Should Scotland be an independent country?

ibiza

Macca83 wrote: »

A big definite NO to independence from a Scot over here and to note, the majority of my friends, family and colleagues will be voting no as well.

Nice of you to explain why. From experience most of those advocating a NO vote without justification, seem to do it based on a footballing team preference.

Now be honest, do you follow a Glasgow based team who recently have let you go on wonderful bus tours through quaint & picturesque remote villages, to play that village's football team?

Crisiscult

2 common themes amongst anti independence supporters (other than the too poor one)
1. Youz are nationalists and want to build borders. You'll be run by Brussels. This is an argument of inconsistency? Why? Because not to be a nationalist would mean you couldn't argue that being run by Brussels or integrating further with Europe was a bad thing in itself, yet you are.
2. Only SNP want independence and they didn't get a majority of votes. This is undemocratic. This is a red herring (possibly Ignoratio elenchi?). Look up democracy on wikipedia and you'll find many forms. You might put them on a spectrum of most to least democratic. Where would Westminster's system be on that spectrum? A referendum, an example of direct democracy, is pretty democratic. The other parties should have agreed to a referendum in the previous parliament and let the people decide.

Celyn

spacey2012 wrote: »

I can not wait, they will be liquefied like Greece and any "oil money" they rave on about wont even pay the interest on the bail out in 2015.

They think they can trust the EU cabal more than their fellow Celtic relations in England because we live over a line drawn in the dirt they deserve all they have coming.

That's a bit spiteful, don't you think? And it's not exactly a good attempt at sensible political analysis either.

markewan2001

I note your comment above.
You are aware that the NO side are doing exactly the same thing,aren't you?
The difference being that they have actually very much fewer informed and enthusiatic supporters

hazelwoods

There are links to this poll from both pro and anti independence sites. I think the biggest effect of this is just that so many more people have voted. There is still a "balanced" share of yes and nos.

The biggest movement in this vote is due to people actually finding out the facts. Those are not available through the mainstream media as they are too scared to go against the government. Not all are as brave as Martin Lewis.

As people find the facts and listen to reasoned argument, not Better Together's fearmongering, they begin to realise that a YES vote is the only way for Scotland to take control of her own future. I don't know any country that has become independent and has then turned round and said "We shouldn't have done it. Can we come back please?"

When Better Together are asked for clarification of what NO would mean they are unable or unwilling to answer. Not because they don't know, but because their plans would have a terrible effect on Scotland's economy.

Don't be fooled. Westminster only has Westminster's interests at heart. And they are petrified that the people of Scotland are actually listening and thinking for themselves. As people find out the other side to Westminster's scare stories they are beginning to change their minds. We still have 9 months until the referendum and voters are beginning to take note.

Don't write the YES support off yet. There is still a long way to go.

ailuro2

This site has always been neutral, so I was a bit dismayed to see the note about social media being used.

Off the top of my head, fb likes for Better Together's page are about 96K, Yes Scotland have around 105K, so it's a pretty evenly distributed social media representation - that is , of course, assuming that it's one real life person per facebook account - some people have multiple identities, but if it's being counted by ISP numbers ( to prevent duplication) then perhaps it's just that one side has more nom de plumes than others?

I would suggest that everyone with a vote should approach the Yes/No question with the same method as you would choosing any long term decision - such as moving home, changing jobs etc. The Martin Lewis guides on here will give you an idea of what to ask yourself - is it right for me, do I really want it, can I afford it? ( i.e. don't base your vote on whether you hate Alex Salmond, or your allegiance to a particular football team, cos that is just not clever)

Get online and do your homework - the info is all out there.

Do you really want a decision with long term consequences to be made by other people FOR you?

Whichever way you vote, I would like you to do what's best for you, and for the people of Scotland.

( p.s. I've done my homework, I've been reading stuff online instead of believing what the teatime news tells me, and I know which way I'm voting, but I try and keep an open mind and I still ask for a positive reason to stay under Westminster rule - because I can't find one yet, it's all scare stories. I also predict that once Scotland is independent and our neighbours find out that Scotland are not "subsidy junkies" as protrayed by the mainstream tv and newspapers, that the rest of the UK will demand they are treated better too, instead of being fleeced for the benefit of the rich 1% at the top)

We ALL deserve better from our government. Please don't hold it against me for recognising that and trying to do something about it.

:beer:

zagubov

Evelyn2014 wrote: »

You know, that is a fact that has never ,ever crossed my mind? Much as I dislike Thatcher/Cameron etc...I've never once thought about their nationality. I've heard so many times about 'these bloody Scots, Gordon Brown, Ali Darling etc" who caused the *Scottish* banking collapse (yet another myth) but I've never once thought these things about anyone else?:cool: That's quite a strange one..

It's even creepier than that. Blair's born in Scotland and lives mainly in England but he's Scottish to his critics. Alistair Darling's born in London and lives in London but he's also Scottish to his critics.:eek:

chocaholicmanc

I'm engaged to a Scot (living in England) whose parents live in Scotland and I have really only heard the negatives (they do not want independence).

My main bug bear is that Scots living anywhere but England, N. Ireland and Wales get to vote. Just because the powers that be assume that those living elsewhere in the UK would automatically vote 'no' should not mean that they don't get a say at all! After all, it does ultimately affect them too. You can't just pick and choose who gets to vote based on the outcome you want!

wiogs

chocaholicmanc wrote: »

I'm engaged to a Scot (living in England) whose parents live in Scotland and I have really only heard the negatives (they do not want independence).

My main bug bear is that Scots living anywhere but England, N. Ireland and Wales get to vote. Just because the powers that be assume that those living elsewhere in the UK would automatically vote 'no' should not mean that they don't get a say at all! After all, it does ultimately affect them too. You can't just pick and choose who gets to vote based on the outcome you want!

Eh? What makes you think that?
My Scottish brother in law lives in Australia - he can't vote.

And you do realise it is not just Scots who can vote?

gm_xone

chocaholicmanc wrote: »

My main bug bear is that Scots living anywhere but England, N. Ireland and Wales get to vote.

That isn't correct. Those who are eligible to vote are:

• Anyone aged 16 and over on the date of the referendum, and who are...
• British citizens resident in Scotland.
• Commonwealth citizens resident in Scotland who have leave to remain in the UK or do not require such leave.
• Citizens of all EU countries resident in Scotland.
• Members of the House of Lords resident in Scotland.
• Service personnel serving in the UK or overseas with the armed forces who are registered to vote in Scotland.
• Crown personnel serving outside the UK with HM Government who are registered to vote in Scotland.