This is something a little off-topic for my blog, but here in Britain in the last couple of weeks it's been impossible not to get caught up in the excitement that is happening north of the border. Tomorrow Scotland will hold a referendum to decide whether it becomes an independent nation, or remains part of the United Kingdom.
Every news broadcast leads with this story, and a large proportion of radio and TV programs are devoting much of their time to the issue. The No group is running scare campaigns about Scotland leaving the warm, cosy bosom of English-led tradition. The Yes campaign is warning voters that this referendum is the last chance to establish independence - if the vote is No, it will be a very, very long time before there is another opportunity to make such a decision.
The voting age has been lowered to 16 to allow tomorrow's adults a say in this significant issue. Only current permanent residents in Scotland may vote - so all those Scots living south of the border do not have a voice.
It's been fascinating to watch Westminster caught with its pants down, suddenly realising there is a very real chance of the 'United' Kingdom dissolving. Quite frankly, the Poms are panicking.
The polls are currently pretty much neck-and-neck:
- 50% say they will vote NO
- 45% say they will vote YES
- 5% are still undecided
Pollsters are saying it's just too close to call.
Scotland is one of our favourite places - such a beautiful, wild place with gloriously low population density. Magically, once you cross the border from England to Scotland, there is room to breathe.
A fairly significant part of me really wants Scotland to stick it to the English! And quite honestly, things could definitely be improved. There are terrible statistics about life expectancy in some parts of the country and about poverty. Would life in an independent Scotland be better? Quite possibly. To counter this idea, Westminster this week has been frantically promising a higher level of devolution for Scotland, and more funding for social welfare, if it stays in the union.
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| Image courtesy of Pinterest - Infographics: Scotland's Referendum |
And on the positive side, Scotland has a lot to offer the world as an independent nation. There are a lot of misconceptions about the country and its level of wealth. Actually, it's quite well off. It has top class education facilities. It's rich in natural resources.
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| Image courtesy of Pinterest - Infographics: Scotland's Referendum |
The risks of a Yes vote? Uncertainty about Scotland's place in the EU, as least temporarily. Probably financial wobbles that will be felt beyond Britain. General feelings of vulnerability in the rest of the UK.
Whatever the outcome, I think this whole process has been good for Scotland, and for Britain generally. Even if the vote is No, things will never be the same again. The union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will no longer be rock-solid.
I wish the people of Scotland all the best in this important decision.
POST SCRIPT: This might be helpful in understanding the whole question!
POST SCRIPT: This might be helpful in understanding the whole question!
My Friend Avril is a big YES supporter and has a Sottish Blue Flag on her cottage gate - much to chagrin of some of her neighbours ...I hope it is a YES. About time I say. Social justice has always been an issue for the Scots. I do think th e No vote will just make it through though. Too many scared of the unknown.xxx
ReplyDeleteYou could be right Kris, but I was just saying to Kevin the other day - if it were England voting on a topic like this, I'd expect people to lose their nerve at the last minute, and for there to be fairly resounding 'No'.
DeleteThe Scots however... I'm thinking they might actually go the other way. They're a very stoic people - it's not called Scotland The Brave for nothing! :-)