Scottish independence - the NO comment: We cannot risk our children’s future

They will have more job opportunities, more secure funding for schools and hospitals

Blair McDougall
Thursday 18 September 2014 14:11 BST
Hundreds of Yes supporters gather in George Square to show their support for the independence referendum on September 16, 2014
Hundreds of Yes supporters gather in George Square to show their support for the independence referendum on September 16, 2014 (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

When I started this campaign two years ago I had no children. At the end of the longest campaign in Scottish history I now have two. I am voting No because it means a better future for my kids. They will have more job opportunities, more secure funding for the schools and hospitals they will rely on.

Most people I talk to think that devolution has been a success. The decisions we have made in our Parliament have been backed by the financial power of the bigger UK. Every man, woman and child in Scotland enjoys spending which is £1,200 higher than the UK average.

We can have progress in Scotland without the risks of separation. More decisions made in Scotland are guaranteed with the power to raise more money to invest in our NHS, more powers to help people back to work, more power over welfare.

When change is coming we simply don’t need to take the risk of breaking away from the economic strength and security of the UK.

And the risks are very real. Just a few days ago we saw £2.3bn taken out of the Scottish economy as investors worried about the break-up of the UK. We have heard from the people who run our high street shops, from Iceland to John Lewis, that breaking up the UK risks higher prices. We have heard some of our biggest employers, from shipyards to financial services, say that closing the door on our biggest customer risks jobs.

After two and half years there is a feeling Alex Salmond has left us with more questions than answers. If you haven’t heard a convincing answer from him on what will happen to the pound, your pension, your pay by now, it is because he hasn’t got any answers.

The vote you cast will be the most important decision you are asked to make. If you have unanswered questions, if you simply don’t know, then you have to vote no. For all our children and for generations to come.

The Independent has disabled comments on all Scottish Independence Referendum articles while polls are open. The Scottish Referendum Act seeks to ensure the vote is unaffected by reports of how people are voting.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in