Alex Salmond has slammed the standard of political debate in England and the US.
The former first minister said that, in contrast, the independence referendum has led to “advanced, engaged and intelligent” political debate north of the border.
Insisting politics in Scotland are “on the right track”, Mr Salmond slated the quality of political debate in both Westminster and over the pond in America, branding the former a “pantomime” and the latter “a parody of a game show”.
There were also harsh words for coverage of the EU referendum, which he said newspapers were treating “with all the seriousness of a pillow fight in the dorm at Eton between Dave and Boris”.
“Scotland since the independence referendum has been a society engaged in advanced level political debate,” Mr Salmond said.
“At meetings around the country there is still engaged and intelligent discussion about what the future holds for this country.”
Condemning the standard of coverage surrounding the EU referendum, Mr Salmond went on to state: “If we need any reassurance that Scotland’s politics are on the right track in terms of serious political engagement then take a glance at this week’s Republican party debate shown on Fox Television or Prime Minister’s Questions any week of the year.
“The Westminster farce is a pantomime and the American version a parody of a game show.”
* Don’t miss Alex Salmond’s exclusive column in Monday’s Courier, which is also available as a digital edition.