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| Leaders admit that 'Iraq matters' | Leaders admit that 'Iraq matters' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Scotland's four main party leaders have all admitted that the electorate will take into account Iraq when they cast their votes on 3 May. | Scotland's four main party leaders have all admitted that the electorate will take into account Iraq when they cast their votes on 3 May. |
| But during BBC Scotland's leaders' debate on Sunday, Labour's Jack McConnell pleaded with the public not to let the issue cloud their judgement. | But during BBC Scotland's leaders' debate on Sunday, Labour's Jack McConnell pleaded with the public not to let the issue cloud their judgement. |
| The Tory's Annabel Goldie and the Lib Dem's Nicol Stephen said Westminster issues would play their part. | The Tory's Annabel Goldie and the Lib Dem's Nicol Stephen said Westminster issues would play their part. |
| The SNP's Alex Salmond said it was the public's right to consider all issues. | The SNP's Alex Salmond said it was the public's right to consider all issues. |
| The debate at the University of Aberdeen's Elphinstone Hall took place three days before voters go the polls to elect their MSPs and local councillors. | The debate at the University of Aberdeen's Elphinstone Hall took place three days before voters go the polls to elect their MSPs and local councillors. |
| Epitaphs and love-ins at debate | Epitaphs and love-ins at debate |
| The members of the 115-strong audience quizzed the politicians on the issues of Iraq, private finance initiatives and independence. | The members of the 115-strong audience quizzed the politicians on the issues of Iraq, private finance initiatives and independence. |
| Mr McConnell told those gathered that he had no regrets over the removal of Saddam Hussein, and believed British troops should come home in an orderly and organised fashion. | Mr McConnell told those gathered that he had no regrets over the removal of Saddam Hussein, and believed British troops should come home in an orderly and organised fashion. |
| He said: "But while I also think that people have very strong views on this, and I understand that - and it will be a factor in some people's choice on Thursday - I think it's vitally important that one particular issue does not cloud our views on the economic importance of the 300 year-old Union. | He said: "But while I also think that people have very strong views on this, and I understand that - and it will be a factor in some people's choice on Thursday - I think it's vitally important that one particular issue does not cloud our views on the economic importance of the 300 year-old Union. |
| "Nor, for that matter, the priorities of the Scottish Parliament over the next four years." | "Nor, for that matter, the priorities of the Scottish Parliament over the next four years." |
| Mr Salmond said it was impossible to "reserve issues" and not discuss them in an election campaign. | Mr Salmond said it was impossible to "reserve issues" and not discuss them in an election campaign. |
| LEADER PROFILES Nicol Stephen: Lib Dem leader Alex Salmond: SNP leader Annabel Goldie: Tory leader Jack McConnell: Labour leader | LEADER PROFILES Nicol Stephen: Lib Dem leader Alex Salmond: SNP leader Annabel Goldie: Tory leader Jack McConnell: Labour leader |
| "You cannot reserve your conscience, these are issues where we have a responsibility as Scots, we said in the war 'not in my name' - that was the call," said Mr Salmond | "You cannot reserve your conscience, these are issues where we have a responsibility as Scots, we said in the war 'not in my name' - that was the call," said Mr Salmond |
| Mr McConnell said that he respected that some people in Scotland wished to give the prime Minister Tony Blair a "kicking on the way out". | Mr McConnell said that he respected that some people in Scotland wished to give the prime Minister Tony Blair a "kicking on the way out". |
| However, he said, Mr Blair would be gone long before "we in Scotland are paying the price of a change of government in Scotland". | However, he said, Mr Blair would be gone long before "we in Scotland are paying the price of a change of government in Scotland". |
| During the hour-long session, Mr Stephen was pressed on whether he would change his mind on a referendum on independence. | During the hour-long session, Mr Stephen was pressed on whether he would change his mind on a referendum on independence. |
| He said he would not be persuaded to change his mind and he insisted that the Union had benefited Scotland. | He said he would not be persuaded to change his mind and he insisted that the Union had benefited Scotland. |
| 'Couldn't save itself' | 'Couldn't save itself' |
| Mr Stephen added: "Independence is not going to solve all of Scotland's problems. When I speak to people around Scotland these issues come right down the list of priorities. I don't want this constant treacle of debate for the next four years." | Mr Stephen added: "Independence is not going to solve all of Scotland's problems. When I speak to people around Scotland these issues come right down the list of priorities. I don't want this constant treacle of debate for the next four years." |
| But Ms Goldie had a dig at her fellow panellists saying that there was only a threat to the Union because of the "Holy Trinity sitting on this panel". | But Ms Goldie had a dig at her fellow panellists saying that there was only a threat to the Union because of the "Holy Trinity sitting on this panel". |
| The debate was at the University of Aberdeen's Elphinstone Hall | |
| She added that although Labour wanted to save the Union it "couldn't save itself". | She added that although Labour wanted to save the Union it "couldn't save itself". |
| On the issue of independence, Mr Salmond was at his most measured when he said: "It is time for a new partnership, we should continue to have a partnership, but it should be a partnership of equals. | On the issue of independence, Mr Salmond was at his most measured when he said: "It is time for a new partnership, we should continue to have a partnership, but it should be a partnership of equals. |
| "There will always be a social union of people in England and elsewhere. Look at the countries around us, Norway, Iceland and Ireland - successful countries. Why can't Scotland be equally successful?" | "There will always be a social union of people in England and elsewhere. Look at the countries around us, Norway, Iceland and Ireland - successful countries. Why can't Scotland be equally successful?" |
| The final question concerned what epitaph each of the leaders would expect to have if they are defeated at Thursday's poll. | The final question concerned what epitaph each of the leaders would expect to have if they are defeated at Thursday's poll. |
| All four smiled and said they did not expect to face defeat. | All four smiled and said they did not expect to face defeat. |