Poll: The GD Referendum – Scottish Independence

[Tunney]

If I were Scottish, I'd vote yes. I think Scotland will be a poorer but happier place as an independent country.

As an Englishman, I hope they don't leave though. We need them more than they need us.

It is a total scandal in my eyes that Scottish people in the rest of the UK don't get to vote though.

 

[iamdjdz]

No from me.. Though I think that it'll go through as no at like 60:40 due to people voting yes being more empassioned in the build up and participating in opinion polls more readily than those who will just appear on the day and vote no.

 

[gettothechopper]

I hope they dont just from a pure hassle / expenditure / practicality point of view

Image the amount of tax (and human effort) wasted in working out and agreeing how to split everything up, the cost of Faslane moving, the consultants and lawyers and policy makers soaking up funds and companies relocating and fireing and rehiring people and it would mean more middle management of NHS and more bureaucracy etc etc etc

its all very very expensive and time consuming - wouldnt that money and effort best be spent improving things for everyone in the union rather than an expensive divorce whereby the consultants get 60% and rUK and iScot get 20% each?

 

[Eliot]

I think its timing is a bit weird too.

It's like "Oh look the UK has the lowest jobless rate for a good while and the economy has turned around. How can we screw that up then?"

" Oh wait I know!!!!"

 

[branddaly]

No from me. But that may be because I want to see all the Scottish Nationalists flip into a rage and blame the English for fixing the poll, and buying votes.

My secondary choice would be to invade an month after they get independance, making them part of the UK without an act of Union. Probably need to do that before they join NATO or the EU.

 

[Raumarik]

It is a total scandal in my eyes that Scottish people in the rest of the UK don't get to vote though.

It's not about Scots, it's about the people of Scotland. In other words those living there. That's the only way you can accurately reflect the will of the people, when you start involving those who have left, at which point do you stop?

 

[cheesyboy]

I hope they dont just from a pure hassle / expenditure / practicality point of view

Image the amount of tax (and human effort) wasted in working out and agreeing how to split everything up, the cost of Faslane moving, the consultants and lawyers and policy makers soaking up funds and companies relocating and fireing and rehiring people and it would mean more middle management of NHS and more bureaucracy etc etc etc

its all very very expensive and time consuming - wouldnt that money and effort best be spent improving things for everyone in the union rather than an expensive divorce whereby the consultants get 60% and rUK and iScot get 20% each?

But just think of the jobs that would create. And the business opportunities that experience would create.

If Scotland's independence went smoothly, we would have new states queuing up to use our experts in the business. Catalonia, Crimea, Palestine, for a start. Then maybe Wales, Iraq break-up, heck California could go it alone.

I'm seeing £ signs all over this

 

[NexusK]

What annoys me is before all this there was very little in the way of "them and us" mentality and now it's all over the place.

 

[AGD]

It's a 'No' from me, though I'm conflicted. I think the interesting discussion around the future of Scotland in the UK has only just started, and I'm suspicious that a 'No' vote will kill all political appetite for change. I believe we are better together, but also that the Westminster political system is badly in need of reform, for the benefit of everyone in the UK.

Ultimately, I hope there's enough of a public outcry for change in Scotland to force Westminster's hand. Given the chance, they'll treat a 'No' victory as unilateral support for the status quo. This can't be allowed to happen. I hope the momentum built up during the independence campaign is maintained, and that pressure is kept up on Westminster to deliver on the vague promises given over the past few weeks. If people demand change, Westminster will have to deliver it. They can't afford to give Scotland a mandate for a second Independence vote.

A no vote is a vote to keep the status quo. Why do you think Cameron didn't want a devo-max option on the ballot?

The parties have been rushing around Scotland making lots of promises but we are already seeing English backbench MPs saying they will not support the changes. Milliband is even promising Lords reform! Labour has promised this for the last 3+ elections and never did it, and they scuppered Lib Dem plans for reform in this parlilament! They don't believe in the changes they are promising, and once everything has died down after a no vote, nothing significant will have changed.

(I'm English btw so not a nationalist Scot!)

 

[stopper]

Nobody has any right to ask or tell anyone what to vote.

True, but yet the Scottish people are being forced to vote yes or no today.
They already have the sovereign right to walk away from the UK corporation whenever they want, without a referendum. It is their inherent right to that freedom.
So why do they have to vote?

I say give them their freedom, it's theirs.
And all those Nay voters stop believing the propaganda on how it can ruin the UK. It's all bull.

 

[Mynight]

True, but yet the Scottish people are being forced to vote yes or no today.
They already have the sovereign right to walk away from the UK corporation whenever they want, without a referendum. It is their inherent right to that freedom.
So why do they have to vote?

Erm, democracy?

I say give them their freedom, it's theirs.
And all those Nay voters stop believing the propaganda on how it can ruin the UK. It's all bull.

It won't ruin but it's not going to help us by any means. It will most likely set us back a year or two.

 

[AJK]

And all those Nay voters stop believing the propaganda on how it can ruin the UK. It's all bull.

That argument! Almost up to Salmond's standards, that one...

 

[div0]

I urge all people eligible to vote in the referendum to vote Yes for Independence. I posted my thoughts in the SC thread (which really could have been moved to GD a long time ago) and will repeat them here.

A No vote is a vote for more of the same, so if you look around you and are content with the state of Scotland at the moment then a No vote is understandable. A Yes vote is a vote for a chance of something better, sure there are risks but with more risks come greater opportunities. Remember that he who dares, wins.

A Yes vote is a vote for change, there is little debate about that.

What the Yes campaign has repeatedly failed to do (imo) is to demonstrate that the change will be for the better. Vote Yes, vote for change, vote for hope and opportunity is nothing more than a grass is greener policy.

Not to mention that a No vote isn't necessarily a vote for 'more of the same'. Change can (and will) occur in many forms, this vote is about whether Independence is the right change.

I'll be voting No for many reasons, but I'd urge people to think long and hard about a Yes vote. Don't simply vote for Yes because you want change, unless you're absolutely convinced that Independence is the right change.

 

[Raumarik]

biggest mistake was not having Devo max on the ballot and endorsed by Westminster.

 

[jumpy]

in the words of marcus brigstock:
"it's all a load of blue faced william wallacy ********

Personally I don't understand, when the world is becoming more globally orientated, why some people should want to have their little independent fiefdoms. Together we stand, divided we fall and all of that. Seems like a step backward to me.

People can do what they want.... but, damn splitters.

 

[TFC]

As much as I think that Scotland should remain part of the UK... I do not think we can afford it.
If the NO vote wins then Salmond will hold Westminster to the pledges that have been made and a boat load more, Scotland will want to spend, spend, spend and want the south to pay the bills.... We just cannot afford it.
If they go independent the UK will be better off financially

 

[Castiel]

Look, I'm sorry to post this but I think you need it clarified.

You went off the deep end at me for asking a reasonable request.

I said you were being a **** head, not that you are a **** head.

It also was not you I quoted in the first place, but Bdog. The chap is somewhat confused I think.

 

[Cosimo]

GB telling how it is....

 

[Glaucus]

As much as I think that Scotland should remain part of the UK... I do not think we can afford it.
If the NO vote wins then Salmond will hold Westminster to the pledges that have been made and a boat load more, Scotland will want to spend, spend, spend and want the south to pay the bills.... We just cannot afford it.
If they go independent the UK will be better off financially

I don't think either of us would be better if when all the stock market drops significantly. Only this time the rest of the world wouldn't be in a recession with us. I just can't see company investing in the 18month interval and a lot of companies will look elsewhere.

 

[FinglisHobbit]

I kinda want them to get independence just from a curiosity standpoint. I am intrigued by what might follow.