To wonder how you're voting in the Scottish Referendum and why?

[deeedeee]

a month away from the vote thought it would be interesting to ask

( no bunfighting , derision or soundbites please. just yes or no and why. feel free to post more than once with different reasons. No links unless independent fact or opinion, nothing from the official campaigns)

I'm a YES

because Westminster's failed to protect the vunerable and the UK's me first politics have taken us down a particularly nasty path. An independent Scotland leans towards to left and can potentially choose a better route. And if a change happens in scotland then I think that that could inspire a change in the direction of politics in the rest of the UK.

Why do you think your job and house price are at risk?

I'm voting No because -

I've not been convinced by the economic arguments;
I think there's very little substance in the white paper. It's easy and popular to say we'll create a more equal society or a fairer society - who wouldn't agree with that? - but I've yet to see how that will actually be achieved;
I view the UK as my country so don't buy into the "we are dictated to by another country argument";
A yes vote will result in years of massive disruption and huge unnecessary expense.

I've been to a few big public meetings and debates organised by both sides. Ove entered these being a probability yes but open to suggestions.

After listening to a hall
full
of better together campaigners
laugh at the thought of their own country being left with only shortbread and Andy Stewart records to support themselves, I am left wondering how we got to the stage where so many people have such little faith in their country.

I think something we all need to remember is the track record of the Scottish Government since devolution. It has managed its budget sensibly (this week announced that work to upgrade the A9 would start 6 months earlier than planned because the new Forth crossing is coming in under budget) and made choices which Scottish people actually benefit from (scrapped the prescription charges scheme, which barely raised any money anyway, scrapped the bridge tolls), and the parliament is made up of real people who have had real jobs.

In the same period the career politicians in Westminster have sold off our Royal Mail cheap to their friends (who have since sold it on for huge amounts of profit), privatised huge swathes of the now market-driven NHS, covered up abuse of expenses and some truly horrific criminal paedophile activity, and they're currently plotting the downfall of our human rights.

How can that be a "safety blanket"? How can it be OK to ignore the poverty effected by these massive "austerity" cuts - cuts which have done nothing to reduce our deficit, as the UK national debt has risen in the face of them. How can that possibly be desirable, better and worth keeping?

I recommend notesfromnorthbritain.wordpress.com this blog.

Some of the claims on this thread are absolutely wrong.

It was not ludicrous for the rUK to rule out a currency union.
The NHS is being privatised under the SNP's watch now. It is devolved and nothing to do Westminster. If they were truly against privatisation they would not have let it happen.

The quickest way for universities to start charging is to enter the EU, where the SNP's ridiculous claim that they can continue to charge English, Welsh and NI students will be thrown out.

The wings over Scotland publication is a one-sided 'yes' publication. Here is one response to it, which has an attached reedit thread debate

scotslanding.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/dissecting-wings-over-scotlands-wee-blue-book-and-why-im-still-a-no-voter/

Notes from North Britain, seriously?

I'm a No

And I will add that I can understand that you are worried about the value of your house and the security of your job (I don't know why, but I accept that you are), but I also feel that the security of my entire quality of life is at risk from Westminster. I feel that a government elected by us and accountable to us is more likely to fight to look after my interests.

What's wrong with notes?

You recommended wingsoverscotland, which is sheer trash.

ffallada, could you provide some back up to this statement " The 'no' campaign has already said if it is a no vote they plan to try to remove this sector from scotland as 'punishment'." ?

I am voting yes.

It has taken me a long time to decide 100%, but I will be voting YES!

Either vote is a leap in the dark to some extent. If NO wins, things won't stay the same either.

I have spent a long time researching the economic side of things and I am convinced an Independent Scotland is viable, and will offer many positive opportunities.

Exciting times.

Wings over Scotland, or should that be Wings over Bath seriously?

chubbyhez That's awful, I don't understand why some No voters belittle those of us who have faith that our country can go it alone. iScotland would be 14th richest country in the world and rUK would be 18th. We wouldn't be left with nothing.

Have you been to a Yes meeting? It's a very positive atmosphere. Undecided and No voters are encouraged to go. There was a No voter at one of the meetings I attended, and their question was answered whilst it was made clear that they, of course, had every right to still vote No if they chose to.

It's good to see what both sides have to say, either way.

The fact that it is called notes from North Britain.

If you believe they Scotland is an actual country vote yes, if you believe it is North Britain then vote no.

That's what it comes down to.

With regard to "Notes..>" most recent blog post, Sam Borrowman of the Adam Smith institute argued recently that sterlingisation could actually be a very powerful force for good in the country, encouraging prudence and stability. I know London bankers wouldn't be a fan of that, but I would.

The Scottish Giberbent, as is, does indeed have devolved powers over the NHS; aa far as tgey can with the money allocated from Westminster

I'm so undecided and was swayed no this week by Sir Ian Woods comments re oil (live NE Scotland).

These threads are interesting and helpful.

Numanoid, yes I've been to Yes events and Women for Independence. And George Galloway 'just say naw' tour, which was interesting.

Numanoid, it's not that I think we aren't capable of going it alone it's just that I don't believe we need to or believe that any benefits from doing so would make it worth while.

I like Britain and think its probably one of the best countries to live in anywhere in the world. Why would I want to change that?

Patriotism isn't reserved to the yes campaign.

Blackhandbag Sir Donald Mackay has responded to Wood, hang on until I get you a link.

No one answers my question about oil. If better together are rubbing their hands together at the thought of Scotland not having as much oil as initially thought; how does that impact on the bank balance of the UK if there's a no vote?

( no bunfighting , derision or soundbites please. just yes or no and why. feel free to post more than once with different reasons. No links unless independent fact or opinion, nothing from the official campaigns)

Do wings over scotland and notes from north britain qualify as independent opinion I wonder?

I think maybe it's best to stick to independent facts?

I think one of the main problems is that we're talking about the future. How many facts/certainty actually are there?