Salmond bounces back: SNP leader crushes weak Darling in second TV debate and pulls his dream of Scottish independence back from the brink

Mr Salmond easily won the crunch debate, according to a snap poll. Some 71 per cent of voters said the SNP leader was the victor. Just 29 per cent thought Mr Darling had won the contest. The victory is a dramatic turn around for Mr Salmond who was left flailing earlier this month after Mr Darling challenged him over the economy and the future of the pound.