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| Scottish independence vote puts British leaders on the line | Scottish independence vote puts British leaders on the line |
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| GLASGOW, Scotland – A referendum on Scottish independence that was once expected to collapse in resounding defeat was instead going down to the wire on Wednesday, with each side scouring lush Highland ridges, Gothic back alleys and rocky coasts seeking any advantage on the eve of a vote that could divide this island after three centuries of union. | GLASGOW, Scotland – A referendum on Scottish independence that was once expected to collapse in resounding defeat was instead going down to the wire on Wednesday, with each side scouring lush Highland ridges, Gothic back alleys and rocky coasts seeking any advantage on the eve of a vote that could divide this island after three centuries of union. |
| The referendum has transfixed Scotland’s 5.3 million people, and analysts predict an extraordinary 90 percent of eligible voters on Thursday to answer a simple but sweeping question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” | The referendum has transfixed Scotland’s 5.3 million people, and analysts predict an extraordinary 90 percent of eligible voters on Thursday to answer a simple but sweeping question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” |
| But as much as the vote will turn on attitudes toward Scottish nationalism, it also will be a verdict on a group nowhere to be seen on the ballot: British politicians. | But as much as the vote will turn on attitudes toward Scottish nationalism, it also will be a verdict on a group nowhere to be seen on the ballot: British politicians. |
| “It’s not that I’m against the English,” said Karen McGurk, an out-of-work mother of two who lives in state-subsidized housing on the south side of Glasgow. “But the politicians in London have behaved absolutely shockingly. They’re only for the rich.” | “It’s not that I’m against the English,” said Karen McGurk, an out-of-work mother of two who lives in state-subsidized housing on the south side of Glasgow. “But the politicians in London have behaved absolutely shockingly. They’re only for the rich.” |
| McGurk said she’s a firm “yes” voter, as are most of her neighbors on a block of modest red-sandstone houses that mixes working-class native Scots with South Asian immigrants. In another era, the area might have lined up firmly behind the Labor Party’s call to vote “no” — a position that has been joined by Britain’s two other biggest parties. | McGurk said she’s a firm “yes” voter, as are most of her neighbors on a block of modest red-sandstone houses that mixes working-class native Scots with South Asian immigrants. In another era, the area might have lined up firmly behind the Labor Party’s call to vote “no” — a position that has been joined by Britain’s two other biggest parties. |
| But residents said they were now relishing the chance to give the political establishment, Labor included, a kick in the teeth — even if it meant killing off Great Britain in the process. | But residents said they were now relishing the chance to give the political establishment, Labor included, a kick in the teeth — even if it meant killing off Great Britain in the process. |
| The anger has many roots: a seemingly unending stream of foreign wars, a financial crisis that accelerated an already widening gap between rich and poor and an insular and privileged British political class that seems to only look after its own. | The anger has many roots: a seemingly unending stream of foreign wars, a financial crisis that accelerated an already widening gap between rich and poor and an insular and privileged British political class that seems to only look after its own. |
| “Ten years ago, I couldn’t have imagined Scottish independence. But you have this extremely complacent leadership just taking people for granted across the country,” said Jamie Drever, 37, who has never been involved in a campaign before but was out knocking on doors to spread the gospel of independence in Glasgow this week. “They’ve inherited these grand old buildings, and are harking back to a Britain that no longer exists. But the reality tells us that the British economy is in the toilet.” | “Ten years ago, I couldn’t have imagined Scottish independence. But you have this extremely complacent leadership just taking people for granted across the country,” said Jamie Drever, 37, who has never been involved in a campaign before but was out knocking on doors to spread the gospel of independence in Glasgow this week. “They’ve inherited these grand old buildings, and are harking back to a Britain that no longer exists. But the reality tells us that the British economy is in the toilet.” |
| The sour mood has offered “yes” advocates a golden opportunity. | The sour mood has offered “yes” advocates a golden opportunity. |
| Alex Salmond, the tart-tongued Scottish independence leader whose working-class origins set him apart from the privileged clique that dominates politics in London, has skillfully deflected questions about Scotland’s viability by reminding voters of their antipathy for the heirs to Disraeli, Gladstone and Churchill. | Alex Salmond, the tart-tongued Scottish independence leader whose working-class origins set him apart from the privileged clique that dominates politics in London, has skillfully deflected questions about Scotland’s viability by reminding voters of their antipathy for the heirs to Disraeli, Gladstone and Churchill. |
| In the campaign’s closing days, Salmond has cast voters’ choice as one between “Team Scotland” and “Team Westminster” — the latter a reference to the palace in which London politicians ply their trade. | In the campaign’s closing days, Salmond has cast voters’ choice as one between “Team Scotland” and “Team Westminster” — the latter a reference to the palace in which London politicians ply their trade. |
| The three major British party leaders hustled up to Scotland last week after polls showed the referendum had slipped into a dead heat following months of comfortable leads for “no.” Salmond mocked them for caring more about their reputations than they do about Scotland. | The three major British party leaders hustled up to Scotland last week after polls showed the referendum had slipped into a dead heat following months of comfortable leads for “no.” Salmond mocked them for caring more about their reputations than they do about Scotland. |
| “What Team Westminster seem to be concerned about is their own jobs," he said. | “What Team Westminster seem to be concerned about is their own jobs," he said. |
| Those jobs may very well be on the line. Prime Minister David Cameron could face a revolt in his Conservative Party, and calls for resignation, if Scotland splits the union. | Those jobs may very well be on the line. Prime Minister David Cameron could face a revolt in his Conservative Party, and calls for resignation, if Scotland splits the union. |
| His chief rival, Labor leader Ed Miliband, may have even bigger problems. Scotland has long been a reliable supporter of his left-leaning party in national elections. Without it, the remnants of the United Kingdom — England, Wales and Northern Ireland — could be Conservative territory for a generation or more. | His chief rival, Labor leader Ed Miliband, may have even bigger problems. Scotland has long been a reliable supporter of his left-leaning party in national elections. Without it, the remnants of the United Kingdom — England, Wales and Northern Ireland — could be Conservative territory for a generation or more. |
| Miliband on Tuesday tried to campaign for “no” at an Edinburgh shopping mall, only to have his visit cut short by a group demonstrators who heckled him with calls of “liar” and “serial murderer” — an apparent reference to Labor’s support for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. | Miliband on Tuesday tried to campaign for “no” at an Edinburgh shopping mall, only to have his visit cut short by a group demonstrators who heckled him with calls of “liar” and “serial murderer” — an apparent reference to Labor’s support for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| The anti-London sentiment is not limited to Scotland, with polls showing profound disillusionment with politics across the United Kingdom. | The anti-London sentiment is not limited to Scotland, with polls showing profound disillusionment with politics across the United Kingdom. |
| Indeed, if Scotland breaks away, it will be the second anti-establishment earthquake to hit Britain this year. | Indeed, if Scotland breaks away, it will be the second anti-establishment earthquake to hit Britain this year. |
| The first struck from the political right. In May, the anti-immigration U.K. Independence Party was the top vote-getter in European Parliament elections, breaking a more than century-long streak of wins by either Labor or Conservative in national balloting. | The first struck from the political right. In May, the anti-immigration U.K. Independence Party was the top vote-getter in European Parliament elections, breaking a more than century-long streak of wins by either Labor or Conservative in national balloting. |
| The outcome was more symbolic than substantive since the European Parliament has little sway in domestic affairs. The anti-establishment wave in Scotland — coming from the political left — could have far more profound implications. | The outcome was more symbolic than substantive since the European Parliament has little sway in domestic affairs. The anti-establishment wave in Scotland — coming from the political left — could have far more profound implications. |
| Without Scotland, the country left behind could be in need of a new name — South Britain has been suggested — and its identity as a global player will be badly shaken. The seat of an empire that once spanned the world would no longer control the top third of its own little island. | Without Scotland, the country left behind could be in need of a new name — South Britain has been suggested — and its identity as a global player will be badly shaken. The seat of an empire that once spanned the world would no longer control the top third of its own little island. |
| The United States has been reluctant to speak out on the referendum, mindful of its own history of breaking free from London. But U.S. officials worry that a “yes” vote could leave Washington’s closest ally distracted for years during negotiations with Scotland on the divorce, which would not become official until 2016. | The United States has been reluctant to speak out on the referendum, mindful of its own history of breaking free from London. But U.S. officials worry that a “yes” vote could leave Washington’s closest ally distracted for years during negotiations with Scotland on the divorce, which would not become official until 2016. |
| Those talks would include the fate of Britain’s nuclear weapons — located north of the border on submarines based at a Scottish port — as well as Scotland’s desire to use the pound, its share of North Sea oil revenues and the future of the BBC. | Those talks would include the fate of Britain’s nuclear weapons — located north of the border on submarines based at a Scottish port — as well as Scotland’s desire to use the pound, its share of North Sea oil revenues and the future of the BBC. |
| British officials say they have made no contingency plans for a “yes” vote because they don’t expect it. But they have warned that a breakup could be turbulent — especially for Scotland. | British officials say they have made no contingency plans for a “yes” vote because they don’t expect it. But they have warned that a breakup could be turbulent — especially for Scotland. |
| “It’s the uncertainty that is the killer of independence,” said Alistair Carmichael, the British government’s secretary of state for Scotland. “Ultimately, people will cast a vote for what will be best for them and their families. But with that enormous amount of uncertainty, you can’t be sure what you’re buying into.” | |
| Scottish officials, led by Salmond, have dismissed such comments as scare-mongering. They insist that an independent Scotland would be more egalitarian and socially just once it is free of the austerity policies imposed by London. | |
| On the working-class streets of Glasgow this week, many voters said they trust Salmond’s assurances. But others said they still have concerns about whether taxes, health care and energy costs would change under an independent Scotland. | On the working-class streets of Glasgow this week, many voters said they trust Salmond’s assurances. But others said they still have concerns about whether taxes, health care and energy costs would change under an independent Scotland. |
| Marco Guarino, a 54-year-old lawyer canvassing for “yes,” answered them with a question: “If you’re undecided, ask yourself whether Westminster wants to keep us because they’re valuable to us or because we’re valuable to them.” | Marco Guarino, a 54-year-old lawyer canvassing for “yes,” answered them with a question: “If you’re undecided, ask yourself whether Westminster wants to keep us because they’re valuable to us or because we’re valuable to them.” |
| Many converts later, Guarino called it a night, smiling with the satisfaction that Scotland had moved just a little closer to independence. | Many converts later, Guarino called it a night, smiling with the satisfaction that Scotland had moved just a little closer to independence. |
| “Everybody,” he said, “hates Westminster.” | “Everybody,” he said, “hates Westminster.” |