Today's the day...will there still be a "U-K?"

[rootabaga]

I haven't been following this story too closely, but I can see the appeal from both sides. It's kind of funny that for a people known for their cultural pride and independence the main argument against breaking from England is the fear of the unknowns. (Also, some "can't go back" hyperbole...my guess is that England would welcome them back in a few years.)

Any members, particularly in the UK, have any thoughts about it that they'd be willing to share?

Whatever the feeling, it's good to see a core point of democracy in action: Getting to decide the future of one's country.

Scotland Independence Vote - NBC News

 

[El Presidente]

I voted when I finished work this morning and for the first time in my life, it was the first vote I've felt could make a difference.

I'm not saying that if Scotland becomes its own country it will be any different to what we have now, but for the first time in a long, long time, there's hope. Hope that because the people who are making the decisions about Scotland aren't sitting in some cesspit hundreds of miles away completely removed from what the Scottish people want (The coalition government that rules the UK only has 12 MP's in Scotland). They'll have lived and worked here, understand what it's like to be Scottish.

I cannot fathom why anyone would vote no and give up on that glimmer and I will be pretty annoyed devastated if I wake up tomorrow morning to a no vote.

Regardless of whether or not you're voting yes or no, there is a buzz about Scotland at the moment the likes I've never seen.

 

[El Presidente]

A YouGov poll points to a 54-46 in favour of no.

People are estimating turn out at circa 85-90%. Regardless of the outcome, this is what democracy is all about.

 

[Xyro]

For anyone interested, the results will be appearing on the BBC website: Scottish independence referendum - Results - BBC News

Currently, 2 of 32 councils have declared their results. The final results are expected to be in by 6:30 BST, 5:30 GMT) or four hours from this post.

People are estimating turn out at circa 85-90%. Regardless of the outcome, this is what democracy is all about.

85% is the official turnout.

 

[Gmash]

Hope you're not too devastated, El Presidente. If the politicians are to be believed it sounds like some changes will be made that will give you guys more autonomy. I know that's a big "if".

 

[El Presidente]

Hope you're not too devastated, El Presidente. If the politicians are to be believed it sounds like some changes will be made that will give you guys more autonomy. I know that's a big "if".

I doubt it will happen, or much will change. The promise was made after one of the opinion polls put the yes campaign in front and since then, a number of backbench Tory MP's have said they'd veto any attempt to bring through these changes.

Already there's talk of altering the Barnett Formula (the method used to calculate what funding Scotland gets from Westminster) and cutting Scotland's Block Grant.

I'm not overly hopeful, but we'll see.

Sorry about the result, El Presidente. What's the general mood? Sometimes big things like this can have a significant polarizing effect, and that would be a real shame.

Personally, I'm thoroughly disappointed and can't understand why anyone would have voted no. We've blown our chance and we'll never get another in my lifetime and many of my friends feel the same.

Some feel we've made ourselves a laughing stock.

Conversely, some of them are just glad this entire "debacle" is over.

I don't blame the no voters. For supposedly being a an unbiased organisation, the diatribe, fear and outright BS perpetuated by the BBC (and tabloid newspapers) during the campaign was nothing short of diabolical. I can understand why so many were afraid to take the chance.

On a positive note, everyone is pretty chuffed at the turnout and the fact that it's galvanized people in the way it has and made them take an interest in politics.

How is it being reported over the pond? What angle are they taking?

 

[dibblebill]

Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: Lesson of the Day: The Political Class Always Wins

I don't watch our televised news, as it's all seriously biased either left-wing or right-wing. I came across this earlier today. Don't know how accurate it is, but I suspect it might be right about independence votes going forward.

 

[sntaylor]

I think we will move forward stronger....though I also believe there will be another before my 20 month old son is aged to , especially if there isn't big enough change now!

On another note, I was travelling north to stay with family in glenelg and I'm pretty disgusted at the number of yes and no propaganda littered around the country! And it was all still there yesterday coming back down the road, well across and down as I went a detour to my grans in cupar!

I was undecided on how to vote right up to putting my x in the box, even then I could have gone the other way! I'd love it if everything the yes side were promising was going to happen if it had gone that way, but I have doubts, especially with the greens being happy to live in the big oil state..... I wouldn't have considered the big vow in my vote as it was clearly desperate and I was annoyed from the beginning about offers of further powers as why couldn't they be given prior to the vote, not just promised!

 

[El Presidente]

I wouldn't have considered the big vow in my vote as it was clearly desperate and I was annoyed from the beginning about offers of further powers as why couldn't they be given prior to the vote, not just promised!

Unless the Scottish Parliament is given control of all revenue generated in Scotland (would never happen without full independence), I don't want the additional devolved powers.

If the size of the rumoured austerity cuts, loss of the block grant etc are to be believed, the Scottish Parliament will have little to no option but to raise tax to cover the shortfall.

 

[sntaylor]

This is very true :-(

One thing that I feel may help come General election, is if every yes voter goes snp, they will then get the majority of 59 seats in Scotland and as lib dems only had 57 in current coalition, there is a good chance snp become part of a coalition government so we have better representation for Scottish government at Westminster! As I don't see any of the main parties getting a majority government!