Decision time for Scottish independence

Yet on the eve of the referendum the opposing sides are virtually neck and neck, jostling for pole position.

While the result is too close to call, Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond appears to have won over many – leading to warnings that voters will use their “hearts over minds”.

Some on this side of the border appear to sympathise with Scottish claims to self-determination and also see a strong case for more regional devolution.

But there is also a strength of feeling in keeping Scotland close and maintaining the union.

For many, a ‘Yes’ vote would have dire implications for the economic recovery, which Sussex has played a key role in spearheading.

Tony Mernagh, executive director of the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, said: “I’m not sure there will be direct implications for Brighton and Hove but there would certainly be indirect consequences.

“For example, share prices and the strength of the pound will decline. It will wipe values off companies and make it more difficult to export. There are long-term implications around the common currency. If we don’t give Scotland the pound they could renege on their share of the national debt, which would increase our share and derail the recovery.

“All in all it’s not going to be good for England or Scotland – but I don’t think it will happen.”

A leading Green councillor said the perfect storm of an independent Scotland and British exit from Europe could cause unforeseen consequences for the city.

Geoffrey Bowden, chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s economic development and culture committee, said: “A vote to exit the European Community could force an independent Scotland into adopting the euro, whether they like it or not.

“With two currencies in operation, businesses in Brighton and Hove which source Scottish products would be at the mercy of fluctuating exchange rates. “The same pressures could come into play for tourism between Brighton and Hove and Scotland.

“Of course, if negotiations between Westminster and Edinburgh went badly and we ended up with border controls, immigration limits and visa requirements, then there is bound to be an adverse effect on Brighton and Hove and the rump of the United Kingdom. “I don’t expect it will ever get to that stage though.

“Nor do I think we will see panic buying and supermarket shelves being cleared of the finest malt whiskeys, Scottish smoked salmon and haggis.”

The city’s two Conservative MPs urged Scotland to vote ‘No’.

Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove, said: “Scottish independence is not in the best interests of Scotland alone or Britain as a whole.

“Many of my constituents are deeply concerned that our great nation will irrevocably change on Thursday and I do share these concerns. Economically, independence could have profound consequences for our country, which would inevitably impact on Brighton and Hove, particularly as we rely so much on tourism.”

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown, added: “The decision of Scottish voters will be incredibly interesting. I sincerely hope that the Scottish people will vote ‘No’ and choose to remain as part of the United Kingdom as I believe we are all better together.”

But the city’s Green MP said the future would be “exciting”, whatever the result.

Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas said the campaign had shown the desire for devolving power to the UK regions.

She said: “If it’s a ‘No’, it certainly won’t be the end of the story – there’s a clear desire for change.

“People are done with politics as usual, and that’s not limited to Scotland.”

Stopping short of backing either side, she said opinion was divided in Brighton over the issue, adding: “I’ve spoken with many constituents who believe the ‘Yes’ campaign has engaged people in politics in a new and exciting way, and that its focus on a positive vision has been more compelling than the ‘No’ campaign, whose message has too often been characterised by fear.

“Whichever way the vote goes – but perhaps even more so if the vote is for independence – there will be increasing momentum for devolving power to the regions in the rest of the UK.”

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, Conservative opposition leader on Brighton and Hove City Council, agreed powers should be devolved whatever the result – but warned of “300 years of shared history turned upside down overnight”.

He said: “The reverberations will be felt right across the country if there is a ‘Yes’ vote. There will be huge economic shockwaves.

“In terms of Brighton and Hove in particular, whatever the result, I think we will see more powers and possibly resources being devolved, which has to be a good thing.”

There would also be a positive benefit, he said, adding: “On a lighter note, if there is a ‘Yes’ vote, and Scotland leaves the UK, there will be no reason any longer to have the clocks changing back and forward twice a year.

“This would be a great benefit here in Brighton and Hove with lighter and safer evenings, which would undoubtedly help local businesses.”

Councillor Warren Morgan, Labour leader on the city council, said: “It’s a decision for Scottish people to make. However, we do not wish to see the United Kingdom broken up and any consequent harm to the already fragile economic recovery.”

A parliamentary candidate for Ukip also warned of economic shockwaves.

Councillor Michael Glennon, West Sussex County councillor for Lancing and parliamentary candidate for East Worthing and Shoreham, said: “The first instinct is to think it does not affect us Sussex people at all, but anything that affects the UK affects us.

“The pressure on our currency through the long period of uncertainty and imports will immediately mean items go up in price. “It seems Scotland would be much better off staying within the UK.”

A leading business figure posed a controversial question not often heard in mainstream debate – why do we need the Scots?

Nik Askaroff, chief executive of EMC Corporate Finance and former chairman of Sussex Enterprise, said the bond was “emotional and historic” but posed no real commercial advantage.

He said: “There are two sides to the argument among the business community. First of all, nobody can see what difference it will make to business. Commercial business will always find a way.

“We would still do a lot of business in Scotland, although prices could go up if they’re not in the EU.

“The second point is everybody is very upset that the UK has never been asked its opinion. Everyone has assumed we still want Scotland, but it’s a cost burden. “Why do we want to carry them any more? Why are we trying to bend over backwards to support their deficit? We’ve got a massive job managing our own deficit.

“I can’t understand it. There’s no commercial advantage. It’s purely emotional and historic.”

'Ex-pats should get a chance to vote too'

Those living on the other side of Hadrian’s Wall have gained a unique insight into the younger generation becoming engaged in politics.

Olly Longworth, 23, is from Lewes but is studying English at the University of Aberdeen.

He described being caught up in passionate student debates.

He said: “I have been on the fence for a long time as I thought it wasn’t my decision to make. But from hearing the debates in Aberdeen, people are beginning to see a vote for ‘Yes’ as being a vote for progress.

“If Scotland does get a ‘Yes’ it will help disenfranchised voters in England to make the Government see the electorate are not happy and that something needs to be done.

“As the election comes closer, people who have been unsure are leaning towards ‘Yes’ and it is really politicising the younger generation.

“Dropping the voting age to 16 was a brilliant thing to do. If you give a person the responsibility to make an important decision they will not take it lightly.

“I hope Scotland votes for independence so the political ramifications can be felt in England, Wales and throughout the UK – that ‘Yes’ is a vote for progress.”

But a young Scot living and working in Hove holds a less radical view.

Martin Macdonald, 24, said: “I am against it mainly down to the economy and the unknowns. There is no guarantee financially.

“There is a lot of uncertainty and no guarantee to the Scottish people. They have said the oil will last for 50 years but they haven’t said what they are going to do after that. “On the white paper there is one page on finance and they just use oil as the main issue. They say they will keep the pound but financially that won’t work.

“It is more of a ‘wing-it’ plan and more definition is needed. If they gave more explanation of the economy it would be better. I think it is very split.”

Meanwhile, a Scottish woman living in Sussex said it was unfair that expats were being denied a vote. Under the agreement, only Scottish residents can cast a vote at the ballot. Helen Wade, 52, from Rustington, near Littlehampton, said: “I know they have to draw the line somewhere but I find it very difficult that I do not get a vote but an English person who has been living there for a few years will.

“I am very much for staying together. I don’t want Scotland to be independent.

“I just don’t feel we are getting good-enough answers. A big one I have tried to find out is what the currency will be, as this will affect me when I visit Scotland.

“I just don’t think there is enough information out there for me to make an informed decision.

“What will happen with the armed forces if Scotland separates?

“Will we join together in times of national crises? Are we going to have to have passports to travel to Scotland? Will the national anthem change?

“I feel Scotland is a part of my identity and if we are separated that may be taken away.

“I think a lot more decision-making should have been done and put out there before the referendum.

“It is not simple and if you try to find something out one person says one thing and another says another.”

The idea that Brighton and Hove could follow Scotland’s path to independence appeared to have gained some traction on the city streets. English teacher Sophie Howell-Peak, 28, from Hove, said: “I think for Scotland it’s probably a good move and I don’t really feel I’ve got any right to say to them whether they should or shouldn’t separate. If I could separate from our Government I would, to be honest.”

Others were concerned about the impact it would have in England with the general election in 2015.

Trainee vicar Adam Ransom, 39, from Moulsecoomb, said: “I think it will have dramatic implications for the UK and for the Scots especially. I think there’s going to be a lot of economic impacts with jobs, housing and tax.”

The recent decision by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to leave Scotland following a ‘Yes’ vote raised questions for people outside the Brighton branch at Castle Square.

Nick Parker, 33, a company director from Lewes Road, Brighton, said: “I do bank with RBS and I’ve got a business account with them as well. But we probably will move banks and close the accounts actually. It’s shocking isn’t it?”

Public opinion was split in Brighton, with various people unsure how the polls would turn.

Account manager Alex Rowland, 25, from Hove, said: “I think it might go ‘Yes’.

“People are more passionate about voting ‘Yes’ than they are about voting ‘No’.”

Despite a focus on the political effects of the referendum, some people still seemed hopeful that the Scottish would remain part of the UK.

Retired Ann Taylor, 65, visiting from Eastbourne, said: “I think they’ll vote ‘No’ anyway. They can’t split it up can they?”

College holds its own vote

Sixth-formers at Brighton College held their own Scottish referendum on Tuesday.

The mock vote was in protest at the fact that while Scotland’s 16 and 17-year-olds will be voting, they do not get the chance to influence the decision.

Angry that the decision will impact them just as much, they decided to make their views known.

Polling booths were set up in the college and a debate on the issue was held, after which the sixth-formers voted.

They were asked ‘Do you think England should be an independent country?’ and ‘Do you think Scotland should be an independent country?’ Headteacher Richard Cairns said: “The sixth-formers know that nothing we do is binding but they want to make a point. Why did the Government not ask all the people in the UK for their opinion on the future direction of our country?”

Pupils voted 86% against English independence and 87% against Scottish independence.

Keeping hold of the flag

A BRITISH patriot has come up with a solution to the loss of the Union Flag, which “doesn’t bear thinking about”.

Self-styled Cliff Clifford has devised a new flag to make up for the loss of the Scottish blue parts if required.

He said the only solution is to be creative – and keep the flag the same by adding new blue.

The plan is dependent on persuading the British Overseas Territories to adopt a white and blue cross flag, which when amalgamated into the Union Jack would create the same result.

Cliff said by keeping the Union Flag essentially the same it would save millions of pounds.

He said: “It will be a sad day if Scotland withdraws from the union, but a sadder day if we all lose the Union Flag too.”

“Red, white and blue bunting – even the expression ‘the red, white and blue’ is dependent upon the Scottish flag.

“At the moment, all the blue bits derive from the Scottish flag.

“So I propose the creation of a new flag, which will consist of an amalgam of the Cross of St George, the Cross of St Patrick, and the new Flag of the British Overseas Territories – effectively, exactly the same. “We can save billions of pounds in avoiding the necessity to change all the flags, bunting, logos and printed images in Britain and all round the world.”