08/08/2014 Scotland Decides

can watch the interview on Sport Wales at 7pm. Now the weekly

round`up of the Scottish independence campaign.

Welcome to the review of the week. Alex Salmond and Alistair Sammon

went head`to`head in a televised debate on Scottish independence. ``

Alastair Darling. We look at the referendum through the eyes of the

foreign correspondents covering it. This week was about one big event, a

televised debate that effectively fired the starting gun on an intense

six`week campaign running up to the referendum on September the 18. The

leader of the Better Together campaign which wants to keep

Scotland in the United Kingdom, Alastair Darling, went head`to`head

with Alex Salmond and what dominated these exchanges, which were seen by

about 1.7 million people, was currency. I want you to do something

that would be really difficult. I want you to contemplate for one

minute the fact you might be wrong. What is plan B? If you do not get a

currency unit, what is it we are going to have instead? Something

more difficult than contemplating I am wrong, I am contemplating you

were right last year when you said it was logical and desirable. I

believe used else think it is logical and desirable that last year

was before we were in the campaign period and during the campaign

period you, George Osborne, the Unionist parties, have to engage...

You are not doing yourself any favours. Use edit was logical and

desirable. `` you said it was. They also clashed over whether or not an

independent Scotland could be successful. David Cameron has said,

supporters of independence will always be able to set examples of

small independent thriving economies across Europe. It would be wrong to

suggest Scotland could not be another successful independent

country. Do you agree? Small countries have to make sure they

balance the books. Do you agree? With your own figures we would have

a much bigger deficit at the time of independence than the rest of the UK

and that would mean very difficult decisions that you are not prepared

to face up to. Do you agree or not? I was going to make another point.

Do you agree or not. Let me answer your question. Listen to the answer.

Do you agree? They tend to have higher prices in the shops than we

do. Look at the pressures on public spending. The risks of independence

are not worth it. Question and answer. Do you agree with David

Cameron or not? You are more like Michael Howard than Jeremy Paxman.

Who came out on top? A poll suggested that Alastair Darling had

won. Many supporters of independence also thought that was the case. He

was prepared to face Mr Boring and what he got was Mr Angry. He

underestimated Alastair Darling who took it to them. It was a very

interesting debate which Alastair Darling won. He clearly could not

answer the question, does he agree with David Cameron that an

independent Scotland would be a successful country? It is a simple

question. Alex Salmond refusing to acknowledge even the substance of

the points that Alastair Darling was putting to him, it particularly on

the currency. I think Alex Salmond felt that conclusively. Darling was

nervous and it impacted on his performance, which was not strong

initially. The only came to life under cross`examination. What Alex

Salmond needs to do is recreate with his passion, the reason why all of

this has been worth it. Why have we spent 30 years getting to this

point? Tell us again. The televised showdown triggered a storm of

activity on social media as each side tried to amplify their own

arguments. The hash tag was used many times after the programme.

The same for our look at the latest polls, which were carried out before

the debate took place. This suggests a narrowing of the no campaign's

lead. The yes vote is at 45% and the no vote is at 55%, according to an

average of six polls. More than 200 big names who oppose independence

then a love letter to Scotland, ranging from Judi Dench to Mick

Jagger. It was part of a campaign for staying together. A group of US

congressmen tabled a resolution expressing support for a united and

prosperous United Kingdom. The motion said it respected the right

of the Scottish people to make their decision and also said a united UK

was important for US national security priorities. There was

support for a yes vote from Scottish financiers including a former

chairman of RBS. Arguing an independent Scotland would remain in

a sterling union. William Hill came out in favour of independence.

Scotland has very much been in the international spotlight over the

past few weeks with the city hosting the Commonwealth Games, deemed by

many people are resounding success. The spotlight is not likely to move

away, it is likely to refocus on politics and our referendum

correspondent has been looking at how others see us. As a lone piper

bid athletes farewell, it was time for the world's media to prepare for

Scotland's next big contest. What have our visitors made of the

referendum? Yes, yes, yes from the younger ones, on the oldies, no. Not

much. I only found out once I got to the UK two weeks ago. I only know it

is a one`way decision, it is a big decision for Scotland to make. A lot

of people want independence. We are finally here in Scotland. Amongst

the journalists we found Scott Russell from CBC and do. But that

has twice asked its people if they want to become an independent state

and twice the answer has been no, though the last time it was close.

This is all about culture, it is all about people and

self`determination. People tend to recall their history when they need

to and want to. I think this is what is going to happen in Scotland. If

the referendum does not succeed this time it will come back. ABC in

Australia has compiled documentaries on the referendum, the respondent

Barbara Miller was born in Uddingston but left in the 1990s.

Australians like the idea that Scotland might reject the English,

there is such a rivalry between Australia and England in sport is

not the Australians love to call the English the pommes. There is nothing

more exciting for Australians than an Australia versus England match.

They like the idea this small country of which they have a

romantic notion might reject England. They are not prepared to do

it themselves. The world's gaze has not left Scotland. They are still

watching and still waiting to see how we will vote for the.

They will be watching more and more so as we approach the referendum.

You can get the latest information from the BBC News website. Also

coming up this week Andrew Neil presents a special programme,

Scotland votes, what is at stake for the UK? That is it for now. For the

review of the week. I will be back at the same time next week. Join us

again next time. In a moment a look

at how the financial markets in Europe closed the day, but first

the headlines on BBC News: out its first air strike on Islamic

militants in northern Iraq ` targeting artillery

near the city of Irbil. Israel has resumed air

attacks on Gaza in response to rocket fire

from Hamas militants `