‘No’ can give us the best of both worlds
Ralph Kirkwood from Cambuslang tells readers why he’s saying “No Thanks” to separation on September 18.
“On September 18 we will take the biggest decision Scotland has faced for 300 years.
I have some major doubts of the independence offer and firmly believe that our place is part of the wider UK.
As a homeowner I worry about the prospect of independence. With the nonchalant attitude of Alex Salmond that we would simply not take our fair share of the UK debt I worry about the impact that this would have on us all.
A UK debt built up partially through the support of the Scottish based banks of RBS, Lloyds & Bank of Scotland. A debt an independent Scotland would struggle to maintain alone.
But the impact of the attitude of Alex Salmond would be higher interest rates and higher mortgage payments for thousands of Scottish homeowners like me.
Couple this with the expected flight of Scottish banks south of the border where they would enjoy the benefits of the Bank of England behind them and we have the recipe for even more problems for people getting onto the property ladder.
I also see a big worry for my job. I work in the shipyards on the Clyde alongside thousands of others helping build the world leading naval warships for the Royal Navy. I am proud to be a part of that history that shipbuilding has on the Clyde. But independence is a risk to the continuing history of shipbuilding on the Clyde.
The Royal Navy is currently our only customer. I have my doubts that the Scottish Government alone could sustain the high standard of work that is done on the Clyde. The last ship that was delivered to the Royal Navy cost £1billion.
The proposed budget for defence in an independent Scotland is £2bn. Indeed their suggestion that ongoing work on the Clyde could be done in a joint procurement with the rest of the UK shows the inability of Scotland alone in sustaining this industry.
Independence would bring the death knell to shipbuilding on the Clyde and the thousands of jobs it brings including the many thousands in the Scottish suppliers that supply the yards.
But being part of the UK will benefit us all. The UK wide investment in renewable energy is far in advance of what Scotland alone can offer that sector. The same goes with pensions; the greater population of the entire UK can help sustain pensions much better than Scotland alone. That’s why we see the need in the Scottish Government’s plans for much higher levels of immigration.
For me a Scottish Government that has more influence and ability to vary tax and benefits while maintaining the strength of the UK is clearly the best way forward.
It is clear that Scotland will get more devolved powers in the event of a No vote. A Scotland that has more direct power over its economy to benefit of the people of Scotland without the risks of splitting from the UK.
That clearly is the best of both worlds.”