In my opinion though, seeing this as a "worry" stems from the complete misconception that we "know what will happen" to the UK as a whole over the next few years or decades. We don't, and frankly, from what we *do* know it isn't looking particularly good.

There's this idea that a vote for "no" means a vote for "everything staying the same 'cause it's fine"... when the reality is, the country (UK as it is, Scotland, England / rUK, whichever) is headed towards some massive changes no matter what.

My own opinion is that the current apparent improvements / stability of the UK economy hinge almost entirely on an illusion surrounding a London-based economic bubble (things everywhere else are still **** and getting worse, but the figures are skewed by the city) and that bubble will, INEVITABLY, burst within the next decade. When that happens, the economic "immune system" will inevitably react by siphoning any and all available liquid assets south and towards London.

Currently, independence is the only option available to protect Scotland from bearing the absolute worst of that effect.

I'm under no illusions that things won't be tough in an indy Scotland, for a few years or maybe even decades. I just happen to believe that far from being "safer" to stick with the Union to avoid that... it would actually be far worse.

leave Scotland alone!!!

http://nyulocal.com/wp-content/uploa...tney_alone.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_CAqGJ_sg...ker-crying.jpg

I say again I hope being from Scottish ancestry from my Dad that the Scots vote no to independence.
However like Lostalex,even a few months ago, I would not have expected to see things become this close.

The frantic talk now of more powers for Scotland for a no result is in many ways insulting to the Scots,
All the powers that could and would be devolved should have been revealed and detailed ages ago.

They then should have been another option on the ballot paper for independence as the third way to go.
If I was a full Scot, would I believe George Osborne and co as to this, definitely not.
Would I even in any way at all trust them either,again definitely not.

This is the danger with referenda, Margaret Thatcher never liked the idea of holding referendums, she believed elections were the only referenda needed and then elected representatives made the decisions.
David Cameron has presided over the granting of this referendum and what it asked,he now may preside over the breaking away of a Nation from what was the United Kingdom.
I also don't really see how we can still even be called the United Kingdom should Scotland vote yes.

The next 10 days are going to be exciting.
Really as Lostalex said, a year ago he wouldn't have believed this possible,neither did I and I can see that it may well be that Alex Salmond wins the day on this now next Thursday.

What a crisis that will then create for the present Govt. and particularly for this weak and 'potentially dangerous for the UK' Prime Minister.

Even with a no vote, the implications of it being this close should... SHOULD but probably won't... Be a massive prompt for some reflection in Westminster. I'm not sure there's any point in history, except maybe during the worst Thatcher years, where a vote for independence would have been this close to 50/50. The current govt. are absolutely shafting everyone outside of the London area and there are huge inherent problems with the entire system. Even the governance within England is too centralised.

I really don't know how I'm going to vote anymore. I thought I was against independence for the longest time but now I'm on the fence.

What would William Wallace do? :hehe:

I'll just nip down the road and ask him

Nothing wrong with that
so many are
with stupid front pages for
British papers today.

Good luck with your choice Z, you are a very level headed person who I think has a good heart too.
Whatever choice you make, for or against independence,one thing I believe now, Scotland has a great future as part of the UK or going its own way.

It is a respected Nation, it hasn't been treated well by UK govts overall but if it is a yes to independence,I am sure Scotland will prosper and if it is a no to independence,my hope is maybe this will have shaken the main parties in Westminster to realise they cannot nor must not continue to walk over Scotland and take it for granted in the future.

Most Scots if they do their homework will find that they are currently favourably served by the Union and so why fix it if it aint broke. From free prescriptions to free Student grants to free old peoples homes Scotland does quite well when compared to their English cousins.

But it's not really about the head it's more a feeling from the heart, it's about a Country deciding it's own fate, making it's own laws and standing (or falling) on it's own feet.

This is a great opportunity for Scotland to finally decide it's own fate and I for one hope they achieve Independence but have a feeling they will narrowly vote to stay in the Union.




.

i think they should do whatever is best for scotland.....it will come down to economics mainly....trade, taxes, self determination, the pound etc
I really wish them well if they do go it alone....fantastic country on the whole. perhaps as an independent nation they may have a better chance of tackling the issues of crime drugs binge drinking as the rule makers will be closer to home. its never an ideal situation to be run by another country.

This is a big part of the issue for me. There are issues in Scottish towns that are genuinely unique to Scotland (and I've lived in a comparable northern English town), and I don't think they'll ever be tackled properly without significantly more power to do so based closer to home. London politics will never come close to a solution and current devolution isn't enough - several recent policies (ATOS, bedroom tax) are compounding the problems. It doesn't help that many of those issues are firmly rooted in Thatcher's 1980's either...

I heard the queen is very cross :hmph:

Yes under the Rules
has agreed to stay out of it.



http://news.sky.com/story/1332713/pm...campaign-panic

http://media.skynews.com/media/image...-1-626x352.jpg
The PM and the Labour leader
are both going to Scotland
so no PMQ's for those 2,
tomorrow
Shouting Harmen will take over the Labour side
and W. Hague for Conservative for PMQs

If there's one sure-fire way to increase the Yes vote polling percentage... it's by sending these three up to Scotland :joker:

What the yes campaign are promising. They can't be certain about it.
The risk is to high, leaving the Uk would be disastrous for Scotland.

I hate how some Scottish people need Scotland to be independent to validate themsves as Scottish.

I'm Scottish, and Scotland being an independent country isn't going to change how Scottish I am.

I heard over 100 MP's are planning to rush up to Scotland in a last minute desperate attempt to shore up the No vote.

The Yes camp are calling it " The Charge of the sh ite Brigade"



.

Yes they do not need
the PM or Ed


its enough to say feck 'em
Vote Yes for freedom from Westminster tosh

vote for a fairer future

be positive:spin:

The fact that Cameron dare not set his foot in Scotland is the most telling thing imaginable

its beyond uncanny

Vote no, for security and a better opportunities.

Vote yes if you want scotland to fail.

fail at what?

fail at letting some etonian twats make our rules?

Fail at Education, employment, security etc

Scotland is much stronger when it's part of the United Kingdom! Why anybody would want to break away from a union that's been working together since 1707 is beyond me.

It's been stated that Scotland will gain more powers in Westminster,
What the yes voters are promising CANNOT be promised.

Once scotland leave there is NO GOING BACK. I'm not willing to take the risk for my future and my families future.

.

but you are happy to have nuclear weapons a few miles down the road, happy to go into illegal wars that have caused terrorism at home and abroad?


jesus wept :facepalm: