[tomtom]

Pretty self explanatory - I was also interested in how those who can and cannot vote in the actual ref would feel....

[tomtom]

What do you mean by "should"?

If I could vote I would vote "yes" for independence as I think this issue has dragged on long enough and I think it is time the Scots went their own way (I feel the same way about Quebec within Canada). Do I think it is an objectively good choice for Scotland? No.

Ask the people who came up with the actual question!! - because that is the actual question folk will be asked in the poll...

[Sloper]

I do not think that overall the damage will be as great as the 'no' campaign are making out (but there will be damage) and I don't think that Independence will deliver what the 'Yes' campaign has said it will deliver:

Having said that I think they will vote Yes.

[Jaspersharpe]

Really? Regardless of my own opinion on what I'd like to happen I think No will end up winning. Floating voters rarely choose the risky option.

Good news though. If Yes win you'll have your first opportunity ever on here to say I was wrong and actually back it up with facts.

[Moo]

I can tell you that the general feeling from a north sea oil is rig is that it's going to be a no vote.

[lagerstarfish]

as long as they don't show Braveheart on freeview in the next few days I think that fear of the unknown might win

[tomtom]

Bump.

[psychomansam]

My vote has made it a dead tie.

To be honest, I don't feel particularly entitled to an opinion on the matter. I suppose that I personally have ambivalent feelings about it.

But let's be clear. If I was Scottish, I would do everything within my power to help free my country from the tyranny of the self-serving westminster elite.

[iain]

But let's be clear. If I was Scottish, I would do everything within my power to help free my country from the tyranny of the self-serving westminster elite.

This ^^, except that tyranny feels a litte ott

But:

Really? Regardless of my own opinion on what I'd like to happen I think No will end up winning. Floating voters rarely choose the risky option.

this ^^ is what will happen. I suspect the yes campaign would need a good margin in the polls to offset the risk averse undecided.

[psychomansam]

But let's be clear. If I was Scottish, I would do everything within my power to help free my country from the tyranny of the self-serving westminster elite.

This ^^, except that tyranny feels a litte ott

But:

Really? Regardless of my own opinion on what I'd like to happen I think No will end up winning. Floating voters rarely choose the risky option.

this ^^ is what will happen. I suspect the yes campaign would need a good margin in the polls to offset the risk averse undecided.

Apologies. Philosophically, 'tyranny' refers roughly to any unjust power overruling the will of others.

And I suspect no will just about gain the win for the reasons you state. Either way, I suspect things are going to get a bit spicy up there.

[chris j]

It will be interesting to look at the spread of votes across the country and how the different regions divide up.

Incidentally every taxi driver I've travelled with around Aberdeen recently is voting Yes, uniformly they think Westminster is bluffing on the currency union. Other reasons include stopping the privatisation of the NHS in Scotland (I thought Edinburgh already had devolved powers to control the health service as it sees fit?) and sticking it to 'the man' in Westminster.

Personally, I think if they want it then they should be an independent country but I would vote no because I don't trust the current shower of politicians on either side to arrange a separation competently. If I was a Scot I certainly wouldn't want Salmond leading the negotiations!

[SA Chris]

I can tell you that the general feeling from a north sea oil is rig is that it's going to be a no vote.

NE Scotland is currently the highest No voting area, according to polls.

[magpie]

I'm a yes, but I think the result will be no.

[Sloper]

But let's be clear. If I was Scottish, I would do everything within my power to help free my country from the tyranny of the self-serving westminster elite.

This ^^, except that tyranny feels a litte ott

But:

Really? Regardless of my own opinion on what I'd like to happen I think No will end up winning. Floating voters rarely choose the risky option.

this ^^ is what will happen. I suspect the yes campaign would need a good margin in the polls to offset the risk averse undecided.

Apologies. Philosophically, 'tyranny' refers roughly to any unjust power overruling the will of others.

And I suspect no will just about gain the win for the reasons you state. Either way, I suspect things are going to get a bit spicy up there.

The definition of 'unjust' is not 'I don't like it'.

[tomtom]

Anyway - back on topic...

The poll results look good so far....

[Monolith]

I've had a headache for months with this and still can't work out how it might affect my business (registered there, operated here). Heads of Diageo and a number of other distillers have been writing open 'No' letters but since so many of them are in bed with the banks - and by implication politicians - it's almost impossible to reach a useful conclusion. Time will tell.

[Jaspersharpe]

Actually the possible changes to the tax system are another issue which is far from resolved.

HMRC (as anyone who deals with them will know) are already in a mess but "Revenue Scotland" is currently more of an idea than an actual agency (they employ 30 full time staff compared to HMRC's 60000).

Should Scotland become independent Revenue Scotland is going to have to be built from scratch and while this might seem like a good opportunity to do things better, aside from the fact that these things are never that simple, the main problem is going to be finding the staff.

8000 of HMRC's employees currently work in Scotland but is isn't just a case of Revenue Scotland poaching them as the majority do tasks such as data processing and answering phones. Scotland would need numerous people for senior technical and policy positions and particularly oil and gas specialists. Guess what, most of them are employed in HMRC's London offices.

I've not seen anything which explains where all these people are going to come from and it seems to be a concern among tax practitioners. There are a lot of accountants in Scotland but it's going to cost a hell of a lot to persuade them to switch sides.....


Monolith, I wouldn't worry too much at the moment as any change is going to take ages to implement. Maybe set up a company with the same/similar name registered with Companies House here (costs a few fuck alls and can be done in five minutes online). Then if anything goes tits tax or company law wise you're already part way covered.

[tomtom]

Monolith, I wouldn't worry too much at the moment as any change is going to take ages to implement. Maybe set up a company with the same/similar name registered with Companies House here (costs a few fuck alls and can be done in five minutes online). Then if anything goes tits tax or company law wise you're already part way covered.

My, an accountant would be useful in this situation. Who should I get in touch with if I were thinking of doing this?

[Jaspersharpe]

There's actually no need as you can do it yourself, it's piss easy. Some accountants still charge hundreds for setting up a company but despite frequent claims to the contrary, I'm not a cunt.

[tomtom]

There's actually no need as you can do it yourself, it's piss easy. Some accountants still charge hundreds for setting up a company but despite frequent claims to the contrary, I'm not a cunt.

Just being cheeky xx

[Jaspersharpe]

I know.

[Snoops]

To be honest, I don't feel particularly entitled to an opinion on the matter.

I'm English, I feel entitled to an opinion :-)
2 years ago I was against the breakup of the UK, now I really hope they have a yes vote. The Scots can do their own thing and more importantly stop complaining about us

[Monolith]

There's actually no need as you can do it yourself, it's piss easy. Some accountants still charge hundreds for setting up a company but despite frequent claims to the contrary, I'm not a cunt.

 

Thanks for the headsup Jasper. I actually used companiesmadesimple.com to set myself up. A really great (and cheap) service, I couldn't recommend them highly enough. And I'm not on commission!