Hi DU! I'll be voting in the Scottish Independence Referendum on Thursday...

[Richard_uk]

28. I hope that No prevails.

I believe a yes vote would be bad for both sides of the border. Here south of the border we would lose 4 million left leaning voters, the though of a permanent conservative majority makes me shudder.
For those north of the border many things would be problematic. The British army is disproportionately Scottish, an independent Scotland would not be able to sustain the level of defense spending in Scotland. Jobs will move south, Scottish regiments will disband. English Welsh and Ulster regiments will re form (good news for my old regiment).
The British NHS is the biggest single healthcare provider in the world. Its existence was a factor in my decision to leave the USA. It is funded by all UK tax payers, the vast majority of whom live south of the border. I fear that the Scottish NHS Lite would be unable to provide the same level of service. There are many practical reasons for the union to be sustained.
I understand that this is a emotional issue. If you asked American southerners if they wanted to restore the confederacy, many would vote yes without considering the practical issues. If that question were ever asked of the US south I would hope that level heads would prevail.
Ultimately, the question of their participation in the union is an issue for the Scottish to make, as it should be. I trust that they will give it due consideration, I hope that they choose to stay, I hope that any of my descendants who choose a military career will get to walk with the Scottish boys in any future conflict. They do inspire a sense of confidence.