How would you vote? To be rid of Westminster and the Tories, or to stay in the union? Just watched the debate and saw a "labour" politician defending Tory policies. It's obvious why the Tories can't find a scot, they haven't got any. Seems to me that no representation in government in Westminster is a good reason for independence.
Short Term? It isn't just about who's in power today though. I would vote to stay in the Union. I'm sure there will be many nationalistic rather than economic votes though making it a close run referendum.
with my own limited knowledge id vote no. a stronger union must be better longer term than the short termism promises alex salmond is full of. He has seemingly spent oil revenue 3 times over. i didnt watch the debate last night but it seems alistar darling got a mauling, lets hope the scots dont base there own countries future on the basis of an hours live debate however
Based entirely on the arguments presented so far I'd be voting 'No'. Not only is the 'Yes' campaign not giving answers to key questions but the thought of being run by Salmond would not appeal to me.
Yes. Without a doubt. I don't see the 'No' campaign doing anything other than highlight the negatives and risks (and according to some over egging them). Whilst Salmond isn't great, he's the man who has been voted in to represent Scotland. Cameron hasn't, the Tory party haven't and they've got the power over a country and people that consistently don't vote Conservative.
My Scottish friends, tell me they trust Cameron less (worst of two evils) but are still voting no. However they just want to be told THE TRUTH by both parties, then they could make an informed judgement. Its a no from me tho.
The thing is, it's been said there's no turning back. What are the chances of an independent Scotland really being successful in the medium and long term? Ireland, Portugal and Greece have similar population sizes and their economies are tanking.
I have two big issues with the 'yes' campaigners: 1. The damage that the debate is doing within Scotland between friends who are now polarised on opposite sides of the argument. 2. Folks who can trace their blood-roots back centuries to clans such as Macdonald, Campbell, Menzies and the like, but whose business has now taken them elsewhere, including England and the Commonwealth, have no right to vote, whereas those who have lived in Scotland little more than a few months, do get the right to vote. What damage this campaign is doing to Scotland itself!
Define success though. Countries of similar ilk like Sweden, Finland etc are prospering - maybe the fact those you mentioned are in the Euro is a big factor?
My two best friends are English and lived there 20 years, both are voting no, their kids are voting yes!
Totally wrong on both counts there Mario. Salmond did answer all questions fully. What exactly did he not answer. Now dinna say what money we will be using. It will be the pound. FACT. Darling at last agreed there is nothing to stop us using it. Huge turn around from him and his stance 3 weeks ago. What else did Mr Salmond not answer Mario? And as for Scotland being run by Alec Salmond. Well Mario you have just proved what little you know. This Independence vote is absolutely nothing to do with the SNP and Alec Salmond is taking the lead roll because he is first minister. After we achieve total Independence another General Election will be held to elect a Scottish Government and there are absolutely no guarantees that Salmond or any SNP candidates will be elected. More probably Scotland will elect a Scottish Labour government and the SNP will be consigned to being one of the minor parties in the land with only the Torries and Lib Dems having less seats if any. So please dont be confused over Scottish Independence and the SNP/Alec Salmond. Entirely two different things. Other than that you Mario are not such a bad lad. Hope no hard feelings mate.
I'd vote to **** off, without a doubt. To be fair the entire UK ought to be independent of Central London and the Home Counties
Undoubtedly yes - chances to be rid of the tories dunt come round very often. Seize the (wonderful) opportunity with both hands. Best of luck Arabian Ian.
This raises an interesting point about just how much of, what may become, the former UK feel alienated from the Westminster machine, all colours, all parties.
Watched a bit of the debate and read a few articles. Sounds like Scotland want to keep all the oil and gas, keep the pound, keep all the benefits from being in the EU that were brokered in much wealthier times by a UK Prime Minister, but only pay in what is expected in these times of austerity, pay none of the UK's debt, pay nothing on defence (just use England as a great big older brother to hide behind. Let's be reight you can't see Scotland from the rest of the world, and unless the Faroe Islands decide to invade, we make a hell of a buffer) and generally live the life of Riley. If those were the terms, I'd definitely be voting yes. It's Utopia. I think the reality is going to be a bit different to that though and the Scottish public are being spun a yarn. Why the **** would Europe's financial superpowers let Scotland get away with any of what they're proposing when it only suits Scotland and actually damages the income of other countries? When it comes to the actual negotiations rather than a TV debate, Salmond will find he doesn't have nearly as much power and influence as he thinks he has. Salmond is telling representatives of the English government how it's going to be without giving any thought to the fact that those are the people who will have to approve every he is promising. The same is true when negotiations start in Europe. As for foreign trade, who is going to underwrite any deficit when Scotland can no longer cite the Bank of England as guarantors and they no longer hold the same credit rating? I think Salmond is well capable of winning the vote, but making good on his promises is going to be impossible and if the yes vote wins there'll be a hell of a lot of pissed off Scotts in a couple of years. "We're going to have this and we're going to have that." "No you're not sunshine."
That's the vie of my mates kids, its not that they don't like the English (well err lets move on there) its they don't like the tories