THE third Holyrood leaders’ debate was broadcast to the entire UK by Channel 4 News, the one news programme that still does proper investigative journalism.
Debate innovation: no opening statements (well, we knew what they were going to say). And a heavyweight quizmaster at last – Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who once interviewed me in an Edinburgh pub surrounded by loud drunks and kept his cool. No Alex Salmond, of course, but Channel 4’s intro did explain the rise of Alba.
Political elephants in the room: Boris Johnson and sleaze. Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross had the good grace to be embarrassed.
Best put down (Guru-Murthy to Labour leader Anas Sarwar): “If you don’t want to talk about the constitution, then sit this round out”.
Best riposte: “I will speak for myself” (First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to Ross).
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon keeps her cool despite rantings from Douglas Ross at Channel 4 debate
Worst tie: Ross’s electric kipper.
Best question (from Guru-Murthy to Ross): “Is the Union voluntary? Can Scotland Leave?” Still waiting for an answer.
Bravest promise: Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie arguing for a wealth tax.
Who got squeezed out: Nice Mr Rennie, leader of the Scottish LibDems (who kept up his one-man campaign for mental health provision).
Most shouty: Ross trying to show he’s his own man (and failing).
FM defending alleged lack of information on independence: “I’ll take no lessons from the party that brought us Brexit”.
Most forensic: Harvie, as usual.
First to mention independence: Willie Rennie (referencing why we shouldn’t let it distract us. Eh?)
Best intervention: Harvie puts Anas Sarwar on the spot over whether there is a democratic path to a referendum. Anas changes the subject.
Format weakness: Four shouty men criticising the FM. This was too one-sided for sustained interest.
Super League scores: Ross (2), Rennie (3), Sarwar (4), Sturgeon (6), Harvie (6), Guru-Murthy (8).
Could hear a pin drop: Ross admits he would have voted against gay marriage had he been in Holyrood.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel