ALEX Salmond is set to make a return to the Edinburgh fringe with a new debating show with Tory MP David Davis.
Entitled ‘The Ayes Have It! The Ayes Have It!’ – the two “friendly foes” will lead competing teams of parliamentarians from the Scottish and Westminster Parliaments plus so-called celebrity debaters in a nightly battle at the Assembly Spiegeltent, with its 450-seat auditorium.
It has been billed as a “rip-roaring festival of political debate” and will tackle topics including Scottish independence, Brexit, the House of Lords, republicanism and the right to strike.
READ MORE: Alba Party says they have more members than Scottish Tories or LibDems
At the end, the audience can decide their victor, whether it be Salmond’s side or Davis’.
This will be the Alba Party leader’s first fringe show since 2017, which led to his TV show on state-owned Russia Today (RT).
The show will be directed by Alba chair and former SNP MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.
Ahmed-Sheikh said: “We intend to bang the very best of political debate to the Edinburgh Festival. These will be authentic cut and thrust exchanges from a range of quality speakers who know their business”.
Salmond said: “There will be no quarter asked or given in these debates. The subject matters are too important for that. I have assembled a top Scottish team for the Ayes and David will lead his side for the Noes”
Davis added: “Edinburgh Festival goers are far too sensible to be carried away by an emotional spasm from the Ayes. We will face Alex’s team with logic, facts and fierce argument and we intend to win for the Noes, on every subject every night.”
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