What can convince voters to get on board with a campaign just five weeks out from a referendum that seems to have been debated forever?
The economy? Mighty important, can easily get quite technical. Pensions? Doubly so. EU membership? Wowsers!
So what then? Well, the Yes campaign will undoubtedly head back to the democratic argument as we hit the final couple of weeks. “Scotland run by and for Scots will make the best decisions,” basically.
First? It’s a devolved issue, and what resonates more than the NHS? The claim being made is we will have a health service where payment is needed before treatment is given if we cast a No vote. Scary stuff from the positive campaign, but is it true?
The first counter point? We have complete control over health policy already. Holyrood decides how much of its funding goes to doctors, nurses and hospitals.
However, it is true the amount of money Scotland’s NHS gets is dependent on Barnett Consequentials and the UK Government.
That’s why the Scottish Government website saying “resource funding has increased by £284.6 million in 2014/15” probably doesn’t really back up claims of dwindling resources from Westminster.
What is for sure is there are plans to make efficiency savings south of the border. This leaves Labour in the strange position of going mad about healthcare in Westminster whilst saying it’s not an issue in Holyrood.
What is without contention is the NHS issue resonates and those arguing for a No vote have only just woken up to it. Public perception will be key next month.
* There was an almighty stooshie (great magazine, by the way, check it out) about Alex Salmond turning down a televised debate with Alistair Darling on the BBC when the original date of August 12 was offered.
But now, after a wee read of the Court Circular, the reason for the First Minister turning down the date has emerged.
So, where was the SNP leader on Tuesday? Visiting the Queen at Balmoral Castle. She’s not a lady you ask to rearrange her diary!
* Tory leader Ruth Davidson brought a bit of Hollywood to Holyrood last week as she showed off her film knowledge during FMQs.
Quizzing Alex Salmond over the currency, she said: “The First Minister’s problem is not that he does not get it; it is that he cannot sell it.”
Sound familiar? Well, compare it with lines from Michael Douglas in 1995 film The American President: “Bob’s problem isn’t that he doesn’t get it. Bob’s problem is that he can’t sell it.” The lines between fact and fiction blur again.
* There’s been a lot of chat about Chuck D of revolutionary hip hop group Public Enemy backing Scottish independence.
His proclamation at a gig in Glasgow was followed up by a series of interviews expanding on his hope for a Yes vote. However, is there a split in the band?
At the gig’s conclusion, his compatriot and co-rapper Flavor Flav took to the stage and announced: “There are two things I hate: racism and separatism.” Hmm.
* What could be more entertaining than a bit of fashion banter with an MP? Well, I thought poking fun at Dundee East representative Stewart Hosie’s all cream ensemble would be, let’s say, of limited interest.
Little did I know that my reveal of wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with an image of the legendary Adam West starring as Batman in the 1960s would pique Argentinian interest.
A strange automated Twitter account started sending me somewhat questionable links. Holy Batbot, Batman!
* Scotland may have lots of fantastic food and drink but none of it was on offer at this week’s announcement that four former National Farming Union presidents were backing independence.
Irony levels were through the roof while journalists grumbled at the lack of even a cup of something hot at Yes Scotland’s HQ. Without hope on Hope St, you might say.
“The words warm welcome don’t mean much if there’s no coffee,” grimly remarked one attendee.
* You may or may not have noticed Labour’s “indy ref express” bus tailing around this week with a life-sized cut out of Transport Minister Keith Brown on it.
Why? I hear you cry. Well it turns out the SNP politician said something that seemed to suggest he wanted fewer civil servants in an independent Scotland. Two years ago.
As if the suspicious 24-month time lapse wasn’t enough, the first time the MP3 of the exchange was sent out it cut short just before the offending quote. Top-quality spinning there . . .