AN audience member made a passionate call in support of Scottish independence on last night’s BBC Debate Night in response to notions that talking about independence is “irresponsible”.
His comments were in response to panellist Labour MSP Carol Mochan who said: “We need to move forward. We need to stop talking about this independence referendum. Nicola Sturgeon said there’ll be one by 2023. We are still recovering from a pandemic, it is irresponsible to be talking about these things.”
READ MORE: Debate Night - John Ferry slammed for 'offensive nonsense' on Scottish independence
In response, the audience member said: “I think that the Union is over. Every week we look at PMQs and we see how they treat each other over the floor. How they disrespect one another.
“I agree with Carol that change is needed but I don’t think it’s possible in the current system. I think the only way to change it is through an independent Scotland where we have the opportunity to create something from the ground up, that actually works for the people of Scotland.”
“Change is needed, but I don’t think it’s possible in the current system. The only way to do so is through an independent Scotland”
— BBC Debate Night (@bbcdebatenight) April 27, 2022
This #bbcdn audience member believes that change is needed from “the ground up”. pic.twitter.com/2yQ26dZA2H
This was followed by applause from fellow audience members.
Elsewhere, host Stephen Jardine claimed that there has not been a “huge movement” around independence “that you would expect”.
In response, panellist Ben Macpherson SNP MSP stated that the Union is not a “political arrangement of respect and equals”. He said: “If you think of the Brexit position, a lot of people have changed their mind since 2014 because of the fact we’ve been taken out of the EU against our will.
“We have put the position to the people several times including in last years election that we should have a referendum. The people must have a referendum - it’s about democracy. They do want it because they voted for it in the Scottish Parliament election last year.”
Wednesday night’s BBC Question Time was held in Peebles, and will return on May 11 with a studio audience from Glasgow and Perth.
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