that a lot of chickens come home to roost.....