Trio of big-hitters to set out their referendum case
Published On Fri 2 May 2014 by Grant Hill
The University of Dundee’s Five Million Questions (5MQ) initiative will continue its examination of September’s independence referendum when three heavyweight campaigners visit the campus to make their case over the next few weeks.
Former Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander will be in conversation with 5MQ Associate Director David Torrance on Friday, 9th May, while similar events with Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney and Alistair Darling, leader of the Better Together campaign, take place on 14nd and 22nd May.
The trio are the latest big names from both sides of the debate to appear at the University and have their views scrutinised by the audience. More events and publications are scheduled to take place between now and 18th September.
Douglas Alexander is regarded as the Labour Party's foremost thinker on the future of the UK constitution and Scotland's role within it. David Torrance will lead an in depth conversation that will cover the main issues of the debate so far as well as Mr Alexander's political and personal motivations as we approach the defining moment of this political era in Scotland.
John Swinney is the SNP Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, and was previously an MP for Tayside North before taking the same seat in the Scottish Parliament. He enjoys the second highest vote in Scotland after First Minister Alex Salmond.
Previously serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling is MP for Edinburgh South West as well as heading up Better Together, the coalition of disparate unionist parties campaigning for a no vote in the referendum.
David Torrance said, “We are delighted to be able to bring three of the most influential figures in the referendum to the University. The aim of Five Million Questions is to strip out the partisanship of the debate and seek the answers that the people of Scotland need before making up their mind which way to vote.
“We will continue to do this in coming months as more politicians and campaigners from both sides come here and put forth their arguments for or against independence. We would invite anyone with questions of their own to come along and hear from Douglas Alexander, John Swinney and Alistair Darling.”
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.
The Douglas Alexander event takes place at 7pm on Wednesday, 9th May. John Swinney will appear at 7pm on Wednesday, 14th May, and Alistair Darling at 6pm on Thursday, 22nd May.
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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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