First off, I’m not going to make any bones
about it. I’m for the Union, I was born in UK, all be it in the Scottish part.
I’ve lived in the UK all my life, I grew up immersed in UK culture: watching
British TV, listening to British music, but with all the access I needed to
Scottish culture. In the past, could Scotland have been better represented
across all media? – absolutely - but my kids are growing up in different
cultural environment. All told I’m British and happy with that.
Looking back,
every time (or at least all that I can remember) in every UK general election I
got the MP I voted for, so it could be argued that I’ve been more than fairly
represented in the Government. Yes, I haven’t always had the Government I hoped
for, (nor, indeed, have some of those I’ve voted for lived up to my hopes and
ideals) but Scottish Government hasn’t always been the one i wanted either(nor
lived up to my hopes and ideals).
So I’m not in favour of Independence, but you
know what, I could live with it, if it was the overwhelming view of the
Scottish population. However I don’t believe there is that view and here’s my
fear. In September we go to the polls, and if we vote for Independence it’s
pretty much a one way ticket, there no second vote in five years (like a
general election). I believe this is a crucial decision, and one we should be
absolutely sure of. If even 1 vote more than 50% of those voting vote yes, we’re
going independent. We could end up with a situation where the majority of the
population don’t want independence but the pro yes vote is better mobilised and
gain that 50%+1 vote required. My worry is the real danger that, just for
polling day, enough people may be persuaded to vote yes, even though they are
not fully convinced.
The polls have always shown that there is no
real appetite for independence in Scotland. The BBC recently carried an article
(here) Showing the opinion polls of recent months where those in favour of
Independence has sat at about 35% More interesting are the Historical polls
(here and here) that clearly show that on the whole support for Independence has rarely
ever risen above 50% There is just no overwhelming appetite for Independence in
Scotland. If that ever changes, that there is consistent overall support for
independence, then even if it’s not my choice I’m happy to accept it. But we
should not be making an irreversible choice unless were absolutely sure it’s
the right choice.
To me this split is like a divorce and I don’t
believe any sane person decides to get a divorce if they’re only half sure it’s
the right thing to do.
If your
one of the 30-40% that have always been for independence go out and vote for
it, but for any of you not sure, I urge you to think about this carefully. We
don’t get to back away from it if it doesn’t turn out the way we wanted or
expected but If appetite grows for independence then the chance will come again
to vote yes.
Its been pointed out to me that it can be read as im not wanting people to make an informed choice. Id like to make it perfectly clear, That if you are undecided and think Independence may be a good idea. Then i whole heatedly encourage you to go out and research it fully. My aim was only to state my fear that i think( and its my opinion that is respouted No propaganda) The YES campaign are out to fool enough people with lies or at least half truths, who in the past(based on the opinion polls) have never had any desire for Independence into voting for it on election day. I stick by my main assertion that I believe "Independence should come about through an overwhelming desire for Independence" Some thing that i do no believe exists or as ever exists based on the linked polls over many years
ReplyDeleteWhat a great article! Personally I have nothing against the idea of independence, but I remain unconvinced by the, largely emotive, arguments of the yes camp. A sense of patriotism and/or a dislike or mistrust of the UK govt is just not enough for me. The yes camp, in my view, have failed to set out any kind of clear plan for independence and as things stand, there are just too many uncertainties. Where the future of our country is concerned, such uncertainty is unacceptable. A yes vote means there is no going back. A no vote means there will likely be another chance for independence in the future, and, hopefully with a much better thought out plan for an independent Scotland.
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