The Tartan Army

Let us examine the SNP's defence policies. If Scotland became a separate country, do you think the United Kingdom would let us build any new warships for the Royal Navy? Not likely as we would be a foreign country.
You may not like nuclear weapons, but deterrence has prevented any hostile power attacking us. The world is a dangerous place. Being small and peaceful doesn't always protect you. Look at Norway, Finland and Czechslovakia.
The UK's nuclear submarines and warheads are stored in Scotland. These would have to be moved because they could not be kept in a foreign country. It would be a huge task to move them, taking at least ten years. During that period, the UK deterrence would be located in a an independent Scotland. This would be fraught with difficulties and may leave Britain vulnerable.

Scotland's Currency

The SNP are a bit confused about our finances. They seem to want to take us into the Euro. Can you imagine that? We would have a different currency than than the rest of Britain. Anyone who gets income from England, and that is most of us who have savings and many working people, would get paid in a foreign currency. Each time you visited England you would have to change money. England is the biggest market for many Scottish businesses. That would not help business.
We would not be independent if we joined the Euro. Look at Greece, they have to do exactly what the Germans and French tell them. Look what happened to Ireland. In contrast, the UK Parliament lets us decide our spending plans.
If we remained in Sterling, we would lose all influence over exchange rates and interest rates. Also, if we got into financial problems, there would be no bail outs from the Bank of England

Scottish Independence

Why does our first minister want 16-18 year olds to vote? It is only because they don't really understand the implications of independence, so they are likely to vote for it, as it sounds glamorous.
I also think our first minister has used quite provocative language; he accuses the English of bullying us, which is nonsense.

Independence Referendum

In my experience the UK Parliament is also more accountable than the SNP Scottish Government. As someone interested in politics, I have written often to Members of The UK Parliament, and I always get a response or acknowledgement. I have written twice to our present Prime Minister, on both occasions I got a reply.
This is more than I can say for Members of the Scottish Parliament. I have contacted SNP members on a number of occasions and not received a reply(I can also say the same about my Green MSP). So, although the SNP tells us how wonderful independence would be, my experience is that they are not very interested in listening to their constituents.

Independence for Scotland

For over 300 years Britain has been a relatively stable and peaceful country. Scotland has benefited from this; in fact before the Act of Union, Scotland was not a peaceful country.
We have a mature democracy with the House of Commons and the House of Lords as a revising chamber. We also have a constitutional Monarch. These institutions act as brakes on any ill considered legislation passed by the Commons. Unfortunately the Scottish Parliament has no second chamber to repeal ill considered laws.

I would also say that the British Legal System is relatively fair and protects individuals against the power of the state. In this country you don't have to live in fear of the police; and if arrested you can expect a fair trial. This is not the case in many countries around the world.

AV or not AV

The only thing I am clear about in this election is that I shall be voting for AV. To us in Glasgow it represents the only chance to remove the strangle hold that Labour has in Westminster elections. Few of our MPs get over 50% of the vote, yet they always seem to get re-elected. It breeds complacency, and you can see that in the attitude of our MPs.
Nationally, we have had Labour or Conservative Governments since about the 1920s. I don't think this is healthy for democracy. Having big majorities does not produce strong government. Having to negotiate and argue your point produces better government; less laws but better ones. The reason that the majority of the conservatives and labour want to keep the status quo is because it suits them.

scottish parliament election hustings

I decided to go along to the hustings event held at St.Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow on the 15th of April. The organisers asked us to write down any questions for the candidates and put them on the board, and they would select the ones to be asked. My question was " How would you vote on another End of Life Assistance Bill, if Margo MacDonald tries again?". As we were in a church, I thought my chances of getting this asked were slim. However, due to a mix up, I got to ask it.

The replies from the candidates were as follows:

Sandra White, Scottish National Party said she supported Margo's previous bill, and would support another.
Katie Gordon, Liberal Democrat said she would probably vote against the Bill.
Hanzala Malik, Labour, said that he would probably vote against the Bill
Martha Wardrop, Green, said she would support the Bill. She had personal experience of what happens when people are denied the right to choose when to die.
The Conservative candidate said that he would support the Biill.

Many people came to me at the end and said how glad they were that I asked that question. Most felt that we should be able to chose when we want to end our lives. Especially if we are at the end of our lives and in pain. Why should we suffer the indignity of a long drawn out death if we chose not to?