It was only recently that it dawned on me just how long it has been since I last blogged. Safe to say, I have well and truly neglected this for quite some time. My lack of blogging is not without excuses, though! Namely due to the fact that I was working in London for the last few months- which was such an experience! (a post on that to follow)
Since being back things have been rather hectic. I have been dealing with university issues (course selection, seminar selection.. the list goes on) non-stop and haven't really had any time to just kick-back and do what I wish! Now that I have some free time, I thought it was the perfect time to start blogging and getting back into the swing of things again. Hence this very overdue blog post.
What better way to kick things off than with a politics post, and the ever-looming referendum?
For those of you that live in Scotland, or have been following the recent referendum news, you will be aware that Scotland has a pretty important decision to make next Thursday. Do we stay or do we go? That is the question. As a politics student living and studying in Scotland, this is a topic which I find extremely interesting… and admittedly, a little frightening. I may as well declare now that I am very much in the NO camp. This is a decision that was reached with much deliberation, research and thought. After all, it is a decision that will not only impact and undoubtably hugely affect, the next 100 years of my country, but will also change the lives of my future children and grandchildren.
There are several reasons why I will be putting a huge cross against the word "NO" on Thursday 18th of September. First and foremost, I entirely believe that by voting yes, we are not voting for change or a better standard of living, but instead, we are voting for risk and uncertainty. Perhaps, if my main questions and concerns could be answered, then this would not be my view. However, the Yes Campaign have failed to answer the crucial questions, time and time again. When it comes to questions of our currency- we still haven't got an answer about what currency we would operate in, even though the referendum is a mere 6 days away, slightly worrying! Similarly, we still have no answers about jobs, pensions, security, and much more. It seems that "we will have oil" are the only words that the Yes Campaign can mutter. But from endless reports and statistics, we have clearly seen that oil is on the down, and will not last us a lifetime. Or even the next 30 years. Additionally, Tesco Bank, RBS, Lloyds TSB, Clydesdale Bank, Asda and Standard Life, are just a few of the many companies that have all made it abundantly clear that they will be relocating their offices to England in the event of a yes vote. Surely this in itself is enough to set alarm bells ringing. I will be the first to admit that the event of a yes vote, scares me. It worries me to no end, that so many people are willing to take the leap and such an irreversible gamble, when they have been provided with such little information. I for one, don't want the future generations of my family to grow up in an uncertain, and likely, weak nation which does nothing but limits their opportunities. Instead, I want them to grow up in a nation which is comprised of four equally strong countries, who strive to tackle social injustice and make things better together, not apart.
Secondly, I find the Yes Campaign to be extremely childish and pathetic. From immature slogans to offensive responses, they have left me far from impressed. The latest advertisement they released stated that those who were planning to vote no were not "real Scots" and were instead "traitors". I find this to be a cheap shot and a poor tactic for attempting to gain last minute votes. I will not be bullied into voting yes, nor will I be made to feel guilty for voting the way that I want to vote. Voting no does not make me any less of a Scot, nor does it make me any less patriotic than someone voting yes. I love the country I was born in and I am proud to be Scottish. But I am also very proud to be British, and come from one of the most powerful and influential nations in the world. And that is not an identity I am willing to give up.
The decision that our country must take is colossal. And for me personally, this is probably the biggest decision that I have had to make thus far in my lifetime. I am proud to be voting NO and putting the futures and livelihoods of not only my own family, but also families all around Scotland, first. To vote yes and take irreversible gambles and risks, would be irresponsible of me, and to be honest, it is not a decision I could live with if things went wrong. If someone told you that you could have keys to a new house, but you can't see the house- where it is, how big it is, if it's going to be suitable for you and your families needs.. would you say yes?
I eagerly await for the 19th of September to be upon us, with my fingers crossed that we will make the right decision, securing those bonds and proving that we are very much better together.
What are your views on the referendum?
What are your views on the referendum?
