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| Hopes and fears for Scotland: 'I hope this level of political engagement continues long into the future' | Hopes and fears for Scotland: 'I hope this level of political engagement continues long into the future' |
| (3 days later) | |
| Scotland rejected independence in the referendum voting to remain part of the 307-year-old union with England and Wales. Although the independence camp won large majorities in Glasgow and Dundee, 55% of voters voted against plans to become a separate nation. But what now? We asked Guardian readers from around the world to share their hopes for the future of Scotland. | Scotland rejected independence in the referendum voting to remain part of the 307-year-old union with England and Wales. Although the independence camp won large majorities in Glasgow and Dundee, 55% of voters voted against plans to become a separate nation. But what now? We asked Guardian readers from around the world to share their hopes for the future of Scotland. |
| Anonymous, 36, Sydney, Australia | Anonymous, 36, Sydney, Australia |
| I live in Australia and left Scotland when I was 13 but I am still fiercely proud of my homeland and I know so many ex-pats who are as patriotic as those who still live there. | I live in Australia and left Scotland when I was 13 but I am still fiercely proud of my homeland and I know so many ex-pats who are as patriotic as those who still live there. |
| My hope is that as a small country, Scotland will thrive and that old mindset of being ‘ruled’ will disappear. I hope people will feel proud and want to make a difference without feeling like they don’t have control or blaming someone else when it all goes wrong. | My hope is that as a small country, Scotland will thrive and that old mindset of being ‘ruled’ will disappear. I hope people will feel proud and want to make a difference without feeling like they don’t have control or blaming someone else when it all goes wrong. |
| I’m worried that my generation are going to age before their time like the ones before us. I’m worried about the health of people and the social conditions which make people live such an unhealthy lifestyle. I’m worried that we still have nuclear weapons on Scottish land. I’m worried that nothing will change, independence will be lost and it will be a case of “ach well, back to normal”. I’m worried that young people in Scotland have no-one to look up to or a future to look forward to. | I’m worried that my generation are going to age before their time like the ones before us. I’m worried about the health of people and the social conditions which make people live such an unhealthy lifestyle. I’m worried that we still have nuclear weapons on Scottish land. I’m worried that nothing will change, independence will be lost and it will be a case of “ach well, back to normal”. I’m worried that young people in Scotland have no-one to look up to or a future to look forward to. |
| I hope for an equal distribution of national wealth, better living conditions, a better healthcare system, free education, a better immigration policy, better care for the elderly and disabled, get rid of the benefits culture and provide people with more opportunities for jobs and skills. | I hope for an equal distribution of national wealth, better living conditions, a better healthcare system, free education, a better immigration policy, better care for the elderly and disabled, get rid of the benefits culture and provide people with more opportunities for jobs and skills. |
| Anonymous, 50, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Anonymous, 50, Lanarkshire, Scotland |
| I would like to see recognition of some serious health issues that are in need of preventive measures to tackle, especially alcohol, diet and drug dependency. Greater protection of our wonderful countryside. Higher taxation for high earners. Open voting to 16 year olds. They did us proud. This has been worthwhile, that we wake up to the possibility that as a nation we can extend this debate south of the border and try to start healing a broken nation. That we continue to show the same passion this debate has ignited in fighting for social justice not just in Scotland but in rest of UK and in other nations. | I would like to see recognition of some serious health issues that are in need of preventive measures to tackle, especially alcohol, diet and drug dependency. Greater protection of our wonderful countryside. Higher taxation for high earners. Open voting to 16 year olds. They did us proud. This has been worthwhile, that we wake up to the possibility that as a nation we can extend this debate south of the border and try to start healing a broken nation. That we continue to show the same passion this debate has ignited in fighting for social justice not just in Scotland but in rest of UK and in other nations. |
| Fergie4, GuardianWitness | Fergie4, GuardianWitness |
| I can’t count the number of new friends I’ve made, most of them around my local area and new networks have sprung up that mean events can be organised last minute and still draw a crowd. Over the past week or two the atmosphere in Glasgow has changed. Someone said on Twitter today it feels like the whole of Scotland is making friends on Twitter and in real life: it really does. | I can’t count the number of new friends I’ve made, most of them around my local area and new networks have sprung up that mean events can be organised last minute and still draw a crowd. Over the past week or two the atmosphere in Glasgow has changed. Someone said on Twitter today it feels like the whole of Scotland is making friends on Twitter and in real life: it really does. |
| Into that atmosphere, Westminster politicians offering to tell us what few more powers we can have feels like the past. | Into that atmosphere, Westminster politicians offering to tell us what few more powers we can have feels like the past. |
| William, 84, Vancouver, Canada | William, 84, Vancouver, Canada |
| I hope to see mass emigration of the Scots to countries where they can feel full citizens! | I hope to see mass emigration of the Scots to countries where they can feel full citizens! |
| I’m worried about Scotland’s future. Once the oil money runs out there will be a second UK wide referendum initiated by Westminster. I hope the older Scots will realise how much the pension lie has cost the younger Scots. | I’m worried about Scotland’s future. Once the oil money runs out there will be a second UK wide referendum initiated by Westminster. I hope the older Scots will realise how much the pension lie has cost the younger Scots. |
| I would like to see pensions devolved to Scotland and set up as Scottish. Scottish Crown Estates devolved to Scotland. Scottish car and driver permits devolved to Scotland. The countries in the UK set up as a Federation like the Canadian Provinces (which would be a good model). The house of Lords shut down and the titles banned in Scotland. At over 700 members in the Lords, the only bigger assembly is the Chinese Congress in Beijing. The financial savings would be immense. Scotland should raise and spend its own income tax in Scotland with a levy for such things as defence as a separate tax. | I would like to see pensions devolved to Scotland and set up as Scottish. Scottish Crown Estates devolved to Scotland. Scottish car and driver permits devolved to Scotland. The countries in the UK set up as a Federation like the Canadian Provinces (which would be a good model). The house of Lords shut down and the titles banned in Scotland. At over 700 members in the Lords, the only bigger assembly is the Chinese Congress in Beijing. The financial savings would be immense. Scotland should raise and spend its own income tax in Scotland with a levy for such things as defence as a separate tax. |
| Douglas Hamilton, GuardianWitness | Douglas Hamilton, GuardianWitness |
| One big lesson from this campaign, is that everyone’s voice matters and that, if we care about our country, we should make sure that voice is heard in every election that we have the opportunity to participate in. | One big lesson from this campaign, is that everyone’s voice matters and that, if we care about our country, we should make sure that voice is heard in every election that we have the opportunity to participate in. |
| But it is not just our democratic decisions that matter. Every day we have the opportunity to make decisions in our families, in our communities and in our workplaces and decisions about how we treat others and the environment that we live in. Each of those small decisions contribute to the kind of Scotland that we live in. | But it is not just our democratic decisions that matter. Every day we have the opportunity to make decisions in our families, in our communities and in our workplaces and decisions about how we treat others and the environment that we live in. Each of those small decisions contribute to the kind of Scotland that we live in. |
| As we move forward from the referendum let us remember that each of us has the power to make a difference and a contribution to make towards a better Scotland. If we were empowered to make a difference yesterday, we are still empowered to make a difference today - and we have lots of opportunities to do that. | As we move forward from the referendum let us remember that each of us has the power to make a difference and a contribution to make towards a better Scotland. If we were empowered to make a difference yesterday, we are still empowered to make a difference today - and we have lots of opportunities to do that. |
| Andrew, 26, Glasgow, Scotland | Andrew, 26, Glasgow, Scotland |
| I hope for Scotland to be a counterweight to London’s dominance. For a third of its largest cities children to no longer live in relative poverty. Yes, the UK government’s relentless focus on one area of the country has drained the lives blood from the rest. I hope, if not independence, then a full federal structure with Scotland given full tax and spend powers including the right to control the North sea oil. | I hope for Scotland to be a counterweight to London’s dominance. For a third of its largest cities children to no longer live in relative poverty. Yes, the UK government’s relentless focus on one area of the country has drained the lives blood from the rest. I hope, if not independence, then a full federal structure with Scotland given full tax and spend powers including the right to control the North sea oil. |
| ID3501768, GuardianWitness | ID3501768, GuardianWitness |
| The focus of future governments should be obtaining advantage for normal people whether we are separate or together. The feeling of disadvantage and unfairness is an understandable emotion for Scotland, but their position is no different from most English, Welsh and NI regions. | The focus of future governments should be obtaining advantage for normal people whether we are separate or together. The feeling of disadvantage and unfairness is an understandable emotion for Scotland, but their position is no different from most English, Welsh and NI regions. |
| rrrrrrr, GuardianWitness | rrrrrrr, GuardianWitness |
| I passed a cafe in Govanhill earlier today, and witnessed the sight of two elderly gentleman debating over coffee whether Scotland could attain NATO membership, or if that was even desirable. In fact just about every second conversation to be heard when walking around Glasgow is on independence and the associated benefits and risks. It’s utterly fantastic, and I hope that this level of political engagement continues long into the future regardless of the result. | I passed a cafe in Govanhill earlier today, and witnessed the sight of two elderly gentleman debating over coffee whether Scotland could attain NATO membership, or if that was even desirable. In fact just about every second conversation to be heard when walking around Glasgow is on independence and the associated benefits and risks. It’s utterly fantastic, and I hope that this level of political engagement continues long into the future regardless of the result. |
| Miguel, 56, Toronto, Canada | Miguel, 56, Toronto, Canada |
| I hope that Scotland’s culture, traditions, music and economy continue to flourish. That they can maintain an identity, but still be a part of Great Britain. I am concerned that they will experience animosity and uncertainty. That the squabble will continue, and investment will start to move elsewhere and that they experience the Québécois phenomena of perpetual deterioration. More devolution of power but more laws protecting the country from having this question raised every few years as a political ploy. | I hope that Scotland’s culture, traditions, music and economy continue to flourish. That they can maintain an identity, but still be a part of Great Britain. I am concerned that they will experience animosity and uncertainty. That the squabble will continue, and investment will start to move elsewhere and that they experience the Québécois phenomena of perpetual deterioration. More devolution of power but more laws protecting the country from having this question raised every few years as a political ploy. |
| Claire Boyle, GuardianWitness | |
| I moved away from Glasgow this summer to work in the Netherlands so it still very much feels like my home and I’m watching everyone I know engage and discuss this massive event that I can only now watch from afar! However, my new company is incredibly diverse and there have been some fantastic discussions among people, many of whom are from countries who have declared independence from Britain in the past. Most people are in favor of independence but a few have warnings - does Scotland realise what a great position it is in as part of the UK? There is a lot of uncertainty but I believe a country taking control of it’s own affairs should always be the ideal and I believe Scotland is ready to do this. I would vote Yes if I could! | I moved away from Glasgow this summer to work in the Netherlands so it still very much feels like my home and I’m watching everyone I know engage and discuss this massive event that I can only now watch from afar! However, my new company is incredibly diverse and there have been some fantastic discussions among people, many of whom are from countries who have declared independence from Britain in the past. Most people are in favor of independence but a few have warnings - does Scotland realise what a great position it is in as part of the UK? There is a lot of uncertainty but I believe a country taking control of it’s own affairs should always be the ideal and I believe Scotland is ready to do this. I would vote Yes if I could! |
| Mary, 64, Toronto, Canada | Mary, 64, Toronto, Canada |
| I think Scotland did the right thing staying in the Union. Division today in this world does not work – it fails. | I think Scotland did the right thing staying in the Union. Division today in this world does not work – it fails. |
| I think now with the concessions given by David Cameron, Scotland will advance and grow in so many ways. Scotland has been a leader throughout the world for hundreds of years. It will only get better. | I think now with the concessions given by David Cameron, Scotland will advance and grow in so many ways. Scotland has been a leader throughout the world for hundreds of years. It will only get better. |
| We need to work together for the good of our countries and humanity is the way to go today, there is no other. Not at all. Scotland has spoken and both sides should join hands and push towards a new Scotland and a new UK which has the potential to be the trailblazer for the entire world. | We need to work together for the good of our countries and humanity is the way to go today, there is no other. Not at all. Scotland has spoken and both sides should join hands and push towards a new Scotland and a new UK which has the potential to be the trailblazer for the entire world. |
| Scotland ran the Referendum with dignity, nobility, kindness, we never saw hatred or violence, as we see continually all over the world. A true testimony to the Scottish people. | Scotland ran the Referendum with dignity, nobility, kindness, we never saw hatred or violence, as we see continually all over the world. A true testimony to the Scottish people. |
| ID506173, GuardianWitness | ID506173, GuardianWitness |
| I think this debate has engaged and empowered a new generation and change will come. Scotland is starting to believe in itself. | I think this debate has engaged and empowered a new generation and change will come. Scotland is starting to believe in itself. |
| Do you agree or disagree with the views above? Share your thoughts in the comments and we’ll move a selection above the line. | Do you agree or disagree with the views above? Share your thoughts in the comments and we’ll move a selection above the line. |
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