im voting YES. Its simple if we were already free, you wouldn't vote into the union. so why not take an option to get out , no bloodshed and a government which is more likely to be influenced by the people of its country.
Templedelagloire the better together campaign , we wont do better as part of the UK , its going down hill fast, foodbanks at record high numbers , independence is a chance for the people of Scotland to give themselves a chance in the world.
Scott Morrison You're going to vote vote yes to independent to get rid of food banks? ... Aren't they a good thing? Or do you want the thousands who will go poor in Scotland to starve to death? Or are you saying independence will solve the problem of people being poor?
Templedelagloire im saying with independence we can work towards solving the problem of people having to rely on them, by providing them with jobs and enough money to sustain themselves.
In a debate organised by Glasgow Skeptics this Monday 24 March 2014, the results again showed the upward trend for a Yes vote. Before - Yes 61.9% v 18.3% No Undecideds 19.9% After - Yes 73.9% v 13.5% No Undecideds 12.6%
***** www.holyrood.com/2011/05/betting-on-the-outcome/ "The SNP turnaround in the polls was ‘unprecedented’ As the results continued to filter through on the morning of 6 May, it became clear that the SNP’s victory was going to be of emphatic proportions. But just weeks before the electorate turned out to vote, many were expecting a very different result. It is often thought that the bookmakers give an accurate reading of what to expect - but in this case, even the bookies have had to concede they were behind on what was to occur. Graham Sharpe, a spokesman for William Hill, agreed the result was a shock. “It was probably the biggest ever turnaround in a major election that we have seen,” he said. “The result was virtually unprecedented. You may in some elections get a turnaround but that only happens when both parties start off very close to each other. That wasn’t the case here, Labour were initially so far ahead in the polls and then it completely reversed."
I am a Yes voter but i thought Jackson Carlaw was very good. The censure he received for his statement is emblematic of the sort of system he has to operate within.I find it no stretch to suggest that he would flourish in an Indy Scotland.
I agree - and I'm a Yes vote too - he was good. The self-deprecating humour was very un-Tory and remarkably refreshing. He spoke eloquently and with measure. The Better Together campaign could learn from him!
Beeing a Dutchman, I must say I do not understand why the scottish people want to be fully independent from the UK. Yes, I know that Scotland has lots of natural resources which it can sell. And I know there are political differences with Londo every now and then. But you share so much history together. You jointly fought, suffred and were victorious in 2 world wars. Do you want that ignore that, trow this common history down the drain? As 1 country you are much better capabale to face the economic and security challenges that todays world poses to you. And you are all seen as 'Brits' ( in a positive way) by alle people outside the UK and Scotland. God save your Queen and may you take a wise and democratic decision! Greetings from the Netherlands (that also consists of different regions, but that choose to stay together!)
ian renton More like a minatory of Scots have a chip on their shoulder and like to blame the rest of the UK for issue they have. All country's in the UK have had it tough over the last few years yet Salmon and his followers solely blame Westminster.
Dan Smith About Salmon's role in all this: he seems to be willing to take great risks doesnt he? He said something like he couldn't care less if RBS and a couple of other financial institions move to London because of the financial uncertainty. A normal leader of a country would do almost anything to retain and attrackt big head offices.
Change6609 Interesting most people from foreign country's make pro Independence comments, it appears the Dutch are more rational, we have to wait until Thursday to see if the Scot's are!
Jackie Baille is such an awful person - she has no morals whatsoever, every single thing she says is a lie and I can't understand why her ego is such that she feels she has some right to put others down and not be accountable herself.
Aye, she just drones on and on and on with the same negative partisan pish. It's incredibly draining to listen to, and I just don't think that brand of campaigning has any place in Scottish politics anymore.
I was quite impressed with Jackie Baillie , mind you all the debaters were pretty good . I wonder how many people in Scotland vote for the Greens , or share the views of Radical Independence they do seem rather extreme .
Interesting debate with wise words from Patrick Harvie. However, it would be nice to see, or hear, a statement or view from Scottish Labour that isn't littered with references to the SNP. It used to annoy me, but now it's just boring and my cue to 'tune out.'
I will be voting yes. The politics of Westminster disgusts me especially on immigration. It's such an obvious scapegoat. Conservative speech translated, "I've come without any reason why we should not." Though he made a good point about it not being risk free. I still feel it's worth the risk based on all the evidence and reasoning brought forth.
Nothing in life is certain, and every breath taken is risky and could very well be your last. That's what makes life exciting. And, indeed, worth living.
I don't think anyone is scapegoating immigrants. Many people in many urban areas of England are merely worried about the huge amount of change that has happened as a result of mass immigration. Having lived throughout the UK and abroad, I have to say London feels more foreign from the rest of England than, for example, northern England does from Scotland. Scotland just hasn't experienced mass immigration to the huge extent that urban England has. Maybe Scots would understand if they too had experienced it. For example, London's population is now only 45% indigenous British. 37% of the population were born outside the UK. 20% of the population have English as a second language, and an additional 4% do not speak English well or at all. Scottish nationalists complain about Tories. Well, England can blame mass immigration to England on Scotsmen Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and other Labour politicians of whom a disproportionately high number were Scots, who are on record as having said that they engineered mass immigration as a way utterly to change England.
YorickReturns I think they are especially when they use them as a political tool to gain votes. Targeting migrants families in the form of non-EU spouses regardless of how unjustified it is. Splitting up families. Despite the fact it only brings in a small number to immigration and has so far cut little from it. The current family immigration rules of Non-EU spouses make it impossible for 41% of Britain's population to bring them in to the country. All because they can't target EU immigration. So do you want the benefits of Europe and take the immigration? Or pull out of Europe to control the immigration? Or just blame Scottish Prime Ministers? Or keep believing that immigration is a disaster? At my work I work with very few Scottish people so I'm not exactly unfamiliar with being in among different cultures. They're afraid of change? So what? So are autistic people without justification.
SandwhichBread "All because they can't target EU immigration." Well, then, you admit that immigration is an issue. "Or just blame Scottish Prime Ministers?" Well, they did impose a policy of HUGE change on England that left Scotland virtually unaffected. "Or keep believing that immigration is a disaster?" No country has ever survived mass immigration. Maybe the UK will. But, I'm not arrogant enough to assume that the UK will, despite the allegations of arrogance that Scottish nationalists often make against the UK government and against unionists (not that I'm especially a unionist myself). "At my work I work with very few Scottish people so I'm not exactly unfamiliar with being in among different cultures." Well, OK, but that doesn't change the fact that Scotland hasn't been affected by mass immigration anywhere near the extent that urban areas of England have. "They're afraid of change? So what?" Well, is there anyone who doubts that a culture of a country is determined by the people who live there? If you change the people, you change the culture.
YorickReturns I don't care about culture. Why should we all think the same? Did I admit it's a problem? All I said was that they cannot target who they want. What countries under what circumstances are you talking about? Arrogance is irrelevant. You've not said it but it's set up the premise that if I think immigration won't affect the UK then I am arrogant. Which is not the case. Maybe to clear up culture from my point of view. Everyone should do what they want as long as they do not harm another human being that way we can have most total freedom while keeping intact laws that protect others. I mean I've simplified that hugely but, you get the idea. So nobody should be affected.
Scotland is a nation and its time for this Nation to take its place in the World, to steer a different course from the elitist and combatitive politics of the UK. Scotland should adopt the Scandanavian model and give a better future for our future generations
@@thegamingeconomist3831 aye, she was a rising star awright, at fiddling. Found guilty of professional misconduct and fined £3k, lost her seat in 2017!
Probably the best debate I have saw with some good questions from the audience and it is their engagement that will force politicians that they have to up their game.
I'm YES all the way. I have always had a natural and spontaneous pull towards Scottish Independance. It makes complete sense for Scotland to completely run our own affairs. It's a no brainer.
Your comment is rubbish! Bank of England is an independent institution and it does not control money, as fiscal policy decisions lie with Holyrood in independence. Scotland's future will be ruined by idiots like you ! Clearly misinformed by BBC and pro-union campaigns.
***** Well obviously that does not convince me otherwise. All 3 parties on the better together side have proposed further powers to the Scottish Parliament, so I would be very surprised if they no one fulfilled them. I mean we've been getting more powers every couple of years - Scotland Act 2012 should be coming into force soon enough, Anyway, it's irrelevant what happens to powers to holyrood. The one that really matters is Westminster - that's the Parliament that people actually turn out to vote for and that's the one that I care about. It doesn't really matter to me if powers are there or in holyrood
This debate needed Tommy Sheridan, the passion level is really quite low. However .... The bottom line is that we give, or pay if you prefer, more to Westminster than we get back, that is a fact. But please consider this. Forget the sceptic's, what they don't mention is that we will become an Oil and Gas exporter, that's on top of our whisky and other exports. There has never been an Oil and Gas exporting country that has had a problem with its currency, and there is a lot of it still out there despite the scaremongering from the no camp, new platforms are being built and installed right now. I actually believe an independent Scottish pound would be worth more than the English one, the English pound is only strong because of North Sea oil, we could pull the rug from under their feet. There have been wars over countries because of oil. Scotland is the only country to have discovered oil and become poorer. What has profited, simple, obviously the Oil companies, and London and its Bankers. The city where I live, Aberdeen should be the most modern city in Europe, but no, it is a sad neglected tip with a beach front that is an eroded and a total embarrassment. The harbour is so busy that on any day of the week at least a dozen ship are waiting for a slot to load up. It has one of the busiest heliports in the world. It hails itself as Europe's Oil Capital, the state of the place does not reflect that oil wealth. Anyway my final word is this "God help us if it's a NO vote". We will be in for cuts even worse than it is now. We will be fair game for the Tory (and Labour) hatchet men, why? Because we will have voted for it, simple.
hashbury stumble The Scottish don't hate Britain they just hate England. But even then only half of England. The North of England has much in common with Scotland.
Where did you get that idea from ? We have yet to identify anyone in the Yes Scotland campaign who suggests any hate towards England. Scotland has much in common with almost every other country in the world, with one big exception. We cannot vote for a government with the best interests of the majority of the people of Scotland.
hashbury stumble The fact is, Scotland has more in common with Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast, Liverpool, Manchester, Cumbria than it does with other parts of the world. The Scots are just sick of the Tories, Liberals and New Labour. Who's power-base lies in the South of England. Ironically the SNP are digging their own grave, because if Scotland goes independent - the Labour Party, without any need to win marginal seats in the South, will dominate an independent Scottish parliament.
trev moffatt Following a Yes vote on 18th September, how can Labour hope to win back the votes of disaffected supporters who have chosen Independence (currently 27% of Labour voters and rising) ? Johanne Lamont has yet to reveal the findings of her Cuts Commission threatening Universal Benefits in Scotland such as Free Education, Free Care for the Elderly and Free Prescriptions. Who would lead this (Reformed) Labour Party in Scotland ? Certainly not any current elected representative, either from Holyrood or Westminster. Indeed who would want to after campaigning on a Unionist platform.
I do hope people don't vote for independence only to end up shifting more control to something secretive and sinister that moves in to take control by getting people to vote based on fear as happens here in the United States of America. There's no such thing as a truly independent country, nor as an truly independent person. There are different degrees of independence and different kinds of independence. I certainly like what I heard about investing in a peaceful future rather than in preparation for war, and I would encourage the people of Scotland to make that step and set the example for others to learn from, but I would also highly encourage Scotland to break away from the "say yes to one of these or shut the hell up" attitude that currently rules elections around the world. People need the right to express their opinion no matter what it is, and to then have that expression taken into consideration to the greatest extent possible. Without a right to vote against someone directly in an election those who manipulate government officials like puppets can scare people into electing those who make the best puppets rather than those who will work the hardest for a better future for everyone. PLEASE, INSIST ON AN #ANTIVOTE . Political parties are unavoidable... but they do not need to become the problem for Scotland that they have become elsewhere. A belief that a politician is corrupt should not force someone to vote FOR anyone as a defensive maneuver. Let them say no to what they wish to avoid, just as they can say yes to what they would like to accept.
Agreed, she launched right into it. Same old rubbish. And as for abolishing the bedroom tax, yes we've effectively done that but from a fixed budget, meaning that the money has had to be diverted from economic development. And the amount of hoops that had to be jumped through to even achieve that demonstrates that we have very little control over how the block grant is spent. A YES vote will untie our hands and enable us to allocate funds in accordance with real needs, instead of having to scrape around and ask permission from Westminster.
I can see the appeal of Independence for the likes of the Greens and the radical for independence brigade , It has given them a bigger platform than their share of the vote merits .
Being a Yes voting Scot and being so interested in the intellectual views of my fellow Englishmen and, of course those who are voting No within Scotland, I decided to read a few comments below. Cannot get away quick enough now.............
1. The S.N.P. has said they have no problem paying for Scotland's share of U.K. debt if Scotland becomes independent. However when it comes to what currency an Independent Scotland would use, it is the S.N.P.'s preferred option to go into a Sterling union with the U.K.. 2. Sterling is good for both Scotland and the U.K. in terms of business and 3. Sterling is not an English currency, but a shared U.K. currency. Scotland says it owns Sterling as much as England and the rest of the U.K.. If England and the rest of the U.K. say Scotland do not own Sterling and have to right to sterling like England and the rest of the U.K. then Scotland says Scotland does not own it's share of U.K. debt and wont pay anything.
Good debate. Both sides talked a lot of sense in this. If it were me, I'd vote Yes. But some of the commments on here are outrageous, unthought through and clearly idiotic. I sincerely hope none of them are from people in positions of any power. Enjoy your referendum Scotland.
Rather pathetic input from Jackie Baille - did someone mistakenly tell her the debate was about the SNP? So frustrating that she thinks a political movement consisting of various parties and people of no political affiliation and one single party is one and the same.
Very true , he is handicapped by having to deal to in reality , as opposed to the fanciful notions of the Yes side . If any single issue was viable , why have the Scottish Govt not done so already ? Ah they don't have the powers ? Whats to stop the Scottish people organizing workers cooperatives , and community ownership schemes ,,, TODAY the reason is the same reason they are not there now ,............................................ nobody can be bothered
They do now you got beat.Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh Once was a labour member and then she joined the Conservative party and now she is a member of the Snp.I wonder when she gets beat what party is left for her ?
I hear lots o doom and gloom and fear mongering in this debate and not addressing the base fundamentals. Cameron thought he was being smart in asking for a Referendum with a single question without any indication of how that would come in terms of form and structure rather to create fear by NOT having form and adding to the fear with HIS idea of form. The format should be seen currently as greenfields and allows the perception that the one question referendum is a guarantee that the Scots would be so frightened that they would go for the status you know and not the one you don't know. Nothing could be further from the truth, In brief the points at issue are 1.The pound sterling? It would be in Scotlands BEST interest to dump the pound and use our own nominated currency and there are many reasons we would immediately see the benefits but simply put we would have the capacity to nominate a 'float value' which is just like an IPO or Initial Public Offering on a new stock at the stock exchange. We set a value at the market value of the pound sterling and if investors like the future of the Scottish pound we get a higher value which allows for cheaper investment funds and greater expansion in rated bonds from the government. If the value falls then exports become cheaper as do services and this also allows a greater flow of capital and job creation opportunities but of course the downside is greater cost in imports and more expensive overseas holidays but there are both upside and downside no matter what occurs BUT it remains an asset that is not unduly influenced by the unlawful setting of the pound sterling like the recent LIBOR scandal. 2.Scottish oil being depleted and running out is another scare tactic as when Scottish oil was discovered the government opinion was it would be short lived and have short term value. After nearly 40 years and generating nearly 300 Billion pounds for Westminster not much of those receipts have been to Scotland's benefit.That being said Wall Street Journal states clearly as of late last year there is now now finds and new technology that was not previously available to extract oil and so there is approximately oil at current prices that will generate 1.3 Trillion pounds for Scotland. TBC
dont care about the oil ... but its OURS ........its about the right to choose our own parliament to look after the people, and work together to make a better world for us all ...not greed and food banks and millionaires We are not moving forward with Westminster their is a better way better apart
Agree completely and the corrupt Westminster system is taking the UK headlong into another war whether with Iran or Russia and it follows the pattern of all wars, Scotland needs its independence to regain the dignity denied it by the scum sucking pedophile trash in the UK parliament.
We can't be Scandanavians because we're not in Scandanavia.. I'm afraid that's a strawman and doesn't address any actual issue. Fuck history and tradition. Pointless wastes of time when they contradict logic or positive change.
The United Kingdom is better UNITED. We are stronger together and have one of the greatest histories of any nation in the world. Together we are an important partner with NATO, a crucial part of the Global 20 (G20) and Global 8 (G8) and a great superpower. If we are broken up we would be a laughing stock of a nation among other nations and super powers. We would be an even smaller nation and no doubt will affect us economically and military in terms of size and presence. Russia is gaining land, Argentina is on our case over the Falkland’s and we live in an uncertain world where terrorism is rife. In the UK unemployment rate of the economically active population is 6.9% and the UK economy has grown by 0.8% in the first quarter of 2014! Not to mention the 3.1% growth in 2013...Its stance has been bolstered by falling inflation, which dropped to 1.6% last month, its lowest rate in more than four years! I ask my fellow scots who want to vote for an Independent Scotland…. Are you really that hard up? Are you really suffering as result of being part of the UK? Don’t you think that together we can make this nation better and stronger? We have just gone through one of the biggest recessions in history and as a nation with have stood tall and have little austerity measures compared to other powerful nations including Spain, Greece and Italy who have experience riots, strikes and huge unemployment. I urge you to VOTE NO! STAY AS UNITED KINGDOM - STAY AS GREAT BRITAIN!
Angus Blair You will find many nations experienced similar history's including Italy, Germany, France, Spain... list is endless but I guess that is why they call it history. But that is fine if you want to keep living in that past and base any future progression on the history and to keep dwelling on a terrible bloody past. To me that is history and whilst there ware some terrible atrocities, wars etc I feel that this has brought us to the stage we are now where minorities are welcomed as British citizens where we Stop basing future prospects over a history.
Mike Razor This is terribly ironic. It is you that was dwelling on the 'great' history as a reason for remaining together, and it was for this reason I was questioning it. I see Scottish independence as an opportunity to remove the shackles of corporate dominance, and potentially form a democracy; because let me tell you, you are deeply misled if you believe in the illusion of our democracy. It has nothing to do with improving society; it is about power and the pursuit of power. Scottish independence with a small government can change this.
Angus Blair Let me tell you that I do not dwell on history. I embrace history and see it as a progression to making things better. We cannot change history and we wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for many sacrifices but also many horrible mistakes that were made. I fail to understand by the meaning of shackles of corporate dominance. These corporate companies are what keeps you and I in a job. It powers our nation and is vital for any developing and developed nation. It's a source of great revenue in which this revenue is used to pay for the NHS, Education, Defence etc.
The majority of the scottish people will vote in referendum 2014: NOT the independence However, in 20 or 30 years later, the future great King Charles (George VII) will appoint a Governor General in the new free and independent kingdom of Scotland. In 20 or 30 years later, Scotland )Alba) will be a important member of United Nations, NATO and the Commonwealth
Vote YES.. Change for the better.. Keep your culture Scottish.. SCottish Jobs for the Scots!! Send home the foreigners that don't want to conform to a British/Scottish culture.. we need to keep our non religious country safe from extremists from all religions!
The best option I think would be for an independent Scotland to become an associate member of the E.U. but not use the Euro and join also join the join the Nordic Council and the Council of Europe, the European Free Trade Association and the the European Economic Area as well. that way an independent Scotland would get the best of both Worlds. 1. An independent Scotland would have a lender of last resort by becoming an associate member of the E.U. but not use the Euro. 2. An independent Scotland would have access to E.U. markets to sell it's products. 3. An independent Scotland would be able to attract investment by other European, American and Canadian firms because of Scotland links to the E.U.. 4. Because an independent Scotland would have it's own currency, but have the backing of the E.U. international firms would see Scotland as a stable place to locate there business. 5. If the Euro was not doing well an independent Scotland would not be as badly effected as other countries that use the Euro and as a result an independent Scotland would be better able to weather an economic storm. 6. Because an independent Scotland would also be a member of the Nordic Council and the Council of Europe, the European Free Trade Association and the the European Economic Area as well an independent Scotland would have a "special relationship" with other Nordic countries an independent Scotland would have a preferential treatment in terms of trading, scientific and cultural exchanges with other Nordic members it can only benefit an independents Scotland economy.
As someone who lives in England's, an independent Scotland implies an independent England. The English people , have their own history., culture and language. The English, do not want to rule Scotland , Wales, let alone Ireland .The only thing the English people want to rule, is themselves . If, I wan might add, we don't
Voting for independence will just ultimately cause an unnecessary division between working people in England and Scotland, that are one and the same, and have built up a sense of solidarity between them. Voting to separate will just cause a 'race to the bottom' and most ordinary people won't benefit from that. Don't 'Yes' voters find it sickening to see the SNP holding the referendum on the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn? A battle which means nothing to people nowadays, and surely you'd wish to commemorate the much more recent times where English and the Scots fought and died together against a common enemy? I don't know why the Scottish government are using the anniversary of when two barbaric armies fought each other as enemies as a reason to split, surely it just highlights the importance of working together and division causes nothing but upset - just like in Yugoslavia and the former USSR countries. Sure if you don't like the government, but who in this day and age actually likes the government? I hope that in September, the people in Scotland will vote to remain united with the rest of the British people, after 307 years of unity through war, famine, depression. Don't condemn your fellow Brits to Tory rule, stand with them and strive for better things and a better political direction.
ordinary working folks in England must be just as pissed off with everything Westminster has done and will continue to do to drive the poor down and the rich up? Surely you did not want the NHS to be sold off to tory donors - tell me if that doesn't stink of corruption along with the selling off of Royal Mail at an ultra low price so their rich chums could make millions in profit on selling the shares they bought for relative pennies? Our breaking from the Union has had to happen!. Labour put Britain into approx 7 - 800 Billion in debt, this austerity is supposed to be a measure to dig us out of trouble - bollocks Cameron and Co. have nearly doubled the debt to just under 1.5 TRILLION. Westminster struggles to pay this debt to the banks and the BoE has just started to raise the interest rates and will NOT show any signs of stopping. They have no clue what they are doing at Westminster just now hence the arrival of UKIP - I for one, don't want to see a Con/Ukip alliance - they will kill Britain off............
Peter Serman That's the inconvenient truth of the decade - a Yes vote won't see you escape from under the Tories one single bit. At least united we have a chance of voting them out. Vote Yes and you give Tories a perpetual majority rule and will dictate what spending policies Scotland will pursue.
Well, it's happening the Government trying everything in their power to impose a No vote for independence by announcing Kate is pregnant again and they have even more powerful means so that a No vote will win, but then again they won't need to try anything to get a No vote because it won't happen anyway. The Scottish Yes people on the day of voting won't vote because they think there will be someone else doing it for them, which is a shame because if they really did want independence which they should then they should get out and vote on the day. But I think it's a lost cause.
"Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue as a Scottish name does it, but then neither does "Salmond" (An Arab and a Jew is an interesting combination for Scotland)
Jackie Baillie.Typical politician.Lady tries to correct wrongly quoted figures,and gets told NOT to interrupt.They just DONT or WONT listen to us will they?..
That would make perfect sense. It surprises me that you don't have that line to vote for. I'm Scandinavian, and I say this because you like to refer to us. The Scandinavian countries have been in all kinds of constellations and unions with each others during the years. How ever, we are many to think that a lot would be easier if we had a federation or some kind of common administration because now for example there are many Swedes working in Norway at the other side of the border and this double administration when it comes to taxes, pensions, health care is some times pure hell for the individual. I've been watching quite a lot of these debates just because I'm intressted and I like Scotland just like most people does. Bottom line is that not all is that green and well up here on the Scandinavian half island as you seam to think it is, think very carefully before you choose how to vote. But if you are unhappy in this relation and there are no ways to reform an hopelessly outdated union to a modern democratic federation where Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland have equal status under federal law. Then get out, but kick out both the pound and the Queen when your at it. Good luck!
Henrik Bergqvist Scandinavia is years ahead of the UK. If the UK was like any Scandinavian country there would be no vote on independence. You have to be in a very well paid job in the UK to actually be able to afford child care at least in the Scandinavian countries you have managed that better. And you economies are far better managed as a whole. I a
Labour's Jackie Baillie just doesn't get it. The referendum is about independence, democracy and social justice, not nationalism. But that doesn't fit her blinkered view. All that talk about having more in common with a worker in Liverpool than a Highland laird is irrelevant, but her mind is made up and she doesn't have the ability to change that.
Nationalism really is a weird thing. Scotland is just a piece of land that someone named. Leaving the UK is going to change only one thing, the maps. You choose your future in the UK and once independent it is the same. Plus Scotland, England and Wales make each other stronger that is all. Scotland is made up of many different countries that were annexed so long ago you've forgotten that they exist. Dont leave us we like you :(
My honest opinion is that I hope the people in Scotland will vote 'No'..... United and prosperous we stand thru good times and the bad And my last words are and if history is correct - 'it was a Scot who United the Kingdom' and what a shame for another Scot to destroy it! ............
You cannot pin your economy to single malt whiskey and oil. The Universal Credit costs and rehab for heroin addicts will empty the treasury. Completely. Europe will abandon you.
Nationalism serves no purpose for Scotland, particularly when it already enjoys the best of both worlds--being an autonomous nation yet being a part of the larger UK, which brings enormous benefits to the people of Scotland. A vast number of Scottish businesses operate across the UK. So many Scots live in other parts of UK. This makes no sense. Scotland is extensively intertwined with other parts of the UK that it would only pose more challenges and would most certainly lead to disintegration of what is otherwise a thriving nation. With barely a population of 5 million people (and as many golden eagles), Scotland is dwarfed by most large cities. With all due respect, small countries just do not look viable. One only needs to take a look at the neighboring Republic of Ireland. It is an utter joke. Too small to be practical. Most Irish work in the UK!! Republic of Ireland should rather return to the Union of Great Britain and make it even greater. Republic of Ireland would still be of course able to play England and beat them at Wembley (if it still exists). As much as I love and admire Scots, they will be doomed to hell should Scotland indeed breakaway from the UK. It just will not happen. It cannot happen. It must not happen. It should not happen. It ought not to happen. It is nothing but a political propaganda by the Scottish Nationalists. UK Geography (for those who are confused): ======================================================== UK = Great Britain(61) + Northern Ireland(2) - Republic-of-Ireland(5)* Great Britain = Scotland(5) + England(53) + Wales(3) ======================================================== *Republic-of-Ireland officially broke away from the UK in 1931. The numerals in the parentheses indicate the respective population (in millions) of each constituent nation within the UK. Scots must not ruin the latter equation lest they will go astray and rot in hell like like the Republican Irish. Big is better. Big is beautiful. Batwaara (Partition) is ugly. One only has to look at the Indian Batwaara and not repeat the mistakes that they made.
***** Your on the right lines but unless you are a Nationalist troll your not likely to convince anyone, I am Irish and in fact regret we left but I am a small minority and even I do not wish to re-join now. Your statements are wrong Ireland now has a higher standard of living then the UK average and 'most' Irish people work in Ireland. The point you Should make is that this took the best part of a century to achieve and so most people in Scotland and their children are likely to have worse lives if the vote YES India like Ireland was never a united Political entity, except under British rule, Scotland was, and unlike Ireland and India made a free choice to be British, so the message you should give is that it was the right choice and they should stick with it not that it's not viable to be a small state there are plenty successful states that are smaller
You sir are a moron and have no idea what you talking about, nor do you have any understanding as to how an economy works or democracy or prosperity. By the looks of things you know nothing on this subject.
West Brit Thank you my Irish brother. You are being truthful. And I love that. At the end of the day, we are all one big family. Language and religion should never be a recipe for the division of humanity.
kyle gibson My dear Scottish nationalist, you are entitled to your opinion. I am no politician or economist but one thing I do know is that unity is strength. That is not only a time-tested phenomenon but also in full agreement with the laws of thermodynamics should you care to look them up and heed them. Let me add that partition of a nation only serves the politicians and bigots-alike not the average citizen. This rule also applies to our Scotland. Nonetheless, if > 75% of Scots vote for breakaway, then they are doing the right thing. That will never happen, at least not in this millennium!
I am not a expert on all subjects of thermodynamics!!....but I do have some understanding of balance between Mechanical, Chemical, Radioactive and thermal balance from my early days as a Motorcycle Technician. If you are talking about economic thermodynamics? I believe in equality...prosperity and civility in mankind. I don't believe in poverty inequality and uncivilised societies caused by a hostile element. It's only when people challenge the establishment that the best things comes from it. Vote YES for the best things!
It's now 2020 and this is now a turning point for Britain it won't be called the United Kingdom anymore as Scotland will soon be Independent, N Ireland will soon join Ireland so Wales and England will have to be called rUK (rest of the UK) or little Britain.
Byron Henry You must have taken my advice and looked up your Scottish Heritage ! If You are a betting man the Scot's are less emotional then us Irish I think in close race NO would be a profitable bet
Wall Street Journal states 'Who cares if Scotland cant use pound sterling' and this article tells you why. Peg the Scottish pound to the Englsih pound. blogs.wsj.com/economics/2014/02/14/how-scotland-can-keep-the-pound/
On a purely practical level...what does Scotland have ......(.hint :tourism). Yup, tourism and nothing else which would compete in the global economy. I fear Scots have watched 'Braveheart' too much. ps.... I'm a Scot .
Im voteing yes and for no voters most them hopeing for labour too win election next year as for rest no voters move down south vote torys next year at election
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
We are going to do it.
A genie has been let out of the bottle in Scotland and it won't be put back in.
Vote YES and let's build a country of our own.
im voting YES. Its simple if we were already free, you wouldn't vote into the union. so why not take an option to get out , no bloodshed and a government which is more likely to be influenced by the people of its country.
***** scaremongering
***** Who does that? It's not that we need to be part of Britain to survive, it's just that we will do better as part of the UK
Templedelagloire the better together campaign , we wont do better as part of the UK , its going down hill fast, foodbanks at record high numbers , independence is a chance for the people of Scotland to give themselves a chance in the world.
Scott Morrison You're going to vote vote yes to independent to get rid of food banks? ... Aren't they a good thing? Or do you want the thousands who will go poor in Scotland to starve to death?
Or are you saying independence will solve the problem of people being poor?
Templedelagloire im saying with independence we can work towards solving the problem of people having to rely on them, by providing them with jobs and enough money to sustain themselves.
In a debate organised by Glasgow Skeptics this Monday 24 March 2014, the results again showed the upward trend for a Yes vote.
Before - Yes 61.9% v 18.3% No Undecideds 19.9%
After - Yes 73.9% v 13.5% No Undecideds 12.6%
***** Those odds were pretty similar to the odds offered for Labour against the SNP just a few weeks before the last Holyrood election.
***** www.holyrood.com/2011/05/betting-on-the-outcome/
"The SNP turnaround in the polls was ‘unprecedented’
As the results continued to filter through on the morning of 6 May, it became clear that the SNP’s victory was going to be of emphatic proportions.
But just weeks before the electorate turned out to vote, many were expecting a very different result.
It is often thought that the bookmakers give an accurate reading of what to expect - but in this case, even the bookies have had to concede they were behind on what was to occur.
Graham Sharpe, a spokesman for William Hill, agreed the result was a shock.
“It was probably the biggest ever turnaround in a major election that we have seen,” he said.
“The result was virtually unprecedented. You may in some elections get a turnaround but that only happens when both parties start off very close to each other. That wasn’t the case here, Labour were initially so far ahead in the polls and then it completely reversed."
***** Ha ha. Good thinking.
I am a Yes voter but i thought Jackson Carlaw was very good.
The censure he received for his statement is emblematic of the sort of system he has to operate within.I find it no stretch to suggest that he would flourish in an Indy Scotland.
I agree - and I'm a Yes vote too - he was good. The self-deprecating humour was very un-Tory and remarkably refreshing. He spoke eloquently and with measure. The Better Together campaign could learn from him!
I don't agree with them, but the Scottish Tories are good politicians for sure.
Yes100% agree Scotland needs to be a free country
Jackie Baillie needs to stop making this vote about the SNP. It's not about the SNP, it's about Scottish Independence.
Beeing a Dutchman, I must say I do not understand why the scottish people want to be fully independent from the UK. Yes, I know that Scotland has lots of natural resources which it can sell. And I know there are political differences with Londo every now and then. But you share so much history together. You jointly fought, suffred and were victorious in 2 world wars. Do you want that ignore that, trow this common history down the drain? As 1 country you are much better capabale to face the economic and security challenges that todays world poses to you.
And you are all seen as 'Brits' ( in a positive way) by alle people outside the UK and Scotland. God save your Queen and may you take a wise and democratic decision!
Greetings from the Netherlands (that also consists of different regions, but that choose to stay together!)
caused by the english and other sabre rattleing idiots ,d
ian renton More like a minatory of Scots have a chip on their shoulder and like to blame the rest of the UK for issue they have. All country's in the UK have had it tough over the last few years yet Salmon and his followers solely blame Westminster.
Dan Smith as the guilt fits wear it ,d
Dan Smith
About Salmon's role in all this: he seems to be willing to take great risks doesnt he? He said something like he couldn't care less if RBS and a couple of other financial institions move to London because of the financial uncertainty.
A normal leader of a country would do almost anything to retain and attrackt big head offices.
Change6609 Interesting most people from foreign country's make pro Independence comments, it appears the Dutch are more rational, we have to wait until Thursday to see if the Scot's are!
Jackie Baille is such an awful person - she has no morals whatsoever, every single thing she says is a lie and I can't understand why her ego is such that she feels she has some right to put others down and not be accountable herself.
I find her odious also.
Aye, she just drones on and on and on with the same negative partisan pish. It's incredibly draining to listen to, and I just don't think that brand of campaigning has any place in Scottish politics anymore.
Lindsay Bruce I couldn't really have put it better myself. She is a typical New Labour drone worker reading from a pre-planned Westminster script.
I was quite impressed with Jackie Baillie , mind you all the debaters were pretty good .
I wonder how many people in Scotland vote for the Greens , or share the views of Radical Independence
they do seem rather extreme .
That was infinately better than the madness you normally get on 'Question Time' :-)
Interesting debate with wise words from Patrick Harvie. However, it would be nice to see, or hear, a statement or view from Scottish Labour that isn't littered with references to the SNP. It used to annoy me, but now it's just boring and my cue to 'tune out.'
I will be voting yes. The politics of Westminster disgusts me especially on immigration. It's such an obvious scapegoat.
Conservative speech translated, "I've come without any reason why we should not."
Though he made a good point about it not being risk free. I still feel it's worth the risk based on all the evidence and reasoning brought forth.
Nothing in life is certain, and every breath taken is risky and could very well be your last.
That's what makes life exciting. And, indeed, worth living.
I don't think anyone is scapegoating immigrants. Many people in many urban areas of England are merely worried about the huge amount of change that has happened as a result of mass immigration. Having lived throughout the UK and abroad, I have to say London feels more foreign from the rest of England than, for example, northern England does from Scotland. Scotland just hasn't experienced mass immigration to the huge extent that urban England has. Maybe Scots would understand if they too had experienced it. For example, London's population is now only 45% indigenous British. 37% of the population were born outside the UK. 20% of the population have English as a second language, and an additional 4% do not speak English well or at all. Scottish nationalists complain about Tories. Well, England can blame mass immigration to England on Scotsmen Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and other Labour politicians of whom a disproportionately high number were Scots, who are on record as having said that they engineered mass immigration as a way utterly to change England.
YorickReturns I think they are especially when they use them as a political tool to gain votes. Targeting migrants families in the form of non-EU spouses regardless of how unjustified it is. Splitting up families. Despite the fact it only brings in a small number to immigration and has so far cut little from it. The current family immigration rules of Non-EU spouses make it impossible for 41% of Britain's population to bring them in to the country. All because they can't target EU immigration. So do you want the benefits of Europe and take the immigration? Or pull out of Europe to control the immigration? Or just blame Scottish Prime Ministers? Or keep believing that immigration is a disaster?
At my work I work with very few Scottish people so I'm not exactly unfamiliar with being in among different cultures. They're afraid of change? So what? So are autistic people without justification.
SandwhichBread "All because they can't target EU immigration." Well, then, you admit that immigration is an issue.
"Or just blame Scottish Prime Ministers?" Well, they did impose a policy of HUGE change on England that left Scotland virtually unaffected.
"Or keep believing that immigration is a disaster?" No country has ever survived mass immigration. Maybe the UK will. But, I'm not arrogant enough to assume that the UK will, despite the allegations of arrogance that Scottish nationalists often make against the UK government and against unionists (not that I'm especially a unionist myself).
"At my work I work with very few Scottish people so I'm not exactly unfamiliar with being in among different cultures." Well, OK, but that doesn't change the fact that Scotland hasn't been affected by mass immigration anywhere near the extent that urban areas of England have.
"They're afraid of change? So what?" Well, is there anyone who doubts that a culture of a country is determined by the people who live there? If you change the people, you change the culture.
YorickReturns I don't care about culture. Why should we all think the same?
Did I admit it's a problem? All I said was that they cannot target who they want. What countries under what circumstances are you talking about?
Arrogance is irrelevant. You've not said it but it's set up the premise that if I think immigration won't affect the UK then I am arrogant. Which is not the case.
Maybe to clear up culture from my point of view. Everyone should do what they want as long as they do not harm another human being that way we can have most total freedom while keeping intact laws that protect others. I mean I've simplified that hugely but, you get the idea. So nobody should be affected.
One Scottish Tory MP in the one constituency that voted for him , got more votes than the entire vote of Patrcik Harvie's Greens !
Short answer to the question is :no
Now can we all please get on with our lives?
Daniel - Well done for raising the level of debate. Comments like yours make it more inevitable and more enjoyable when we do.
Scotland is a nation and its time for this Nation to take its place in the World, to steer a different course from the elitist and combatitive politics of the UK. Scotland should adopt the Scandanavian model and give a better future for our future generations
there with you brother...
keep your radicalism and multiculturalism for yourself. Scandinavians are small c-conservatives
Azureecosse
This is true unfortunately. Brits are a lot more rebellious for good and bad
The trough snuffling jackie continues to utilise figures from independent sources that Patrick Harvie rightly warned against buying in.
a no vote will meen the torys will finnish of it is a YES for me
well said they will put the boot in if it's a no vote.
well said
***** yes and take a pen to polling place a thy will give you a pencil no joke mate
Tasmina's opening statement was so beautiful i cried.
Aye, she's a rising star in the Scottish political firmament. Passionate, positive, eloquent, brilliant.
@@thegamingeconomist3831 aye, she was a rising star awright, at fiddling.
Found guilty of professional misconduct and fined £3k, lost her seat in 2017!
Probably the best debate I have saw with some good questions from the audience and it is their engagement that will force politicians that they have to up their game.
I'm YES all the way. I have always had a natural and spontaneous pull towards Scottish Independance. It makes complete sense for Scotland to completely run our own affairs. It's a no brainer.
Vote YES tomorrow
Independence with London controlling the money and interest rates. You couldn't make it up! Voting NO.
Your comment is rubbish! Bank of England is an independent institution and it does not control money, as fiscal policy decisions lie with Holyrood in independence. Scotland's future will be ruined by idiots like you ! Clearly misinformed by BBC and pro-union campaigns.
***** No no no, more powers are guaranteed for scotland if we vote no
***** Well obviously that does not convince me otherwise. All 3 parties on the better together side have proposed further powers to the Scottish Parliament, so I would be very surprised if they no one fulfilled them. I mean we've been getting more powers every couple of years - Scotland Act 2012 should be coming into force soon enough,
Anyway, it's irrelevant what happens to powers to holyrood. The one that really matters is Westminster - that's the Parliament that people actually turn out to vote for and that's the one that I care about. It doesn't really matter to me if powers are there or in holyrood
Templedelagloire What powers? Name one.
Lindsay Bruce Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have promised tax raising powers for the Scottish Parliament.
This debate needed Tommy Sheridan, the passion level is really quite low. However ....
The bottom line is that we give, or pay if you prefer, more to Westminster than we get back, that is a fact. But please consider this. Forget the sceptic's, what they don't mention is that we will become an Oil and Gas exporter, that's on top of our whisky and other exports. There has never been an Oil and Gas exporting country that has had a problem with its currency, and there is a lot of it still out there despite the scaremongering from the no camp, new platforms are being built and installed right now. I actually believe an independent Scottish pound would be worth more than the English one, the English pound is only strong because of North Sea oil, we could pull the rug from under their feet. There have been wars over countries because of oil. Scotland is the only country to have discovered oil and become poorer. What has profited, simple, obviously the Oil companies, and London and its Bankers. The city where I live, Aberdeen should be the most modern city in Europe, but no, it is a sad neglected tip with a beach front that is an eroded and a total embarrassment. The harbour is so busy that on any day of the week at least a dozen ship are waiting for a slot to load up. It has one of the busiest heliports in the world. It hails itself as Europe's Oil Capital, the state of the place does not reflect that oil wealth.
Anyway my final word is this "God help us if it's a NO vote". We will be in for cuts even worse than it is now. We will be fair game for the Tory (and Labour) hatchet men, why? Because we will have voted for it, simple.
Great speech from the tory
You mean that dumb ass talking rubbish ??
Scotland should stay in the Union; Lets just throw out London and the South East.
How would that benefit Scotland ?
hashbury stumble The Scottish don't hate Britain they just hate England. But even then only half of England. The North of England has much in common with Scotland.
Where did you get that idea from ? We have yet to identify anyone in the Yes Scotland campaign who suggests any hate towards England. Scotland has much in common with almost every other country in the world, with one big exception. We cannot vote for a government with the best interests of the majority of the people of Scotland.
hashbury stumble The fact is, Scotland has more in common with Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast, Liverpool, Manchester, Cumbria than it does with other parts of the world. The Scots are just sick of the Tories, Liberals and New Labour. Who's power-base lies in the South of England. Ironically the SNP are digging their own grave, because if Scotland goes independent - the Labour Party, without any need to win marginal seats in the South, will dominate an independent Scottish parliament.
trev moffatt Following a Yes vote on 18th September, how can Labour hope to win back the votes of disaffected supporters who have chosen Independence (currently 27% of Labour voters and rising) ?
Johanne Lamont has yet to reveal the findings of her Cuts Commission threatening Universal Benefits in Scotland such as Free Education, Free Care for the Elderly and Free Prescriptions.
Who would lead this (Reformed) Labour Party in Scotland ? Certainly not any current elected representative, either from Holyrood or Westminster. Indeed who would want to after campaigning on a Unionist platform.
I do hope people don't vote for independence only to end up shifting more control to something secretive and sinister that moves in to take control by getting people to vote based on fear as happens here in the United States of America. There's no such thing as a truly independent country, nor as an truly independent person. There are different degrees of independence and different kinds of independence. I certainly like what I heard about investing in a peaceful future rather than in preparation for war, and I would encourage the people of Scotland to make that step and set the example for others to learn from, but I would also highly encourage Scotland to break away from the "say yes to one of these or shut the hell up" attitude that currently rules elections around the world. People need the right to express their opinion no matter what it is, and to then have that expression taken into consideration to the greatest extent possible. Without a right to vote against someone directly in an election those who manipulate government officials like puppets can scare people into electing those who make the best puppets rather than those who will work the hardest for a better future for everyone. PLEASE, INSIST ON AN #ANTIVOTE . Political parties are unavoidable... but they do not need to become the problem for Scotland that they have become elsewhere. A belief that a politician is corrupt should not force someone to vote FOR anyone as a defensive maneuver. Let them say no to what they wish to avoid, just as they can say yes to what they would like to accept.
Jackie Baillie, within 1 minute turned this into Lab vs SNP. Wrong meeting... Same old tired and scripted rhetoric. Harvie is outstanding (again).
Agreed, she launched right into it. Same old rubbish. And as for abolishing the bedroom tax, yes we've effectively done that but from a fixed budget, meaning that the money has had to be diverted from economic development. And the amount of hoops that had to be jumped through to even achieve that demonstrates that we have very little control over how the block grant is spent. A YES vote will untie our hands and enable us to allocate funds in accordance with real needs, instead of having to scrape around and ask permission from Westminster.
I can see the appeal of Independence for the likes of the Greens and the radical for independence brigade ,
It has given them a bigger platform than their share of the vote merits .
HS3 high speed railway to connect the north to london - when did the north stop at manchester ??
When did the North stop at Glasgow ?
HS2 should go all the way to Shetlands , and we can build a tunnel connecting the Isles with the mainland
Being a Yes voting Scot and being so interested in the intellectual views of my fellow Englishmen and, of course those who are voting No within Scotland, I decided to read a few comments below. Cannot get away quick enough now.............
The time has come VOTE YES.
1. The S.N.P. has said they have no problem paying for Scotland's share of U.K. debt if Scotland becomes independent. However when it comes to what currency an Independent Scotland would use, it is the S.N.P.'s preferred option to go into a Sterling union with the U.K.. 2. Sterling is good for both Scotland and the U.K. in terms of business and 3. Sterling is not an English currency, but a shared U.K. currency. Scotland says it owns Sterling as much as England and the rest of the U.K.. If England and the rest of the U.K. say Scotland do not own Sterling and have to right to sterling like England and the rest of the U.K. then Scotland says Scotland does not own it's share of U.K. debt and wont pay anything.
Good debate. Both sides talked a lot of sense in this. If it were me, I'd vote Yes. But some of the commments on here are outrageous, unthought through and clearly idiotic. I sincerely hope none of them are from people in positions of any power. Enjoy your referendum Scotland.
freedom and ambition.
Rather pathetic input from Jackie Baille - did someone mistakenly tell her the debate was about the SNP? So frustrating that she thinks a political movement consisting of various parties and people of no political affiliation and one single party is one and the same.
Scottish and British. Why would I vote to take one away? Oh yes I'll be better off. FFS!
As i said i'll be better off.
As a UK citizen I hope Scotland stays with us but I truly believe the UK would not suffer from Scotland leaving us
Feel sorry for the conservative chap. Dealing with radicals and wide-eyed liberal idealists.
Very true , he is handicapped by having to deal to in reality , as opposed to the fanciful notions of the Yes side .
If any single issue was viable , why have the Scottish Govt not done so already ?
Ah they don't have the powers ?
Whats to stop the Scottish people organizing workers cooperatives , and community ownership schemes ,,, TODAY
the reason is the same reason they are not there now ,............................................ nobody can be bothered
Damn, I hate politics and this debate solidified it for me.
57.00 Best Question. There's a great exemplar of scepticism right there.
This is just my opinion. Lets respect the decision the Scottish people make. After all they should have the right to decide their future.
They do now you got beat.Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh Once was a labour member and then she joined the Conservative party and now she is a member of the Snp.I wonder when she gets beat what party is left for her ?
I hear lots o doom and gloom and fear mongering in this debate and not addressing the base fundamentals. Cameron thought he was being smart in asking for a Referendum with a single question without any indication of how that would come in terms of form and structure rather to create fear by NOT having form and adding to the fear with HIS idea of form. The format should be seen currently as greenfields and allows the perception that the one question referendum is a guarantee that the Scots would be so frightened that they would go for the status you know and not the one you don't know. Nothing could be further from the truth, In brief the points at issue are
1.The pound sterling? It would be in Scotlands BEST interest to dump the pound and use our own nominated currency and there are many reasons we would immediately see the benefits but simply put we would have the capacity to nominate a 'float value' which is just like an IPO or Initial Public Offering on a new stock at the stock exchange. We set a value at the market value of the pound sterling and if investors like the future of the Scottish pound we get a higher value which allows for cheaper investment funds and greater expansion in rated bonds from the government. If the value falls then exports become cheaper as do services and this also allows a greater flow of capital and job creation opportunities but of course the downside is greater cost in imports and more expensive overseas holidays but there are both upside and downside no matter what occurs BUT it remains an asset that is not unduly influenced by the unlawful setting of the pound sterling like the recent LIBOR scandal.
2.Scottish oil being depleted and running out is another scare tactic as when Scottish oil was discovered the government opinion was it would be short lived and have short term value. After nearly 40 years and generating nearly 300 Billion pounds for Westminster not much of those receipts have been to Scotland's benefit.That being said Wall Street Journal states clearly as of late last year there is now now finds and new technology that was not previously available to extract oil and so there is approximately oil at current prices that will generate 1.3 Trillion pounds for Scotland. TBC
dont care about the oil ... but its OURS ........its about the right to choose our own parliament to look after the people, and work together to make a better world for us all ...not greed and food banks and millionaires We are not moving forward with Westminster their is a better way better apart
Agree completely and the corrupt Westminster system is taking the UK headlong into another war whether with Iran or Russia and it follows the pattern of all wars, Scotland needs its independence to regain the dignity denied it by the scum sucking pedophile trash in the UK parliament.
One nation England,Scotland,Wales,Ireland for ever!!!!!!!!
We can't be Scandanavians because we're not in Scandanavia.. I'm afraid that's a strawman and doesn't address any actual issue. Fuck history and tradition. Pointless wastes of time when they contradict logic or positive change.
The United Kingdom is better UNITED. We are stronger together and have one of the greatest histories of any nation in the world. Together we are an important partner with NATO, a crucial part of the Global 20 (G20) and Global 8 (G8) and a great superpower. If we are broken up we would be a laughing stock of a nation among other nations and super powers. We would be an even smaller nation and no doubt will affect us economically and military in terms of size and presence. Russia is gaining land, Argentina is on our case over the Falkland’s and we live in an uncertain world where terrorism is rife.
In the UK unemployment rate of the economically active population is 6.9% and the UK economy has grown by 0.8% in the first quarter of 2014! Not to mention the 3.1% growth in 2013...Its stance has been bolstered by falling inflation, which dropped to 1.6% last month, its lowest rate in more than four years!
I ask my fellow scots who want to vote for an Independent Scotland…. Are you really that hard up? Are you really suffering as result of being part of the UK? Don’t you think that together we can make this nation better and stronger? We have just gone through one of the biggest recessions in history and as a nation with have stood tall and have little austerity measures compared to other powerful nations including Spain, Greece and Italy who have experience riots, strikes and huge unemployment.
I urge you to VOTE NO!
STAY AS UNITED KINGDOM - STAY AS GREAT BRITAIN!
If you think a great history is one of genocide, persecution of minorities, then yes, it has a 'great' history.
Angus Blair You will find many nations experienced similar history's including Italy, Germany, France, Spain... list is endless but I guess that is why they call it history. But that is fine if you want to keep living in that past and base any future progression on the history and to keep dwelling on a terrible bloody past. To me that is history and whilst there ware some terrible atrocities, wars etc I feel that this has brought us to the stage we are now where minorities are welcomed as British citizens where we
Stop basing future prospects over a history.
Mike Razor This is terribly ironic. It is you that was dwelling on the 'great' history as a reason for remaining together, and it was for this reason I was questioning it. I see Scottish independence as an opportunity to remove the shackles of corporate dominance, and potentially form a democracy; because let me tell you, you are deeply misled if you believe in the illusion of our democracy. It has nothing to do with improving society; it is about power and the pursuit of power. Scottish independence with a small government can change this.
Angus Blair Let me tell you that I do not dwell on history. I embrace history and see it as a progression to making things better. We cannot change history and we wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for many sacrifices but also many horrible mistakes that were made. I fail to understand by the meaning of shackles of corporate dominance. These corporate companies are what keeps you and I in a job. It powers our nation and is vital for any developing and developed nation. It's a source of great revenue in which this revenue is used to pay for the NHS, Education, Defence etc.
You are willing to give up your democracy for the tenuous claim that corporations 'keep you in a job'?
The majority of the scottish people will vote in referendum 2014: NOT the independence
However, in 20 or 30 years later, the future great King Charles (George VII) will appoint a Governor General in the new free and independent kingdom of Scotland.
In 20 or 30 years later, Scotland )Alba) will be a important member of United Nations, NATO and the Commonwealth
Vote YES.. Change for the better.. Keep your culture Scottish.. SCottish Jobs for the Scots!! Send home the foreigners that don't want to conform to a British/Scottish culture.. we need to keep our non religious country safe from extremists from all religions!
The best option I think would be for an independent Scotland to become an associate member of the E.U. but not use the Euro and join also join the join the Nordic Council and the Council of Europe, the European Free Trade Association and the the European Economic Area as well. that way an independent Scotland would get the best of both Worlds.
1. An independent Scotland would have a lender of last resort by becoming an associate member of the E.U. but not use the Euro.
2. An independent Scotland would have access to E.U. markets to sell it's products.
3. An independent Scotland would be able to attract investment by other European, American and Canadian firms because of Scotland links to the E.U..
4. Because an independent Scotland would have it's own currency, but have the backing of the E.U. international firms would see Scotland as a stable place to locate there business.
5. If the Euro was not doing well an independent Scotland would not be as badly effected as other countries that use the Euro and as a result an independent Scotland would be better able to weather an economic storm.
6. Because an independent Scotland would also be a member of the Nordic Council and the Council of Europe, the European Free Trade Association and the the European Economic Area as well an independent Scotland would have a "special relationship" with other Nordic countries an independent Scotland would have a preferential treatment in terms of trading, scientific and cultural exchanges with other Nordic members it can only benefit an independents Scotland economy.
As someone who lives in England's, an independent Scotland implies an independent England. The English people , have their own history., culture and language. The English, do not want to rule Scotland , Wales, let alone Ireland .The only thing the English people want to rule, is themselves . If, I wan might add, we don't
Jackie Baillie doesn't look she ever went without food i her life.
English Labour led Scottish parliament at the time voted to go in to iraq
Voting for independence will just ultimately cause an unnecessary division between working people in England and Scotland, that are one and the same, and have built up a sense of solidarity between them. Voting to separate will just cause a 'race to the bottom' and most ordinary people won't benefit from that. Don't 'Yes' voters find it sickening to see the SNP holding the referendum on the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn? A battle which means nothing to people nowadays, and surely you'd wish to commemorate the much more recent times where English and the Scots fought and died together against a common enemy?
I don't know why the Scottish government are using the anniversary of when two barbaric armies fought each other as enemies as a reason to split, surely it just highlights the importance of working together and division causes nothing but upset - just like in Yugoslavia and the former USSR countries. Sure if you don't like the government, but who in this day and age actually likes the government? I hope that in September, the people in Scotland will vote to remain united with the rest of the British people, after 307 years of unity through war, famine, depression. Don't condemn your fellow Brits to Tory rule, stand with them and strive for better things and a better political direction.
ordinary working folks in England must be just as pissed off with everything Westminster has done and will continue to do to drive the poor down and the rich up? Surely you did not want the NHS to be sold off to tory donors - tell me if that doesn't stink of corruption along with the selling off of Royal Mail at an ultra low price so their rich chums could make millions in profit on selling the shares they bought for relative pennies? Our breaking from the Union has had to happen!. Labour put Britain into approx 7 - 800 Billion in debt, this austerity is supposed to be a measure to dig us out of trouble - bollocks Cameron and Co. have nearly doubled the debt to just under 1.5 TRILLION. Westminster struggles to pay this debt to the banks and the BoE has just started to raise the interest rates and will NOT show any signs of stopping. They have no clue what they are doing at Westminster just now hence the arrival of UKIP - I for one, don't want to see a Con/Ukip alliance - they will kill Britain off............
Peter Serman That's the inconvenient truth of the decade - a Yes vote won't see you escape from under the Tories one single bit. At least united we have a chance of voting them out. Vote Yes and you give Tories a perpetual majority rule and will dictate what spending policies Scotland will pursue.
Thank you for voting against military intervention in Syria.
Patrick harvie is always refreshing. Good man.
SORRY, TABLET AGAIN.
Well that went well, the Scottish people voted and the result was no.
Ah , the EU , the Elephant in the room . VOTE NO .
Well, it's happening the Government trying everything in their power to impose a No vote for independence by announcing Kate is pregnant again and they have even more powerful means so that a No vote will win, but then again they won't need to try anything to get a No vote because it won't happen anyway. The Scottish Yes people on the day of voting won't vote because they think there will be someone else doing it for them, which is a shame because if they really did want independence which they should then they should get out and vote on the day. But I think it's a lost cause.
anddyx Weird
"Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue as a Scottish name does it, but then neither does "Salmond" (An Arab and a Jew is an interesting combination for Scotland)
My values are based upon evidence.
"I...em, I very much like that-I might use that Jackson" :-)
Patrick Harvie, it's yersel!
Yes 2014
58:18
Jackie Baillie.Typical politician.Lady tries to correct wrongly quoted figures,and gets told NOT to interrupt.They just DONT or WONT listen to us will they?..
If, I might add, we don't want to keep subsidising them either. ENGLAND FOR THE ENGLISH PEOPLE!
Why can't you reform the union to a modern federation?
That would make perfect sense. It surprises me that you don't have that line to vote for. I'm Scandinavian, and I say this because you like to refer to us. The Scandinavian countries have been in all kinds of constellations and unions with each others during the years. How ever, we are many to think that a lot would be easier if we had a federation or some kind of common administration because now for example there are many Swedes working in Norway at the other side of the border and this double administration when it comes to taxes, pensions, health care is some times pure hell for the individual. I've been watching quite a lot of these debates just because I'm intressted and I like Scotland just like most people does. Bottom line is that not all is that green and well up here on the Scandinavian half island as you seam to think it is, think very carefully before you choose how to vote. But if you are unhappy in this relation and there are no ways to reform an hopelessly outdated union to a modern democratic federation where Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland have equal status under federal law. Then get out, but kick out both the pound and the Queen when your at it. Good luck!
Henrik Bergqvist
Scandinavia is years ahead of the UK. If the UK was like any Scandinavian country there would be no vote on independence.
You have to be in a very well paid job in the UK to actually be able to afford child care at least in the Scandinavian countries you have managed that better.
And you economies are far better managed as a whole. I a
What would Idi Amin have done?
Labour's Jackie Baillie just doesn't get it. The referendum is about independence, democracy and social justice, not nationalism. But that doesn't fit her blinkered view. All that talk about having more in common with a worker in Liverpool than a Highland laird is irrelevant, but her mind is made up and she doesn't have the ability to change that.
Nationalism really is a weird thing. Scotland is just a piece of land that someone named. Leaving the UK is going to change only one thing, the maps. You choose your future in the UK and once independent it is the same. Plus Scotland, England and Wales make each other stronger that is all. Scotland is made up of many different countries that were annexed so long ago you've forgotten that they exist. Dont leave us we like you :(
My honest opinion is that I hope the people in Scotland will vote 'No'.....
United and prosperous we stand thru good times and the bad
And my last words are and if history is correct - 'it was a Scot who United the Kingdom' and what a shame for another Scot to destroy it! ............
hope there is another referendum so England can get its rightful independence too
VOTE YES
You cannot pin your economy to single malt whiskey and oil.
The Universal Credit costs and rehab for heroin addicts will empty the treasury.
Completely.
Europe will abandon you.
Freedom for my sovereign brothers and sistas
If your finance is better than England’s then you don need the Barnett formula!!
Removing Trident the best national defense ? O.K Then !
Nationalism serves no purpose for Scotland, particularly when it already enjoys the best of both worlds--being an autonomous nation yet being a part of the larger UK, which brings enormous benefits to the people of Scotland. A vast number of Scottish businesses operate across the UK. So many Scots live in other parts of UK. This makes no sense. Scotland is extensively intertwined with other parts of the UK that it would only pose more challenges and would most certainly lead to disintegration of what is otherwise a thriving nation.
With barely a population of 5 million people (and as many golden eagles), Scotland is dwarfed by most large cities. With all due respect, small countries just do not look viable. One only needs to take a look at the neighboring Republic of Ireland. It is an utter joke. Too small to be practical. Most Irish work in the UK!! Republic of Ireland should rather return to the Union of Great Britain and make it even greater. Republic of Ireland would still be of course able to play England and beat them at Wembley (if it still exists).
As much as I love and admire Scots, they will be doomed to hell should Scotland indeed breakaway from the UK. It just will not happen. It cannot happen. It must not happen. It should not happen. It ought not to happen. It is nothing but a political propaganda by the Scottish Nationalists.
UK Geography (for those who are confused):
========================================================
UK = Great Britain(61) + Northern Ireland(2) - Republic-of-Ireland(5)*
Great Britain = Scotland(5) + England(53) + Wales(3)
========================================================
*Republic-of-Ireland officially broke away from the UK in 1931.
The numerals in the parentheses indicate the respective population (in millions) of each constituent nation within the UK. Scots must not ruin the latter equation lest they will go astray and rot in hell like like the Republican Irish. Big is better. Big is beautiful. Batwaara (Partition) is ugly. One only has to look at the Indian Batwaara and not repeat the mistakes that they made.
***** Your on the right lines but unless you are a Nationalist troll your not likely to convince anyone, I am Irish and in fact regret we left but I am a small minority and even I do not wish to re-join now.
Your statements are wrong Ireland now has a higher standard of living then the UK average and 'most' Irish people work in Ireland.
The point you Should make is that this took the best part of a century to achieve and so most people in Scotland and their children are likely to have worse lives if the vote YES
India like Ireland was never a united Political entity, except under British rule, Scotland was, and unlike Ireland and India made a free choice to be British, so the message you should give is that it was the right choice and they should stick with it not that it's not viable to be a small state there are plenty successful states that are smaller
You sir are a moron and have no idea what you talking about, nor do you have any understanding as to how an economy works or democracy or prosperity. By the looks of things you know nothing on this subject.
West Brit
Thank you my Irish brother. You are being truthful. And I love that. At the end of the day, we are all one big family. Language and religion should never be a recipe for the division of humanity.
kyle gibson My dear Scottish nationalist, you are entitled to your opinion. I am no politician or economist but one thing I do know is that unity is strength. That is not only a time-tested phenomenon but also in full agreement with the laws of thermodynamics should you care to look them up and heed them.
Let me add that partition of a nation only serves the politicians and bigots-alike not the average citizen. This rule also applies to our Scotland. Nonetheless, if > 75% of Scots vote for breakaway, then they are doing the right thing. That will never happen, at least not in this millennium!
I am not a expert on all subjects of thermodynamics!!....but I do have some understanding of balance between Mechanical, Chemical, Radioactive and thermal balance from my early days as a Motorcycle Technician. If you are talking about economic thermodynamics? I believe in equality...prosperity and civility in mankind. I don't believe in poverty inequality and uncivilised societies caused by a hostile element. It's only when people challenge the establishment that the best things comes from it. Vote YES for the best things!
We would not be Independent .......Brussels and Frankfurt would still be in
charge !!
It's now 2020 and this is now a turning point for Britain it won't be called the United Kingdom anymore as Scotland will soon be Independent, N Ireland will soon join Ireland so Wales and England will have to be called rUK (rest of the UK) or little Britain.
Just an awkward American, passing through, don't mind me...
Byron Henry You must have taken my advice and looked up your Scottish Heritage !
If You are a betting man the Scot's are less emotional then us Irish I think in close race NO would be a profitable bet
West Brit Lol you are right about that.
vote yes
cant wait to be a free country
Wall Street Journal states 'Who cares if Scotland cant use pound sterling' and this article tells you why. Peg the Scottish pound to the Englsih pound. blogs.wsj.com/economics/2014/02/14/how-scotland-can-keep-the-pound/
On a purely practical level...what does Scotland have ......(.hint :tourism).
Yup, tourism and nothing else which would compete in the global economy.
I fear Scots have watched 'Braveheart' too much.
ps.... I'm a Scot .
No No No!!!! success ...!!!!!!!
YES
I see that the head William Wallace head has been found. ATOS has certified him fit for work.
Im voteing yes and for no voters most them hopeing for labour too win election next year as for rest no voters move down south vote torys next year at election
never gonna happen. scotts cant do it.
B.R.A.V.E.H.E.AR.T.
condescending unionists...