Alex Salmond interview: 'Scottish lion is roaring which Westminster can't ignore'

The SNP's Alex Salmond on the SNP successes in Scotland and what chances he thinks there could be of a SNP/Conservative deal.

[@MrHerpeace]

***** Wrong. Even if Scotland had voted entirely for Labour MP's, Tories would STILL have a majority. Labour lost in England, that's why we have a Tory gov. As is always the case, how we vote in Scotland has NO bearing on the gov we get. That's why we want independence. Not so hard to understand is it?

[@1oldgit]

Jim Forbes errrr but you don't want independence jock...you lot voted against independence.

[@MrHerpeace]

Justa Rider Yeah, last time, and leave the racist language out next time please.

[@MrHerpeace]

Justa Rider I don't call English people 'Kev' or whatever, I call them by their name. So why do you feel the need to refer to every single Scottish person as 'Jock'?

[@davidowens8719]

Jim Forbes I think its because hes a prick mate

[@MrHerpeace]

David Owens Good call!

[@whirled_peas]

The patronising boyishness used in every media encounter with the SNP is fucking infuriating. Look at the others around that table with their humouring/mildly concerned expressions/body language. I like that David Mitchell seemed to be the only one seeming to give Salmond any kind of respect here. You see him looking down at his papers as if he's almost embarrassed at this pathetic display of othering. While this may not be deliberate, the very layout of the room is exclusionary with most with their backs to the screen.

[@andrewpollock4599]

+samthepoor Why should anyone give Salmond any respect? He is a complete twat!

[@andrewpollock4599]

+robert foreman Oh,that was funny-Pillock-never heard that one before! And I'm not a Tory,by the way.But Happy New Year anyway.

[@wattage2007]

+samthepoor Paxman treats everyone this way. Salmond isn't entitled to an easy time just because he's from the party you're close to.

[@rossgrahame2312]

wattage2007 I think you misunderstood his comment. What he (and I) want is interviewers to treat the SNP less like a novelty or fringe movements and like all other major political parties. Not just regurgitating press releases from other parties word for word like I’ve seen or asking easy surface level hypotheticals.

[@johnnyM809]

Salmond was a great First Minister for Scotland and was the best leader the SNP have ever had until now. Nicola Sturgeon has taken the party forward and achieved the sort of election results you can only dream of. I have no doubts that Scotland will gain independence and become a proper sovereign nation once again within 8 - 10 years.

[@andrewpollock4599]

+johnnyM809 Yeah,good luck with that one-keep on dreaming!

[@wattage2007]

+johnnyM809 A bankrupt nation more like.

[@AngloSupreme]

Not gonna happen for various reasons but going independent to then try gain EU access is insane. Seems they don't mind wearing the collar it's just who holds the lead!

[@ewantu]

"I have no doubts that Scotland will gain independence and become a proper sovereign nation once again within 8 - 10 years." lol hi

[@user-lo5kj8im5d]

That didn’t age quite so well

[@diannenelson2945]

Adore Alex and Nicola.........

[@andrewpollock4599]

+Dianne Nelson Well,in that case-you are easily pleased!

[@mountain_del1863]

This aged well 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@hamishsnap]

Im sitting at work watching this LEGEND do his stuff. I need a shit but im afraid if i get off my seat the SNP will take it...help?.....

[@clintockmaconaghie3763]

BEEFBURGER BURGER When the next IndiRef sees SNP leave Westminster. The SNP can watch the Border being assembled Passports ready or not, Taxes on Goods and Services entering England, Tolls on Motorways south towards Europe. Employers leaving for England and taking our jobs south to avoid the SNP High Taxes and Motorway TOLLS. SNP4ScotlandIsolatedAndBroke by 2025. VOTE SNP4ScotlandIsolatedAndBroke

[@hamishsnap]

You want a joke TrueBlogge777? What would a Scotsman call himself if he converted to Islam? Azif Awid

[@clintockmaconaghie3763]

chancergordy France places a 12% Tax on our Whisky and therefore England will too and will go further. We are going to be MILKED by England after IndiYes. Employers will move south to avoid SNP High Taxes and WE will be Financially destroyed slowly.

[@chancergordy]

Clintock Maconaghie Yawn, who gives a toss what YOU want to want to drink, you can drink Watneys Red Barrel for all I care. Try and understand this, When 'an employer moves south' there is a vacuum for another company to move into that gap left. If stupid English companies move out to prove a point, and they don't because they cut themselves away from potential profit, then another company simply takes that place. If the stress of your country making decisions for their own people is too much for you, just go to the toilet and wait till it's over. You sound like a typical Nawbag. Do you ever think beyond what may happen to you? What would happen to England, the country you love if they adopted your playground economics? Please stop being a feartie, get a spine, stand proud and believe in yourself, the way you talk portrays something else!

[@Dabhach1]

Yes, it's the "us Scots can't do nothing about nothing unless the English are holding our hands" school of nationalism. Surprisingly, it never achieved its promise.

[@alexanderc1944]

🎈SCOTLAND🎈

[@celticlass673]

Only one word needed here.........LEGEND!!!!!!! With people like this taken care of our nation we've nothing to fear. Saor Alba xxx

[@atommachine]

12345 testing, English fear test testing...working ....lol

[@scottmurray8304]

Enjoy your conservative government that you didn't want. You blocked a Labor majority and reset the 5 year clock under a tory government You short sited muppet.

[@johnclark3152]

Scott Murray hmm, looks like there's a bitter person here

[@TraveltheRedRoad]

Scott Murray had Scotland voted labour the result would have been the same- the fault is that of labour in England. Well done

[@sandwich2473]

Scott Murray So giving labour the SNP seats will make Conservative seats go down? How does that work?

[@Enavor]

Ian Buchanan Don't bother debating with them Ian - games a bogey. Their logic is "England didn't vote Labour and that's Scotlands fault". I know Scotland gets blamed for being benefit scroungers, deep fried mars bar eaters, the sickman of the UK and all the rest of it, but now we're even blamed for which way English constituents have voted. It's not worth your time arguing with these people because the Scottish electorate have a mandate to pursue a different agenda and if our democratic mandate is ignored by a conservative party, made solely up of MPs in England, then we'll be independent by 2018-19. Formally or by UDI.

[@paulcuthbert]

First time I've ever seen a politician answer a) Honestly, and b) with 1-word answers!

[@rmcode]

Alex Salmond - a class act!

[@MaxBennie]

Congratulations Scotland. You've just repaired Alex Salmond's ego. Just sayin'.

[@jumbodoug]

Max Bennie don't think it was ever broken....

[@MaxBennie]

doug sykes Come to think of it, I don't suppose it was. It was at least a little bit shaken though.

[@SiskinOnUTube]

A Scottish passport will be nice to own.

[@gregorl26]

Salmond wiping the floor with Paxman and his pompous, sneering English panelists. Paxman is a wazzock.

[@AntPDC]

Gregor Slavin May I ask whether your sentiments represent the views of young Scots about the English in general? And if so, where was it nurtured, and by whom? By films, by Scottish schools, by TV, or by history? And by the way, Paxman did himself no favours here from my perspective, I assure you. Maybe this English panel disgusted you? I myself found it deplorable and patronising.

[@gregorl26]

I have nothing against English people as a whole, and if you're English I apologise if I offended you. My comment was meant as a joke! But what I don't like is the way the media in England treat Scottish people as if they are of lower standard and are not worthy. Paxman talks to Salmond as if he is unimportant which is how a lot of upper class citizens in London and lower England treat us Scots!

[@AntPDC]

Gregor Slavin No need to apologise. I've seen this both ways Gregor, and it's an unhappy thing. There's a muted, semi-spoken hostility among many Scots (especially today in our politically-correct world) towards England. That's natural, since England is the the dominant power in the Union. But I do think Alex Salmond has single-handedly inflamed Scots-English antagonism to previously unheard of heights in recent times. In this show, Paxman was, I thought, hard on Salmond, but he's equally hard on English politicians. You will not see many folk directly addressing these matters of national identity in the media, or in politics, but I think it's true that many Scots, like you, hold deeply sincere feelings about it. Why we can't discuss it more candidly is a mystery to me. Best wishes, Ant.

[@LolLol-ch7sl]

AntPDC but SNP are Politically correct, they are left wing we can't offence (apart from English people)

[@MrSyrett]

Gregor Slavin Yes, the initial comment sums nationalist Scots up - i.e. a chip on the shoulder about the English.

[@karinmathie2836]

Lol, so cool alex.

[@clintockmaconaghie3763]

Karin Mathie When the next IndiRef sees SNP leave Westminster. The SNP can watch the Border being assembled Passports ready or not, Taxes on Goods and Services entering England, Tolls on Motorways south towards Europe. Employers leaving for England and taking our jobs south to avoid the SNP High Taxes and Motorway TOLLS. SNP4ScotlandIsolatedAndBroke by 2025. VOTE SNP4ScotlandIsolatedAndBroke

[@wattage2007]

+Clintock Maconaghie That's too logical an argument for the average nationalist to comprehend.

[@revol148]

it's up to people like you to put the case for the UK - it will sound better coming from you than anyone south of the border.

[@flagsdefenders6959]

Looks oot his nut his mother must a kick the shite out him when he was born even edinbugh zoo refused to give him a cage

[@johnbinnie5697]

@@clintockmaconaghie3763 Aye you keep bowing at the feet of your lords and masters ya indoctrinated pathetic backwards subservient sap

[@j.oneill5421]

The English don't have good hearing though, they will ignore the roar of the Scot lion just like how they ignored the wailing of the Irish during the famine in the mid 1800's.

[@AlexOjideagu2]

ROAR? More like a Meow and a Fart

[@philcooper279]

No, England's hearing is quite sound, we can hear the warnings coming from the UN , Greta and climate experts on the dangers of global warming. Can you?

[@lordmickroach7642]

The Scottish Lion may roar, but it is fed by the English taxpayer

[@jonathaneddy]

Isn't the national symbol of Scotland a Unicorn? Probably more of a neigh than a roar?

[@cambs0181]

No they don't make any noise, they are make believe!

[@amywood9731]

ROOOOOOAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[@waynewonder1111]

amy wood ROOOOOAAAAARRRRRRRR ye see ma voice is deeper

[@grabell74]

***** ..yeah but salmond is a drama queen

[@thomasholland2384]

amy wood You Scottish chose to be the Unicorn :D Everyone knows the English are the Lion. You SNP have no real power.. Only 1.5 million votes :D

[@thomasholland2384]

Ray A All fact.

[@SlickStitch]

Tommy England Actually they have great power now. They can argue against the hated Tory cuts (Hated at least in Scotland) and look like champions of Scotland whilst saying to David that if he messes up we are outta here. Then maybe David Cameron might cry this time instead of his crocodile tears during the referendum.

[@jenhope8763]

G'aun yersel' big yin!!

[@clintockmaconaghie3763]

Then Again When the next IndiRef sees SNP leave Westminster. The SNP can watch the Border being assembled Passports ready or not, Taxes on Goods and Services entering England, Tolls on Motorways south towards Europe. Employers leaving for England and taking our jobs south to avoid the SNP High Taxes and Motorway TOLLS. SNP4ScotlandIsolatedAndBroke by 2025. VOTE SNP4ScotlandIsolatedAndBroke

[@DerekWilliamsMusic]

Gold

[@squizza28]

The SNP are a waste of time. The scottish referendum was settled for good last year. And now they're in Westminster, if they cause trouble for the majority UK government they'll be shouted down and derided or ignored. they've got 9% of the seats and are only interested in scotland and nothing else. Their best tactic is to be constructive and helpful and if they do that they might have some influence.

[@johnbinnie5697]

Do you realise how pathetic this sounds?

[@TheScrowlingFender7]

2yrs later, loses his seat to a Tory.

[@gary051268]

Legend

[@Enavor]

18 seconds - 21 seconds "You're a very modest man aren't you." Yep, more modest than you Jeremy, more modest than you. Do you know why Jeremy? Because Conservative, which you are, and modest is an oxymoron when in conjunction - either in written English or oral.

[@Loucien1]

Why doesn't England demand it's own Parliament? Like Scotland, Wales and NI. If I lived in England I'd be asking for one. You could keep the current Westminster set-up for issues relating to all 4 nation. And have say, The English Assembly, for English matters. Personally, I'd turf out the House of Lords to make space for said English Assembly.

[@84iddon]

Scotland is now ruled by a majority Conservative government! The lion will roar very loud its name is Cameron haha

[@poppyappletree1400]

Johnny Jon David Cameron has no mandate to rule in Scotland.

[@poppyappletree1400]

dublinjake The United Kingdom is made of four constituent countries. It is foolhardy to ignore that fact; if you speak of "the largest portion of people in that country" without that in mind you will always be talking about England alone. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are supposed to be equal partners to the Union, they are not petty fiefs for England to rule over.

[@rossiplum50]

I really don't like the division I see with all the comments on here.. Just because the SNP got less than half the vote, they seem to think it's what we all want.. Wrong... very wrong. Some of us are proud to be British and wish to remain so.

[@AntPDC]

rossiplum50 I've always regarded myself as British first and foremost, and very proudly so. I'm proud of being English too, but not in the same sense. And I can understand why there is a powerful, psychological, resentment towards the English among many folk in the rest of the UK, given England's dominance in the history and affairs of our islands. Furthermore, I don't think those wielding political power in England (including, ironically, Scottish politicians and Civil Servants) have helped bring our constituent nations closer together.

[@rossiplum50]

AntPDC I can only see more and more division appearing between Scotland and England since the referendum vote, and some of the comments I read sadden me..... I'm all for a bit of harmless rivalry and freedom of speech, but some of these "Nationalists" think everyone in Scotland shares their views and those who don't are somehow considered anti- Scottish, which of course is just nonsense. The SNP behave as if the whole of Scotland share their vision and voted for them, which simply isn't true, they got less than half the vote so obviously not all of Scotland did vote for them.. I would definitely never vote SNP ever!... but as we live in a democracy we have to accept the outcome regardless. . I'm hopeful that things do improve for the whole of these islands, not just Scotland..... and the United Kingdom remains United.

[@AntPDC]

rossiplum50 As do I Ross, I really do.

[@elizabethf1591]

rossiplum50 REALLY. !!!

[@michellewilliamson2427]

lol oh how well Alex handled it made complete baboon out of him Good man Mr Alex

[@Halucynating]

I love Eck! :D

[@grabell74]

I wish the Scottish lion would bite his head off..

[@grabell74]

And im bloody Scottish before anyone says anything

[@LolLol-ch7sl]

Graeme Bell who do you support(I am an Unionist from Northern Ireland so I obviously hate them)

[@deelycumming380]

Great....

[@simonbrunswick1194]

Where is the money coming from Alex, to fund your socialist utopia? What currency will we use? Will we be in the EU? Will we be in NATO? How many Scottish companies are actually Scottish owned? How will we fund the NHS, care for the elderly, free prescriptions, education etc? There's nothing on any of this in the White Paper.

[@wattage2007]

+Simon Brunswick Rabid nationalists have no time for these minor details. They're too busy painting their faces blue and chest beating.

[@andrewsharp768]

@@wattage2007 We're rich. You're not.

[@wattage2007]

@@andrewsharp768 Typical thick Natzi. You of course don't realise I'm Scottish. Your lot STILL can't grasp that Scots can't be anti-independence even though we beat you in 2014.

[@johnkelly879]

I hope the United Kingdom gets it's independence from the EU.

[@andrewsharp768]

@William Dryden How's that going, by the way.

[@laurabryden8598]

He got battered out in 2017 lol, what a mug

[@johnbinnie5697]

Got a feeling he may make a come back for the independence vote in 2021

[@johnbinnie5697]

Do you support Prince Andrew his family and the House of Lords?

[@AntPDC]

The irony is this: the Scottish National Party, by eviscerating Scottish Labour in this election, and by spooking voters in England, has directly facilitated the return of a Tory UK majority Government. The SNP's micro-nationalist selfishness has set back the realisation of their socialist agenda (and those of their ideological soul-mates in the Labour Party) by 5 years at least. How is that smart (from the SNP's point of view)? The other thing is this: why is it that the slippery Alex Salmond can scarcely utter a sentence without the word "Scottish" in it, whether it be politics, cooking, or tennis (with Scots' flag). Who else does that? Well, I can think of other examples of that kind of mindset in history, and they were all pretty negative ones. I can't quite figure out why he hasn't been called out on it more powerfully.

[@loonysquirrel2530]

Well, now they can see whether the last year referendum count was twisted or not.

[@jamesohara4295]

The Scottish Unicorn prancing around sticking his horn where it doesn't belong.

[@Victor-by1um]

Acquitted u moron

[@markgable101]

Gosh imagine if England had a national party. ??? How come it's not then racist for there to be a Scottish nationalism party.???? For it to be allowed it be called the British nationwide party THE BNP.

[@hiddenknowledge2012]

Because it's not Scottish Nationalist Party, it's National Party. England's national party is the tories.

[@LolLol-ch7sl]

Salmond wants "independence" and be in the EU. Well that is impossible the EU is far from freedom most of your laws will be made by the unelected EU commission.

[@YARROWS9]

I'm affraid I am as proud to be Scottish as this plonker,and still be British, without feeling aggrieved by it.

[@johnbinnie5697]

You happy funding peodo princes his family and the House of lords?

[@YARROWS9]

@@johnbinnie5697 Naw no really into that shite. But I do like our fantastic Armed forces, our NHS and i like the fact that English, Welsh and N Irish are my fellow countryfolk.

[@johnbinnie5697]

@@YARROWS9 Our fantastic trident and armed forces has been a money grab since pre Mark Thatcher. We rent trident warheads off the Yanks at a huge cost to the taxpayer. I have family, friends in all of the home nations and in addition Australia, South Africa, Canada and the US. This will never change by changing the political system we adhere to. It's well overdue Scotland and the rest of the UK for that matter choose not to be backwards indoctrinated dimwitted subservient pathetic lord bowing saps. It's the 21st century!

[@YARROWS9]

@@johnbinnie5697 Firstly Your SNP has a funny notion of independence. Wanting to align us to the EU where we have nothing in common and i doubt most of them know where Scotland is. Plus they have taken away local powers from the Scottish regions and centralised them in Edinburgh. trident warheads are not rented from the Americans. The nuclear warheads are British. The launch systems are American made only. If we did not have a deterrent we would be at the mercy of countries that had these horrible weapons. Unfortunately we can't un invent them.

[@johnbinnie5697]

@@YARROWS9 out of curiosity how old are you?

[@philcooper279]

So will a English one.

[@Wiitoo]

I have read elsewhere that Sturgeon and Salmonds lion can roar as much as it likes so long as the English don't have to pay for the cat food

[@4exgold]

Louise Mensch looking at Salmond has the sort of look on her face that Hitler would've had if a Jew or a Slav was talking in the background.

[@jimthompson9370]

and just five years later... it was all over, and he was dust.

[@mic7able]

The next SNP LEADER should be Michael Fish, or Richard Herring.... Even Rosamund Pike or Ken Loach, I'm tired now.

[@mic7able]

***** All of them.... IT'S THE LAW!

[@andrewelphick2304]

Or Barry Dolphin.

[@highlandcommando]

White Cosby comes to mind

[@wonjubhoy]

Not guilty.

[@DannyDom3]

Its a Unicorn, not a lion

[@scottmurray8304]

Scotland for the Brave Heart Scottish!!!! United Kingdom for those who have an education:)

[@robertsharpmills4949]

Scott Murray Scotland the Brave for those who have had and will continue to have free education.

[@scottmurray8304]

Robert Sharp Mills once you get your independence that may be up for grabs. Stand by for public purse deficit and privatisation across the board. Roar:(

[@waynewonder1111]

Scott Murray don't think so

[@scottmurray8304]

***** when you get independence so will Scotland along with complete privatisation of most if not all public services. Your pot just won't be big enough to sustain current spending in Scotland. SNP are in their honeymoon period which are always short lived and nothing like reality. This will happen believe me. Scotland is a great place but the SNP are nothing more than a romantic band of false profits. The 20 year old young student lady who won a seat is a perfect example. With all respect how is this person able to empathise, relate and benefit the people she represents? Bums on seats? If nothing else I suppose it will be interesting to watch events unfold but I do hope the SNP stop using words like "Roar" and "Bold" because that won't pay the bills and it's designed to rally that Highland spirit.

[@Karleenxx]

You are forgetting that the SNP has been the Scottish Government for the last 8 years. And a great job they do too.

[@darilla]

Legend, that is all haters! 😃

[@johnbenton4488]

The Scottish Lion roars because it thinks the English aren't feeding it enough. Hungry lions do that!

[@georgestephen9785]

Scotlands First Minister has got a new toy puppet called Nicola, not very pretty but dances well to Alexs tunes

[@johnbinnie5697]

Aye? What is your assessment at this point in time?

[@robertforeman1162]

Andrew Pollock,scouserla1 and LordMick Roach-you will stick around for May 2016.Please say you will,Tory boys.

[@84rebz]

wait so you're keeping the lion too? the currency, the media, the emblem, maybe a "mutual defense" treaty...why are you leaving again?

[@84rebz]

"Nationalism is a virtue of the vicious" ~ A famous Celt

[@johnbinnie5697]

Principals. I don't believe in being a backwards indoctrinated lord bowing subservient sap. Got a few issues with funding peodophilia also.

[@TheJackasskids11]

what chance do you think there could be of an SNP/conservative deal now? Ha ha

[@thomasholland2384]

Channel 4 News No you fools. It is the Scottish Unicorn :D

[@MrMelvi87]

1.2.3.4.5

[@johnbinnie5697]

Once I caught a fish alive?

[@jimdandy2024]

4 years on...meow.

[@clintockmaconaghie3763]

When the next IndiRef sees SNP leave Westminster. The SNP can watch the Border being assembled Passports ready or not, Taxes on Goods and Services entering England, Tolls on Motorways south towards Europe. Employers leaving for England and taking our jobs south to avoid the SNP High Taxes and Motorway TOLLS. SNP4ScotlandIsolatedAndBroke by 2025. VOTE SNP4ScotlandIsolatedAndBroke

[@ZooScott]

The timeline is now, watch and learn, onion.

[@AntPDC]

It's all about real devolved power, but with hard, grown-up responsibility. The problem with full fiscal autonomy is that Scotland raises around 3% less tax per head than the rest of the UK, but spends around 15% more per head. A Scottish Government with full fiscal powers would be in perpetual, and growing budget deficit should it continue with its current spending policies. I'm all for a federal settlement for that is what the will of the Scottish people has dictated in this Election (not independence, which even fewer Scots want now by all accounts). But a federal Settlement needs to be one which contains no escape hatch, no ejector seat, no comfortable underwriting which would give licence to reckless public spending . Scotland should take more powers by all means, but the Scottish people have to be prepared to live with the consequences, whatever they may be.

[@barryjohnmillsip2853]

This guy is the up most fanny !!!

[@RabiBenLavi]

Scottish lion is roaring for the US if the UK tries to leave the EU or become a rival to US hegemony. Or the US Godzilla will roar over Qaddafi, Northern Ireland, pipelines, and BP

[@clintockmaconaghie3763]

Rabi Ben Lavi When the next IndiRef sees SNP leave Westminster. The SNP can watch the Border being assembled Passports ready or not, Taxes on Goods and Services entering England, Tolls on Motorways south towards Europe. Employers leaving for England and taking our jobs south to avoid the SNP High Taxes and Motorway TOLLS. SNP4ScotlandIsolatedAndBroke by 2025. VOTE SNP4ScotlandIsolatedAndBroke

[@RabiBenLavi]

Clintock Maconaghie SNP is being blackmailed by the US. Where was the talk of independence when they were in Northern Ireland? The US can bring them up on terrorist charges over Lockerbie bombing and put Salmond in Gitmo.

[@xWHITExEAGLEx]

Rabi Ben Lavi Lol the USA can't touch Salmond, Scotland/UK has nuclear weapons.

[@RabiBenLavi]

xWHITExEAGLEx Now that would get interesting. I've been betting one of the EU countries will break off from the US empire like Russia. I'm guessing either Norway or the UK will be first.

[@j.oneill5421]

Rabi Ben Lavi As a Northern Ireland man I would rather be a part of the US empire than the UK, at least they are not anti Catholic/anti Gaelic The USA don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to terrorism, it was the Irish Americans who used to fund the IRA during the 70 and 80s, they got some guns from the USA too.

[@Krontok]

Well he got voted out so he can roar out his arse for all I care.

[@mariuszchyzynski5569]

2:09 :D

[@michaelthompson679]

Haha what a fool