Waikato’s Scots weighing up vote

More than 4 million Scots will head to the booth this week to vote for or against independence from Britain after more than 300 years of union.

The historic decision, which polling suggests sits on a razor’s edge, is being followed intently by local expats.

Hamilton’s Celtic Connexions owner-operator Bob Wallace, who celebrated the 14th anniversary of his move to New Zealand last Saturday, recently returned from a stint in Scotland and said the mood ahead of the referendum was mixed.

‘‘Most of the people I spoke to are going to vote ‘no’ but the ones who will vote ‘yes’ are pretty fanatical,’’ he said.

The latest polling suggests Scotland will remain part of Britain by a slight margin.

This national uncertainty is reflected in Wallace’s hesitance to commit either way.

‘‘I don’t know if we’re ready for independence,’’ said Wallace.

‘‘When I was 18 I was a staunch nationalist but I’ve since mellowed.

‘‘The right people just aren’t in charge.’’ Wallace said independence could create problems for Scotland.

‘‘I would worry about Scottish tourism, a lot of which comes from England. There’s also uncertainty about whether or not Scotland can continue to use the pound,’’ he said.

Despite a historically difficult relationship, Wallace said poli- ticians in London were ‘‘loosening the coin purse’’, which could be affected by a vote for independence.

Wallace believes the outcome of the referendum could also have worldwide ramifications.

‘‘The Welsh are paying attention – they could be next – and there are implications for other countries too, including New Zealand,’’ he said.

Alec Calderwood, a senior member of the Hamilton Caledonian Society of New Zealand, said British politicians were feeling the push.

‘‘They’re in desperation mode, flying the Scottish flag over 10 Downing Street, but Scottish voters are too smart for that,’’ he said.

‘‘People are considering the issues carefully.’’ But despite the upheaval a vote for separation could cause, Calderwood is not worried for his friends and relatives back home.

‘‘I don’t think anyone will be prepared for the changes. In the first few years it’ll be a challenge but on the other side of the transition, things will be OK.’’

He said the decision was the first real chance for the Scottish people to make their voice heard.

He said international interest was a reflection of the referendum’s significance. ‘‘Apparently even the Chinese media have been covering it. People are thinking very, very hard.’’

Don Rowe is a Wintec student journalist.