Groundskeeper Willie says YES for Scottish independence!

[Sparky]

Scotland has a vote/referendum on Thursday whether to separate from the UK or not. The polls so far are almost 50/50 so could go either way. Even some votes, influenced from the proudest Scotman, Groundskeeper Willie might just swing the Yes vote to victory!

 

[video=youtube;W6vDzf-wSbk]

[grids]

Ah thats what they were talking about yesterday. I was in Cardiff bay and these people were having a campaign about this and the speaker spoke in Welsh which I had no idea what he was talking about lol. I thought Wales was also thinking to separate from the UK as well, didnt they? I shot a short video when the guy spoke in Welsh like about 8 seconds talking about this thing :P

[Guest howyousawtheworld]

Voted in the postal ballot two weeks ago. I've voted No. Always have been a no voter, be it my head or my heart. Our problems or issues cannot be solved within the confides of our borders - that's nationalism a toxic and backwards political ideology that has been lost on so many in this "debate". Not to mention the Yes side are full of contradictions - wants a high spending Nordic state model yet still promises low low taxes. Predictably the naive and ignorant have fallen for it.

 

I can now only pray that this is settled in the favour of No on Friday.

[Batman]

I'm really interested at how this is going to turn out! :surprised:

[Black Rose]

I hope Scotland votes to stay part of the UK.

[Greengoose]

I actually left the UK this weekend and staying in the US for a while til this all is done and dusted. I dont want to be anywhere near UK with the vote so halved. Heck in Scotland when Rangers used to play Celtic they went round and gathered up the men coz when their team lost, they would beat the shit out their wives (yeah 100% true this)...can you imagine what will happen when 50% the vote doesnt get their way :/

 

I personally think they should go, 300 years them not happy..sometimes you have to let your friends go and be on their own two feet if thats what they wish....but they better have some serious plans for future, as no way would we take them back or help them

[grids]

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/17/uk-scotland-independence-regions-insight-idUKKBN0HC0B820140917

[grids]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/tomphillips/9-charts-that-show-how-the-uk-would-change-without-scotland?bffbuk#wtgnlj

[Coeurli]

David Cameron to Scotland today:

 

[video=youtube;pB-5XG-DbAA]

 

:D

[Coeurli]

Personally I think it's too dangerous in this context and economy. Would probably lead to more austerity in Scotland, as it would be necessary if they want to stay afloat in the long term...but i've read it's definitely something people are tired of in Scotland, so...to me it just doesn't seem logical. But then again I'm in a country that has never really "belonged" to any other power, so i don't really know what it's like i guess :surprised:

Also the UK flag would be super ugly without the Scottish elements of it :sick:

 

But if it leads to cheaper whiskey, why not :nod:

[grids]

49% yes 51% no so far according to cnn

Scotland's voters make their choice in independence referendum

 

Glasgow, Scotland (CNN) -- Scotland's voters are heading to the polls Thursday to cast their ballots in a landmark referendum on independence from the United Kingdom.

There, they will face a straightforward yes/no question: Should Scotland be an independent country?

More than 4.2 million people have registered to vote, the largest electorate ever in Scotland, and turnout in the referendum is expected to be high.

A vote for independence would mean Scotland, with its population of about 5.3 million, splits from the rest of the United Kingdom, made up of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Voting can take place from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. local time (2 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET) at more than 5,500 polling stations across 32 districts nationwide, from the remote highlands and islands to the big cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

What you need to know

 

Voting was brisk at one polling station in Glasgow as the polls opened, with many people voting on the way to work or before taking their children to school.

Results from the different areas will come in overnight into Friday morning local time, with Chief Counting Officer Mary Pitcaithly expected to announce the outcome "around breakfast time."

Bad weather or the sheer volume of votes cast could slow down the counting process. However, the weather forecast appears good so far -- important when some ballot boxes must be collected by helicopter, plane or boat from polling stations on distant islands.

A simple majority is needed for either side to claim victory.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, who has led the pro-independence "Yes Scotland" campaign, cast his ballot Friday morning in the village of Strichen, Aberdeenshire.

Labour lawmaker Alistair Darling, who has headed the pro-union "Better Together" campaign -- backed by the main parties in Westminster -- voted in Edinburgh, while former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, another pro-union campaigner, voted in the town of Kirkcaldy.

For the first time, the vote has been extended to 16- and 17-year-olds living in Scotland. Nearly 110,000 people younger than 18 have registered to vote.

Voters in the referendum do not have to be British citizens; Commonwealth, Irish and EU citizens who live in Scotland and are registered to vote there can cast a ballot. However, Scots living outside Scotland do not have a say.

Nearly 790,000 people applied for a postal vote -- the largest volume of registration for postal votes ever in Scotland.

CNN, like other broadcasters, is following rules that restrict reporting on details of campaigning until after the polls close.

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/18/world/europe/scotland-independence-vote/index.html

[grids]

Even Obama said so..

[Coeurli]

i'm sorry Gordon Brown voted in KIRKCALDY????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

That is Guy's town!!!!!!!!!

[grids]

A recent status from David Cameron on Facebook:

 

"The people of Scotland have spoken. It is a clear result.They have kept our country of four nations together.

Like millions of other people, I’m delighted.

As I said during the campaign, it would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end.

And I know that sentiment was shared by people, not just across our country, but also around the world - because of what we've achieved together in the past and what we can do together in the future.

So now it is time for our United Kingdom to come together, and to move forward.

A vital part of that will be a balanced settlement - fair to people in Scotland, and importantly to everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as well.

Let us first remember why we had this debate - and why it was right to do so.

The Scottish National Party was elected in 2011 in Scotland and promised a referendum on independence.

We could have blocked that, we could have put it off - but just as with other issues, it was right to take - not duck - the big decision.

I am a passionate believer in our United Kingdom - I wanted more than anything for our United Kingdom to stay together.

But I am also a democrat. And it was right that we respected the SNP's majority in Holyrood and gave the Scottish people the right to have their say.

Let us also remember why it was right to ask the definitive question, Yes or No.

Because now the debate has been settled for a generation - or as Alex Salmond has said, perhaps for a lifetime.

So there can be no disputes, no re-runs - we have heard the settled will of the Scottish people.

Scotland voted for a stronger Scottish Parliament backed by the strength and security of the United Kingdom, and I want to congratulate the No campaign for that - for showing people that our nations really are better together.

I also want to pay tribute to Yes Scotland for a well-fought campaign, and to say to all those who did vote for independence: 'we hear you'.

We now have a chance - a great opportunity - to change the way the British people are governed, and change it for the better.

Political leaders on all sides of the debate now bear a heavy responsibility to come together and work constructively to advance the interests of people in Scotland, as well as those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, for each and every citizen of our United Kingdom.

To those in Scotland sceptical of the constitutional promises made, let me say this: we have delivered on devolution under this Government, and we will do so again in the next Parliament.

The three pro-union parties have made commitments on further powers for the Scottish Parliament.

We will ensure that they are honoured.

And I can announce today that Lord Smith of Kelvin - who so successfully led Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games - has agreed to oversee the process to take forward the devolution commitments, with powers over tax, spending and welfare all agreed by November and draft legislation published by January.

Just as the people of Scotland will have more power over their affairs, so it follows that the people of England, Wales and Northern Ireland must have a bigger say over theirs.

The rights of these voters need to be respected, preserved and enhanced as well.

It is absolutely right that a new and fair settlement for Scotland should be accompanied by a new and fair settlement that applies to all parts of the United Kingdom.

In Wales, there are proposals to give the Welsh Government and Assembly more powers.

And I want Wales to be at the heart of the debate on how to make our United Kingdom work for all our nations.

In Northern Ireland, we must work to ensure that the devolved institutions function effectively.

I have long believed that a crucial part missing from this national discussion is England.

We have heard the voice of Scotland - and now the millions of voices of England must not go ignored.

The question of English votes for English laws - the so-called West Lothian question - requires a decisive answer.

So, just as Scotland will vote separately in the Scottish Parliament on their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so too England, as well as Wales and Northern Ireland, should be able to vote on these issues - and all this must take place in tandem with, and at the same pace as, the settlement for Scotland.

I hope that is going to take place on a cross-party basis. I have asked William Hague to draw up these plans.

We will set up a Cabinet Committee right away and proposals will also be ready to the same timetable.

I hope the Labour Party and other parties will contribute.

It is also important we have wider civic engagement about how to improve governance in our United Kingdom, including how to empower our great cities - and we will say more about this in the coming days.

This referendum has been hard fought. It has stirred strong passions. It has electrified politics in Scotland, and caught the imagination of people across the whole of our United Kingdom.

It will be remembered as a powerful demonstration of the strength and vitality of our ancient democracy.

Record numbers registered to vote and record numbers cast their vote.

We can all be proud of that.

It has reminded us how fortunate we are that we are able to settle these vital issues at the ballot box, peacefully and calmly.

Now we must look forward, and turn this into the moment when everyone - whichever way they voted - comes together to build that better, brighter future for our entire United Kingdom."

 

[Cobalt]

grids, The Onion is a satire site... not sure if you posted that seriously

[grids]

grids, The Onion is a satire site... not sure if you posted that seriously

 

Ooh sorry I didnt recognize.. Ill remove it now.