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Scottish Referendum Could Hinge on the Undecided Scottish Referendum Could Hinge on the Undecided
(about 2 hours later)
Public opinion polls show Scotland’s independence referendum is too close to call ahead of the Sept. 18 vote, which could come down to those still undecided — at least 6 percent of potential voters have not made up their mind.Public opinion polls show Scotland’s independence referendum is too close to call ahead of the Sept. 18 vote, which could come down to those still undecided — at least 6 percent of potential voters have not made up their mind.
The New York Times Times asked undecided Scottish readers what issues matter most to them in the last few days of the campaign and what is likely to sway their vote. The New York Times asked undecided Scottish readers what issues matter most to them in the last few days of the campaign and what is likely to sway their vote.
On Twitter and Facebook, and in comments on our website, readers cited numerous concerns, from education to national identity to Scotland’s economic well-being.On Twitter and Facebook, and in comments on our website, readers cited numerous concerns, from education to national identity to Scotland’s economic well-being.
A number of readers said they do not see either side making particularly compelling arguments in favor of independence or against it, and they are turned off by negative campaigning and fearmongering.A number of readers said they do not see either side making particularly compelling arguments in favor of independence or against it, and they are turned off by negative campaigning and fearmongering.
“It’s not the fear of independence that has held me back but rather the lack of a true vision for the society we want to become,” David Macdonald wrote on Facebook, adding that he was “struggling to see how one option is better than the other.”“It’s not the fear of independence that has held me back but rather the lack of a true vision for the society we want to become,” David Macdonald wrote on Facebook, adding that he was “struggling to see how one option is better than the other.”
He said that he has not fully supported the Yes campaign because he feels it lacks a “true vision for the society we want to become.”He said that he has not fully supported the Yes campaign because he feels it lacks a “true vision for the society we want to become.”
In the end, he wrote, he will probably make up his mind on Thursday, when he goes to the polls, and will choose in the moment what he considers “the lesser of two evils.”In the end, he wrote, he will probably make up his mind on Thursday, when he goes to the polls, and will choose in the moment what he considers “the lesser of two evils.”
Evelyn NícDhonnacha wrote on Facebook that she still needs “some hard, objective facts” to make her decision, but neither side has provided sufficient rationale to join their cause. “I’ve heard no good argument about staying with the Union and have no solid base on how to decide on Independence,” she said.Evelyn NícDhonnacha wrote on Facebook that she still needs “some hard, objective facts” to make her decision, but neither side has provided sufficient rationale to join their cause. “I’ve heard no good argument about staying with the Union and have no solid base on how to decide on Independence,” she said.
Emma Newton did her own research to help inform her decision. She wrote that her choice boils down to “a decision between short-term economic stability and freedom from the burden of trident,” referring to the nuclear-armed submarines based in Scotland.Emma Newton did her own research to help inform her decision. She wrote that her choice boils down to “a decision between short-term economic stability and freedom from the burden of trident,” referring to the nuclear-armed submarines based in Scotland.
She said negative campaigning by politicians on both sides have made it harder for her to make a decision.She said negative campaigning by politicians on both sides have made it harder for her to make a decision.
“I’ll probably let my heart decide next Thursday but what my heart feels right now is still conflicted,” she wrote.“I’ll probably let my heart decide next Thursday but what my heart feels right now is still conflicted,” she wrote.
Many other readers also expressed frustration with the campaigns, accusing the Yes and No camps of negativity and presenting misleading information.Many other readers also expressed frustration with the campaigns, accusing the Yes and No camps of negativity and presenting misleading information.
“The ‘no’ has been negative and at times misleading and on the cusp of downright lies,” John Burns wrote on Facebook. “The ‘yes’ has been full of emotion and no substance!”“The ‘no’ has been negative and at times misleading and on the cusp of downright lies,” John Burns wrote on Facebook. “The ‘yes’ has been full of emotion and no substance!”
Some undecided Scots said that their passions and their pragmatism are in conflict.Some undecided Scots said that their passions and their pragmatism are in conflict.
Mr. Burns, who said he will probably remain undecided until he casts his vote, wrote that his “heart argues n fights with my mind.”Mr. Burns, who said he will probably remain undecided until he casts his vote, wrote that his “heart argues n fights with my mind.”
Another reader, Joan Fleming, wrote on Facebook that both campaigns have been emotional, forcing her to look outside the United Kingdom for balance and perspective.Another reader, Joan Fleming, wrote on Facebook that both campaigns have been emotional, forcing her to look outside the United Kingdom for balance and perspective.
“Emotions are running high here on both sides — Scot against Scot, family against family, friend against friend,” she said. “The Yes campaign is all stirring speeches and dancing in the streets. The No’s are cautious and accused of scaremongering.”“Emotions are running high here on both sides — Scot against Scot, family against family, friend against friend,” she said. “The Yes campaign is all stirring speeches and dancing in the streets. The No’s are cautious and accused of scaremongering.”
Ms. Fleming added: “At the end of the day it comes down to cold hard facts — economics over emotion.”Ms. Fleming added: “At the end of the day it comes down to cold hard facts — economics over emotion.”
Economic stability is an important issue for many Times readers, who said it was the main factor in their decision-making process.Economic stability is an important issue for many Times readers, who said it was the main factor in their decision-making process.
Chris Burt from Stirling, Scotland, wrote in a comment on a Times article that the referendum has conjured up emotions about national identity as well as practical concerns regarding the potential for an independent Scotland’s prosperity.Chris Burt from Stirling, Scotland, wrote in a comment on a Times article that the referendum has conjured up emotions about national identity as well as practical concerns regarding the potential for an independent Scotland’s prosperity.
“I personally feel very British — my parents are English, I was born and raised in central Scotland, and I have studied at university in London. The most difficult aspect for me would be to lose this British identity, and I think it would be very sad to no longer have the Team GB spirit that took over the entire country just two years ago,” he wrote, referring to the enthusiasm for Britain’s athletes during the Olympic Games in London.“I personally feel very British — my parents are English, I was born and raised in central Scotland, and I have studied at university in London. The most difficult aspect for me would be to lose this British identity, and I think it would be very sad to no longer have the Team GB spirit that took over the entire country just two years ago,” he wrote, referring to the enthusiasm for Britain’s athletes during the Olympic Games in London.
“Pragmatically, I foresee the economic consequences of independence as being too counterintuitive to Scottish prosperity,” Mr. Burt added. “The huge transaction costs associated with businesses adapting to a new governance structure and uncertainty alone are reasons to heed from independence. Our fiscal control is reduced no matter which currency an independent Scotland would end up using, and EU membership would not provide Scotland with any more sovereignty than is already surrendered to Westminster, with Brussels and the European Commission and Court of Human Rights being certainly less accessible to Scottish interests.”“Pragmatically, I foresee the economic consequences of independence as being too counterintuitive to Scottish prosperity,” Mr. Burt added. “The huge transaction costs associated with businesses adapting to a new governance structure and uncertainty alone are reasons to heed from independence. Our fiscal control is reduced no matter which currency an independent Scotland would end up using, and EU membership would not provide Scotland with any more sovereignty than is already surrendered to Westminster, with Brussels and the European Commission and Court of Human Rights being certainly less accessible to Scottish interests.”
Kirsten Rees, a small-business owner, wrote on Facebook that the international attention given to Thursday’s referendum has made her feel even more pressure to make the right choice.Kirsten Rees, a small-business owner, wrote on Facebook that the international attention given to Thursday’s referendum has made her feel even more pressure to make the right choice.
“We know the eyes of the world are on Scotland right now, and none of us want to see our country fall,” Ms. Rees wrote.“We know the eyes of the world are on Scotland right now, and none of us want to see our country fall,” Ms. Rees wrote.
She is confident, though, that the Scottish people will ultimately come together.She is confident, though, that the Scottish people will ultimately come together.
“It’s divided the nation for the past six months, however, we are a very proud people and no matter which way the vote goes, I think everyone will throw their weight behind it.”“It’s divided the nation for the past six months, however, we are a very proud people and no matter which way the vote goes, I think everyone will throw their weight behind it.”