"I believe in a Scotland free from Westminster interference."
"I believe in Scotland becoming a democratic, self-governing country..."
"I believe that Scotland is good enough to be an independent nation, trading and building harmonious relations with the rest of the world"
What has the Scottish Independence referendum got to do with the rest of Britain? Well, a lot as 'Scotland' is currently a country that is a part of my nation, so I am affected by its future.
But it's not my place to say how the Scottish people should vote - that's their choice, but I do think they need to be weighing the right factors when making this decision, and appreciate its importance.
Is it important? Hell, yes.
Referendums come along very infrequently in the UK (maybe they'll be every other week in 'free-Scotland' ... who knows) and it's not as though there will be another one on this matter next year, or a year later. Or even 5 years. Or 15. This decision will be a commitment for the next 50 years. So decisions should be based on that sort of time-scale, not purely on what's happening now, and for you. The consideration needs to be about what the UK and Scotland will look like in 10 years time; under different governments, and in different political, social, and economic climates. This isn't about "today"; it's about many tomorrows.
Nor should it be seen as a typical political choice. Here, the SNP have been canny in trying to make it look like a choice between Westminster and Holyrood (it is) but dressed it as 'Tories' or 'SNP' (which it's not). It's not, because this current Tory government ends next year (even if they are returned, it won't be this government) and the SNP won't be the same SNP in 2025 as it is in 2014. This is a long-term decision, so don't base it on what is happening today in either place. It's not about that.
Promises, promises.
To steal a line or two from young Mr McAvoy ... don't base your decision on whether you think you'll be better or worse off after independence. Politicians always promise the Earth and deliver dirt - pre-election promises soon forgotten post-acceptance. Will you be better off with an independent Scotland? No-one really knows. There's speculation, threats, predictions, forecasts, and hot-air. But don't think independent Scotland will suddenly become a land of milk and honey. Life just isn't like that. If the complaint is that "if we're 'Better Together' then why aren't we?", then if it's better to be ruled by the SNP, why isn't it better now? With devolved powers, how much has life changed for you?
Promises are made and broken. This is political life. That won't change whether you're in Britain or out of it. So don't let "I'll be better off voting this way" sway you. We're always being told "you'll be better off if you vote for me" - it's rarely true; frequently false. Don't let promises influence your vote.
Make your Decision
If you can't trust politicians(!) then what can you do? Vote for what you believe in. If you truly believe that staying within a united Britain is the way forward, then vote 'No'; if you think a separate Scotland is for you, then vote 'Yes'. Do it for those reasons; do it for your own reasons; do what you think is right for your nation.
From my own point of view, Great Britain is a nation made better by its parts; by their separate identities, joined in a union. This is a nation that has been together through hard times, great triumphs, divisive issues, and amazing human achievement, for over four hundred years England and Scotland have been united. That's the level of decision we are now looking at.
And those opening quotes? Well, they're not from me. I took them from here (with very small amendments) - if these words sound familiar, then we can apply them as much for this referendum as we can for the idea of a United Kingdom out of Europe ... it's the same argument (although that union is backed by only 40 years of history).
We are all governed by a group of people distant from us; ideologically, geographically; politically; ... but if we want to split Scotland from Great Britain for *those* reasons, then the Scottish Islanders can say just the same about Holyrood. Let's give them the independence they want too. And then the Highlanders ... what does the City of Edinburgh know about those people? In fact Glasgow would be better on its own too? Maybe your district? Your street? You? Let's make as many divisions as we can. I've heard every man is an island.
Or something like that.
