What do you think of UK Government’s Scottish Referendum YouDecide tool? NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

Today, the UK Government is launching YouDecide; an online tool that helps you to see what remaining in the United Kingdom offers you and your family.

Here's what UK Government has to say:

"We have created YouDecide ahead of the Scottish independence referendum on 18 September, to help you explore what the United Kingdom provides and what this means for your home, your family and your work life. YouDecide has been designed so that you can drill down quickly and simply to get facts on the issues that matter to you.

"We all know that the independence referendum is the most important decision to face voters in Scotland in 300 years; it's a decision that affects everyone in Scotland and the rest of the UK. The information you find on the YouDecide tool is informed by the facts and figures published in HM Treasury's Scotland analysis programme and also reflects UK Government policy.

"There is a wealth of information on the referendum subject. We want you to be as fully informed as possible ahead of making such an historic and permanent decision.

"There are of course a number of things we cannot answer, because no one knows the full impact that independence would have on all areas. Splitting a 300 year-old union would be complicated and many new agreements would need to be negotiated. We can't speculate on unknowns but we can give you the facts about the existing UK policy.

"Together as England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland we have created one of the world's most successful unions. Our UK Government policy is that we want to see Scotland remain part of the UK because we believe that by staying together we have much more to share and much more to gain."

Have a look at YouDecide and let us know what you think of the tool and the issues surrounding it by posting your thoughts below. Do you feel you have the facts and information you need to make an informed choice about Scotland's future to remain in the United Kingdom or to leave and become a separate state, permanently, or not? You can also look at the UK Government's In the Know factsheets series and booklet: What Staying in the United Kingdom Means for Scotland.

Thanks,

MNHQ

[OldLadyKnowsSomething]

Yes, he was a bit blunt, but I can see his point (not that I'm accusing you of being a bad parent at all!) If you've looked at all the info flying around, and you really believe that we're "better together", then of course you must vote no. I honestly can't see why you'd believe that but I'm resisting the urge to go on a rant.

I had heard that there was a petition re iShetland, open to anyone in the world with an internet connection, but it got about 1000 signatures. Given there's more than 22000 on Shetland alone, it's not indictative of a massive desire to go it alone.

[MichelleMumsnet]

This thread has now closed. The Cabinet Office would like to say, "Thanks for your comments. Follow @youdecide2014 on Twitter or facebook.com/youdecide2014 to continue the debate."

[FannyFifer]

It was such a great thread.

Can't wait till we are Independent next month.

[Igggi]

If it's closed can I still post on it?

[OldLadyKnowsSomething]

What a way to feed the conspiracy theorists! We mention the vast new oilfields which are not being reported by the MSM, gvt closes thread... Did they serve a DA Notice on MNHQ?

[FannyFifer]

Just a coincidence I'm sure.

Dave was just in Shetland for a wee holiday, def not hushing up a major oil discovery.

Nothing to see here, move along now.

[Igggi]

Ooh, I didn't know about this at all but I'll be sure to tell everyone I know now

[OldLadyKnowsSomething]

Oh, of course it's nothing more than co-incidence, I don't really go for conspiracy theories. Dave's meeting with oil execs flying in from all over wee holiday coming a mere two days after the test results came back, showing reserves were at least three times bigger than expected and that the Clair Ridge may be the biggest field in the world, total co-incidence. And all those rig workers being sent home on full pay, and told to keep their mouths shut with a return date of after the indyref late September, was just their bosses giving them a reward for all their hard work while the rig got some routine maintainance. Of course I believe that's all co-incidental.

[OOAOML]

Well if they were hushing it up because we talked about oil fields presumably they'd have deleted the thread? Maybe followed by discrediting user names by fabricating posts about giving our children fruit shoots and owning up to possession of a loo brush? In all seriousness though I don't think a visit from Call Me Dave and his entourage is very clandestine.

See you around no doubt!

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I didn't realise that UK gov could decree threads closed, or does that rather odd statement just mean they are no longer monitoring the thread?

[OldLadyKnowsSomething]

Plainly it's not locked, as we're still posting on it, so I guess yes, "closed" means they won't be responding any more. I do hope they got what they wanted. :)

[OldLadyKnowsSomething]

news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/284650-how-to-watch-stvs-alex-salmond-vs-alistair-darling-referendum-debate/ If anyone outside the STV area is interested in watching tonight's indyref debate between Salmond and Darling, it's being livestreamed globally. See link for details.

[FannyFifer]

Mumsnet have a post up about the debate I see.

[MichelleMumsnet]

Hi everyone, by closing the thread we have just stopped promoting it around the site but you are more than welcome to continue posting !