'You had your chance!' | Andrew Neil vs Alex Salmond on Scottish independence

Andrew Neil and Alex Salmond go head-to-head over the issue of Scottish independence.
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[@WilliamLHart]

Isn't nice to see a politician actually answering Andrew's questions without obfuscating, deflecting or just plane not answering the question. No shouting or talking over each other. Rather civilized.

[@baltasarnoreno5973]

He can afford to be frank as he is leader of a minor party that is only competing in 20 constituencies.

[@jonescrusher1]

Privelege of the outsider

[@craigbanks9532]

Mutual respect goes a long way

[@craigbanks9532]

@@jonescrusher1 You clearly don't know Alex Salmond very well...

[@jonescrusher1]

@@craigbanks9532 is he likely to win?

[@Jimbo878]

Enjoyed this, 2 seasoned elders of politics, no shouting, no foot slammed down on the accelerator like too many others, no tantrums a la Boebert, MTG, calm, educated, and sincere.

[@thelimey351]

Yes, but that's because Salmond's power has gone, it would be a different interview if Salmond had any prospect of success.

[@Jimbo878]

@@thelimey351 That would be like saying, only one year ago that Labours power had gone, or 14 years ago that the Lib Dems had gone. Sometimes, things move quickly in politics, sometimes not quickly enough....😁

[@thelimey351]

@@Jimbo878 No, Labour may be incompetent but the Conservatives have been so bad that it was obvious they would get hammered for at least 3 years. The Lib Dems have never been that influential - even as a junior party in the coalition. Salmond is not going to move forwards this election or next election - so he'll be 80 by then...

[@craigbanks9532]

@@thelimey351 I really don't think so

[@kevin02mulder]

I give this to Alex, when everyone has given up he shows his resilience :)

[@edwardcampbell7513]

Needs to get back on the gravy train.!!!

[@gordonmackenzie4512]

@@edwardcampbell7513He is not standing for election.

[@williamsteven429]

yup, there comes a time in life when the one trick pony just keeps on and on performing the .. one trick....

[@NoTimeForCheats-pg2lu]

yeah, peeing in the wind comes to mind...

[@alexgraham777]

@@NoTimeForCheats-pg2lu He is everything you imagine a forked tongue politician is. To be fair to him he didnt destroy the economy and spin lies for a decade. It was run with governance in mind when he was King.

[@tombeveridge1330]

What a breath of fresh air! Two seasoned political brains, respectful of each other, tussling and sparring with intelligence and civility. Wish others would follow suit.

[@mickeymouse3933]

Brilliant Alex please lead us into battle like before and win our freedom this time so Scotland can take its place among many other successful small functioning Independent nations and we can rebuild and improve Scotland as it should be 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@davidpanton3192]

A conversation between two animated sofas.

[@brianferguson7840]

Busted sofas with the Stuffing hanging out.

[@louisehogg8472]

🤣 I like Alex, but that's a funny description.

[@New-ye2fl]

😂

[@bridgewatercontract1]

If it takes Sofas to address the relevant points in a civil way then yes

[@louisehogg8472]

@@bridgewatercontract1 I'd love to see that TV Show: politics discussed by politicians impersonated as stop-motion animated furniture! - More animated than Starmer/Sunak. - More entertaining than talking heads. - Opportunities for satire. What furniture items would represent other current politicians? IS Alex the ALBA Party settee? After all, Tasmina IS the Party Chair. Does Chris McEleny complete the 3 piece suite?

[@MrDannyyb]

He is several leagues up from the current SNP toerags....but then he has so many other issues 🙄🙄

[@anthonybrown4874]

SNP Policy No1 keep asking the Scottish people the same question until they say yes. Policy No2 tell voters an independent Scotland will be better than being saddled with the English without mentioning how difficult things will be financially and for travelling a bit like Brexit the downsides are seriousely underplayed.

[@rosemarycuthbert4623]

You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about

[@dominiclane8538]

So you think scotland will be financially better off bwahahahaha absolutely delusional ​@@rosemarycuthbert4623

[@hey12542]

​@@rosemarycuthbert4623He has every idea what he's talking about.

[@hugoagogo9435]

@@rosemarycuthbert4623 Oh yes he has

[@Support-your-local-team]

The number one argument of Better Together was that Scots had to vote no to stay in the EU. That wasn't the case despite Scots voting against Brexit. Fair enough if you don't support independence, but just ignoring this context and saying the yes side want constant referendums is a fundamentally dishonest argument.

[@brianevans2819]

Not a big fan to be honest of Salmonds, but enjoyed this interview, Andrew on top form, as usual and witty.

[@russellshearer6805]

Two people with very different views but definitely a respect for one another shown by the light heartedness of the interview

[@lanarkcd]

Thats 19 seats challenged by Alba reduces the votes for the SNP. Go for it Alex, you will create chaos in the SNP ranks

[@alasdairfinlayson]

We don't need one loopy independence chasing party to be replaced by yet another loopy independence chasing party, especially one led by the failed leader of the original loopy independence party!!

[@KevenHutchinson-gt1nn]

But will an organization that was making CD players on the cheap really be able to break through

[@lanarkcd]

@@KevenHutchinson-gt1nn I don't care, even one vote taken from the SNP is one vote closer to getting rid of this corrupt party

[@DohertyAmanda82]

SNP have created their own chaos. Stop blaming Alba for what SNP have done. We are not obliged to vote for SNP because they claim to be an independence party. What have SNP done since 2014 for independence? They've been sitting on 6 mandates & done nothing. They're sitting on the 2021 mandate to deliver an indyref & they're acting as if it doesn't exist. SNP lost my vote when they tried to remove my rights as a women, when they stole £600,000 from the independence movement & when they started drugging, sexualising & mutilating children. Not to mention their tyranny with COVID & their incompetent governing. A vote for SNP is a vote to keep them in jobs. You should be grateful that Alex returned to politics with Alba because soon there won't be an SNP. They're facing insolvency. Their only income is from Westminster because people can see that they've betrayed independence voters. The 3 unionist parties didn't split the union vote. They teamed up & formed Better Together & that's why they won the 2014 indyref. SNP rejected Alex Scotland Utd proposal, which was the alternative to Better together. SNP also voted against working with the wider movement at their conference in September 2023. They've now removed independence from their ballot, so if you want independence, good governance restored & if you care about women & girls safety, you best accept the facts. Voting SNP is a vote for the union & devolution

[@CookieMunstaaa]

😂 ​@@KevenHutchinson-gt1nn

[@AntPDC]

His obsession with independence - nay a psychotic Braveheart derangement - has brought Scotland low. He describes the Scottish economy, its education, housing and health systems as "bread and butter" - wholly secondary to his independence BS. He and the SNP have severely damaged Scotland, yet he persists. He's still playing his fiddle while Scotland burns.

[@alexboitz8540]

Independence is NORMAL and FAR from being BS. How have he and the SNP damaged Scotland? They didn't impose Brexit, destroy the UK economy, or impose the highest taxes since the war.

[@chrislaw9574]

No, Scotland under Salmond was strong with a lot of good policies such as free prescriptions, university education, frozen council tax etc. after he left they went radical left on many policies and took their eye of the ball. I would welcome him back. While I don’t agree with some elements he is one of the most shrewd political operators on the planet.

[@Support-your-local-team]

What does Ireland (a country with a better standard of living than the UK) have that Scotland doesn't? Was it psychotic/deranged etc for them to get independence?

[@AntPDC]

@@Support-your-local-team You should look up "Leprechaun Economics". The alleged prosperity of Ireland is a scam brought about by US global multinationals like Apple and Microsoft, for tax haven advantages. Every sane person in Ireland knows it, and if one travels around Ireland, the "prosperity" delusion is obvious to anyone with eyes and ears. Indeed, Ireland's politicians' wholesale acceptance of asylum seekers is destabilising the entire nation. More seriously, fiddly Alex Salmond single-handedly fomented a level of racism towards England such has never been witnessed in over a hundred years. As did his then acolyte, Nicola Sturgeon - now entirely discredited, alone and facing criminal charges along with her husband. Scotland has been brought to its knees by the SNP. C'mon.

[@alexboitz8540]

@@Support-your-local-team Ireland has independence won with bombs and bullets. We Scots don't want to have to go down that road.

[@hholton7245]

The BBC say Scottish Nationalism is Good and English Nationalism is Bad?

[@jintsfan]

Salmond spouts fourth about his success from 2007 until he left. Wrong: the SNP prior to Krankie was a bunch of chancers who spun the fact that they handed out money, whereas Krankie got powers, HAD TO MAKE DECISIONS (extra powers) and make a complete fk up of matters.

[@begachka]

Civic nationalism is a good thing. Nationalism coupled with expansionism and any other infamous aspirations is quite another.

[@hiwattman]

The BBC have never said Scottish Nationalism is good, they do everything in their power to quash it

[@hiwattman]

@@jintsfan such as?

[@jintsfan]

@@hiwattman SNP failures ? Complete failure to close the attainment gap between rich and poor kids in education ? Missed one target to build 50k affordable houses. Failure to complete the A9 ? Failure to roll out superfast broadband to rural communities ? Failure to introduce devolved welfare powers demanded and received from Westminster ? Failure to introduce a national energy company ? Failure to address drug deaths issue ? Failure on surgical waiting lists “, now at 850,000 ? List is endless.

[@WVislandia]

What business is it of Andrew Neil's? He doesn't live in Scotland. He should wind his nose back in and put it in his own business and leave Scotland to people who live there.

[@New-ye2fl]

Everyone gave greens their second vote last time out, I knew salmond was the only one that would hold sturgeon to independence, say what you want about the guy but he is a true independence supporter

[@alan_davis]

a.k.a. a one trick pony.

[@georgeoneill6942]

Prob be voting SNP 1 and 2 in the next Holyrood election. Last time I voted 1. SNP and 2. Green.

[@New-ye2fl]

@@alan_davis well it’s something many men have tried and failed before before him, he’s the only one that got the Scottish people to the ballot.

[@richardmcdougall233]

FPTP voting system not favourable to ALBA. They will probably just split the SNP vote on this occasion.

[@jaexiusnem1267]

Elections in general won’t be favourable to Alba because nobody gives a toss about them from what I’ve seen.

[@janice506]

Alba & Scottish family party 🥳

[@JiminyCricket8899]

Until they say yes presumably lol

[@allandryburgh9651]

@@JiminyCricket8899 Correct, Scotland has had enough of the stupidity of WM and their self harming ideology plans.

[@cremvirus]

Alaba ? My name is David spelt Bob. Alba is not alaba

[@allandryburgh9651]

Margaret Thatcher said in her memoirs. If Scotland had a majority of SNP M.P.'s then that would be enough to start independence negotiations.

[@for111]

The convention that substantial constitutional change should be put to a referendum has evolved since Thatcher's time in office. It is beyond the realms of possiblity that Scotland could become independent without the consent of her people, directly in a referendum.

[@dublindave78]

@@for111 ... This is true, the precedent has been set. As an aside, here's another precedent for you - the Scottish parliament voting for a section 30 order from Westminster to hold an independence referendum, and that being respected

[@for111]

@@dublindave78 Constitutional matters are reserved to the UK Parliament - with very good reason (e.g they affect everyone). I don't know of any country on Earth that would put up half it's national territory to a simple 50%+1 vote. Even less a country that would do it twice in a decade. Even less still, any country who would then defer decision making about future referenda on the matter to a devolved parliament which represents 10% of the population. With no limitations.

[@dublindave78]

@@for111 ... I note your use of "a country", singular. It's not a union of countries in your mind, is it? It's a singular British state. You're a British nationalist.

[@for111]

@@dublindave78 What confuses matters is the use of the term "country". Yes, both England and Scotland are historic countries. However, the UK is a single country / nation - recognised by every other country / nation on Earth. I believe in the continued union between Scotland and England and the continual existence of the UK, yes. "British nationalist" in 2024 is a rather loaded term - guys drinking beer shouting about kicking all the Muslims out - so I wouldn't adopt the term no. But "British nationalist" in the same vein as "Irish nationalist" or "Spanish nationalist" - sure.

[@MrResearcher122]

All the best the Salmond. Excellent politician, and his movement destroyed by an incompetent woman. But he's back!

[@Truthteller886]

Andrew can you get this clown back on and ask him how his election campaign went 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@simonlaw9234]

The true language is Scots, not Gaelic.

[@Albanach-je1nk]

An expert English person???

[@benjaminjonathanjamessisko7095]

Indeed. More people speak Hindi than Gaelic in Scotland.

[@jamesmcnally5838]

Your easily a Teacher 😂

[@simonlaw9234]

@@jamesmcnally5838 You're

[@Haggis984]

It's both

[@davielikesrush]

Alex is groping around for a job and relevance will his advances be rejected once more ?!

[@user-zc4yd9ss7h]

Busted flush. The laird of Moscow.

[@hairzilla]

You mispelt lard

[@Roybatty443]

Laird o turkey right now I think. Polling at 3% of the Scottish vote so not about to cause the snp too many sleepless nights despite their troubles

[@Andygb78]

@@hairzilla I think it's Gaelic for lard.

[@KeithWilliamMacHendry]

Only in the mindset of fools, Scotland will flourish when the British state is evicted from our lives. They, the British state, created a low wage low skill society based on debt & access to more debt. That is some legacy Thatcher & minions.

[@drstrangelove4998]

😂

[@alastairnaughton1288]

Can't believe I have discovered a respect for Andrew Neil! That's frightening! A journalist asking the tough questions, but keeping it all polite.

[@alexwallace5486]

Give it up Salmond, we said no and having suffered the SNP disaster for all these years I seriously doubt a change of mind.

[@WVislandia]

Try YT - you will find it isn't going to be down to just the SNP to do it.

[@alexwallace5486]

@@WVislandia it's not going to happen.

[@RR-sp3ey]

The SNP are way more competent than Labour or the Tories.

[@Morisrix]

Yawn....... as the guy suggested Alex you had your chance, why don't you just retire gracefully, Scotland is in shambles with SNP and the division caused by the persistent pursuit of independence, if they are struggling even with the help of Westminster how can they possibly manage alone ? Division, delusion, constant blaming of Brexit, covid, Westminster etc., it's ridiculously boring 🙄

[@TheZanshen]

Definitely. Too many brainwashed braveheart movie fans 😂.

[@alexboitz8540]

You guys are so blissfully ignorant about it all. You think Brexit, austerity, WMDs, involving us in illegal wars, allocating £11 Billion of UK debt interest payments to us, allocating almost £44 Billion of UK spending to us when we have absolutely no say what it is spent on or where in the UK or even in the world it is spent, using our natural resources trying keep the UK from economic ruin rather than for the benefit of Scots, and excluding us from any decisions made by the UK on trade or international affairs, is HELPING us?

[@KeithWilliamMacHendry]

That won't be happening, the pursuit of independence is eternal & it won't be stopped. Not by the British state, its lackeys & lemmings, its corporate media. British/English nationalists or the Union Jack Jocks who themselves offer nothing of vision worthy of name for Scotland.

[@shonawest276]

Can you explain the shambles in Scotland.

[@alexboitz8540]

@@shonawest276 No, because there isn't a shambles. Things COULD certainly be a lot better though, but not without getting free of Westminster control.

[@rorymacintosh6691]

I live in Canada, and the province of Quebec has had two referenda on separation. Both of them failed. If they want another one, I’m inclined to say “You lost the last two, do you want to make it best three out of five? “

[@janice506]

You might call it separation but in Scotland we call it freedom from the British government

[@sixfootbear]

@@janice506 Well now.Scots are British,,They send MPs to the British Parliament..

[@hashburystumble8808]

Scotland has been denied a second referendum even when the SNP won 56 out of 59 seats in Westminster.

[@mechakonga4324]

Parti Quebecois is surging in the polls: the third referendum could come!

[@SSMMTTEE]

@@hashburystumble8808That happened six months after they lost a referendum. How many referendums do you want them to have?!

[@humanbeing4841]

I fail to see how Scottish independence would be any good for the Scottish people. Britain should stay united, it is stronger together.

[@user-zo2rj2zi9g]

Fortunately the majority of Scots agree. This is not the time for independence and splitting now would only benefit certain other countries.

[@mmcc5846]

​@@user-zo2rj2zi9gwhat a lot pish you talk majority of Scottish want independence 70% Scottish not British on a 2022 Scottish population census form Muppet

[@user-rz3wn5yc1l]

That’s what the Soviet Union said to the Baltic states circa 1989. Independence is normal.

[@user-zo2rj2zi9g]

@@user-rz3wn5yc1l Not even remotely close to the same situation. Nobody in Scotland is being oppressed.

[@alexboitz8540]

That is the point ONLY the UK benefits at the expense of Scotland.

[@Behindstage]

Scotland said no. How many times!

[@douginn3090]

About the same as england

[@edwardcampbell7513]

@@douginn3090 Whit does that even mean.???

[@gordonmackenzie4512]

But nobody under the age of 25 has had a chance to voice their opinion, and really it’s their future that is important.

[@JohnnyCrash-ug8zt]

@@gordonmackenzie4512by that logic we should have referendums every year on someone’s 25 birthday. Democracy doesn’t work like that, normally it takes a generation or two before you vote again. But maybe sooner if the population gets more louder.

[@janice506]

And people can change their mind which is their choice

[@daverendall4157]

FFS Alex the people of Scotland don't want independence 🤬 gees peace

[@duncanmackenzie5684]

Alexander the great ( idiot)🤡

[@shonawest276]

Speak for yourself.

[@rmac8737]

Speak for yersel.. we want oot

[@daverendall4157]

However the majority don't want independence but you & the SNP never listen to the majority do you 😮

[@dotmac6480]

The snp want want independance from England to give in to their masters in the EU .

[@jonescrusher1]

One of the great cockroaches of British politics.

[@TroyaE117]

Let's have a referendum every day for the next 1314 years. Democracy in action !

[@rosemarycuthbert4623]

Why not have one about the massive disastrous elephant in the room ? Brexit. Scotland didn't vote for that. Saor Alba

[@markwilkie3677]

We have had one in 317 years and it was won on a pack of lies.

[@TroyaE117]

@@markwilkie3677 Well Mark, we aren't all as clever as you and I guess the separatists' arguments weren't as convincing for us as they were for you. All that talk of North Sea oil revenue spewing forth didn't even convince the separatists. They wasted no time in shutting it down. Strange that, eh?

[@TroyaE117]

@@rosemarycuthbert4623 I didn't vote for Nicola Sturgeon, or Swinney. Sore Elbow.

[@dingopisscreek]

Andrew - always entertaining

[@richardgregory3684]

Alba did indeed lose 100% of their seats, and the SNP over 80% of theirs.

[@edwardhinde3989]

As a Scot I see no future away from the UK. National desire for independence has also plummeted over the past year

[@jmo8934]

The SNP imploded with everything that went on with Nicola Sturgeon etc. Add that to the fact that the worst Tory government of all time are about to be shown the exit door and it will have settled a few people down. However things can turn around quite quickly as we have seen from the last election to this one and eventually the tories will be back in doing what they do and not giving a damn about Scotland as usual. In the long run that will never change and independence has to be more than just backing an individual or a party. It is about a whole national outlook and self determination into the future.

[@swalker8558]

Andrew is spot on, Alex is living in a fantasy land..

[@GPlayz10_Football]

I wish we could be independent

[@Baddad36]

Needless to say, Salmon isn't sticking his head above the parapet because the last time he lost.

[@janice506]

He came very close & if it Scot’s knew back then we were being played by the English government over Brexit we would be an independent country today with a closed border to keep out illegal foreigners

[@Kraken2681994]

Honestly, the Independent Scotland campaign is done. Nobody is interested anymore, the snp have totally lost the trust of our people. I voted Yes years ago & after watching the last few years of snp governance, Frankly I'M GLAD IT WAS A NO RESULT. 29yo M Glasgow.

[@WVislandia]

You clearly don't use social media or YT.

[@Kraken2681994]

@@WVislandia I do, I also live in the real world. The Indy vote is dead. The sooner the fanatics realize it the better. A few flags over the M8 motorway at bellshill isny gonny tip the vote.

[@Enormous866]

I feel the same after what they've done to Edinburgh. It's like Disneyland now.

[@RR-sp3ey]

Look at the result..... we have one of the slowest growing economics in Europe and our standard of living is declining. Independence was a fantastic opportunity.

[@Kraken2681994]

@@RR-sp3ey and you think the snp can fix all of this by throwing up barriers to one of our biggest on land export markets. Not a chance. All that will come from an indy vote is a load of red tape and rapid economic crash. An absolute disaster is what we they give us. I'm not saying your wrong btw. I agree, but remind yourself who has been in charge of scotland for the past decade or more. The same party you (and I) believed would deliver us greatness. It's a pipe dream man.

[@truckerfromreno]

Threw it all away over whether a bloke with a frock on should be in a women's prison. ha ha

[@steve24550]

In all seriousness, Alex Salmond looks and sounds quite ill. He seems to be struggling with his breathing. COPD ?

[@nigellee9824]

Over weight....

[@NorthSon]

He’s 70 and obese.

[@memofromessex]

He is not had a drink yet.

[@davidkelly790]

Well he is very overweight and also looks like he drinks going by the red tinge to his skin. Hopefully he sorts his health out.

[@saulgoodman2278]

Overweight and he hasn't had a drink yet!

[@michaelnewman1813]

A sad man. Long live the King! Long live a United Britannia!

[@Support-your-local-team]

Serf

[@RR-sp3ey]

Brainwashed.....

[@psycho8927]

​@@Support-your-local-teampleb

[@Bolga4K]

Alex is far too intelligent not to realize that his Alba party will only split the vote and hurt the SNP. He must be extremely bitter about whatever differences there are between him and the SNP for him to be willing to do so much damage to their political prospects... and his own. Vote SNP! 🇳🇴❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@pio4362]

In an independent Scotland, the SNP would surely be the centre-left party and Alba the centre-right. But before independence it's not the wisest to be splitting, need a more big tent organisation.

[@williamsteven429]

accurate observation, hence Slippery's opening gambit to resume control of the "independence" programme...and the top chair. Just a one trick huckster .

[@gadfly1]

In an independent Scotland we would ruled by a one party national socialist dictatorship ....defenceless and bankrupt.

[@alexboitz8540]

@@gadfly1 Totally wrong. There will be an early election immediately after Indy, Scotland will have the share of UK defence assets that it has paid for and will use the money that is currently sent to the UK defence budget to pay for Scotland's defence forces and it is the UK that will be bankrupt when Scotland keeps its wealth and resources for its own use. The UK has to borrow over a hundred £billion each year as it is, to pay for the woefully inadequate public services.

[@KevenHutchinson-gt1nn]

​@@gadfly1 That's exactly what happened to Alba the last time. Poor quality CD players and TVs just didn't work for them.

[@alanbrown9178]

"You had your chance..." "When circumstances change, I change my mind. What do you do Sir?" John Maynard Keynes, political economist, 1885-1946

[@richardgregory3684]

Did Salmond change his mind when the Scottish people rejected independence?

[@alanbrown9178]

@@richardgregory3684 Yes, I think he did. He has become even more determined.... I have met over a dozen people who have changed their minds since Indyref 1. Not one has changed from Yes to no. Independence is inevitable, despite all the underhand misinformation from the unionist politicians and "establishment". One might reasonably wonder why they are so frightened of Scotland leaving......

[@richardgregory3684]

@@alanbrown9178 So he didn;t change his mind, he just became more fixated on the same idea! _I have met over a dozen people who have changed their minds since Indyref 1. Not one has changed from Yes to no_ Ah yes, personal anecdotes are such good evidence (lol)

[@alanbrown9178]

@@richardgregory3684 "Personal anecdotes" are more to be trusted than the abundant blatant misinformation and sometimes downiright lies spewed out from unionist sources, which are for the hard-of-thinking.

[@michaelmcqueen4514]

Alec Salmond is brilliant. A real statesman.

[@valeriebrice3673]

Didnt Alex Salmon allow Donald Trump to develop his golf courses in Scotland? Apparently Trump reneged on promises he made to Salmon about the development which got him the permission. Not a great candidate for an official post.

[@johndillon-yw9re]

Obsessivness is interesting and it impedes the subject of being able to think clearly. J D 😊 😮

[@jintsfan]

52,600 from 118,000 registered voters. What %age support for separation was that ? 😂 The Dundonian saying he had something to vote for clearly wasn’t speaking for the majority. Not. Even. Close. Not in the real world.

[@Boviss1Bovis]

Ye've bauchled it Alex. We voted for the SNP and held our noses while we did. We know the history of how you helped Thatcher use Scotland for the Poll Tax Experiment. And we've watched you blow in every populist direction since. We took you for amateurs. We took you for optimists. And then we find that youre just self interested chancers and careerists and might as well be voting Tory for all the good you'd do. You talked a good game. It had me going for a while there.... fair play for that. But I and many like me have woken up again and know that this lot cannot be trusted. You dont have the polis digging up the garden for no good reason - and you dont make Hamza Yousef the First Minister unless your talent pool is tanked. Such a shame. We deserved better.

[@presterjohn4123]

Seems to me Scottish Independence seems a ‘nice little earner’ for some canny Scots that could not find a well paying job in the private sector. Hohum Yousless for example.

[@catherine999]

Agreed

[@christopherbuck7679]

So now there are 2 parties in Scotland whose whole premise is independence, not looking and running Scotland for the betterment of its inhabitants. Have politicians forgotten what they are meant to do, they are administrators of running the country.

[@New-ye2fl]

In comparison to how the other countries are being run in the uk, we’re doing alright.

[@tescosfinest4464]

@@New-ye2fl Very low bar that

[@davidpearn2484]

Wishing Scotland all the best for independence if wanted by the majority, from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿.

[@SSMMTTEE]

It isn’t wanted by the majority, as evidenced by 2014 referendum and opinion polls. I know your Anglophobia will mean that upsets you, but bad luck.

[@heycidskyja4668]

It's not what the majority wants in Scotland - not then, not now.

[@wm5113]

Hello from Scotland, as the majority, we don't! Cheers 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@arcoffice5778]

Thank you 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿. We’ll get there avoiding the “hooks & crooks” of the Yoonyuns !! Saor Alba 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@davidmrenton]

Support has effectively dropped since 2014 and all the long-term metric's such as demographics, oil , the EU are becoming worse. 2014 was their best chance and every year it will only get worse

[@alst4817]

Whatever his (ahem) personal failings, you can’t deny Alex is a smooth political operator.

[@janice506]

He’s one of the best in 🇬🇧

[@euanmd1295]

100%

[@user-zo2rj2zi9g]

Agree. I’m not a fan of his politics but he sailed through this interview where many others would have sunk.

[@harveyneedleman817]

I dont agree with Alec's politics but he is a much better interview than the competition. I always enjoy listening to him.

[@MrElliottjc]

Having observed Brexit surely most sane folk can appreciate the huge gamble that independence would be. No one has a scooby how it will play out, especially when you are a minnow negotiating with a four hundred pound gorilla in the form of the UK and a six hundred pound gorilla in the form of the EU.

[@johnneil4777]

In the same way that Independence was a huge gamble for Australia, New Zealand, Canada & many other Commonwealth Countries who are currently thriving. With our history in producing world leaders in STEM subjects Scotland would also thrive.

[@New-ye2fl]

The uk doesn’t exist without Scotland, these aren’t separate entities. Yeah I don’t really buy into the whole Scotland has no power in any these negotiations anymore, times have massively changed.

[@perro0076]

This is a bit weird when it comes to independence. He's a Westminster plant. How's is he supposed to answer?

[@kevino4372]

2014 was the final decision on this issue

[@nigellee9824]

At 72, and a true blue Conservative, and English, i pray for independents of all colours...and strangely enough im quite a big fan of Alex

[@pastyman001]

Alba ( Gaelic for Scotland ) and Albion, the old name for England are from the same linguistic origin. I think that says a lot.

[@Andygb78]

They should use a balloch box for Scottish independence instead of a ballot box.

[@alanparker9712]

Lets be honest if Alex won in 2014 does he or anyone believe for one second there would be a second referendum allowed ?

[@danielberry4765]

Scotland shouldn’t have a devolved administration. This was a huge mistake. Undo.

[@JohnedwardScullion]

Before i comment i want independance for scotland but i dont think its salmond is ever going to be the one that brings it to us all o

[@jcfgh]

I rather like Alex Salmond although I do not support Scots independence.

[@georgekennedy2496]

Can Alex Salmond speak Gaelic ???????? Yesterday’s man with hot air that comes out of him enough to keep all the wind farms in ALAPA birlin 24/7 Geez a Break ECK

[@davidkelly790]

It's quite pathetic even mentioning Gaelic. We must have as many polish speakers as gaelic ones in Scotland. Spent a fortune having the gaelic word on our emergency vehicles when 99% of the population doesn't care, complete waste of limited funds.

[@georgekennedy2496]

@@davidkelly790 my sentiments exactly 👍 it was a big con to make us feel we were independent another waste of public taxes but it will soon be over.

[@joefisken2931]

Bet it smells crazy in that room

[@rosemarycuthbert4623]

I think Alex will be in for a surprise

[@JamesBrown-pz6nw]

Its still naw Alex.

[@alexandermethven]

If he got his independence.it would be dire straights.the country is already in tatters.by his other party.we cant have the british pound ,in Scottish independence.we dont even,have our .own money currency.or independent armed forces.

[@peterchaloner2877]

Abolish pretendy parly now. Westminster rule, please.

[@Support-your-local-team]

Gammon

[@hey12542]

​@@Support-your-local-teamJock

[@Support-your-local-team]

@@hey12542 🤡

[@davidmrenton]

the worse thing Nationalists can do is link the day to day politics, the economy, the quality of public services with the constitutional independence question When you have to actually be honest about things such as the EURO, EU/UK Debts, the Shetland self determination / Oil issue , the lose of VETO, the inevitable rightward trend of the EU, the question will the EU actually accept Scotland, Independence is a non starter for the vast majority of Scots, which if you actually look at the real support for it , it's more like 60/40 in favour of the Union Despite a 14 year Tory rule Brexit, and older Unionists dying off more so than Indy , you have to ask why real Support for independence has dropped since 2014. There is 1 reason, the unionists are having people aged into becoming Unionists from a prior Indy position, at a greater rate than Indy supporters are aging into voting eligibility

[@alexboitz8540]

Yes, let's be honest about those thing and dispel the myths about the Euro, UK debt, and the Shetlands wish for Independence from Scotland, and the possibility of the EU refusing entry for Scotland.

[@davidmrenton]

@@alexboitz8540 in what way are they myths, in the Shetland (highest Scottish support for Brexit and least for Indy) the Public and local government have already indicated and put in a place a mechanism for leaving such an independent Scotland. the majority of Scottish Oil is in their waters culturally they are more Nordic than anything. Would the SNP deny them the chance to vote on it, seems hypocritical. Scotland would owe around 8% of UK debt, the SNP have committed to honouring it, and if they did'nt it would be seen as a default. The EU will make sure any new applicant uses the EURO, it makes leaving harder and furthers their future integration aims. It's not conceivable they allow Scotland to use Sterling Refusing Entry , I'm 50/50 i think they probably would as a FU to the UK, but Spain is a far more important Member than Scotland, and EU members are not equal. An independent Scotland causes a headache for Spain, add to that Scotland would not pass economic criteria, (but they fudge that anyway)

[@davidmrenton]

​@@alexboitz8540 as i mentioned they would lose the Barnet formula , around £40 billion, over 2x the Scottish NHS Budget. Oil revenue for 21/22 was 3 billion to the entire UK Government, it went up last year to 9 billion, still a 30 billion shortfall, for a decreasing resource and a less politically acceptable resource. So how does Scotland make up the 30 billion, that's just to stay at it's current level, with a failing NHS, Public services To be truly independent it would need to replace, build it's own infrastructure, Airports, Ports, Railways and not rely on the UK taxpayer to build them. Trade would already be more expensive as Scottish ports are further from Europe than English ports, and would Scotland feel secure having all it's trade going via a non EU country in England Also a good portion of Oil Revenue goes to English companies either Way, Shell, BP and so on. Likewise nearly half Scottish Distilleries are owned by an English Company , same with your biggest national bank RBS

[@davidmrenton]

@@alexboitz8540 you might not like the reality I'm painting, but these are the problems an Indy Scotland would face, that the SNP is either not aware or more likely unwilling to address with the Scottish Voter Even if Scotland got 100% of the Oil, it's still down a 3rd of it's current Budget , how does that affect Pensions, Welfare, Schools. Mass Layoffs, Closures ,Pay cuts, it simply could not afford to keep them as they are.

[@alexboitz8540]

@@davidmrenton The myths are the numbers demanding Indy from Scotland and that they would be entitled to to claim the oil bearing continental shelf. They would only be entitled to coastal waters. The debt is legally UK and refusing to accept a share of it would NOT be seen as defaulting..In any case Indy Scotland would be better able to handle its share of the debt than the UK would without Scotland's resources. The process for joining ERM2 in order to QUALIFY to join the Euro is VOLUNTARY, and the EU is NOT in the business of forcing countries to join the Euro against their will. In any case Scots might WANT the Euro rather than a failing £. Scotland has nothing to prove to the EU and all the necessary boxes will be ticked during the transition to Indy.

[@TC8787-yq7og]

Since the independence vote, Scotland has been dragged out of the EU against its will which has further bolstered an entire new generation of Scots who want independence, it's a case of when and not if.

[@VeteranHedonist]

I'd give them Scotland back. Why do we want to keep that dump?

[@therealbettyswollocks]

Alba, rhymes with walloper.

[@Godzillamor]

Only if you're too thick to understand the meaning of "rhymes with".

[@Towertrips]

@@Godzillamor alippa rhymes with walloper

[@markwilkie3677]

@@Towertrips Maybe if you are English..

[@Towertrips]

@@markwilkie3677 yes because if you’re Scottish you probably can’t read the comment

[@user-zo2rj2zi9g]

@@Towertrips Ja, ja, sehr gut

[@joeDi1960]

Alex Salmond is the darling of the Tory unionist right

[@lestrem11]

Who?.

[@johnholkham2420]

Labour must be really happy , Reform taking Tory votes, and Salmon taking SNP votes .

[@dye1006]

I wish Labour and the Conservatives had a leader like Salmond. Someone you believe will fight for you, someone you can get behind. Shame he’s in the wrong party though!

[@allanstrath8114]

For gods sake how many times do we have to say NO all Salmond has talked about is independence he is offering SCOTLAND NOTHING .

[@user-xz9vu8tm6m]

Who's we

[@derekhart3308]

​@@user-xz9vu8tm6mthe Majority who said no to Scottish Independence Tories Labour Lib dem etc time tell these arsholes stuff Scottish Independence

[@user-xz9vu8tm6m]

So only half, hardly we is it

[@mmcc5846]

​@@derekhart3308vote rigged referendum your in a minority now

[@catherine999]

@@user-xz9vu8tm6mThe majority is more than half 😆

[@cazbrian6]

Yay godspeed Alex

[@anthonybrown4874]

Unfortunately for the SNP the probably overall unwise vote to exit Europe is the most damaging action to occur as devolving into a minor European state within the EU looked much more achievable whereas without some European states willingness to try to reduce British influence on the European political narrative they are stuck as outsiders with no big financial support available if they separate.

[@SisterImAPoet-og4tx]

Never forget while nationalists were busy knocking on doors in 2014, Salmond was chasing women around Bute House...

[@catherine999]

No I will never forget

[@christhompson7891]

The leader that will not stand for election. Not exactly giving the electorate a reason (as he puts it) to go out and vote. I think there is more chance of England ditching Scotland, certainly if the right gain power in Westminster. Admittedly no time soon. The obsession with independence is an issue that does not help the Scottish electorate deal with their day to day priorities. Alex's ego wants to be remembered for bringing about independence , after which he will probably write a book on how he did it. Meanwhile ignoring the present lot of the public, that have had to endure the Scottish government at work.

[@Ann-qf5vk]

I'm heading back towards Independence.

[@davidcampbell3642]

It's a battle that will never end. Either this generation or the next, Scotland will break free.

[@paulcochrane1028]

“You” had your chance. Anti democratic entitlement.

[@jimmcfarlane5611]

Bet he can't even speak Gaelic

[@rmac8737]

"You had your chance" .. yes, and we by law have many more.. its a vouluntary union...voluntary... meaning if the scots vote overwhelmimgly for independence then it will happen...

[@guntguardian3771]

No, the Act of Union actually disestablished the Kingdoms of Scotland & England. They became the Kingdom of Great Britain - the nomenclature of "the union" doesn't reflect the legal reality that the UK is a unitary state, and it isnt a Union.

[@chrismanners9091]

Think once a generation is fine for a referendum. However long a generation is, it's longer than 10 years. I don't find the argument that Brexit changed that very persuasive. As the President of the Commission, Barroso, said in 2014, a Yes vote would have got Scotland stuck outside the EU (not forever, but for a long time).

[@for111]

But would there then be a generational referendum in an independent Scotland on rejoining the UK? I don't understand why secessionism is given this privileged position in the UK. It's not even legal in most countries.

[@alexboitz8540]

So you think democracy should be rationed, and YOU are the one to dish it out?

[@chrismanners9091]

@@alexboitz8540 Yes, that's by far the best solution for a secession question. The alternative is that the Yes side gets to keep trying until it wins, which is totally unfair on No. Just like it would be unfair on iScotland for Shetland to be able to hold a secession referendum until it won one. Secession is not like a regular political issue. In most countries, secession referenda are illegal.

[@alexboitz8540]

@@for111 Of course there could be a referendum to rejoin the UK, IF the Scots voted for it, as unlikely as that would be. You seem to be ignoring the fact that the UK is a Treaty of Union between to distinct countries. Scotland is NOT part of England.

[@for111]

@@alexboitz8540 Historic countries, yes. However, the UK is one country, as recognised by itself and every other nation on Earth.

[@bengenovese6591]

Who is least healthy

[@alan_davis]

Jeez... Pass! Ask me an easier one.

[@larryboyes7276]

We had our chance? We also had to deal with the lies forwarded by the unionists. The Vow.

[@pinkmoon4211]

Independence from UK to dependence from the EU

[@hashburystumble8808]

or ...Isolation with the UK or inter-dependence with the EU

[@user-rz3wn5yc1l]

60 million market v 360 million market. You do the maths.

[@alexboitz8540]

With an equal vote in the council of ministers on everything and a veto on the most important issues. Do you not know how the EU and the UK works?

[@pinkmoon4211]

@@alexboitz8540 The EU Dictates the globalist agenda unelected officals like Von der Leyen who are warmongers EU stopped taking oil and gas from Russia now buy it at 3 times the price from USA f**k the EU.

[@hey12542]

The brainwashed and delusional in full force 😂.

[@KevenHutchinson-gt1nn]

Alba were much better when they stuck with making electronics.

[@kevinbaird7277]

Here in Scotland we are taxed to death, this will continue, SNP are finished and Alba will never get out of the starting blocks.

[@danielwhoop4992]

Does alba have someone up in the Scottish Highlands we can vote for?

[@jintsfan]

‘You had your chance’ 😂 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@julianshepherd2038]

"If at first you don't succeed try, try and try again." Robert the Bruce, king of Scotland, is meant to have told his troops this shortly before walloping the English at Bannockburn in 1314.

[@Gambit771]

And yet look at Scotland now.

[@janice506]

Yes indeed look at Scotland the poorest nation in Europe despite having oil . The money goes straight to London.

[@julianshepherd2038]

Yeah but if you go to England you can use the High Speed trains that you paid for. ​@@janice506

[@debbiegilmour6171]

There are so many examples of Scottish victories throughout history. It really warms my heart 🥰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥰

[@eleanorbarrie3527]

Not quite, I think it's more likeky he said 'get intae them'.🤣🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✊ There IS a legend about a spider which Bruce saw while he was on the run and in hiding within a cave-- watching it make several attempts to fashion a web from one part of the cave to another, before succeeding, gave HIMSELF the notion to keep on keeping on...

[@johnneil4777]

Alex giving an alleged fellow Scot an elocution lesson in his native language - you really couldn't make it up. The Scottish Independence Movement is still in a strong position & will gather momentum, much to the dislike of a Unionist like Andrew Neil.

[@duncanmackenzie5684]

He's responsible for the mess the country is in . He can't be given the opportunity to lead us further down the abyss he left us in.🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@johnneil4777]

@@duncanmackenzie5684 I thought you were blaming Nicola et al these days? Scotland's people have had to put up with the mess of free prescriptions, free bus travel for young people, free bus travel for over 60yr olds, no University student fees, baby boxes for new borns, new Queensferry crossing, new Skye crossing, abolition of tolls on bridge/roads & many more progressive policies making life better in Scotland for it's people. Now before you have another rant about ferries you might want to stop & think about the two Aircraft Carriers commissioned by Westminster at a cost of over £6billion which have spent more time in dry Dock being repaired than on the High seas 'ruling the waves'.

[@clarksson674]

In London again, Alex on the pi88 again with his privy council pals on expenses !! Even he doesn't want independence ! ##NOCTA

[@Teddystream.]

How Many chances do the remain get.

[@jmac575]

Tories granted the people of Scotland a democratic vote on Scottish independence. There are no such promises from the Labour Party.