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“I’d be very surprised if there wasn’t another referendum in the course of this next five years, and I’d be very surprised if we managed to repeat the result we got last year. I’d take the same stand that I did last year. But I wouldn’t be expecting to win.” A prediction of Scottish independence within five years from George Galloway, an arch Unionist, sparked much debate among our online commentators. “George Galloway is articulate and can make people listen. He has aired his views in America as well as in Britain and often is correct. His references to the SNP are spot on but I’m not sure if he has got the timing correct for independence. He is correct that independence will be achieved sometime in the future.” – Walter Irving. “I think Galloway is wrong on this. The SNP are being tested now to deliver an evolving devolved Scottish Parliament within the UK. The Tory Party is pushing them hard on this and are putting traps in the path. The SNP are going to find it very hard to deliver, I believe, and independence will be on the shelf for a lot longer than five years.” – Andrew McMillan, Scotland. “Shame on George Galloway. Regardless of eternal Tory Government, he would support the status quo, with Scotland ruled from Westminster.” – Martin McDonald, Ayrshire. “I’m no fan of Galloway but he’s right about this as all the signs are indeed we appear to be inexorably heading towards independence. Some say one of the reasons, amongst others, is the £100 million cut pushed through by Osborne ... The SNP position seems to be that with control we can grow at a rate far greater than the UK who have the highest growth rates in the EU.” – Alan Tait. Join the debate at heraldscotland.com