Scottish independence second debate: it's smart Salmond v animated Darling

If Alex was lofty and vague, Alistair, quite unrecognisable from the man who was once chancellor, was personal

After Alex Salmond got a pasting from Alistair Darling in Scotland's first televised referendum debate, his yes campaign got a boost in some polls. There's romantic nationalism for you. Independence isn't about dull, Darling things like oil, pensions and whether voters pays their grocery bills in pounds or shortcake it's about being the plucky underdog, as the SNP leader was quick to remind supporters. He's been doing it for decades.

What would it be this time? How would Salmond play it: cautious, brazen or bold, Braveheart or Mr McChutzpah? He started cautiously, a dignified "our time, our moment, let's do it" appeal to Scotland to "finish the home rule journey" that Margaret Thatcher's 18-year rule had done so much to stimulate. SNP MPs' votes at wicked Westminster helped turf Labour out in 1979 and 30% of Scotland's voters then helped vote in Mrs T. But never mind.

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