Scottish independence: Alistair Darling delivers a great speech at the launch of Better Together’s 100 day pledge campaign in Glasgow, the hall was buzzing with a positive upbeat selection of volunteers and serious politicians, Alex Salmond’s campaign is a rich man’s campaign; Better Together is about ordinary people

Dear All

As one of Scotland’s top political bloggers I was lucky enough to go along to the 100 day launch at Better Together in Glasgow.

So, here is the low down from your trusty on the scene blogger.

The event was well run and it was packed out to the rafters with volunteers and the press, TV crews were out in full force, you name it and they were there. As I remarked to a woman whose daughter was the event host, you know it is serious when Bernard Ponsonby turns up.

The venue was in Maryhill at the Community Hall, the political mix was from all parties, I ended up speaking to candidates and MPs, Better together staff and volunteers to get sense of the general mood.

The mood was good and very upbeat.

The speech by Alistair Darling was great, I have to say it was really impressive stuff, but this was first and foremost about ordinary people, one by one, the event host introduced them to give their story of what they planned to do to keep Scotland part of the UK.

Alistair Darling signaled that the three main pro-UK parties are on the brink of an unprecedented joint pledge to guarantee more powers for the Scottish Parliament if voters reject independence.

This is a historic political moment, that Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats will all come together to renew their commitments to devolution.

Politically it is every smart indeed, it rather takes the wind further out of the sails of the Nationalists who are looking increasing out of touch with current events.

Alistair Darling told me and the rest of the gathering:

"When voters go to the polls on September 18, I want every voter to understand that within the United Kingdom change and progress is coming to Scotland, under-pinned by the commitments of all three parties. We will be offering the guarantee of a constitutional future for Scotland which corresponds with what the great majority of Scots have told us they want."

His simple message to the offer of the Nationalists!

No thanks!

No thanks!

No thanks!

Holyrood is to get extra powers, including greater control over income tax.

Alex Salmond charge against the Unionist parties is looking rather hollow now; he said it would be "very foolish to rely on promises from Unionist parties".

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Salmond argued:

"We shouldn't rely on pre-referendum promises by parties which are under pressure. The only guarantee of getting more powers is to vote Yes on 18 September."

Pressure!

Is that anything like the pressure he displayed when the leader of the free world President Obama said No thanks to him and unpopular Nicola Sturgeon?

He looked like he was going from there to cry straight into his sugar puffs!

I took the opportunity to catch up with Labour MP Jim Murphy and finally got to meet Iain McGill who recently stood as an MEP candidate for the Scottish Conservatives; both made interesting positive points about the campaign.

In conclusion the 100 day pledge event was a success, well run, well managed and everyone was very welcoming, the vibe was very upbeat as the Scottish independence debate moves into the final 100 days.

One thing is certain, Alex Salmond and unpopular Nicola Sturgeon are going to be in a hell of a fight, they have never fought against an entire country before; well they are now.  

If Alex Salmond had witnessed this event first hand he would be well unhappy with what he saw. 

Yours sincerely

George Laird

The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University