Category Archives: Independence Referendum

Bluff, bluster and bullying says Salmond. Pot, kettle and black come to mind.

Posted on February 15, 2014 by

This post originally appeared on Liberal Democrat Voice That the SNP would dismiss yesterday’s announcement on currency by George Osborne should not come as a surprise to any of us. Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon have taken to the airwaves … Continue reading →

Posted in currency union, Independence Referendum, Scotland | Leave a comment

Ruling out a currency union. Locking the horse inside the stable?

Posted on February 14, 2014 by

This post first appeared on Liberal Democrat Voice The currency in an independent Scotland has been the subject of much frenetic debate in recent months. The Scottish Government’s White Paper on independence is clear that their preferred option is to continue to … Continue reading →

Posted in Independence Referendum, Scotland | Leave a comment

In Full: Alistair Carmichael’s New Year Speech – A positive vision of UK’s achievements to contrast with the incoherent nationalist position

Posted on January 13, 2014 by

This is very long, but I thought it was worth posting in full. My analysis is here on Liberal Democrat Voice. You can never really get the full flavour of a 14 page speech into a blog post. It’s not always … Continue reading →

Posted in Alistair Carmichael, Independence Referendum, Scotland | Leave a comment

A polite request to all Scottish male politicians and political commentators

Posted on January 9, 2014 by

Scotland may be involved in a long and often bad-tempered referendum campaign, but there are still some issues that unite people across the political divide. You can guarantee that at least once a fortnight, I’ll complain on Twitter about yet … Continue reading →

Posted in gender balance, Independence Referendum, Scotland | Leave a comment

In full: Willie Rennie’s speech in Holyrood independence referendum debate – Scotland is unique and the stakes are high

Posted on November 27, 2013 by

Willie Rennie and the recently ennobled Jeremy Purvis wer ein fine form today.  Jeremy whipped Pete Wishart’s backside on Politics Scotland this afternoon, pointing out that it isn’t that long since the SNP were talking about banishing all vestiges of … Continue reading →

Posted in Holyrood, Independence Referendum, Jeremy Purvis, white paper, Willie Rennie | Leave a comment

First reactions to #whitepaper on independence and three initial questions from me

Posted on November 26, 2013 by

For months, years, even, whenever we’ve asked questions about independence, after we’ve been accused of scaremongering, we’ve been told to wait for the White Paper. Well, that wait is over as the White Paper has now been published – or is … Continue reading →

Posted in Alistair Carmichael, Independence Referendum, Nicola Sturgeon, Willie Rennie | 2 Comments

Carmichael: 3 questions the SNP must answer on currency, pensions and costs after independence

Posted on November 13, 2013 by

In the beautiful surroundings of Bishop’s House in Inverness, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Carmichael gave his first keynote speech. The whole thing is published below the cut, but here are the highlights: The Highlands and Islands … Continue reading →

Posted in Independence Referendum, Scotland | 2 Comments