The independence referendum is not the most important vote Scotland has ever faced, according to Labour leader Johann Lamont.

Ms Lamont played down the September 18 poll in response to those who say it is the most important decision Scotland has faced in the last 300 years.

Universal suffrage, the abolition of slavery, the fight against fascism and the creation of the NHS and the welfare system were more important, she said at a referendum debate in Glasgow.

Former Conservative leader Baroness Annabel Goldie disagreed, insisting it is the most important vote ordinary Scots will make.

She agreed with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that Scotland could be independent, but said it would be better remaining in the UK.

Baroness Goldie said Scotland "will be in" the European Union, but with a vastly diminished influence.

The trio addressed around 100 people at Queen's Park Baptist Church.

Ms Lamont said: "People say this is the biggest political decision we have made in 300 years. I don't actually think that's true.

"I think when this country decided that we were in favour of universal suffrage, that we thought that women were equal to men, that we believed that slavery was an abhorrence, when we stood out against racism, when we stood up to fight fascists in the Second World War, when we decided to create the NHS and the welfare system, those were the big political decisions."

Ms Sturgeon said: "There is no doubt whatsoever that Scotland has got what it takes to be independent.

"But the question on the ballot paper is not 'Can Scotland be independent?'. It is 'Should Scotland be independent?'.

"It's not a magic wand. It doesn't take away Scotland's challenges overnight, but it puts us in charge of the decision that determine the kind of country that we want to be."

Baroness Goldie said: "I accept what Johann is saying, that perhaps in the grand scheme of things is this the most important thing which has ever happened?

"It's probably up there amongst the very important things that have ever happened.

"I think it is probably the most important vote that any of you will ever cast."

She added: "Nicola quite rightly said this is not about whether or not Scotland can be independent. The question is: is that what we want?

"It's a choice between independence, which is to some extent a leap of faith, or we can choose to remain the partnership called the UK.

"We are one of five permanent members of the UK Security Council, we are one of three leading members of the EU alongside France and Germany, we are one of the important members in the G7 and G8 countries.

"An independent Scotland will not be there. We will be a smaller entity that will hopefully be in the EU - we don't quite know under what conditions or terms.

"But I have no doubt about the determination, if we were independent, to negotiate admission to the EU on the best terms that we can get.

"We will be in there, but to say that we will exercise the same influence I think is highly questionable."