Summary

  • Scotland's main party leaders took part in a live debate, hosted by the BBC's Sarah Smith

  • Nicola Sturgeon (SNP), Jackson Carlaw (Conservative), Richard Leonard (Labour) and Willie Rennie (Lib Dems) answered questions

  • The debate took place ahead of the general election on 12 December

  • Of Scotland's 59 constituencies, 46 have majorities of under 10% and would therefore be considered marginals

  1. A hung parliament would be a bad thing - Carlawpublished at 20:30 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    Jackson CarlawImage source, Alan Peebles

    Jackson Carlaw says a hung parliament would be a bad thing.

    The Scottish interim leader says public services are currently suffering because the constitution is Nicola Sturgeon's first, second and third priorities.

    The first minister and SNP leader points out there has been a material change since the first independence referendum and adds she does not accept the EU referendum result because Scotland voted against it.

  2. Postpublished at 20:26 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

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  3. QUESTION THREE: Would no single party gaining overall control be a bad thing?published at 20:26 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    Davie Graham asks if a hung parliament, with no single party in overall control, would necessarily be a bad thing.

  4. Scotland should not have to hope for 'least worst options' at Westminster - Sturgeonpublished at 20:25 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    Nicola Sturgeon

    Ms Sturgeon says she will always be in favour of more powers coming to the Scottish Parliament, but other parties have not really spoken about what so-called "devo max" is.

    She adds that she hopes the Tories are not re-elected on Thursday. She poses that it is time Scotland was in a better position than crossing its fingers and hoping for the "least worst option".

  5. Postpublished at 20:23 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

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  6. People in Scotland 'will vote to be independent'published at 20:18 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    "It's not democracy if people are not allowed to change their minds when the circumstances have changed," says Nicola Sturgeon.

    I do believe people in Scotland will vote to be independent when given the choice again, she adds.

    Quote Message

    Scotland has been treated with complete and utter contempt."

    Nicola Sturgeon

  7. Carlaw says independence referendum was 'once in a generation'published at 20:16 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    The questioner Matthew Brickell says he thinks independence is more likely after the "arrogance of the Westminster government" in its treatment of the Union.

    "Well you wouldn't expect me to agree with that," says Jackson Carlaw.

    The Scottish Conservative interim leader says in each referendum one side has not accepted the outcome which is politically divisive.

    He doesn't believe there will be a second independence referendum, citing the once in a generation pledge.

    Quote Message

    You can't have disposable democracy."

    Jackson Carlaw

  8. Rennie says independence is not inevitablepublished at 20:15 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    People have seen the economic damage of Brexit and will be put off independence, suggests Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie.

    Quote Message

    We shouldn't mount chaos upon chaos."

    Willie Rennie

  9. QUESTION TWO: Will independence inevitably follow Brexit?published at 20:12 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    Matthew Brickell asks if it is inevitable that Scotland will vote for independence if the UK eventually leaves the European Union.

  10. Rennie: Deeply concerned about levels of mistrustpublished at 20:12 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    In response to the original question about the level of mistrust, Willie Rennie replies: "It deeply concerns me."

    "I want people to believe in the political system as a whole."

  11. Leonard: 'Part of leadership is listening'published at 20:11 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    Richard Leaonard

    Labour's Richard Leonard says his party has attempted to set out how commitments will be paid.

    "Part of leadership is listening," he says, adding: "There are times when people are guilty of transposing their own priorities rather than listening to the priorities of the people and the communities we are supposed to serve."

    Asked about Jon Ashworth being recorded criticising Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Leonard replies Mr Ashworth says he was winding up a friend of his who is a Conservative.

    I'm not sure I have any Tory friends so would not be caught in the position, he jokes.

  12. Carlaw: 'Question everything politicians say'published at 20:09 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    "I think we live in a much less deferential age," says Jackson Carlaw.

    The Scottish Conservative interim leader says the political football should be taken out of the NHS.

    He says: "You are best and correct to question everything politicians say."

  13. Sturgeon: I do worry about the tone and tenor of political debatepublished at 20:08 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    Nicola Sturgeon says she does worry about the tone and tenor of political debate.

    We must focus on the issues and try bring people together, she says.

    Ms Sturgeon adds that the difference between her and the three other politicians on the panel is that they all want to tell the people of Scotland what their future is.

  14. QUESTION ONE: How do the leaders feel about the mistrust of politicians?published at 20:05 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    Fiona Burton says our country is divided on Brexit but appears to be united in its mistrust of politicians.

    Many feel you are all unable to put the needs of the nation above the interests of your own party.

    Quote Message

    "How does this make you feel?"

  15. Postpublished at 20:02 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

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  16. Not long to go nowpublished at 19:59 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    DebateImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    The leaders and Sarah Smith all look ready

  17. Lib Dems 'only party' which is pro-UK and pro-EUpublished at 19:59 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    Alex Cole-Hamilton
    Image caption,

    Alex Cole-Hamilton is hoping his party can make gains

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says his party's message is to support Scotland's place in the UK and the EU.

    We are the only people speaking for that group of people he says.

    This will lead to gains for us on Thursday, he argues.

  18. Postpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

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  19. Jeremy Corbyn is 'absolutely' a credible leaderpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    Pam Duncan-Glancy
    Image caption,

    Pam Duncan-Glancy believes a Johnson premiership is not something she would want to see

    Scottish Labour Party member Pam Duncan-Glancy says Jeremy Corbyn is "absolutely" a credible leader.

    She adds that if the country wakes up with Mr Corbyn as leader on Friday morning "we'll have hope and transformational change".

    The alternative, Boris Johnson, is not something the country can tolerate says Ms Duncan-Glancy.

  20. How are the questions and the audience selected?published at 19:51 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2019

    • Questions will come from members of the audience recruited by the BBC's research team and from members of the public who have submitted questions via the BBC website.
    • The audience has been selected to reflect the country's demographic distribution and political views and is being weighted to reflect both the Brexit and Independence referendum votes in Scotland.