Ruth Davidson vs Nicola Sturgeon: the best lines and put-downs from the Scottish independence debate
The debate over Scottish independence in Holyrood on Tuesday was passionate to say the least.
Nicola Sturgeon seemed incandescent with rage over Brexit and the Conservative government, and accused them of not listening to Scotland.
She insisted she wanted a compromise, and didn't want Scottish independence but that Theresa May had forced her hand by refusing to meet her halfway.
However, other members in the chamber didn't seem to agree, accusing her of only caring about independence instead of other issues such as fracking and child poverty.
Here are the best put-downs and lines from Ruth Davidson, Nicola Sturgeon, Kezia Dugdale and, of course, commentators on social media.
Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, used Brexit and her wish for Scotland to have a relationship with the EU to make her case for an independence referendum.
Here is the best of what she had to say.
"Contrary to the promises of the 2014 NO campaign, staying in the UK has not safeguarded Scotland's relationship with the EU, it has jeopardised it."
"There has been no meaningful attempt whatsoever by the UK government...to find common ground [with Scotland]."
"The voice of this Parliament has been ignored at every step of the way."
"If the UK Government can ignore this Parliament on one of the most vitual issues that this country faces how can they claim to be equal partners with us."
"The fact that because of the collapse of the collapse of the Labour party, the current Government could be in power until 2030 and beyond."
"As a country, we cannot avoid change, but we can choose what kind of change we want. The future of Scotland should not be imposed upon us."
What this is about is a very well-rehearsed game, to put forward an unworkable proposal, wait for the [UK] Government to reject it then rush to the nearest microphone wearing her angry face.
Ruth Davidson
New poll from @SkyNews following last week's #indyref2 statements - more Scots backing @theresa_may than @NicolaSturgeonhttps://t.co/aamAz5C26D
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) March 20, 2017
The Scottish Tory leader picked up on Nicola Sturgeon's alleged hypocrisy in calling for a referendum after promising the 2014 independence vote was the last one for a generation.
She also accused the SNP of not caring about any issue except leaving the UK.
"At least this last week this Government has made clear what comes first - separation not education."
"She promised...that if opinion stays as it was in the referendum, there wouldn't be another referendum."
"It won't wash with the people of Scotland for Nicola Sturgeon to regretfully with a heavy heart wash her hands of it and say "a big Tory did it"."
"If you're in the SNP you don't need to remember old promises let alone honour them."
"This is a tinpot approach to the biggest decision we could ever be asked to make."
"What this is about is a very well-rehearsed game, to put forward an unworkable proposal, wait for the Government to reject it then rush to the nearest microphone wearing her angry face."
"Five times in six months the will of the Scottish government has been clear and 5 times in 6 months the SNP has chosen to ignore it. Why should Westminster recognise the consensus of the Scottish government when the SNP government doesn't do so? Only when it comes to independence Holyrood is sacrosanct."
Kezia Dugdale
Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour leader, sided with Ruth Davidson in this debate and accused Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP of fighting for independence at all costs rather than representing the people of Scotland.
1. "I wish this was a two day debate on education in Scotland."
2. "Instead we are back talking about the only thing that has ever really mattered to the SNP."
3. "Nicola Sturgeon wakes up every day thinking of a way to engineer another referendum."
4. "It isn't lifting children out of poverty, it's independence. It will always come first, and always has."
5. "Brexit isn't the motivatioin for another referendum, it is just the latest excuse."
You
Of course, in any political debate there is always another going on on Twitter.
Here is the best of what the commentators on social media had to say.
Nicola Sturgeon really going for the Oscar with this performance. "None of us wants to be here," says the lifelong Nationalist. #indyref2
— (((StephenDaisley))) (@JournoStephen) March 21, 2017
Does.Nicola sturgeon want what's best for Scotland or what's best for her
— ian yea (@ianyea1) March 21, 2017
.@kezdugdale: "@NicolaSturgeon might want to listen to people who don't agree with her." Like Labour in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2016? #ScotRef
— Paul Middleton (@DrPaulMiddleton) March 21, 2017
Incisive, impassioned oratory from @kezdugdale and @RuthDavidsonMSP Same old hackneyed, blinkered baloney from @NicolaSturgeonhttps://t.co/S2siT9U8Wm
— Trevor Ward (@willwrite4cake) March 21, 2017
@kezdugdale "Nicola Sturgeon wakes up every day wanting to break up the UK"
Huge if True pic.twitter.com/kFzyjIVcLI— Kyle (@ko_oneill) March 21, 2017
Ruth Davidson just wiped the floor with Nicola Sturgeon #skynews
— DarkMatter (@AliensTweet2) March 21, 2017
Ruth Davidson says Nicola Sturgeon's "bulldozer approach" doesn't match up with the "fair, legal and decisive" #independence vote in 2014
— Laura Hughes (@Laura_K_Hughes) March 21, 2017
Watching Nicola Sturgeon and Ruth Davidson tussle in Holyrood is far better than any PMQs I've seen recently. #indyref2
— Joe Watts (@JoeWatts_) March 21, 2017