Alex Salmond - it's in the bag...

[max_tranmere]

I saw on the news just now that Alex Salmond has already decided upon the date the Scots will mark "indepenence day" once they win the Referendum next year. Jumping the gun a bit, isn't he? This is quite clever tactics in a way because it will appear to some people the 'yes' vote is inevitable therefore some will vote 'yes' as it will seem like it's a given that the yes-camp is going to win anyway. I still think it will be defeated though in 2014. You are a bit cocksure Alex, non?

[David Johnson]

"This is quite clever tactics in a way because it will appear to some people the 'yes' vote is inevitable therefore some will vote 'yes' as it will seem like it's a given that the yes-camp is going to win anyway."

No it isn't. It is stupidity, particularly given that the polls suggest that wee Alex is way behind anyway.

It is as stupid as lying to the Scottish parliament and the media that you have taken legal advice about Scotland continuing to be part of the EU when you haven't.

[number 6]

No chance of Scotland going independent. If you want the best guide go to the bookies,they are not in the business of giving away free money,you can get a huge price on Scotland voting yes.

[max_tranmere]

As I said "I still think it will be defeated though in 2014". This is why, it seems, they have the Devo-max option so that if (or rather when) it is defeated Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon can retain their jobs. It's a kind of plan-b. I've always thought though that a clever way to market something, and to increase it's chances of success, is to give people the impression it's going to happen anyway and that they are kind of missing out if they don't join the band-wagon. Implying to people that there is a very large contingent of people into the thing already, and that these people listening are in the minority if they don't get on board, often makes people do just that and that's how they create the block of people who are in favour because beforehand few people were. Trends in music and fashion often start like that. I think a few more people will vote for this because Salmond seems to be implying it's happening anyway. It will still lose though and they won't be able to have a Referendum again for at least 20 years.

[Arginald Valleywater]

Sad delusional egotist. Salmond is a dangerous idiot who is obviously not listening to the views of his own people. I hope the vote is a real landslide to stay together. After that the SNP can disband as they will have had their (Dundee) cake and choked on it.

I can see a whole load of tax avoiding Scottish stars like Connery, Coulthard, Rod Stewart all being rolled out for a last ditch campaign.

Tunnock's caramel waifer anyone?

[max_tranmere]

I find it odd they are pushing for this when it has seemed, and still seems, very obvious they will lose. The Devo-max option, the plan-b, is there so that Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon can keep their jobs when the whole thing is defeated next year. It must have been clear to them from the off that this would not succeed, so even though they will keep their positions in Holyrood they will still have egg on their faces to a certain extent. The building of the statue of Alex The Great ain't gonna happen.

[Arginald Valleywater]

Max. In his head Alex is greater than every legendary Scotsman (and woman) that has lived. He is modelling himself on North Korea. If he wins STV will be replaced by Sporranvision, which will show images of Scotland sending manned missions to Mars, live Highland Dancing every hour and all Scottish Bairns being brainwashed with the music of Jimmy Shand.
How several of my colleagues, including our MD and his deputy will get back over the border home each night has yet to be decided. Maybe they can stay in England and spend their large salaries in our shops instead??
Hoots mon and pass the shortbread.

[David Johnson]

"This is why, it seems, they have the Devo-max option so that if (or rather when) it is defeated Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon can retain their jobs. It's a kind of plan-b."

The SNP tried to have Devo Max on the ballot paper but lost out. I would suspect that they will have to wait some time for a Devo Max referendum if they lose the independence referendum.

"I've always thought though that a clever way to market something, and to increase it's chances of success, is to give people the impression it's going to happen anyway and that they are kind of missing out if they don't join the band-wagon. Implying to people that there is a very large contingent of people into the thing already, and that these people listening are in the minority if they don't get on board, often makes people do just that and that's how they create the block of people who are in favour because beforehand few people were."

You are clearly impressed by Salmond's marketing cleverness. Fortunately the Scottish electorate are not and over the last few months the support for independence in the polls has dropped substantially. The last poll I saw was 58% were against and 30% for independence.

As to Salmond and Sturgeon retaining their jobs - a loss at the referendum would mean that the SNP's whole raison d'etre i.e. Scottish independence had disappeared down the plughole for a generation. They would be better off taking up knitting.

[max_tranmere]

If what you say about Devo-max not now being an option is correct, then when they lose the Referendum in 2014 Salmond and Sturgeon could be out on their ear. They might try and curry favour with some newspapers barons between now and Referendum day in order to try and whip up some support.

[max_tranmere]

It's likely to be so obvious that the Referendum will be lost come 2014 that it will be rather pathetic for Alex Salmond and Nicola Strugeon to be still going around saying they're going to win - but this is certain to be what they will do. This could damage them a lot as politicans and they may disappear from politics afterwards. I saying this because, according to David just now, Devo-max is now not an option, so there is no plan-b for them.