Independence SE Poll

[r055]

Found this quite amusing...

Despite Darling’s panic-denial, Westminster’s response has more than a whiff of clammy desperation about it. George Osborne abruptly announced he would shortly unveil a range of new powers and benefits Scotland could look forward to in the event of a no vote. Increased powers of taxation. The ability to control the sea. Banknotes made of liquorice. Free stickers. If it votes no, Scotland will also receive the Angel of the North, the Eden Project, Stonehenge, the Cutty Sark, Alton Towers, a souvenir pen, a backrub and access to the new royal baby at weekends. It’s all a little undignified, like a man on his knees clutching his girlfriend’s ankles and sobbing that he can change. “It’s no’ you, it’s me,” replies Scotland, in its newly exotic foreign accent, before slinking off to have exciting sex with Greenland.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... -windows-8

[Fluoxetine]

more powers for the Scottish parliament were promised by Cameron when the arrangements for the referendum were set out 18 months ago -

I guess it's the timing of this recent push to outline these powers - If they'd got their act together and done it a few months ago, perhaps it would have swayed more people.

As it stands, there's already a couple of hundred thousand postal votes cast - Perhaps some of the borderline 'Yes' voters would have voted the other way if they'd been more forthright.

Also, If you believe everything you've ever heard about Scotland from Westminster, why on earth is Chancellor Osborne promising more spend on Scotland, if it's already a massive burden on the UK economy?

[OlberJ]

That's the clincher for me. We're being told everything in the white paper is uncosted and unviable yet vote no and we'll give you just that.

It's nonsense and it seems most people can see tgrough it.

[campbell]

"Better Together snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" - SniffPetrol *



* only kidding

[scott_e]

Five Live Wake Up To Money telling me this morning that "capital flight has begun". Money and investments are moving out of Scotland.

[Fluoxetine]

Found this quite amusing...

Despite Darling’s panic-denial, Westminster’s response has more than a whiff of clammy desperation about it. George Osborne abruptly announced he would shortly unveil a range of new powers and benefits Scotland could look forward to in the event of a no vote. Increased powers of taxation. The ability to control the sea. Banknotes made of liquorice. Free stickers. If it votes no, Scotland will also receive the Angel of the North, the Eden Project, Stonehenge, the Cutty Sark, Alton Towers, a souvenir pen, a backrub and access to the new royal baby at weekends. It’s all a little undignified, like a man on his knees clutching his girlfriend’s ankles and sobbing that he can change. “It’s no’ you, it’s me,” replies Scotland, in its newly exotic foreign accent, before slinking off to have exciting sex with Greenland.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... -windows-8

I have a love/hate relationship with Brooker's work, but that's quite amusing.

Obviously partisan, but here's Irvine Welsh's take as to why the labour supporters aren't towing the party line.

http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2014/09/08 ... r-of-love/

[scott_e]

"The question is would it be better ?
If the point of politics is to make things better for as many as possible what is there in an YES vote that would do that?
Economically there is very little due to instability of change."

[Lazydonkey]

That's the key for me. it could be better but i see us needing a brand new breed of politicians to make it happen.

We need a group of (ironically) independents who aren't tied to party politics and just want to get the job done.

My concern is that despite having PR we haven't seen any such politicians coming through. Maybe a yes vote will energise this new breed but i have my doubts.

[David]

I'm firmly in the no camp, but with the prospect of a yes vote my enthusiasm to deal with the challenges has gone up. The prospect of a NO vote was very much business as usual with little enthusiasm to argue the case other than point out the negatives. If it is a YES vote then it'll be about making the most of the situation and staying on step ahead (while at least half the population are patiently waiting for Utopia).

[Corranga]

If it is a YES vote then it'll be about making the most of the situation and staying on step ahead (while at least half the population are patiently waiting for Utopia).

That's a problem in itself. For independence to work, it'll take everyone to work together in order to make it work.
My feeling, is that those voting Yes will simply wait around for the promised unicorns, rainbows, and Royal baby at weekends whilst the No voters might well be the ones that see things falling apart and step in to pick up the pieces.
Certainly a majority of the Yes voters I know seem to think the world owes them something, and aren't the type to actually do anything about it - well, except tick a box on a piece of paper!

[StiflerMR2]

Sadly, I don't get to vote but I still take an interest in the referendum as I still own property in Scotland and my entire family resides in it.

This morning I read a (imo) balanced article on why someone is voting no, I think its very much worth a read over lunch:

http://duncanstephen.co.uk/why-i-will-b ... no-thanks/

I'm not looking to change or influence anyone's vote, I just thought it was nice to see a well balanced article for once.

-Mark.

[neil]

Sorry to disagree but I wouldn't class that as "well balanced"

[jason]

Regardless of the referendum result, it's hard to imagine how things will proceed afterwards. It's clearly not going to be a landslide outcome… just how do a 50:50 polarised population come together to pull as one?!

[tut]

Cameron just announced that Scotland will be allowed to set their own Income Tax levels.

All three Leaders rushing up to Scotland tomorrow and missing PM question time.

tut

[Shug]

Sorry to disagree but I wouldn't class that as "well balanced"

Yup - I agree with most of what he says, but it's a pretty heavily weighted opinion and there's no attempt to discuss the opposing views.