I can almost understand why David Cameron has no wish to have a 1:1 debate on Scotland’s Referendum with Alex Salmond. One of his spokespersons suggested it would not be wise because he comes across as a posh boy and secondly he does not have a vote in Scotland.
On the first point, Scots should be furious. We have a lot of posh people in Scotland, but maybe he thinks Scots are mainly common scum? On the second point, the absence of a vote has not stopped him poking his nose and opinions into the debate.
If you are not part of it, then don’t be a part of it!
But, here’s the thing, it’s the wrong debate for a whole range of reasons.
Firstly, the Tories are a spent force in Scotland regardless of whether a YES or NO vote is returned in the referendum. The Tories were voted into Westminster on the English vote alone. Cameron and the Tories will not suffer from any Scottish backlash from his refusal to debate with Alex Salmond.
Secondly, and again regardless of whether there is a YES or NO the English voters will determine the future government in Westminster.
Thirdly, the Liberals are all but wiped out in Scotland and are currently polling fourth in the national polls a couple of points behind UKIP.
Fourthly, there are two political parties in Scotland; SNP and Labour. Regardless of the outcome of the Referendum this is most likely to remain the case.
Finally, the person Alex Salmond should be debating with is Ed Milliband. There are a number of incentives for Ed Milliband to agree to debate with Alex Salmond.
Firstly, there is a substantial labour vote in Scotland. Labour supporters in Scotland would not be overly pleased if their leader ‘bottled’ it from Alex Salmond.
Secondly, many labour supporters in Scotland will be very uncomfortable finding Milliband in bed with Cameron and Clegg on Scotland’s Referendum. Refusing to debate with Alex Salmond and missing the opportunity to sell the Better Together case will be the final straw for many labour supporters.
Ed Milliband has an opportunity to ‘stick it’ to David Cameron by accepting the offer to debate with the First Minister. That sends a clear message to labour supporters all over the UK that Ed Milliband expects to be Prime Minister after the 2015 election. That is too good an opportunity to pass up.
So, come on Alex, get that invite out to Ed Milliband and give him a serious dilemma while giving Cameron a workmanlike taste of his own medicine
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