Scotland's future will be based on passion not politics

WITH the battle for Scotland now into the final 100 days both sides are fighting hard to win the trust of voters.

While polling has provided mixed results in predicting who may be in the lead recent data comparing them all have provided an insight into how close the race currently is. Based on this ‘poll of polls’ the “Better together” campaign has a slight lead with 50 per cent of the electorate against the Yes campaign’s 36 per cent, with 14 per cent still undecided.

Voter turnout is expected to be high as the fate of Scotland and the Union is decided on September 18^th, with some observers estimating that 80 per cent of the electorate will cast their ballot. When compared to the 50 per cent turnout for the Scottish General Election in 2011 it starts to show how much people are paying attention to this particular election.

The election won’t be decided by those who are fighting for either side though. It is down to the floating voters who have still not made up their minds. The Yes and No campaigns know this and have gone to great lengths to get their messages across.

At times the debate has turned to negative campaigning, something not guaranteed to win voters over. Alex Salmond has repeatedly condemned Westminster for ‘fear mongering’ while the government has criticised the Yes campaigns uncosted policies and belligerent attitude towards anyone who disagrees with them.

The key issues have likewise turned from hard facts to playing on people’s hopes and fears. The Yes campaign has repeatedly attempted to reassure voters that not everything will change. Despite assurances to the contrary by Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrat Leaders the Alex Salmond has claimed that an independent Scotland will be able to retain the pound. Likewise dismissing statements from senior European Union politicians he has stated that Scotland’s place in the EU would be assured.

Meanwhile the Yes campaign has attempted to play on people’s fears of the future. They have claimed that an independent would not be able to afford the policies which Mr Salmond has proposed and focused on the need to stay united.

In move to play on these fears British Prime Minister David Cameron enlisted the help of American President Barack Obama last week to put forward his case. Speaking at a joint press conference in Brussels on Thursday President Obama said that Washington had “a deep interest in making sure that one of the closest allies we [America] will ever have remains a strong, united and effective partner.”

Leader of the recently rebranded ‘Better Together Campaign’, MP Alistair Darling, has called a vote for independence “a leap into the unknown to a very uncertain destination.” The newly named ‘No Thanks Campaign’ is trying to muster its forces to combat the vitality of the Yes Campaign. They are against a strong foe though. Scottish Nationalism is gaining strength and the spirit of Bannockburn is fuelling them on.

Speaking to Sky News Mr Salmond gave an impassioned statement: “This is the first time that people in Scotland have had a democratic opportunity to vote themselves into   independence. It is the opportunity not just of a lifetime, it is an opportunity of the centuries.”

This election may turn out to be more than just policy choices, it will be about passion and belief. ON 18^th September it will be decided whether that passion and belief is for a united or independent Scotland.