A different perspective on the referendum, an anonymous contribution.
The polls leading up to the 18th suggested a close call, which indicated whatever campaign won on the day, 49% of the electorate were going to be disappointed. On the day the NO campaign won by a positive 10%, giving a majority of almost 400,000.
There have been many reasons given by politicians why the referendum failed for the Yes camp or success of the No camp.
The YES campaign was lost, but the political scene not only in Scotland but the UK has changed. The grass roots appetite for change keenly expressed by the electorate, demonstrated by the record turnout at the polling booths.
During the 2-year campaign, neither camp has ever investigated nor considered a very important issue that historically; the majority of Scots have never supported independence. Regardless of one’s opinion the maths do not stand up to scrutiny, or clarifies the claims that Scotland is a rich country. Financially, Scotland may be considered wealthy, but the Scottish population is a low number with only 2/5ths gainfully employed.
The writer is a proud Scot, often being uncomfortable at declaring their nationality as British, because most government forms do not give you the option to register your nationality as SCOTTISH. It is another bugbear that businesses in England will not honour the Scottish bank note.
The writer, like many other patriotic Scots, has never voted for the SNP party, has never supported independence and despite having tuned into all of the debates and attended local meetings, has never heard one argument or fact substantiated to encourage any change to their thought process.
The YES campaign deserves congratulations for gaining 45% of the vote and since the referendum increasing the SNP membership. However, it was quite remarkable that the SNP constituencies did not support the YES campaign, including the First Minister’s back door.
Was it all worth the exercise, which cost overall £13.3m sterling? Probably YES as the referendum polls created record figures of an 85% turnout, with an average of 64% voting NO in the polls excluding Glasgow and Dundee; unprecedented in modern times. Communities throughout Scotland joined in the campaign and also had many families debating in their lounges, with open questions and opinions from both sides.
4,175,200 were eligible to vote with the SNP giving a one of vote to 16-year olds and 3,619,915 legitimate votes were counted with 3,429 declared invalid.
The bottom line, which the YES campaign failed on, was not the intervention of the heavy mob from Down South or their promise of additional devolution. It was 3 simple yet extremely important points.
- The Scots were given no positive direction what alternative currency, might have to be set-up after March 2016.
- The major banks and insurance companies contingency plans to relocate head offices to England in the event of a YES majority. This would have led to a relocation of top people in their field and complete loss of tax revenue.
- The spin given on the membership of Europe?
Now for the Maths?
- Total population of Scotland … 5,295,000 Million. April-2014
- Aged under 16 … 1,119,800
- Retired 60+ … 1,229.000
- Unemployed 6.5% … 190,000
- Employed … 2,756,200
- A fair percentage of the employed number is receiving benefits
- Those paying income tax approximately 2 Million
For those retired, aged 60 and over, claiming the basic rate of pension at £122.50 per week relates to an annual provision for Scotland of over 602 Million Pounds? [Remember there is no magical pension pot, all state pensions are collected and paid from those in gainful employment contributing to the system. The workers of today paying the pensions of tomorrow.] Just one reason why Scottish independence is questionable? And why Scotland needs the better together support from a population of 61,000,000 in England, 3,063,456 in Wales and 1,900,863 in Northern Ireland. Collectively over 65 Million with over 70 Million including Scotland. A rather sobering statistic.
All statistics quoted, government figures available by freedom of information.
