Should we stay or should we go?

We live in interesting times. As a Scot and someone who is currently undecided on how I would vote in a referendum, I do find some of the posturing of the mainstream parties arrogant and patronising.  When the referendum is held Scots will be asked to vote on the most important constitutional question for centuries.  I for one do want a rational, clear debate. I find Mr Cameron’s rationale of economic uncertainty to be weak on evidence. Big business, the CBI and several multinational companies believe it would be bad for business and Mr Cameron ever mindful of their influence on his party and policies would deny a proper consultation and debate on these important issues. In effect his argument is the needs of capitalism are greater than the need for democracy. However whilst Scotland like the rest of the UK is suffering, I see no special economic crisis created by any deliberation on independence.

In May 2011 the elections created a seismic shift in the political landscape. Labour was punished for years of arrogance and the assumption of popular support simply because that is the way it has been. The Lib Dems got squeezed because of the coalition at Westminster, and the conservatives pretty much stood still, which is probably the best they could have hoped for. Scotland for good or ill, has rejected them for the past 30 years. Scotland has now more Giant Panda’s than conservative MPs!

  The SNP did the unthinkable, and won an absolute majority in a system that was designed to prevent that very outcome. Elected because as a minority government they were competent in the previous parliament and because Labour made themselves unelectable. There is no real evidence to support that Independence was the winning policy. It is right there is a referendum to settle the issue, it is right also it is not rushed for economic reasons. It is right however there is a balance between the rights of Scots to decide how they wish to be governed is balanced with the legal union that is the UK. This should be done in a considered and fair way. I would hate it to be dragged into the courts as seems the threat by the coalition; all views must be heard, but it must be done within a paradigm of democratic process rather than of party political or economic concerns. I am not a member of the SNP, but believe Mr Salmond understands this better than Messers Cameron, Milliband and Clegg.

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