Danny Alexander to be grilled by 5MQ

Published On Tue 22 Jul 2014 by Roddy Isles

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander will next month visit the University of Dundee to set out the case for a No vote in September’s referendum at an event organised by the Five Million Questions (5MQ) initiative.

Mr Alexander will be the latest big name from both sides of the debate to appear at the University and have their views scrutinised by the audience. The Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey and former Secretary of State for Scotland will be in conversation with 5MQ Associate Director David Torrance on Monday, 18th August.

The event will cover the main issues of the referendum debate so far as well as Mr Alexander's personal perspective on the defining moment of the modern Scottish political era.

David Torrance said, "In the past few months we’ve heard Douglas Alexander, John Swinney, Alistair Darling and Alex Salmond make their case for or against independence. We are delighted that Danny Alexander will also be visiting the University to give his perspective and be challenged by what is also a passionate and engaged audience.

"Polling shows that a large number of Scots remain undecided about which way to vote in the referendum. It is this group who will decide which way the result goes in September and we will continue to seek the answers that the people of Scotland need from politicians and campaigners from both sides before they can make up their minds."

The University launched the Five Million Questions project to examine the issues surrounding the biggest event in Scotland for over 300 years. Every aspect of Scottish life stands to be impacted upon by the result of the 2014 referendum, and everyone has a question about how the decision will affect them and the future of the country.

The public debate to this stage has been both highly technical and overtly party political. 5 Million Questions aims to stimulate wider debate, apply academic rigour to examination of the issues, and engage with the public on all aspects of the major questions they are facing.

'Scotland's Referendum: A Guide for Voters', written by David Torrance and Jamie Maxwell, and supported by the 5MQ project has just been launched to provide a concise, straightforward, and objective voters’ guide to the independence debate.

The book has been selected as Waterstone’s Scottish Book of the Month and is available now in paperback and ebook editions.

More 5MQ events and publications are scheduled to take place between now and 18th September.

'In Conversation with Danny Alexander' takes place at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, from 6pm on Monday, 18th August.

Entry is free, and more information, including about how to obtain tickets, is available by visiting http://fivemillionquestions.org/events/ or calling 01382 381296.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902