Scottish Independence... What are your thoughts?

[PetBazaar]

I would have thought sending bagpipers into a country would be considered an act of war.

It's certainly against the Geneva Convention. I'm sure it falls into the category of "Cruel & Unusual Punishments".

I did like the link that Tony posted though, particularly these two paragraphs:

"No, for France the argument against Scottish independence is our dream of a strong United Kingdom, fully engaged in Europe, whose purpose is to counter-balance a Germany that gets more powerful every year.
"Anything that detracts from that strong United Kingdom - as Scottish independence would do - goes against French ambitions in Europe."

So Scotland should reject Independence so that France can try and become more powerful in Europe.

It's almost convincing enough to make me switch sides.

[squern]

If both Alistair Darling and the French say it's a bad thing, it must be a good one!!

As Madmax has pointed out, AD is hardly qualified to put himself forward as the elder statesman with gravitas.

And the French are only ever self-interested: Note continued arms sales to Russia, exocets to the Argentinians, etc., etc.

Being wary of "increasing power" of the Germans doesn't prevent the French from cosying up to them.

[PetBazaar]

Righty, latest polling information with one month to go.

This time from YouGov, who are generally the most pessimistic about Yes's chances of all the polling companies.

With undecideds removed: Yes 43% (+3), No 57%​ (-4)

It would appear that the effects of the media's blanket coverage of how dreadful the debate was for the Yes campaign have now worn off and things have returned, pretty much, to how they were before it took place.

Today's random poll question (paraphrased by me to keep it short): Is the no side bluffing about a currency union?

Yes 44% (+2) (89% of Yes voters said Yes), No 40% (-2) (71% of No voters said No), Don't Know 16%

[DandC_Warehouse]

http://www.heraldscotland.com/politi...-no.1408356017

The YouGov poll recorded the highest level of backing for a Yes vote in its polling on the referendum question, although No support maintained a 14-point lead.

It puts support for independence at 43%, with 57% backing the Union, excluding undecided voters.
YouGov polling from earlier this month put the figures at 39% for Yes and 61% for No.
The poll of more than 1,000 people between August 12 and 15 also found an increase in the proportion of voters who believe an independent Scotland would be better off, up from 27% in June to 32%.
The proportion of people who believe the country would be worse off fell from 49% to 46% over the same period.
The latest poll shows 44% of Scots think that Westminster parties are bluffing by ruling out the Scottish Government's favoured option of a currency union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK, compared with 40% who believe the assertions.
YouGov found 45% back a currency union, 23% want a separate Scottish currency, 6% support the euro and 8% back a sterlingisation model.
The findings follow weekend polls that showed a similar move in support for independence.
An ICM poll of more than 1,000 people for the Scotland on Sunday newspaper put Yes backing at 45% and No at 55%, when Don't Knows were excluded.
Meanwhile, another poll by Panelbase, commissioned by the Yes campaign, reported findings of 48% for Yes and 52% for No when undecided voters were removed.

[PetBazaar]

http://www.heraldscotland.com/politi...-no.1408356017

The YouGov poll recorded the highest level of backing for a Yes vote in its polling on the referendum question, although No support maintained a 14-point lead.

Well spotted, my head is numb from reading poll data archives, managed to read the data from a couple of polls ago.

I've updated the original post, Yes are on 43%

[tonyreddevil]

43%Yes and 57% No

[PetBazaar]

43%Yes and 57% No

For this polling company, yes. As DandC pointed out, Panelbase latest polls are Yes 48%, No 52%.

I don't know what it is, but in the last week I can't help feeling that there has been a subtle change. The slightly desperate feel to the Yes campaign seems to have gone, to be replaced with optimism and No seems to be contradicting itself more and more. Since the news broke of the huge oil finds, and a number of defections to the Yes side, parts of the media seem to have cottoned onto the fact that they can't keep up the deception indefinitely. More and more stories are appearing that if not pro-Yes are at least anti-No.

Add to that the incredible phenomenon that is The Wee Blue Book (http://wingsoverscotland.com/weebluebook/) and it's possible (although still a long shot) that a surprise may be on the cards in a months time.

[tonyreddevil]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...itics-28848547




Former Enterprise Chiefs Clash Over Currency.

[PetBazaar]

Polling cards have arrived.

It's all been a wee bit pretendy so far. But now it's getting real.

[tonyreddevil]

can they be postal ballots?