Scottish Independence Referendum 18th September.

[Foreigner]

Cameron adamant NO will win...

Herald Scotland

 

[alieninperth]

surely you're not suggesting that people voted blindly above the line!

The .51% that Ricky Muir got is still considerably more that the 780 'lords' who sit in the UK upper chamber (88 of these are only there because their great great etc grand papa was a bigger bully/brown noser that our great great etc gramps). To ruin a Chuchill quote, democracy is the worst form of government, apart from all the others..

 

[burmans]

I believe that the Australian Senate does act as a true house of review, and temperance on the two major political parties, which rule the swing in the house below them.

Consider the proposition that a two part political system is, in effect, quite similar to a communist one! :shock:

Both (communist and two party political system advocates) claim democratic validity by virtue of a binary choice -
Communism: a Yes or No vote
Two Party System: a Party A or Party B vote

The more I consider it the more I support Proportional Representation. Get away from this stupid idea that governments have that they have a mandate when they only get 40% of the vote, and move towards a real life system when you get a real majority of support by genuine negotiation.

 

[Foreigner]

Cameron pleads "Don't Go Breaking My Heart":

Cameron urges Scots: don't rip apart UK and break my heart | Herald Scotland

 

[Princess Fiona]

It's saturation coverage on breakfast tv here. I'll be going to Glasgow later today and assume it's going to be even more intense on the streets there. I'm actually glad that I'll be able to stay detached from the campaigners by telling them that I can't vote
This is the latest editorial from the FT
Powerful stuff I think, although unlikely to have much of an impact north of the border
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/b5c48254-376e-11e4-bd0a-00144feabdc0.html?segid=0100320

 

[Buzzard]

Based on the people you have or will get to speak to, can you report what the feeling on the street is - yes or no for the split?

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

It's saturation coverage on breakfast tv here. I'll be going to Glasgow later today and assume it's going to be even more intense on the streets there. I'm actually glad that I'll be able to stay detached from the campaigners by telling them that I can't vote
This is the latest editorial from the FT
Powerful stuff I think, although unlikely to have much of an impact north of the border
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/b5c48254-376e-11e4-bd0a-00144feabdc0.html?segid=0100320

Thanks for being our roving reporter in the Ground Princess Fiona.

By the sounds of things, the atmosphere in Scotland presently must be quite intense with political comment.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Here's a Yes shop

There is saturation television and newspaper coverage. Yesterday I was in Buchanan Street which is one of the main shopping streets in Glasgow. Seemed to be a large vocal contingent of Yes campaigners and a few small Better Together ones.
The recent visit of Cameron, Milliband et al has raised some heckles on both sides of the debate but I have to say my feeling is that the Yes vote won't quite get there.
A bookmaker was on TV the other day and said (paraphrased) "People say whatever they feel like in opinion polls but look at where they put their money". Current odds are 2/5 for 'No' and 12/5 for 'Yes'.
Also implied in this is the so-called "shy Tory" Syndrome. This is where people were afraid or ashamed to say to a pollster that they were voting Conservative but were quite happy to do so in the privacy of the polling both. I definitely get the feeling that there are a lot of "shy No" voters here. Not least of all because some on the Yes side are quick to accuse the No voters of not being on Team Scotland and being in fact anti-Scottish.

 

[tuapekastar]

I'm wondering what fallout may occur post-referendum, that is, is the losing side going to take it very badly. I don't for a second envisage civil war or even widespread violence on the streets, but it seems approximately half the population is going to be unhappy, ranging from extremely so to just mildly annoyed.

 

[whatmeworry]

Will they get Doctor Who out for the Yes vote?

 

[Foreigner]

I'm wondering what fallout may occur post-referendum, that is, is the losing side going to take it very badly. I don't for a second envisage civil war or even widespread violence on the streets, but it seems approximately half the population is going to be unhappy, ranging from extremely so to just mildly annoyed.

And also, will such referendum come up again?

 

[amaroo]

Hopefully the intervention of common-sense/threats/realism from the banks, exchequer and business will get the NO vote over the line.

BBC News - Scottish independence: Business row marks weekend campaign

A row over the intervention of business leaders and banks in the Scottish independence debate has intensified on the final weekend of campaigning.

First Minister Alex Salmond said the Scots would not be "bullied" by oil companies, supermarkets or London.

It comes as chief economist at Deutsche Bank David Folkerts-Landau said voters and politicians had failed to grasp the negative consequences of independence.

 

[Foreigner]

First Minister rules out another referendum - Once in a (political) generation vote, hopes for a more-than-a-slim majority:

Salmond: it's a once-only vote...I won't call another indyref if it's No on Thursday | Herald Scotland

 

[whatmeworry]

When David was asked a question about Scottish Oil.

[video=youtube_share;f8XIeAZEWYM]http://youtu.be/f8XIeAZEWYM[/video]

Oh and thanks to John Oliver, I learnt the Unicorn is the national animal of Scotland.

 

[burmans]

I'm wondering what fallout may occur post-referendum, that is, is the losing side going to take it very badly. I don't for a second envisage civil war or even widespread violence on the streets, but it seems approximately half the population is going to be unhappy, ranging from extremely so to just mildly annoyed.

Doesnt that describe most politics!

 

[Dalescott]

This referendum has seen some very interesting press articles. One that I saw was the BBC photo, that spoke of the attendance at a YES rally. The BBC stated that the attendance was low at around 500 people. But the reverse photo that taken showing the crowd, show a large crowd in the 500 people range.
You can see it here, Wings over Scotland
The press coverage is in my opinion very one sided, this applies particularly to foreign coverage, most of which is originating out of London. Even my 85 year old Father in Law (Scottish Born and Bred) has commented on this. The effect may be, that this will sway voters, but one thing is very clear, the Better together (The No Camp) have run a very complacent campaign. The vote will go down to the wire, and could go either way, but I expect that it will go with No.
When we were there in June, the Yes people were everywhere. People that I have known for over 35 years and were in their 60's and older, some who were ex Royal Navy persons were in the YES camp, the NO camp was no where tone seen.
There has been talk of the Shy Tory, I put this to a friend, he laughed, "Are there any Tories left in Scotland" was his reply. But he pointed out that the undecided are now very low, and he believes that most if not all have made up their mind. I asked him what he was voting, a broad smile appeared on his face, and at the top of his voice he yelled YES. (It frighted the S>>>T out of me, I wasn't expecting it)
The problem now will be that there is expectations of DevoMax, and it is clear that some Tory MP's in Westminister will not accept this. Scotland has a much better Health system and Education system than England and Wales, due in part to the extra money that they get (around 1500 pounds per person). They are very aware of this down South and there is growing resentment about this. This was made very clear to me, by my Sister in Law who lives in London, while in Scotland she got an eye infection, while the wait down south is 2 to 3 weeks, she phoned to GP, at 9.00 am, and saw him at 12.00, and the script was free in Scotland.
I think that what ever happens on Thursday, this is not the end, there are expectations and promises have been made to the Scottish People, if they are not kept, there will be trouble.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm wondering what fallout may occur post-referendum, that is, is the losing side going to take it very badly. I don't for a second envisage civil war or even widespread violence on the streets, but it seems approximately half the population is going to be unhappy, ranging from extremely so to just mildly annoyed.

Put it this way:
If the answer is No I wouldn't go out after dark in Glasgow.
There is rampant tribalism here which is at times reminiscent of the worst excesses of football hooliganism.
The vast majority of this is coming from only one side of the debate.

I'm glad to be flying out today

 

[whatmeworry]

Grounds Keeper Willie and his "view" on Scottish Independence.

[video=youtube;W6vDzf-wSbk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=W6vDzf-wSbk[/video]

 

[Dalescott]

Whatmeworry, that is great. Just got to love the Simpsons.

 

[whatmeworry]

Didn't think about it, but if Scotland votes yes, Australia might have to its flag.
Scottish 'yes' vote flags a change for Oz

And John Oliver's view on the Scottish vote.

[video=youtube;-YkLPxQp_y0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YkLPxQp_y0[/video]