For me the yes campaign didn't tell me what they were going to do. The biggest sound bites were there are more pandas in Scotland than Tory MPs and vote yes to never have another Tory government. That didn't wash with me I wanted to know what the currency would be, did I need a new passport, how much would that be. Could we travel to other countries with ease or would we need a visa. When would our embassies be up and running. As the SNP have been in charge of the NHS for years why are they not sorting out the £350 million short fall that has nothing to do with Westminster. What happens to road tax, where do we pay it. What would happen to the BBC. These were the questions I wanted answers to and the yes campaign didn't answer them to my satisfaction. So I voted no.
So I guess there will be no more "Scotland the brave" from now on?
I actually had a bit of hope that the Scots had enough fire inside them to do something radical and exciting...Essentially I think they were scared stiff of going it alone.
How can the rest of the UK respect Scotland at all, now? Oh, and good luck to the three main parties getting a settlement through that includes more powers for the Scots and the retention of the Barnett formula - if the political classes think we'll let them drive that through unscathed, then I guess they have yet again learnt nothing from this process.
Looking in from the outside, I must admit I'm slightly surprised any European region would emphatically reject the chance to be an independent nation state. Even a small region like Montenegro with a population of only 600k which was inextricably linked to it's bigger neighbour Serbia, and shares the same language and culture, eventually decided to break the tie and go it alone, for better or for worse.
For me the yes campaign didn't tell me what they were going to do. The biggest sound bites were there are more pandas in Scotland than Tory MPs and vote yes to never have another Tory government. That didn't wash with me I wanted to know what the currency would be, did I need a new passport, how much would that be. Could we travel to other countries with ease or would we need a visa. When would our embassies be up and running. As the SNP have been in charge of the NHS for years why are they not sorting out the £350 million short fall that has nothing to do with Westminster. What happens to road tax, where do we pay it. What would happen to the BBC. These were the questions I wanted answers to and the yes campaign didn't answer them to my satisfaction. So I voted no.
Can answer a coupe of the for you.
Road Tax - To the Scottish Version of the DVLA
BBC - You would stop receive BBC, unless a commercial deal was struck although this would probably have made them pay channels in Scotland.
Because the UK parties changed the No option to No with devo-max which was always going to be the preferred middle option for most.
They now have to deliver on The Vow.
And considering some of the rhetoric from our English brethren that may not be as easy as possibly could be hoped. We will know by March next year so it could be more interesting times ahead
The 3 main UK parties elaborated on what No meant... as they made clear in The Vow. That means continuation of the Barnett formula and more powers for the Scottish parliament, and a fast-track timetable to be delivered by next year.
Because the UK parties changed the No option to No with devo-max which was always going to be the preferred middle option for most.
They now have to deliver on The Vow.
The Nat's were in the lead in one or two polls at most. Even without the panic of the Westminster Elite it would have been virtually impossible for the Nat's to win
The 3 main UK parties elaborated on what No meant... as they made clear in The Vow. That means continuation of the Barnett formula and more powers for the Scottish parliament, and a fast-track timetable to be delivered by next year.
and of course politicians always keep their promises, don't they ;-)
The Nat's were in the lead in one or two polls at most. Even without the panic of the Westminster Elite it would have been virtually impossible for the Nat's to win
I would have been very surprised if the result would have been much different even if the extra powers had not been on the table. It does mean however that they need to come up with the goods so should be an interesting few months ahead
because even a stupid person can work out that there is no socialist magic money tree and basing your economy on a declining income stream is not a good idea
It was a solemn Vow, signed by all 3 leaders. Their sincerity and personal integrity are at stake.
It would be the biggest breach of trust ever if they renege, which will have serious consequences for all 3 parties in Scotland.
I think very few voters voted no because of the last minute olive branch from Westminster. Most had made their minds up before then and are fully aware that it is very doubtful they will come to pass.
As for comparing us to montenegro and calling us running scared. The ties we have to the union are much deeper than anything they have had. In my eyes it isn't being chicken to try new things but logical to carry on as part of a nation who has clout in the world
I think very few voters voted no because of the last minute olive branch from Westminster. Most had made their minds up before then and are fully aware that it is very doubtful they will come to pass.
As for comparing us to montenegro and calling us running scared. The ties we have to the union are much deeper than anything they have had. In my eyes it isn't being chicken to try new things but logical to carry on as part of a nation who has clout in the world
Certainly, but countries like Montenegro and the numerous other newly independent European states were part of much bigger empires for many hundreds of years. I suppose the one key difference about Scotland is that it was not a colony of the UK in the way Ireland was, and in fact was a colonial power itself at one point.
Comments
Looking in from the outside, I must admit I'm slightly surprised any European region would emphatically reject the chance to be an independent nation state. Even a small region like Montenegro with a population of only 600k which was inextricably linked to it's bigger neighbour Serbia, and shares the same language and culture, eventually decided to break the tie and go it alone, for better or for worse.
Road Tax - To the Scottish Version of the DVLA
BBC - You would stop receive BBC, unless a commercial deal was struck although this would probably have made them pay channels in Scotland.
They now have to deliver on The Vow.
And considering some of the rhetoric from our English brethren that may not be as easy as possibly could be hoped. We will know by March next year so it could be more interesting times ahead
My ballot paper asked YES OR NO...simple as that.
The 3 main UK parties elaborated on what No meant... as they made clear in The Vow. That means continuation of the Barnett formula and more powers for the Scottish parliament, and a fast-track timetable to be delivered by next year.
The Nat's were in the lead in one or two polls at most. Even without the panic of the Westminster Elite it would have been virtually impossible for the Nat's to win
I would have been very surprised if the result would have been much different even if the extra powers had not been on the table. It does mean however that they need to come up with the goods so should be an interesting few months ahead
It was a solemn Vow, signed by all 3 leaders. Their sincerity and personal integrity are at stake.
It would be the biggest breach of trust ever if they renege, which will have serious consequences for all 3 parties in Scotland.
You do remember that we are talking about politicians?
ROFL
Funnily enough when I look at those 3 clowns sincerity and integrity are not what immediately spring to mind..
I have to say that if you take what those herberts say at face value I can see why you were so easily led astray by Mr Salmond.
Yes I am proud to say I chickened out of having a Salmond cock and Sturgeon hen running the country!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/UK_Oil_Production.png
Always thought there was something fishy about those two...
I think very few voters voted no because of the last minute olive branch from Westminster. Most had made their minds up before then and are fully aware that it is very doubtful they will come to pass.
As for comparing us to montenegro and calling us running scared. The ties we have to the union are much deeper than anything they have had. In my eyes it isn't being chicken to try new things but logical to carry on as part of a nation who has clout in the world
I didn't get the fish connection until this morning !!:D
Certainly, but countries like Montenegro and the numerous other newly independent European states were part of much bigger empires for many hundreds of years. I suppose the one key difference about Scotland is that it was not a colony of the UK in the way Ireland was, and in fact was a colonial power itself at one point.