Scottish Independence?

[tubby1]

Big fat no from me. I'd be packing up & heading south if we get independence .

 

[brucea]

I think that everyone has already decided what they will vote, and there are relatively few floating voters to persuade.

 

[sally2]

This is the simplest of questions to answer and it is yes you either believe Scottish people have the skill talent and confidence to run Scottish affairs or you dont believe they can. I have every confidence in Scottish people and believe they are talented and more than capable of running a country. The argument has moved on in any case, its not about if Scottish people can run their own country or not as stated by Alistair Darling [head of the better together campaign] who said Scotland is more than capable of being a successful independent country its more about why change the system that has been relatively successful for 300 hundred years, which is a totally different but more competent argument than the one being fostered by the right wing and usually ill informed press and dare i say it some politicians at Westminster. For those who dislike Alec Salmond there is no guarantee that in and independent Scotland that either he or even the SNP would be the majority party in any case, they are currently the vehicle to attain independence. For those who are informed there has been some coming together of other parties who will argue for more powers for the Scottish executive basically everything will devolve bar defence and foreign affairs should Scotland vote no at this time. We live in interesting times with the euro in a mess, the British economy one of the worst in the western world, bankers still awarding themselves massive bonuses, no clear leadership at Westminster, wars taking their toll, other european countries breaking up etc. Something has to give eventually.

 

[Marydoll]

This is the simplest of questions to answer and it is yes you either believe Scottish people have the skill talent and confidence to run Scottish affairs or you dont believe they can. I have every confidence in Scottish people and believe they are talented and more than capable of running a country. The argument has moved on in any case, its not about if Scottish people can run their own country or not as stated by Alistair Darling [head of the better together campaign] who said Scotland is more than capable of being a successful independent country its more about why change the system that has been relatively successful for 300 hundred years, which is a totally different but more competent argument than the one being fostered by the right wing and usually ill informed press and dare i say it some politicians at Westminster. For those who dislike Alec Salmond there is no guarantee that in and independent Scotland that either he or even the SNP would be the majority party in any case, they are currently the vehicle to attain independence. For those who are informed there has been some coming together of other parties who will argue for more powers for the Scottish executive basically everything will devolve bar defence and foreign affairs should Scotland vote no at this time. We live in interesting times with the euro in a mess, the British economy one of the worst in the western world, bankers still awarding themselves massive bonuses, no clear leadership at Westminster, wars taking their toll, other european countries breaking up etc. Something has to give eventually.

Im a yes, i think its a scary prospect, but change can be scary, i do think as a country we are capable of managing our own affairs, feel the fear and go with it.
It wont all be plain sailing but im on board for the ride.
I also find charging down to a big solid xc fence scary but it would never stop me doing it.

 

[bgb]

I will be 17 in September 2014 so can vote. My dad is Scottish, my mum English but they are not influencing my decision.

What is, is the vast lack of info on what will happen to important daily services such as NHS, BBC and even the title United Kingdom? I know there is still over a year to go, but with such an important decision to be made, people need facts (and true ones at that!) on which to base opinions and their vote.

SNP party members have been into my school, and many of my friends' schools, proclaiming their brilliance without giving us any substance to be confident voting YES.

I'm sorry, but until the future has been laid out and the economy is safeguarded against potential failings (think Ireland..), it's a NO from me.

 

[sally2]

I will be 17 in September 2014 so can vote. My dad is Scottish, my mum English but they are not influencing my decision.

What is, is the vast lack of info on what will happen to important daily services such as NHS, BBC and even the title United Kingdom? I know there is still over a year to go, but with such an important decision to be made, people need facts (and true ones at that!) on which to base opinions and their vote.

SNP party members have been into my school, and many of my friends' schools, proclaiming their brilliance without giving us any substance to be confident voting YES.

I'm sorry, but until the future has been laid out and the economy is safeguarded against potential failings (think Ireland..), it's a NO from me.

As a visitor to Eire regularly i would not say that it is a failing country and in my own case have found it be a place of opportunity. Yes it has had a very rough time as has UK with the biggest deficit in Europe and now now borrowing more than it was under labour. Ireland will work its problems out and come through It probably faster than the UK. There are many signs that Irish economy is starting to heal which is more than can be said for the UKs. People in this country should really stop down crying other countries and wake up and smell the coffee and understand that this country is in a very real mess and that only radical change will correct it.

 

[brucea]

I will be 17 in September 2014 so can vote. My dad is Scottish, my mum English but they are not influencing my decision.

What is, is the vast lack of info on what will happen to important daily services such as NHS, BBC and even the title United Kingdom? I know there is still over a year to go, but with such an important decision to be made, people need facts (and true ones at that!) on which to base opinions and their vote.

SNP party members have been into my school, and many of my friends' schools, proclaiming their brilliance without giving us any substance to be confident voting YES.

I'm sorry, but until the future has been laid out and the economy is safeguarded against potential failings (think Ireland..), it's a NO from me.

Well said lass. Great to hear such maturity from a young first voter

 

[Spook]

I the event of a yes vote, will 16 year olds then be eligible to vote in general elections thereafter?..... What happens to their right to vote in the event of a no vote? Staus Quo?

 

[Mohawk61]

for bgb.....have a look at this for some info: http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2013/03/19/top-10-unionist-myths-debunked-banned-then-re-debunked/

Re the question of 16 and 17 year olds voting after the Referendum....one of the things that an Independent Scotland will be able to do is to look at things like this.....personally speaking I don't see why 16 and 17yr olds shouldn't be allowed to vote in all elections/referenda....they are old enough to leave school, have sex legally, get chucked out of care (for those unlucky enoiugh to be in the care system), get a full-time job & pay tax, get married etc.....so why should they not have a say in the future of their country? I think the whole "age of eligibility" thing needs revisiting....the legal limits are way out-dated for a modern society.

 

[Mohawk61]

Originally posted by sally2
As a visitor to Eire regularly i would not say that it is a failing country and in my own case have found it be a place of opportunity. Yes it has had a very rough time as has UK with the biggest deficit in Europe and now now borrowing more than it was under labour. Ireland will work its problems out and come through It probably faster than the UK. There are many signs that Irish economy is starting to heal which is more than can be said for the UKs. People in this country should really stop down crying other countries and wake up and smell the coffee and understand that this country is in a very real mess and that only radical change will correct it.

Abso-bloody-lutely.....

 

[bgb]

Ireland had to be bailed out. The UK hasn't, so Ireland may recover faster as they haven't had to make the same level of cuts to spending but they messed up more than us. We are very lucky to live in a developed and democratic country which is secure and stable compared to other European states. I think we should stop beig so ungrateful and wake up and realise how we really do have the best of both worlds.

I have watched that video a few times and each time my NO decision is backed up. It only provides wishy-washy answers, pokes fun at anyone who isn't emphatically waving a saltire and some points are just ludicrous. For example: GDP was £145billion in 2008 and the banking crisis cost £66billion. The suggestion that Scotland could have survived this without monstrous cuts to spending and harm to the economy is quite shocking.

And isn't a leader meant to inspire a healthy lifestyle and respect? Come on, look at the man. His side-kick smothered in foundation isn't much of an improvement either.