Independence SE Poll

[PhilA]

Today was a vote in Westminster against the Bedroom Tax.
Two thirds of SNP didnt turn up.

Guess they dont hate it so much then?

They should go sit on the naughty step for a while

[neil]

Has the bedroom tax not been scrapped in Scotland? If they had all turned up there would have been complaints that they were voting on something that doesn't affect them

[j2 lot]

Has the bedroom tax not been scrapped in Scotland?

Still in force, a cynic might say the SNP don't want it scrapped so close to the vote when they would hope to use scrapping it as an early sweetener in an Independent Scotland

[Rosssco]

The bedroom tax has not been scrapped, but the Scottish government has the ability to add to the housing benefit payments to bring it to pre-bedroom tax levels.

[tut]

Bit of a turnaround, it is now neck and neck, and I predict that it is now probably going to be a Yes vote, as it will strengthen even more over the next week.

Bookies odds gone from 1/8 to 1/2 for a No, hell of a drop.

tut

[renmure]

Polls suggest it is closer than I ever thought it would be. I was expecting something like 60/40 against. Not saying it won't end up like that at the end of the day mind you.

[jason]

If any vote swing in either direction is directly attributable to recent political rhetoric, televised shouting matches and social media badgering - rather than balanced debate or consideration… then it's a disappointing state of affairs for such a profound decision IMHO.

[PhilA]

i think our Red Headed Scots trait may be to blame.
I am being stereo typical, but I know myself and when something winds me up I can change my mind sharpish.

e.g. the whole "its the bank of england" and its "english money going to pay for scottish things" - that would me up, I decided Yes.
then I looked at the financials and it didnt make sense, so I decided No.
then the whole pro-fracking by the tories wound me up, it really hit my green button, so I decided Yes again!

then when i calmed down I looked at the UK shared social togetherness and again at the finances, then at the transient political issues, and finally at the actual difference with green attitudes up here in gov, and I decided on No and ive actually gone futher into no.

my point is, the "wound me up" has happened alot and it may decide the Yes vote.

[Rosssco]

This may sound over-reactionary, but is there any practical steps that can be taken to mitigate the potential negative effects in the result of a yes vote?

I.e. I was looking to renew my mortgage in the near future - should this make any difference in the short term?

I don't have any loans / credit etc. I guess perhaps if considering property investment, avoid Scotland for a couple years (or more) until this is partially resolved..

Worrying times ahead should Scotland leave take leave of its senses and vote for this...

[j2 lot]

If there is a Yes vote I reckon anyone with debt that isn't fixed rate should try to clear it as soon as possible as the lending rate is heading North (literally).

We have a fixed rate mortgage until February next year and can't pay it off before then without penalty but that will be our first priority in March.

[tut]

A very large % of the yes vote is going to come from the heart as opposed to the head, look at this Forum where everything seems to have been debated and considered from both sides, including lots of facts and figures that show two sides of the argument, but I think nothing is still clear cut.

tut

[David]

This may sound over-reactionary, but is there any practical steps that can be taken to mitigate the potential negative effects in the result of a yes vote?

I.e. I was looking to renew my mortgage in the near future - should this make any difference in the short term?

I don't have any loans / credit etc. I guess perhaps if considering property investment, avoid Scotland for a couple years (or more) until this is partially resolved..

Worrying times ahead should Scotland leave take leave of its senses and vote for this...

The closing gap has certainly made me think! I've already taken steps to protect my pension pots and savings. In the event of a yes vote, the most likely outcome is that I'll move south with my employer until I retire (which is only a few years away now). I perceive the biggest risk is relying on the state for your income, and retiring in England seems the better bet.

My Kids, no doubt, will stay and weather the storm until sunnier times. I'm not sure I'll live that long. There could be life changing times ahead.

[Jam_s160]

Personally, if a Yes wins I'll be quite sad about it all.

Would rather have seen all the campaign money spent on Scottish infrastructure... minimising their ongoing rather large overspend each year on year.

[j2 lot]

Personally, if a Yes wins I'll be quite sad about it all. .

I really truly believe there will be some really hard times ahead, a lot of the people voting won't remember (or have been born) when we had mortgage rates well into double figures, they may well need to get their heads around it for the future though

[tut]

Why does he have to use phrases like "The whole Westminster Gang", it is neither Statesman like(sic) or even thought through, just demeaning.

I don't mind how you are going to vote, those words would not come out of Cameron's mouth.

tut