UK PM told debate Scotland or ‘butt out’

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond says the Conservative British Prime Minister David Cameron should œbutt out” of the Scottish independence debate if he does not agree to a TV debate with Salmond.

Salmond had earlier challenged Cameron to a TV debate before the Scottish independence referendum next autumn, but the British PM turned him down last week.

The First Minister’s ruling Scottish National Party said in reaction that Cameron cannot evade a debate while his government is fiercely campaigning against the Scottish independence.

However, Cameron™s office said that the campaign against independence is led by opposition Labour MP Alistair Darling and Salmond should hold a debate with him.

“Alex Salmond wants the (referendum) question to be about anything other than the question. He would like to debate the SNP versus the Tory (Consrvative) party or Scotland versus England. It’s not. It’s a debate between Scots about their future. What it should be is Alistair Darling, leader of the No campaign, and Alex Salmond, leader of the Yes Campaign,” Cameron said last week.

But Salmond said in a letter to Cameron that œeither you stand up and debate or butt out of the debate for good”.

“The case for a head-to-head debate between us is unanswerable. You should reconsider,” Salmond said in the letter while also offering six reasons why a one-on-one debate with Cameron is necessary.

The Scottish leader said Cameron needs to be there because his government is œcentral” to the Better Together campaign™s propaganda and because Darling cannot explain why Cameron™s government is avoiding issues such as currency or defense before the plebiscite.

“Many Tory MPs wish Scotland’s funding to be slashed above and beyond the huge austerity squeeze already taking place. This is deeply concerning and I believe that a debate on such a crucial issue should take place so you can spell out your Government’s plans to cut public spending in Scotland in the event there is a No vote,” Salmond added.

AMR/HE