Scottish independence: UK leaders pledge parliament powers / Scottish independence: Salmond and Darling clash in TV debate

The leaders of the three main political parties in the United Kingdom, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, published a joint declaration on the 5 August 2014 supporting the 'strengthening' of the Scottish Parliament in the areas of 'fiscal responsibility and social security.

The declaration set out plans to increase the powers of Holyrood (Scottish Parliament) 'as swiftly as possible' after the 2015 UK general election - if Scotland voted to stay within the UK in the referendum of 18 September 2014.

The declaration came on the day of the first live tv debate between the leaders of the groups supporting and opposing Scottish independence. Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling clashed in a lively and heated debate of the issues, with a particular focus on currency issues.

The BBC revealed on the 13 August 2014 that there would be a further live debate on the 25 August 2014.

• Primary Source

ESO: Scottish independence referendum, 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/scottish-independence-referendum-2014/

The Guardian, 05.08.14: Scotland promised extra tax and legal powers for referendum no vote http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/05/scotland-promised-new-powers-no-vote-referendum

BBC News, 05.08.14: Scottish independence: Salmond and Darling clash in TV debate http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28649354

The Guardian, 05.08.14: Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling in angry clash over Scotland's future http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/05/alex-salmond-alistair-darling-scotland-debate-independence

The Scotsman, 06.08.14: Independence: Fiery debate but no clear winner http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/independence-fiery-debate-but-no-clear-winner-1-3500275

The Conversation, 05.08.14: Scotland Decides ’14: Darling draws first blood by homing in on Salmond weak spot http://theconversation.com/scotland-decides-14-darling-draws-first-blood-by-homing-in-on-salmond-weak-spot-30191

EUObserver, 06.08.14: Currency a flashpoint in TV debate on Scotland's future http://euobserver.com/political/125192

Euronews, 06.08.14: Simply Darling: The UK media’s response to the Scottish Independence TV debate http://www.euronews.com/2014/08/06/darling-wins-ill-tempered-tv-debate-with-salmond-over-scottish-independence/

Financial Times, 06.08.14: Scotland's separatists falling behind (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE148184-Scotland-s-separatists-falling-behind

BBC News, 13.08.14: Scottish independence: BBC confirms Salmond-Darling debate http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28780811

http://euobserver.com/news/125280 http://euobserver.com/news/125280

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