Politics

Why Vote NO to Scottish Independence?

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20 March 2017

By Bronwen

Supposing Theresa May allows another Scottish Referendum, there will be at least two years of fierce campaigning from both sides of the debate. The YES campaign (obviously) has the support of the SNP as well as several other prominent figures but the NO campaign has just as much backing. NO campaigners in the last referendum included Gordon Brown, Scottish Labour and JK Rowling.

The main arguments against Independence were as follows:

  • National Security – if they were to leave the UK, Scotland would lose its membership to NATO and therefore its military could be massively reduced. In the event of some huge disaster, NATO would not be able to access all of Scotland’s intelligence which could put the entire UK at risk.
  • The EU – despite what some remainers seem to think, Scotland would not immediately be able to rejoin the EU; they’d have to go through the long and costly process just like every other country.
  • Self-determination – it seems bizarre that a country that opposes its laws being made in London would want its laws determined by Brussels which is even more out-of-touch with Scotland.
  • More economic security as part of the UK.
  • May have to change currency to the weaker Euro.
  • Scotland would most likely elect a socialist government – the Scottish usually vote for more left-leaning parties such as Labour and the SNP. It is highly likely that as an independent country, Scotland would have more socialist ideals and policies which never usually leads to a strong and healthy economy.
  • Businesses could relocate to England because of new tax and regulatory regimes that would differ from England and Wales.
  • Scottish border control may need to be enforced which would mean expense for both England and Scotland.

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