To think wealthy people will leave Scotland?

[Juniperberries25]

..if the YES side win a referendum? Surely a lot of successful businesses and people who are wealthy/ comfortable/ have paid into a pension will not want to risk all their assets becoming worthless? Or am I missing something? Higher taxes, unknown currency, economic uncertainty, hard border, national security concerns etc

It would cost BILLIONS to set up new Government bodies (eg DVLA, Passport office, MI5, MI6, Amy Navy, RAF to name a few) so surely taxes will be much, much higher than rest of the UK?

Just to clarify I am NOT a fan of Boris but surely he will be long gone by the time Scotland actually became independent after YES vote (probably at least 10 years, just look at the BREXIT timeline).

Please don't flame me, I am just wondering what people think as I genuinely don't get how the benefits outweigh the risks.

I don't think Scots are anti english or bigoted. Until they drink too much - then it could appear and we do have a problem with drink.

I lived in Glasgow for a few years doing computer science degree and masters there. It's many years ago now, and at the time the only sectarianism I saw first hand was the Celtic/Rangers related stuff. As a football fan I went to several Rangers games without anything especially nasty, until the Celtic games. Maybe it's a small minority of people? But it doesn't feel like it when you are there.

I really can't foresee a truly independent Scotland. It's thoroughly anglicized, closely coupled economically and socially with us (English), plus very very dependent financial support re-directed from the richer parts of England. With the decline of North Sea Oil (and the huge associated lost opportunity for which I'd agree Scotland missed out on) I'm not sure who else would fund it.

Many English people don't like Scottish people, many Scottish people don't like English people, but that's the way with neighbors, always has been always will be, that's OK!!

@LetitiaLeghorn People do not vote yes because they do not like Boris Johnson. They vote yes because he and others come to Scotland to campaign for the no vote, and in the process show they know zero about Scotland. Boris Johnson did not even know we had a separate legal system.
So people telling the Scots they are going to have to set up lots of infrastructures if they vote yes when they have zero understanding of what already exists helps the yes vote. Because it is clear they have no clue what they are talking about.

And calling Scottish people bravehearts and similar might play well with English people against independence, it does not play well in Scotland. Not least because most Scottish people know the Braveheart film is ridiculously inaccurate, laughably so.

It does make me smile that the concern is always about rich people moving. Whereas in England businesses are folding because they can not recruit poorer people to work. You need us too you know. Without us businesses struggle.

I had to laugh at nicola saying that bojo was a threat to democracy. This coming from someone that none in her party may question or criticise. Audit Scotland highlighted discrepancies amidst public spending, contracts etc, cue Katie forbes, we may cut the budget for Audit Scotland. This is censorship snp style so much issues swept under the carpet. God forbid independence its like a dictatorship now. We aren't all face painted saltire waving loons in Scotland.

Basically you'd vote for independence based on ifs and hopes. Seriously has Brexit taught people nothing?!

@Northernsouloldies Do you really think ridiculous statements like that help persuade people?
Boris Johnson's government has become a byword for corruption and sleaze. He was fined for breaking the law. And is now breaking the law by overriding an international agreement.
Comments like that persuade no one sensible who is planning to vote yes.

I very much doubt anyone sensible is planning to vote yes.

Antelopevalley, I'm not trying persuade anyone, I'm pointing out that the don't accept responsibility for any of their many fuck ups and actively try to hide things, instead of nicola pointing the finger down south surely it would be more productive to sort out the myraid of fuck ups the sg have created. 😁

I don’t doubt things are bad, but it really is very similar or worse in England at the moment and similarly, worse than it’s been in living memory. There has been underspend on infrastructure and health systems across the world (it’s not universal there are great health systems but it’s probably mostly an issue of “lean model” healthcare) and UK has definitely bought into this approach as well. Some of what I covered is definitely not directly comparable because of scale etc. but do you really think the Westminster gov are doing a better job than Scottish Gov? They look to me like they are doing way better, in that context. English people are really angry with Westminster atm and I think they are 100% right to be, it’s got to be the worst UK gov in recent history.

That’s just not true though. There are people across all parts of society who support independence.

I work in financial services and one
of the business leaders I used to work for - well educated, highly intelligent, very successful career, sensible in every respect - is a big independence supporter. In all honestly that finding that out made me stop and think differently about the whole debate.

You can’t just write it off as “yes voters are stupid”, we need to stop letting emotion take over.

@Thebestwaytoscareatory
They were the first government in the world to declare a climate emergency (good to me, others may disagree)

Then you must be in favour of not using fossil fuels, so no north sea oil. Isn't north sea oil one of Sturgeon's main planks, if not the main plank, of paying for independence?

@Cryofthecurlew
I’ve never yet met an unfriendly Scot in fact when I go back to England I wonder what’s wrong with everyone they seem so miserable.

Say what now? I've lived in England for over 60 years. I've yet to meet any unfriendly English people. Whether in my local area, out in the shops or at work, everyone always has a cheerful word and a smile. I would have categorically stated that 100% of English people are delightful, kind, sunny tempered and relentlessly friendly and cheery but you sound a bit of a downer when you come back to England so you'd prove the statement to be untrue. Best you stay in Scotland so England can keep it's 100% happiness record.

Do people on this thread think there will be much of a swing one way or the other this time round?

Potential No voters- what new piece of information/change in circumstance, if any, would lead you to vote yes?

Potential Yes voters- what new piece of information/change in circumstance, if any, would lead you to vote no?

Agree I’m in London and people are friendly, good community etc but maybe it’s impacted by the person experiencing it

Last referendum I voted yes, this time will be a reluctant no.
My OH ( who is English) voted no in the first referendum and will be voting yes this time.

It is the Brexit type shambles that I don't want to endure again.

There are loads of Asian and black people who consider themselves English! Honestly, im thinking your posts are just bonkers hyperbole.

But coverage by whom? To be honest, who is interested if English people receive abuse from Scottish people? In whose interests,would it be to write about it?

So sad my mum and grandad are Scottish I go to visit quite often. I was thinking about moving there but I can't stand the hatred towards the English accent. I was asked am I going home to see my pal Boris 🤣🤣🤣 Who the fuck likes Boris? Loads of snidey remarks I hope they do get the independence many Scots hate us. I see Scotland as part of my identity but because of my accent I will never belong there.

So many comments from yes voters are just responded to with insults and ridicule.

The question if what would change my mind about voting yes? If the EU said Scotland was not eligible to join the EU.

@LetitiaLeghorn I suspect you have never read any research about this. Asian and black English people are far more likely to see themselves as British and not an English identity.
At one time I think Scotland in general had a higher level of racism than England. That has I think reversed.

Our recent history should tell us that it's really hard to see how these things will play out. I'm English and live in the SE. However, one of my grandparents was born in southern Ireland (1906), and another was born in India (1911). Both born of English parents that were living in what was then part of the empire. Looking at some old photos, it's hard to believe how much changed and how quickly.

I'd not rule anything out based logical thinking on costs alone :) Look at BREXIT for example!

Boris Johnson did not even know we had a separate legal system.

😂😂😂 Of course he knows Scotland has a separate legal system. Dear god, I don't support Johnson but seriously, get a grip. He even has a Scottish Law Officer as an advisor - I believe all PMs do.

Oh, well then, when you phrase your thinking in such a fair and well-balanced fashion, I can see how you've come up with your conclusion. 😂

Interesting! So is there anything that could change to switch your mind back to yes do you think?
Or for your husband to vote no?