The independence debate on Question Time was more like a chimps' tea party

After the spectacular let down of the hot air balloon that was the White Paper, we were treated to a Question Time special on the upcoming Scottish Independence Referendum.

Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a mature, factual debate, turned out to be more like a chimps’ tea party; one in which only the Nats were allowed to make the after-dinner speeches.

Among the guests, representing the Unionist side, were Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Carmichael, former Scottish Conservative Leader Annabel Goldie and Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran; while the party poopers included Salmond’s loyal sidekick Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Green Leader Patrick Harvey and, rather randomly, singer Eddi Reader.

Annabel Goldie, typically articulate and professional, and Alistair Carmichael, polite and calm, tried their best to get at least a few words in over the rabble, but it was clear that the Nats wanted to be the heads of the table.

Wee Nicola certainly wanted to have her piece of cake, as well as that of everyone else, as she continually rattled on over and above anyone who dared to speak, even poor Dimbleby. 

Also wielding her fury at the table was a rather pissed-off Eddi Reader, whose self-proclaimed passion must have been absolutely terrifying for those sitting in the front row.

Margaret Curran was undoubtedly the star of the show and handled the bickering with unfazed ease, even when she was confronted with the old: “Why don’t you vote yes if it means we’ll be rid of the Tories?”

The Nats always like to play ‘The Evil Tories’ card when they’ve got no caps left in their toy guns, but Margaret Curran’s careful response put them in their place when she explained that that’s what democracy is.