Referendum round-up: Live debates

The Hydro, venue for the BBC's youth debate. Picture: John Devlin

TODAY’S MAIN NEWS:

Following the announcement that Alex Salmond will take on Alistair Darling in a live debate, the BBC have announced a huge youth debate at Glasgow’s Hydro arena.

Up to 12,000 school pupils from across Scotland are expected to attend the event, which is scheduled to take place one week before the referendum itself. Writing exclusively for our independence site, the Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament calls for young people to turn out to vote in September to show the older generation that today’s youth are interested in politics.

In other news, Labour have launched a new poster campaign warning of the threat to Scotland’s shipyards posed by a ‘Yes’ vote. The SNP have dubbed the campaign “disgraceful”.

COMMENT AND ANALYSIS:

Our Scottish independence site showcases some of the best comment, analysis and opinion from across the web; here are some of our favourites so far today.

• On Bella Caledonia, James Maxwell discusses the SNP’s continued focus on the positives of Scottish independence – and their refusal to countenance any negative effects it may have.

• Aileen McHarg, Professor of Public Law at the University of Strathclyde, looks at the Scottish Government’s proposed interim constitution for an independent Scotland.

• Professor Patrick Dunleavy explains his findings that an independent Scotland could be set up for around £200 million, in a piece for the London School of Economics Politics and Policy blog.

• Lesley Riddoch delivers her verdict on the first episode of BBC Scotland’s controversial new political radio show Crossfire. She wasn’t impressed.

• Get the latest referendum news, opinion and analysis from across Scotland and beyond on our new Scottish Independence website

Referendum round-up: Live debates | Shipbuilding