16 - 03 - 2020 / Your Story
STORIES OF PEOPLE ON A JOURNEY FROM NO TO YES
What we do is communicate with people who are on a journey, find out who they are and share their stories. Here are just a few of those stories shared with us by people across Scotland on where they were, what happened to challenge their original position and where they are now.
I voted No in 2014 because I was worried Scotland would be out of the EU and as I studied European politics and economics, I felt that EU membership would be blocked politically and using the British pound wouldn’t work. I began to question my position after the EU vote as the more I saw Westminster try to side-line Scotland, the more I came to understand the democratic deficit in Scotland. But with Brexit and the general election result, it has strengthened my opinion that only viable option is independence for Scotland.
Claire from Dundee
I voted No in 2014 as I did not believe Scotland had the economic clout to go it alone at the time. There was too much anti English rhetoric associated with the Yes campaign in Aberdeenshire where I lived at the time. The Brexit vote changed all this. The lies of the Leave campaign and the polarisation of Leave vs Remain voters crystallised my belief that Scotland had been duped. The final straw was the Tory victory in December and the failure of Labour to unite effectively. I am now a passionate advocate of Scottish Independence.
Peter from East Lothian
As a business owner who trades with the EU, I have a keen understanding of the economic problems we’ll face outside of the EU single market and customs union. The Tory party’s lurch to the far right is also a big concern. There is an economic and moral case for Scotland to become independent now.
Elizabeth from Falkirk
In 2012 I saw the UK as a unitary state, but over the course of the IndyRef debate I came to see Scotland as a distinct nation in a union. The union was unequal and imperfect, but promises were made by the three main parties (Lib/Lab/Con) to reform the UK and give Scotland a voice. After 2014 I was angry at how quickly these promises were forgotten as without reform this union is not fit for Scotland’s needs. Since 2016 I’ve become enraged at the blatant disrespect shown to Scotland by Westminster. It is apparent that my vote was in error and I was lied to. I won’t make that mistake again.
Robert from Aberdeen
I was brought up in a labour supporting family. My local MP was Gordon Brown for many years. I met him numerous times. When he spoke, I listened. I have stopped listening to his scaremongering. In Brexit I voted leave because I believe in less federalism of any kind now. I would like to see an independent Scotland go it alone, but I understand there are some benefits of remaining in the EU.
Jason from Fife
I was born in England, raised in Scotland and voted No proudly because I saw the UK as the stable status quo option. But the past three years have shown that the UK has become something I didn’t vote for. The split between Scotland and the rest of the UK isn’t just a policy issue anymore it’s an identity issue. It’s time Scotland took control of its path so we never suffer from choices we would never take.
William from Glasgow
Despite pressure from Yes voting friends I was unsure about independence in 2014. Decided to play it safe and vote No. I was concerned whether Scotland could cope financially so thought we were better together. In 2014 in the weeks after the referendum I regretted my decision. I realised that the UK government didn’t have Scotland’s interests at heart and were breaking promises.
Amie from Aberdeenshire
I voted No the last time because there wasn’t enough clarity about what currency we would get, financial implications and I want to stay with Europe. I would vote for independence if another referendum came about but I think if you want people to back independence you need to be clear on currency and how we will be financially.
Carol from Glasgow
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