The four candidates vying to be Scotland’s next first minister clashed over the proposed referendum on independence at a televised debate held at Perth Concert Hall on Sunday night.
Issues including university education funding, free bus travel, job creation and the council tax freeze were also discussed, but the most heated exchanges came as the leaders of the Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats refused to offer support to the SNP’s renewed attempt to hold a referendum on Scotland’s constitutional future.
SNP leader Alex Salmond has pledged to put the question to the public if he is re-elected to government. But last night he again refused to set a date for a referendum, saying it would be introduced at some point during the five-year term.
“I think this country is big enough, rich enough, good enough to be independent,” he insisted, “and I’m fed up with the other political parties talking the potential of this country down.
“Even more important than whether they believe in independence or not is to believe in the right of the Scottish people to decide on independence.”
But Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott whose party opposed the measure in the last parliament insisted the Holyrood poll on Thursday would act as a referendum on independence.
“On Thursday if you want independence then vote SNP, because that’s what Alex wants. He wants independence. I don’t believe in independence I believe in Scotland as part of the United Kingdom.
“If you want independence you can vote SNP, because that’s his main priority.”
Tory leader Annabel Goldie also ruled out backing the referendum, which could not be brought by the SNP in the last term due to a lack of support from the other parties.
She said, “I believe in the United Kingdom. I believe in Scotland being strong and confident within the United Kingdom, so why would I be pushing an agenda of independence?”
She then provoked the biggest laugh of the night by promising to hold whoever was first minister in the next parliament to account.
Indicating Alex Salmond and Labour leader Iain Gray, she said, “The question is, who’s going to keep one of these two under control and grab them by the short and curlies?”
But Mr Gray warned that the uncertainty over the referendum would damage the Scottish economy.
Referring to the fact the referendum had been proposed but not delivered in the last parliament, he said, “Now (Mr Salmond) tells us he’s going to put it off for the most of the next five years. That will create uncertainty which will damage our recovery and cost us jobs.”
On the issue of university funding Ms Goldie, whose party supports a graduate contribution, said, “Don’t believe one word you hear from these three parties. You’re going to see humble pie being eaten big time in the not too distant future from that trio of masqueraders who tell you that you can get everything for free.”
Mr Scott whose UK leader Nick Clegg notoriously voted for tuition fees in England after promising not to moved to distance himself from his colleague.
“I do genuinely believe it’s possible to create a sensible, constructive solution for Scotland that allows our universities to be properly funded and students to be adequately supported,” he said.
Recent controversy over sectarian chanting and the importance of renewable energy sources were also discussed.