Scotland YES or NO

Scooter58 you hear a great deal in the press (and on here) about the behaviour of "Yes" supporters. You hear far less about the bad incidents from "No" supporters. Could that be because nine-tenths of British citizens are south of the border?

So are the majority of posters on here, who have been far more scathing about Scottish people and politicians (an important distinction) than posters on here have been about English.

On Gransnet, the opposite to the general trend seems true. Far from No supporters being afraid to express an adverse opinion, I have noticed that they are more vocal than the Yes supporters.

To those Scots who (as I have done) will vote no tomorrow, remember that whatever decision is made, the future of the country depends on what its citizens do and say. Suppose you make a lot of noise about the faults of the political leaders, bemoan the way the country will go to the dogs, fan the impression that many of the English seem to have that there is hatred about, and that there will be a state of war between the two nations. What do you think that will do to relations in the future? Will it maintain the tourist industry? Encourage businesses to relocate north? Improve things between north and south?

The repercussions of this referendum will be around for a long time. There will be breaches to heal, bridges to rebuild. Speak well of Scotland, don't badmouth her.

I believe that this proposal will be rejected. Then everyone must work together for the prosperity of their country.

The future of Scotland is in your hands (as DH reported to me was on the wall of a urinal he visited in the late 1950s)

Thank you for that, Elegran.

The Scottish Police Federation on disorder in the referendum campaign.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29235197

Excellent post Elegran.

Well fine if they want to have spats on social media but not if voters are feeling intimidated. But Sansom is right (see essay at the back of his book, Dominion) - Nationalism can lead people down some unpleasant paths.

People do feel intimidated. This is the first social media site where I have felt able to contribute without meeting storms of abuse. Perhaps this is why there appear to be more comments from "No" supporters.

I think it is telling that the "Yes" campaign was able to hold a rally outside in the open air this morning, whereas the "Better Together" campaign had to hold their rally indoors. The "Yes" campaign has been trying to stop "Better together" events for months. Jim Murphy, the Labour MP who was touring 100 Scottish towns in 100 days and speaking on behalf of "Better Together", was subjected to a social media orchestrated campaign to prevent him being heard. It wasn't until he was pelted with eggs that the police stepped in. This was Alex Salmond's response:

"let me be absolutely clear to people watching, if Mr Murphy comes balling and shouting in a street corner near you any time soon keep doing your shopping, keep doing what you were doing.

He's just like the guy with The End Is Nigh round his neck - he'll go away soon."

I don't want to badmouth Scotland, Elegran. I want to be proud of the country I live in. However, at the same time, I don't think it is right to hide what is going on. We are supposed to live in a democracy that allows freedom of speech. I don't want this sort of bullying behaviour to continue once the result is announced on Friday.

Thanks for posting that link Elegran. Perhaps people who do not believe what us Gransnetters living in Scotland are saying may believe the Police Federation. Those who are peddling this 'violence and intimidation' line should be ashamed of themselves and the damage they are inflicting on Scotland's reputation as a beautiful, peaceable, welcoming place. Personally, having campaigned since the 70's, in every local, Scottish, UK wide and European Election, plus the two previous referenda, and having been on occasion, stoned, spat on, had all my tyres slashed and paint daubed on my car, I have in contrast found this campaign to be a refreshing change - thoughtful, cheerful, friendly, full of song and humorous chants which seem to spring from nowhere. There have been no clashes with the NO campaigners for the simple reason that the have been invisible - certainly locally - no leafleting, canvassing or street stalls, no open meetings.

There is anger on the YES side but it is not directed at the people of England, nor at people who have decided to vote NO. The anger has been occasioned by the Broadcast and Written Media and Politicians who have deliberately, twisted, distorted, misrepresented statements and downright lied - not in the best interests of Scotland or the people who live here but for their own monetary and personal gain.

I spent today in the local YES HUB, mainly trying to contact the local registration office (line constantly engaged) on behalf of people who registered to vote before the deadline but have been informed that the are not on the electoral roll, whilst collaring every activist who came in to relieve them of their personal car stickers, badges, posters, flags, wrist bands to pass them on to the constant stream of supporters, desperate for something to publicly display their support. I understand that since Saturday there has not been a single saltire, large or small, with or without a YES logo, to be found in a YES hub or commercial outlet anywhere in Scotland. There are impromptu rallies, street parties being organised in every town for tonight, tomorrow and Friday I got home for a bite to eat in time for the 6.00pm News. Was the huge enthusiasm and excitment reported? Was it wheechy! The first item I heard was a discussion as to whether David Cameron would have to resign if there is a YES vote. A classic example of the Westminster Bubble's priorities. I hope they are shaken to their foundations come Friday morning.

"There have been no clashes with the NO campaigners for the simple reason that the have been invisible - certainly locally - no leafleting, canvassing or street stalls, no open meetings."

Does this not strike you as puzzling, Granny23?

dodiegale1 - Why shouldn't Alex Salmond or anyone else advise people to keep doing their shopping or whatever they are doing, if someone decides to get themself up on a crate and start shouting?
Of course, any members of the public who wish to listen to that person on the crate are perfectly free to do so, and to ignore Mr Salmond's advice.
Where is the problem?

Well said Granny 23.My friends will still be my friends regardless of what way the vote goes,my English Sister in Law and Niece and Nephew will still be on my Christmas list,no issues with the people of England,Wales or Northern Ireland,just a desire to be in control of our own country.

I am in Inverness on holiday (celebrating my 70th and shopping). Every time we go shopping we get stopped by yes people who have a little booth in the main shopping street. I so object to people stopping me to try and get me to think how they do. One lady was very rude when I told her I had already voted no.

dodiegale1 one of the things the pollsters said they could not measure is how many people would not admit to going to vote no. They called them the "hidden nos"

*Dodie "There have been no clashes with the NO campaigners for the simple reason that the have been invisible - certainly locally - no leafleting, canvassing or street stalls, no open meetings."

Does this not strike you as puzzling, Granny23?'

Not at all! The Labour Party has, for generations had total political control in Scotland at local and national levels. Perhaps it is different in the cities but here in small towns and villages, they have scarce had to lift a finger to secure a large Labour victory at every election. One leaflet delivered by post, one person (usually the local councillor) to stand at the polling station and a couple of folk with cars to run elderly or disabled voters to the polls - job done. Then along came the SNP with their ever growing army of foot soldiers, hand delivering 2/3 leaflets and canvassing every door in every street, setting up stalls, holding open to all meetings, rather than Labour's rallies, where the faithful meet, behind closed doors to provide a 'photo opportunity' for the press. Although Labour still has plenty of support within the MSM, they no longer have huge financial or unconditional support from the Trade Unions. The 'Old Labour' die hards are dieing out and New Labour are not radical enough for enthusiastic youngsters. Membership has fallen to an all time low. To plug the gap in their ranks Labour have been hiring students, bussing them up from England in some cases. One of our YES activists in Stirling overheard a senior Labour figure discussing the subject with one of his colleagues, saying that they had started hiring Poles to do their leafleting and stand smiling, with suitable placards at photo calls. Apparently the Poles were not only more reliable and hard working than the students, who simply took their £25 each and went off to the Pub, but also cheaper as the Polish people were only given £20.

Granny 23, you are absolutely right,Labour almost a certainty in most seats in Scotland without having to work at it.My family are and always have been staunch Labour,however tomorrows vote as far as I am concerned is not about party politics,it's about what's right for Scotland and our future.

I wonder if Mr Docherty is going to vote Yes or No.
Interesting.

I suppose Ed Miliband dreamt up all the nastiness around him the other day. As did all the BBC reporters. And all the rest of the people who reportedly have been scared to put a 'No' leaflet in their cars or windows.

This one is specially for Marelli

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152778719817783&set=a.10150278334677783.384375.530367782&type=1&theater

but everyone else can look too.

It seems to be "currently unavailable" G23 (now you've got me wondering what on earth it is)

I have just been sitting in the bar of our hotel. About 20 yes supporter men stormed in and started to hand out leaflets. The bar staff had problems getting them to leave. I have never read so much rubbish what is in this leaflet all of it is about oil and gas. It was very intimidating the way they did it

Elegran Link is working fine for me but I have posted it as a picture on a picture thread. Hope that works.

Yes, that works, thank you. not as exciting as I had hoped! Are you on there? i could not see you.

Granny23, I can't get it, either!

Has anyone got a photo of 'No' voters they'd like to put up...?

Ana, I think Granny23 meant that to be merely a light-hearted post/picture directed at me. We both love Barra, you see.

This for me has been a fascinating thread, I have read every post. While I think the No vote will scrape through I do agree with those in the UK wanting Scotland to stay. I also understand the Yes voters wanting independence from Westminster's rule.

It does seem odd that Cameron & Co have been very assertive about holding on to Scotland while wanting to leave the EU. On the other hand Scotland wants independence but then wants to be a member of the EU.

I hope in the far distant future that the UK doesn't break up into fragments and then all become members of a huge EU state.

FarNorth, the problem is that Alex Salmond had the opportunity to say it was wrong for his supporters to deliberately prevent someone from being able to exercise freedom of speech. He didn't do so.

Very much hoping that all these divisions will be put behind us after tomorrow's vote