First Minister Alex Salmond and Better Together leader Alistair Darling have clashed on using the pound and North Sea oil as the final debate on Scottish independence got underway.
The 90-minute debate, held in front of an audience of 200 at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, offers both men a key opportunity to appeal to voters ahead of the referendum on September 18.
North Sea oil, a currency union and the National Health Service are at the centre of the BBC-hosted face-off, which you can watch on Sky News.
Answering a question on keeping the pound in an independent Scotland, Mr Salmond replied: "No one can stop us using the pound sterling, it's an internationally tradeable currency.
"I'm seeking the best option for Scotland, so our prosperous economy keeps the pound sterling."
Mr Darling replied: "For a currency union, you have to have both sides to agree.
"You are taking a huge risk if you assume it's going to all fall into place."
During the debate, Mr Salmond used the tactic of walking out from behind his rostrum to answer questions put by members of the audience.
Sky News Political Editor Faisal Islam tweeted: "The first minister has gone walkies, abandoning the rostrum, whilst riffing on currency union... Sensational! So @TogetherDarling must be thinking: 'shall I go for a walk too? Pop up to the organ?'"
The impact of North Sea oil reserves for an independent Scotland was also raised in a question from the audience.
Mr Darling questioned revenue figures provided by the Yes campaign, and said: "You are promising all sorts of things ont he basis of a revenue that is very volatile.
To rely so much on something... it is gambling our children's future which is totally unacceptable."
Mr Darling questioned Mr Salmond on currency plans for an independent Scotland in the first TV debate on August 5.
Mr Darling was widely judged to have won the first contest and Mr Salmond has been under pressure to reveal a "Plan B" after all three main UK political parties ruled out a currency union.
He has dismissed this as pre-referendum "posturing", but faces a difficult task to overcome the Yes campaign's "Project Fear".
Referendum campaigns around the world typically see an average swing of 12% towards the status quo in the final month, according to Alan Renwick of Reading University .
A poll of polls, carried out by Sky News, put 39% in favour of Scottish independence, with 50% against and another 11% undecided.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/leaders-face-off-final-scotland-debate-185714831.html
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar