Next Thursday Scotland will go to the polls in an historic vote which will decide the United Kingdom’s fate.
This referendum has split the opinion of the nation and saw English political party leaders cancel Prime Minister’s Questions and instead travel 500 miles north to urge Scots to remain part of the UK.
David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband have all voiced their concerns of an independent Scotland.
David Cameron told the BBC: “I would be heartbroken if this family of nations that we’ve put together – and we’ve done such amazing things together – if this family of nations was torn apart.”
Polls have swung violently in the last few weeks with the latest suggesting that the ‘No’ vote is just ahead.
The latest poll from You-Gov puts the ‘Yes’ camp at 45% and the ‘No’ camp just ahead on 50%.
We took to the streets of South West London to find out your opinions.
Should Scotland vote yes and become an independent country?
| YES | NO |
| 30% | 70% |
The majority of people asked were against Scottish independence with most arguing that the UK would be Better Together.
Yasmin Ghaffar, a 23-year-old student from Wimbledon, said: “I think it would be far more beneficial for the UK to stay together.”
Peter Moore, 73, Chartered Accountant from Surrey believed the UK would be better off staying together as all historical sacrifices have already been made.
He said: “It would be an upheaval for everybody involved where Scotland would end up worse off.”
Jeanie Keable, a 21-year-old enforcement officer from West Norwood, was of the opinion that neither country would be worse off from Scotland going it alone but she ultimately wanted the nation to stay together.
She said: “The splitting of the UK will be very difficult for the people so I think it would be better for them to remain united.”
Steven Lampshire, a 28-year-old security officer from Raynes Park believed larger companies would withdraw their involvement in Scotland if the ‘Yes’ camp were successful.
He said: “Companies such as Standard Life are going to look for interest elsewhere in England and it would leave Scotland in a worse off economic position.”
Alice Palmer, a 19-year-old politics student from Tooting expressed her concern for the Scottish economy if independence went ahead.
She said: “England is likely to end up helping out the Scottish economy.
“My cousins live in Edinburgh and they have said they will move back to England if Scotland votes yes in the referendum.”
Several people were concerned with the affect independence would have on the UK athletic teams.
Following the success of the London 2012 Olympics, Rio 2016 would be the first Olympics where Scotland would compete as in independent country if the vote went in Alex Salmond’s favour.
Mark Parker, 53, a town centre information manager in Wimbledon, originally from Croydon, was concerned over what would happen to the Scottish Olympic athletes who currently train in England.
He said: “The London 2012 Olympics showed us all together. It will be a sad day if the country splits.”
Jess Sohal, 51, an executive director for a clinical research organisation cited concerns as to the affect it would have on her business.
She said: “Would I have to have new work contracts for my Scottish employees?”
Although the vast majority of opinions were no, there were a few people who weren’t that bothered either way.
Armins Kleinbergs, 30, who works in retail from Mitcham (originally from Latvia) said: “Coming from a country which was made independent, I think Scotland will say yes and I don’t mind if they do, but I think the UK is better off together.”
Mohammed Ghaffar, a 46-year-ol d supply chain manager from Wimbledon said: “Emotionally I am against Scottish independence but I don’t think it is going to make much of a difference.”
Anthony Smith, a 38-year-old retiree from Wandsworth said: “It is up to Scotland to decide but I would be sad to see them leave.
“I think Alex Salmond is short-sighted and just wants to be the first leader of an independent Scotland, but I wouldn’t mind getting rid of 30 Labour MPs though!”
South West London seems to be against cutting the historic ties but only time will tell whether or not Scotland votes for independence.
Featured image courtesy of the BBC via YouTube, with thanks
