Most people we asked in Liverpool wanted Scotland to say ‘no’ and remain in the UK, including former Lord Mayor Gary Millar. Liverpool pic by Vegard Grott; Gary Millar pic © Wikimedia Commons
This week’s historic vote on whether Scotland should break away from the union and gain independence has divided the views of Liverpudlians, but it seems that a large majority wants the Scots to remain in the United Kingdom.
The latest polls from north of the border suggest that the outcome is too close to call, with the ‘no’ advocates rated as having a slight advantage.
However, ‘yes’ campaign figurehead, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, has gained huge momentum in recent weeks, despite the best efforts of UK Prime Minister David Cameron, his deputy Nick Clegg and Labour leader, Ed Miliband, to stop him.
Scottish residents head for the ballot box on Thursday, and on the eve of the big decision that could break up Britain, we went out onto the streets of Liverpool to ask locals and visitors to the city whether they think Scotland should vote ‘yes’ and go it alone.
Our exclusive sample poll of more than 200 people in town revealed that 141 (69%) felt Scotland should reject the chance to ‘divorce’ from the rest of the country, while 48 (24%) thought Scots would be right to choose to become independent, and 15 people (7%) could not decide.
Among those backing the ‘no’ campaign was former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Gary Millar, who told JMU Journalism he is passionate about seeing his home nation stay part of the UK.
Cllr Millar, who is originally from Leith, Edinburgh, was asked if he wanted fellow Scots to vote ‘yes’ in the referendum, and he replied: “No, but it’s nothing to do with economics or financial stability. In my heart I am just UK and British. Although I love Scotland, I live here [in Liverpool] so it is not for me to tell the Scottish how to vote. It is up to them.”
The Labour city councillor, who ended his tenure as lord mayor in June this year, also stressed how a decision in favour of independence would eventually weaken his party and leave the Conservatives strengthened in Westminster.
He added: “People say to me, ‘well surely we should be better together?’ and I agree. In the end, Scotland has been part of the UK for over 300 years and we had the Act of the Crown in 1603, the Act of the Union in 1707, and we have been together for a hell of a long time. Let’s stay together.
“I get it intellectually, I get it economically but most of it for me is in here,” Cllr Millar told JMU Journalism, pointing to his heart. “That is what the ‘yes’ vote has been able to do. Forget all the facts and the figures, it is actually about passion.”
Wallasey-based Meredith Grainger shared that viewpoint and wondered about the views of the monarch, as the 52-year-old said: “I can’t imagine a broken Britain. What must the Queen think?”
Michael Williams, 23, of Liverpool, said: “No, because we need them as much as they need us. The rest of the UK would definitely be a lot weaker.”
Liverpool pensioner Nancy Ferry, 80, told JMU Journalism: “No. I’m worried sick because I pay into a Scottish bank. I’ve been paying it for years and when I pop my clogs, I want it for my grandchildren.”
Independence supporters included 20-year-old Sian O’Neil from Liverpool “because they are strong enough to be on their own and their people shouldn’t be governed from London, which has no connection to them”.
Toxteth resident Amy Zheng, 24, said: “Yes. Although I don’t know a lot about the history of the United Kingdom, my family are originally from Tibet, which is a region where their right to self-determination isn’t accepted by China. Every nation should have their right to this.”
Scroll through the edited comments below to read the opinions of others about the Scottish independence vote.
Additional reporting for JMU Journalism by: Josh Handscomb; Daniel Wright; Kaltun Abdillahi; James Busby; Bradd Chambers; Michael Glynn; Alice Kershaw; Melissa McFarlane; Angharad Millington; Josie O’Sullivan; Lauren Pulford; Imogen Sweeney; James Tomlinson; Georgie Whitworth; Hannah Anderson; Rebecca Cookson; Liam Cotton; Kieran Etoria-King; Matthew Judge; Megan Hill; Amy Holdsworth; Josh Kelsall; Emily Lewis; Emma Marsden; Samuel Peers; Stevie Pickering; Laura Schumann; Olivia Swayne-Atherton; Hollie Bradbury; Katie Dodson; Georgia Dunning; John Elsworth; Anthony Fisher; Samantha Gaulter-Green; Dan Goulding; Sarah Hancocks; Adam Jones; Sophie Lockett; Lydia Morris; Sean Purvis; Adrian Speed; Owen Swift; Josie Timms & Kayleigh Watthey
Cai Astley, 21, Kensington
“No, I don’t like the idea of needing a passport to cross the border, and there are going to be roaming charges on your mobile phone plus increased tax.”
Carmel McKean, 60, Crosby
“No, because of the history. It’s a 300-year union so I think it’s better together for lots of reasons. Historically, economically, and there’s talk of a border going up between us and that just feels wrong to me.”
John O’Brien, 68, Aintree
“Yes, I think they should vote independence because they’d be better off financially. VAT rates and bank rates are going to rise.”
Maria McCann, 59, Toxteth
“Yes because it’s anti-establishment. [David] Cameron and all the other dreadful MPs are all about money. Tories only care about making the rich richer and the poor poorer. They’re cutting people’s money so I think it would be good to get away from that.”
Pauline Gainford, 56, Norris Green
“No because it’s going to make our country smaller. We’ll have to change our flag and it changes our heritage.”
Steven Carson, 19, Knotty Ash
“No because it’s how it’s always been. Look at Russia and Yugoslavia, it could go the same way. I think we’re better together.”
Kim Moffatt, 19, Bootle
“No, I’d rather they stayed because they’re talking about keeping the pound but if they leave then I don’t think they should. It’s not fair on us.”
Jessica Goss, 18, Birkenhead
“No, they should stay with us, they shouldn’t be so greedy.”
George Leigh, 20, Manchester
“No. I don’t think they realise the consequences that will happen. Economically it could fall apart and they’ll pull out of RBS.”
John Dempsey, 57, Kirkby
“No. It’s too complicated… better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know. I don’t think it will benefit Scotland and it won’t be a good idea for them to be set adrift.”
Karen Chew, 45, Aintree
“I think it should be a no. I think it will just make things more difficult for them and probably for us as well a little bit.”
Faye Porter, 19, Aintree
“No. I think they should stay with England because it seems like everything is changing, like the banks saying they’re going to move from Scotland, so it’s bad for the Scottish people.”
Mark Best, 40, Scotland
“If I still lived in Scotland I would vote yes, but [now it’s] no. When you live in Scotland you have it drummed into you about being very patriotic and anti-English. I think a lot of people are going to be voting yes on that basis. I don’t think it is the right decision personally but I would probably vote no if I had the opportunity to vote.”
Debra Pepper, 52, Lancaster
“I don’t know. I can understand why Scotland want to do it, I worry if they do go with yes we will be stuck with the Tory party because Scotland is predominantly Labour and that’s the only chance Labour have ever got for getting back in. I really do worry about the UK and the government we could be left with.”
Katie Wear, 30, Wirral
“Yes, because they clearly don’t want to be a part of this country so we don’t need them.”
Olivia Parkins, 28, Toxteth
“No, we wouldn’t be the United Kingdom without them. If they did leave it might start a thing where Wales will want to leave as well so we’ll be on our own.”
John Peterson, 63, Aigburth
“Yes. They’re making such a fuss let’s just give them what they want, see if they can handle being all on their own.”
Patrick Dawes, 48, Kensington
“No, it’s complicated enough as it is and them leaving would only make it worse politically and financially.”
Michael Warren, 36, Childwall
“No, because we’ll be left with just a Tory government and nobody wants that, do they?”
Danielle Hogan, 27, Walton
“Yes because we don’t even need them anyway. I mean do they actually even add anything to this country? I don’t think so.”
Thomas Andrews, 49, Everton
“I don’t really know – it could go both ways. Good for them and bad for us, or the other way around. There are definitely pros and cons on both sides.”
James Folan, 69, Liverpool
“No, because I have a financial interest in them staying in the UK, but if I was Scottish I would say yes.”
Marina Smith, 79, Liverpool
“No, definitely not. I think they will go from bad to worse if they vote yes, in my opinion. It would be a shame if they did as we fought it 300 years ago. We have family there as well and they said if the vote goes yes, they will come down here.”
John Smith, 48, Crosby
“No, I think in terms of the economy I can’t see what they have on their own. As for the oil and water, if they vote yes I wouldn’t want Scotland to have dibs on that.”
Bob Hibbert, 67, Crosby
“Yes, we have been ripped off for years. The poor stays poor and the rich are getting richer. What they’re saying is give us a chance, so let them have their chance.”
Oliver Spencer, 18, Birkenhead
“Yes, for cultural reasons really. If I was Scottish I would want to live in my own country.”
Janet Brown, 58, Liverpool
“Yes, they have a right to self-determination.”
Pauline Bates 68, Anfield
“No, I think the Scottish people have worked hard, but I don’t think that they have the funding and would be under too much peer pressure if they were separated from the UK.”
Angela Stevenson, 43, St Helens
“No, it would be better for them to stay with the UK.”
James Thompson, 60, Allerton
“No, they should stay with the UK, it’s a small country and I don’t think they could cope on their own. They have always been supported by England until they got the oil.”
Mary Smith, 77, Middlesbrough
“Yes, to see how they get on. I think it would be a loss for them but good luck to them.”
Laura Roberts, 28, Bootle
“No, a lot of businesses in London are based in Scotland, we have friends there and if the vote is yes, they would have to move.”
Josie Jones, 20, Crosby
“No. It seems like such an effort for Scotland to become independent and there is a lot to consider, such as currency and oil.”
James Hughes, 22, Kirkdale
“No. Scotland only want more power and they are still going to get this if they stay in the UK and vote no. It will benefit them in the long run if they stay.”
Nancy Ferry, 80, Liverpool
“No. I’m worried sick because I pay into a Scottish bank. I’ve been paying it for years and when I pop my clogs, I want it for my grandchildren.”
Sarah Thompson, 34, Maghull
“No. Financially I don’t think they would survive 50 years alone.”
Barbra Simmons, 54, Southport
“Yes, Scotland have wanted independence for a while now so this is their opportunity to leave.”
Charlie Marston, 67, Bebington
“No. We would end up with a Tory government forever. If they leave the UK there would be far fewer Labour MPs. That means we would have a Conservative government forever.”
Margret Halpin, 49, Allerton
“No. It’s just a shame, we should all be together and be a United Kingdom. Plus, my daughter lives there with her boyfriend and she’s English, she might have to come back, I don’t know.”
Alan Flute, 49, Halewood
“No. It could be bad for the British community and our economy as a whole.”
Anna Graham, 42, Knowsley
“No, but mainly for personal reasons. I have friends who live Scotland and I have done a lot of freelance work up there and this could affect my work.”
Gill Anderson, 47, Birkenhead
“Yes, if they’re OK with it as it’s their country and their decision to leave.”
Holly Lyndon, 19, Liverpool
“No, I don’t think they should because it will just mess things up as they’ve got their independence already and I think it is better if we’re united.”
Clive Woodman, 51, Leeds
“Yes they should, they want it so they can have it. That’s what they want and they don’t think we’re good enough. If they want their independence they can have it.”
Kieran McDonald, 21, Preston
“Yes, they’ll struggle financially but they should be allowed to rule themselves if that’s what they want.”
Ben Scott, 50, Liverpool
“No, I don’t like nationalism and I don’t believe the Scottish should break away from the UK. People lose families over nationalism and it breeds hatred.”
Janet Wright, 30, Wirral
“No, it will affect the younger generation and could lead to wars in the future as there already is bad blood between the borders.”
William Blackburn, 78, Salford
“No, they will be worse off financially and the oil is owned by the oil companies, not Scotland. I think Scotland and the North should have more power and in Westminster, but they shouldn’t leave the UK.”
Jane Seymore, 44, Liverpool
“No, because I don’t think any Scottish people want it and a lot of Scottish people I know don’t want to leave because they won’t be financially better off anyway.”
Jack Potter, 23, Lancaster
“No, we’re stronger together and I think they may end up regretting it as the cost of living will rise. They may be richer in the short term, but in the long term I think they will suffer.”
Chloe Lewis, 22, Liverpool
“Yes, if that’s what Scotland want to do then we should let them get on with it. Even though it will affect the UK, at the end of the day it should be up to the Scots.”
Kenneth Forde, 71, Liverpool
“No, it should be a no. I’m surprised there is even support for a yes vote. We should keep the UK small and nice. We need a strong manufacturing base.”
Lauren James, 52, Liverpool
“Yes, because our own health services have gone down the pan. No wonder they want to get out. It’s going to get all dirty.”
Brenda Gibson, 64, Kensington
“No, I’d miss Scotland with us. I don’t think it’s the right time for us all to separate. I’ve got a couple of Scottish friends and they’re all voting no. It would be like losing a leg.”
Steve Brie, 57, Liverpool
“Yes for them, but no for us. I think voting yes would affect the economy and definitely the stock market.”
“I don’t know because they should have their own rights and I don’t think it is fair for people from Liverpool to comment.”
Sid Vance, 51, Toxteth
“No, I just think for years and years they were so suppressed and we came in to help them. We helped with employment and I don’t think you should break away from those who helped you.”
Mary Davies, Bootle
“They should say no because that would be breaking the union up and make us weaker. Stand united or it will cause trouble.”
John Jones, 42, Liverpool
“Yes, I think they should have their own power and rights. But it will make them a lot weaker.”
Michael Williams, 23, Liverpool
“No because we need them as much as they need us. The rest of the UK would definitely be a lot weaker.”
Loraine Gardner, 58, Crosby
“I don’t know. I think it would be good to keep us together because I think they are already separate culturally from us and we are very accepting of that. Some people feel really strongly about voting yes and I can understand that, too.”
Jimmy Lundon, 56, Liverpool
“Yes. Sounds a bit silly but yes, to see what happens. I think they’ll vote no though. How would they survive? What’s going to happen? I think a lot of questions have been unanswered.”
Albert Boothroyd, 80, Liverpool
“No, I think they’ll struggle to be honest. The money side of things will be a big issue.”
Yvonne Turnbull, 46, Wirral
“It’s up to them, I don’t know. I don’t think I’m too concerned about it at the moment but if the yes vote does happen then people will think about it I think. I think that people will become really worried about our EU status.”
Paul Woodward, 53, Liverpool
“No. I hope they vote no because Labour won’t get into power without them which means we’ll be left with a Conservative government. But saying that, if I was Scottish I’d vote yes because I think that the government is too focused on the South East. I saw a statistic the other day which showed how much money they spend on infrastructure and they only spend £5 on infrastructure per head in the North East compared to over £2,000 per head in London.”
Nathan Fox, 32, Leeds
“No, I think that it is up to them to decide but if I was Scottish I would vote no because I think they need the support of the rest of the UK.”
Nawalage Suvanga Thushava Dias, 37, Liverpool
“No, I think that Scotland is better with England. I think that it needs the strength of a bigger nation to be able to function well.”
Lucy Williams, 20, Wrexham
“No, I think that it relies too much on services provided by the UK to survive on their own. Especially with the NHS, I don’t know what they’ll do without it.”
Roy Adams, 60, Warrington
“No, I think it will diminish both countries. The UK is small enough already without losing Scotland. I don’t think either countries are strong enough to be independent from one another.”
Oliver Davies, 31, Shrewsbury
“No, I want them to stay in the UK because I think that it will impact badly economically on both Scotland and the rest of the UK if they leave.”
Ollie Lanigan, 20, Stockport
“No, I believe in democracy so I think that it is up to them but I think economically it wouldn’t be a good idea. They wouldn’t be able to function properly.”
Laurence James, 50, Huyton
“Yes, I definitely think they should. I think it will stand on its own two feet. It has great resources and academics. Plus, China and India have disposable income and they will want to invest in Scotland.”
Patrick Kelly, 20, Northern Ireland
“Yes, I think they should. Everyone should support their own country. If it was happening at home I would be supporting everyone in Ireland.”
Alice Taylor, 19, Stafford
“No, I think they should stay. I think it’s good to have the UK all together.”
Lewis Halligan, 27, London
“I would say yes. It is a big opportunity that’s not going to come around that often and I think it’s worth the risk.”
Joe Jones, 26, Birmingham
“I think they shouldn’t because its only short term gain. I think they just want more power.”
Lucy McKeown, 18, West Kirby
“No, I don’t think they could cope on their own without the support of the rest of the UK.”
Ryan Byrne, 20, Leicester
“No, because I think they should stay part of Britain as it will be better for their pensions as well as also securing help from the NHS. They are also a big industrial power in Europe and a great supporter of the British military.”
Kieran Strangeway, 19, Yorkshire
No, it’s been in the UK for over 300 years. People see us, and Scotland, as the UK. We will lose some of our identity. Scotland leaving will most likely lose a lot of business and their economy will collapse. They won’t have an army, that’s been built over years between us. They also won’t be able to be a part of the EU, so that will create further costs for everyone else around them until they join, and the most important thing is the Wimbledon clock will be reset to 78 years to the last British winner!”
Rosie Wilkinson, 19, Chorley
“No, they will lose out on support from England and lose money.”
Melissa Fountain, 21, Bolton
“They should vote no because they can’t afford independence and we’ll probably have to bail them out in the end. It will also cost us because we’ll have to make a new flag and such.”
Morgan Withay, 63, Stirling
“No. I think Alex Salmond is on a personal mission and he hasn’t thought on how much it will cost to run Scotland. They don’t have enough money for education, they have the services we have here but taxes will go up and end up reducing the current services they have now.”
Sue Edwards, 56, Liverpool
“No. I think they should vote no because of the repercussions. It’s not only about independence from England, it’s the financial repercussions and economic reasons as well. Also, with regard to the oil industry off the coast there in Aberdeen, where does that leave us? Are we going to have to spend more on importing the oil? I think there’s a hell of a lot going on.”
Steven Lawton, 27, Liverpool
“No, I think they should stay. I think everyone would be better together.’’
Ben Chuter, 20, Lancaster
“I don’t know. I don’t really have much of an opinion, to be honest. I guess it’s up to them whether independence would help or hinder them.”
Emily Parnell, 19, Edge Hill
“No, I want them to remain part of Britain, purely because I think if they become independent they’ll suffer economically and lose a lot of benefits involved with being part of the UK, such as the NHS. In the long run, I think they’ll have a lot of negative repercussions.”
Marc Worley, 45, Liverpool
“Yes, I think it’s an opportunity to pursue a different set of policies, especially economic and social policies. It’s a rare opportunity that I think they should take.”
Luke Johnson, 24, Liverpool
“No, because I don’t believe they have the economic capability to go it alone. But I think the whole of the north of England should have at least more devolved power from government.”
Phil Cartmail, 62, Stafford
“No I think they’re better off in the United Kingdom. People ask me my nationality and I say I’m British. [Alex] Salmond is a passionate guy and I think that they should have more control but we’re better together. It’s a small county as well and I don’t think it could cope on its own.”
Anthony Ryan, 45, Liverpool
“No. I’d like to keep the BBC together. I value the historical links that the two countries have together and that means the BBC remains broadcasting across the border.”
Cheryl Rowan, 34, Liverpool
“Looking at the press coverage, I would say no. I think if they do go independent, it would be bad for them and probably for us. I know that students in Scotland get all their fees paid so that may be an incentive for them personally.”
Lyn Cain, 60, Aigburth
“No, because I don’t think it will do them any good. I think a lot of firms will pull out of Scotland and financially it will be bad. I think that mortgages may also go up as well.”
Alan Woods, 58, Formby
“We should all stay the same, we’re better united. Why should [David] Cameron be debating up there? We’ve got our own problems down here.”
Graham Stephen, 60, Northwich
“No, we should stay together. The best healthcare system is here and they’d have to change currency. It doesn’t sit well with people that things should change. They’re nothing without us.”
Cheryl Bretherton, 45, Chester
“No, I think they are better off staying with the union. They are too small and it is sparsely populated. My brother lives in Inverness so his wife and son were brought up there but personally I just don’t see how it’s going to work for them economically. It will be so bad before it gets good… would it be worth it?
Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Gary Millar
(from Leith, Edinburgh)
“No, but it’s nothing to do with economics or financial stability. In my heart I am just UK and British. Although I love Scotland, I live here [in Liverpool] so it is not for me to tell the Scottish how to vote. It is up to them.”
(see fuller quote above)
Beryl Hatch, 67, Warrington
“Scotland is a great tourist attraction. I think on paper and in theory it could work so I’m going to say yes.”
Liam Gibson, 23, Liverpool:
“I can’t wait for it to be a yes because they need to learn the hard way.”
Meredith Grainger, 52, Wallasey
“No, I can’t imagine a broken Britain. What must the Queen think?”
Harry Cummings, 24, St Helens
“No. I suppose you have to think what’s going to happen to North Sea oil and gas? According to maritime law they will own it and that’s why I don’t think they should become independent.”
Olisa Ufodiama, 20, Speke
“No. I wonder what the flag will look like if we aren’t the United Kingdom?”
Gary Townsend, 27, Liverpool
“No, because I think about Ireland becoming independent and what all that caused. It’s going to cause all kinds of problems really.”
Fliss Smith, 32, Norris Green
“Yes, because Scotland obviously wants independence. I don’t think it will happen straight away because these things take time. They’ll want to know by January 1st so they can submit their EU application really.”
Gillian Higgs, 26, Liverpool
“No, because as a border country they won’t want passport control will they? This will throw everything off balance and it will all be a mess.”
Lotta Beattie, 30, St Helens
“No, because it will cause mayhem won’t it?”
Simone Thackary, 48, Manchester
“No. Who is the head of state going to be? If they can’t have our prime minister I really don’t think they’ve thought this through in the long run.”
Dean Walker, 44, Wirral
“No, because what is it going to do to our currency – it will break the British pound won’t it really? What currency are they actually going to use. This will not be good for any country coming out of a recession so I’m going to say no.”
Mike Stasak, 60, Liverpool
“No, because there will be cuts on all services and they [Scottish people] can’t have our pound! The main revenue comes from the oil, so what happens when that goes? [Alex] Salmond’s got no answer.”
Desmond Boswill, 59, Aberdeen
“Yes, because I’m Scottish myself – It’s about my pride.”
Ray Barnes, 52, Huyton
“No. It’s entirely up to them, there are good parts for them and there will be bad parts as well. They’re not going to be using the pound, there is plenty to think about. If I was Scottish I’d let it stay the way it is.”
Georgina Moyles, 31, Windermere, Lake District
“No. I think they will but I wouldn’t if I was them. Ultimately they are headstrong anyway and they will do what they want.”
Alby Robinson, 43, Anfield
“Yes. Any coalition with David Cameron is wrong. He has no backbone and I think Alex Salmond can do a better job.””
Marc Crehan, 18, Wigan
“No. They will mess up their economy. Then again, they can go to university for free.”
James Balmer, 23, Liverpool
“No, they’ll lose a lot of benefits. But then maybe they’ll gain some as well.”
Assad Khan, 33, Smithdown
“No. England are dependent on Scotland for oil and gas, plus the army.”
Frank Williams, 70, Sefton
“No, Scotland shouldn’t leave because when the going gets tough you’ve got to stick together. It’s like a marriage, if you hit a hard patch then you don’t just give up.”
Josephine Williams, 69, Sefton
“No, I don’t think they should leave us either because it seems to me that they’re frustrated with our government. We all are, leaving won’t solve any problems.”
Elliot Commons, 21, Liverpool –
“Yes, If Scotland really wants independence then they should have it but there are a lot of things that would need to be made clear by the Scottish independence people. ‘Would they really do a better job?’ is what I think everyone unsure will ask.”
Elliot Commons, 21, Liverpool
“Yes, If Scotland really wants independence then they should have it but there are a lot of things that would need to be made clear by the Scottish independence people. ‘Would they really do a better job?’ is what I think everyone unsure will ask.”
Sian O’Neil, 20, Liverpool
“Scotland should vote yes and be independent because they are strong enough to be on their own and their people shouldn’t be governed from London, which has no connection to them.”
Amy Zheng, 24, Toxteth
“Yes. Although I don’t know a lot about the history of the United Kingdom, my family are originally from Tibet which is a region where their right to self-determination isn’t accepted by China. Every nation should have their right to this.”
Robert Nolan, 43, Wavertree
“No, I don’t think they should leave because it would make it a hell of a lot more difficult for us to get the Tories out, which needs to happen as soon as possible.”
Paul Wright, 65, Liverpool
“Yes, basically the Westminster lot are only interested in the South East. I really believe that we should get out ourselves.”
Olivia Moorcroft, 17, Liverpool
“No, I don’t really understand why they want to become independent. I don’t think things should change.”
Sophie Swift, 16, Liverpool
“No, I think they are better off sticking with our government. I really don’t think it will end well.”
Cara Nadia, 18, Liverpool
“No, it leaves us weak and they will be weak too. I think it’s the wrong decision for them.”
Josh Wilkinson, 32, Toxteth
“Yes, but I don’t really follow the issue much. I don’t really understand why they are battling so hard to try and keep Scotland tied to England. If they want to become independent I say let them.”
Lucy Arrowsmith, 19, Shrewsbury
“No, it will mess up the United Kingdom’s economy.”
Darren Geoghegan, 48, Liverpool
“No, we are better together as a whole. I don’t think it will happen.”
Phil Hayes, 26, Bootle
“No, we’ve been together a long time. I think their problem is more to do with the Conservative party rather than the UK itself but I do understand why Scotland would want to be independent.”
Liam Bentley, 18, Liverpool
“Yes, they take too much money from the UK and there isn’t much input back from them. Also, students from the UK cannot study in Scotland without a Scottish passport or Scottish heritage, which is unfair.”
Andy Kay, 45, St Helens
“No, as they won’t be in NATO and the EU and so will have to re-apply and then they will want a parachute permit from us.”
Anne Williams, 66, Liverpool
“If it was me I’d vote no, I would be really worried about the economy. They have oil and gas but is that really enough?”
Phil Krasner, 42, Glasgow
“No, I was born in Scotland and there are pros of being part of the UK. The union has been together over 300 years, it would be a travesty if Scotland voted yes.”
Craig Gerrard, 53, Liverpool
“I’d vote no because I’m British, I don’t regard myself as English. We’re better together.”
Kristian Quirk, 18, Liverpool
“No. I fear that lots of Scottish people will lose their jobs if they go independent.”
Stephen Slater, 46, Liverpool
“I would vote no, because I believe Scottish and English get on well together. We are all British.”
Julia Lynch, 52, St Helens
“No, we should stay together because we’re stronger together, and if Scotland leaves, Northern Ireland and Wales could follow.”
Sylvia Owens, 68, Liverpool
“No. We should be a united nation. Voting ‘yes’ would be spoiling 300 years of tradition in this country. If something isn’t broken, then it shouldn’t be fixed.”
Steve O’Halloran, 57, Liverpool
“No. It would be a disaster for this country. I don’t think the consequences have been explained properly to the people of Scotland by the nationalists. What will happen with the pound, Europe or defence? None of these have been answered by [Alex] Salmond.”
David Harper, 50, Warrington
“Yes, it’s great that Scottish people have finally been given the option to vote on the matter. They deserve to be independent as the Scottish National Party have campaigned for this for years. I believe it has always been something that the Scottish have wanted as many people feel downtrodden and ignored by the UK’s government.”
Robert Gahan, 55, Liverpool
“No, they are OK as they are. You would be silly to want to leave a union like the UK.”
Joshua Stephens, 19, Essex
“No, it doesn’t seem like they have really worked out the figures. Financially, in the long term, I don’t think they would cope on their own.”
Paul Gurrell, 39, Liverpool
“No, they’d lose a lot of the privileges they currently get as being part of Great Britain. If they become independent and cannot cope, there is no one there to help them.”
Joan Brown, 63, Manchester
“No, I believe the countries of the UK will always be better together. There is no better support.”
Claire Davis, 29, Liverpool
“No, I think that the view that the ‘yes’ campaign is giving out is very skewed and really Scotland do not do as badly out of the UK as they seem to be making out. Governmentally, there does need to be changes to favour Scotland, but they can stay in the UK and still be proud to be Scottish.”
Caitlin Mayall, 25, Liverpool
“I don’t really know, my mum and my sister live in Scotland and I know up there it is raging and so tense. The people who are saying no I’ve noticed are speaking from fear and the people who are saying yes seem to be, from what I can gather on Facebook, well researched and have backed up point of views.”
Dorothy Taylor, Liverpool
“Yes, because I think if I were a Scot I would want to be independent from the rest of the UK. They deserve the right to choose at least.”
David Jones, 58, Childwall
“Yes, I know that if I was Scottish I would want my own country. Scots are Scots aren’t they, so they should make their own decisions.”
Oliver Crossfield, 23, Bristol
“No, because they’re one of the strongest parts of our union. We’ve got a lot to gain from each other and without them there’s a lot to lose for both of us.”
Danny Rez, 30, Wirral
“Yes, I reckon everyone should be able to make their own decision. That’s what I believe, they should have the right to choose. It’s a different country, different language, different place. They should have their own rights. They should have their own Prime Minister to make decisions and their own money, everything.”
Malcolm Newington, 38, Liverpool
“No, we’re better all united. Everyone has the choice to leave but I think we’re better as a United Kingdom, we’re better together. Business will get worse if they go independent and benefits for us could be cut and jobs could go.”
William Miller, Liverpool
“No, I’d just rather have them with us, it’s as simple as that.”
Roger Senegal, 60, Crosby
“Yes they should without a doubt. I came from Glasgow less than two weeks ago. If they vote yes it will completely change the dynamics of politics here. If all the people want it and it’s a democratic vote then let them go ahead with it. I just think the English might have a problem with it when it all starts to unravel.”
Jamie McFarlane, 40, Liverpool
“No I don’t think they should, they should stay in the UK and we can stay together. It’s the way we’ve always been so why change something? I think that one of the political points towards it, I feel like Alex Salmond is a bit greedy and he wants to be a dictator of the state, to be honest. The pound’s a big decision for them as well, isn’t it?”
Valerie Slater, 52, Liverpool
“No, in the long run, because we’ve always been together so we should stay together. Why change something that works?”
Laura Parkin, 26, Wirral
“No, because we have too much to lose from it. What would happen to the two governments and things that they have made decisions on that affect the UK? I don’t see how they would be able to share out the power and it’ll all go wrong.”
Charlotte Mahoney, 24, Warrington
“No, I think stay together because there would be a lot of questions over finances and I think they lose out and then they can’t get back in again. There should be a sort of trial to see how it works before they just go ahead and vote.”
Kyle Yousif, 22, London
“No, they shouldn’t. Their main money is oil and gas which will run out within 30 years, and they won’t get the pound so their economy could crash in the future.”
Martin Howard, 68, Anfield
“Yes, they’ll be better off and get their own say.”
Lucy Austin, 30, Hunts Cross
“I don’t know, I haven’t really looked into in to it so I’m not sure.”
James Dent, 20, Leeds
“No, they’ve only gone for independence to get more bartering rights. They’re scaremongering but they have no intention of actually leaving.”
Tom Davies, 20, Shrewsbury
“No, I don’t think they should leave… it’ll be weird without Scotland.”
Mary Nixon, 85, Maghull
“Yes, if I lived there I wouldn’t want to be part of England. They should have their own government and be entitled to more independence. If I was Scottish I’d want it too.”
Gaye Brown, 78, Maghull
“No, I don’t think they should. We’re better off as a union. [Alex] Salmond just wants to be king of Scotland and go down in history. There are lots of things he doesn’t know yet, like the currency they’ll use, and he’s saying it’s their oil, but how long will it last?”
Anne Quinn, 83, Liverpool
“No, but it’s up to them. I can understand why they want independence and I don’t blame them. They have been controlled by England for decades. But I think they should vote no.”
Frank Jones, 64, Liverpool
“No, I don’t think they should vote for independence. They haven’t got anybody to back them up if anything goes wrong.”
Alan Hughes, 58, Wales
“Yes. I think they should get out while they can. Independence is what they need to prove they are able to stand on their own two feet as they have been able to for hundreds of years.”
Yvonne Jones, 31, Liverpool
“No, I think they should stay because they are part of the UK.”
John Wilcox, 66, Wavertree
“No, I wouldn’t like to see the breakup of the UK.”
Geraldine Loughlin, 82, Lydiate
“No, I’m English so I’m very much against it. Why split up when we’ve been together for so many years? I think it’s a shame because it would cause quite a lot of problems. I think they are all thinking of themselves.”
Billy Graham, 66, Aintree
“No, absolutely not. It’s a part of our country so it would make us weaker. If it all comes about with Russia and Syria and a war breaks out, who’s going to look after Scotland? Us.”
Frank Kelly, 83, Rainhill
“No, we should all stick together, if there was a war on we would all be in it wouldn’t we, the Scottish and the English? I don’t think they should be on their own, think about the people who lived there. They don’t have a say in the matter.”
Paul Dolham, 49, Garston
“No, I think the world is divided enough as it is. Everyone thinks it’s a big aggressive step but they don’t and I can’t get my head around it. It’s a complete waste of money, resources and time. Politicians are throwing themselves at something else that I don’t see the point of. People should come before money. At the end of the day what is it really about?”
Catherine McIver, 60, Broadgreen
“No, I think they should stay, it would be better for everyone. Don’t you think we are all better if were joined up? We’re all going to struggle, especially if you’re not a Tory.”
Bahast Bakkir, 25, Kurdistan/Liverpool
“Yes, I am from a minority country myself so I have grown up with that. I don’t know if it will benefit them but I think if they want to be free that’s up to them.”
Josh White, 21, East Midlands
“Yes, I’m a massive believer in decentralisation of power. They should have prepared for all these issues like military or oil in the North Sea. All of this should have been sorted out before the referendum. It’s so cliché of modern politics in the sense that there is a lot of talking than actually doing stuff.”
Susan Berrington, 48, Liverpool
“No, were all better as one country, because we’ll all be closer.”
Jacqueline Berrington, 49, Liverpool
“No. It’s better to stay as one country. The world is better with less boundaries.”
Perry Banks, 20, Liverpool
“No. It’s been working better together so far. For the time being I see no reason to change it.”
Chris Graham, 20, Liverpool
“No. There are a couple of reasons, but mainly the loss of GDP [gross domestic product] would hurt Scotland.”
Lizi Mclane, 18, Liverpool
“No. It’s supported by the unaffected, bigoted older generations who want to separate the countries. My family are from Scotland and they’re all against it and voting no. It won’t benefit the working class person.”
Jordan Wiseman, 20, Blackpool
“No. It would have an impact on Labour being able to win elections in England. It won’t benefit them and they’ll eventually want to come back when they have a low GDP [gross domestic product]. They won’t be able to cope without us.”
Chrissie Davies, 22, Liverpool
“Yes. It would be better for them to make their own rules and laws. They would also benefit from being able to make their own decisions.”
Dean Thackery, 23, St Helens
“No. They’re better with us. They might find out it’s the wrong decision if there is an increase in interest rates and the cost of living.”
Jennifer Thackery, 18, St Helens
“No. I don’t think it would benefit them. It would get more expensive and they would want to come back.”
Steve Fitzsimons, 53, Liverpool
“Yes. If I was a Scot I’d feel vindictive towards the English. I think they have lots of historical reasons for wanting the leave, you don’t forget the way you were treated in the past.”
Pauline Humphries, 50, Newton Le Willows
“I don’t know. I’m not sure what they’d gain and lose from it and which would be more of a benefit. I don’t like [David] Cameron and it feels like he is begging Scotland to stay. It is all a big risk for the country and the people could suffer if it goes wrong.”
Barbara Hascoe, 58, Liverpool
“Yes, I think it doesn’t really matter too much for them if they do leave or not. If I’m being honest, if they leave they’ll have control of their own budget and will still probably get financial help of the rest of the UK if they needed it.”
Claire Tennent, 51, Kirkby
“I don’t know if it is a good thing or not. There are people who do understand what the impact will be, and they are going to have decisions to make either way, but the UK has been together for so long it would be sad for that to change.”
Joseph Lonsdale, 45, Warrington
“No, I think they should stay, if they left they would have to support themselves and that could lead to them ending up like Spain or Greece. Great Britain and the UK have always supported each other and that is what makes us strong.”
Aaron McCale, 22, Huyton
“No, my grandad is Scottish and he doesn’t like the thought that there is a growing rift between Scotland and the rest of the UK. I think while having independence sounds nice, it is probably going to take them years to get any stability, which could be too risky. I hope they vote no.”
Tariq Nashbal, 27, Wallasey
“No, I don’t want them to leave the UK. I went to university in Edinburgh, knowing very little about Scotland, and came back loving the place. They are such a great part of the UK and bring uniqueness that I think the UK would lose part of itself. I’m sure both sides would survive but things just wouldn’t be the same.”
John Bramall, 59, Neston
“I don’t know and I really don’t care. I don’t dislike Scotland but I don’t love it either. I’m sure they contribute to the UK in their own way but I don’t know what that is. There are so many other problems in the world, this vote for independence is just taking the limelight away for issues that need more attention.”
Carol Laws, 36, Liverpool
“No. I’ve been to Scotland many times and love both the place and its people. They’re proud people and when something like this comes along, it is probably hard to turn down the chance but I don’t think it would do anyone any favours. I read that the UK has been intact for nearly 300 years and Scotland are the second biggest part of that. Without them it could really harm us all.”
Brian Marley, 71, Belfast
“I don’t know. There will always be people from every part of the UK demanding independence because national pride is important to most people, and I don’t think it matters if you say you are independent or not as long as you pull your weight for the bigger picture, which is making the UK a better place to live. We can offer Scotland a great many things to get them to stay on our side but as it is down to the people, most of them won’t understand what it is they’re being offered. They will understand a chance to be almost completely self-reliant and that is an important thing.”
Paneesh Moshtar, 20, Liverpool
“Yes. Personally, as an English person, I don’t think it is any of our business and because of that if Scotland want to be free then let them be.”
Barbara Hugh, 78, Liverpool
“No. I think for the United Kingdom to be what it is, I would like to see Scotland remain part of the UK.”
John Hugh, 76, Liverpool
“No, definitely not I think. They should definitely stay as part of the UK. Because there are bigger benefits being in the UK can bring.”
Shawn Reece, Liverpool
“I don’t know because I don’t particularly care, to be honest. It seems like a job for the Scottish people.”
Gary Moore, 24, Liverpool
“No. I’m not a fan of politics anyway but I do think Scotland should vote no. Why? Because it makes better sense to be the United Kingdom.”
Sarah Cole, 28, Liverpool
“Personally, no… but it is a matter for the Scottish people to decide.”
Dominic Sherwood, 46, Liverpool
“I don’t know, but popular opinion says they will vote no so maybe they will and there could be lots of reasons for that. The fact that David Cameron had to get involved probably doesn’t help, if people were even going to vote no, and even if they vote yes, would that be such a bad thing?”
Lucas Coke, 23, Liverpool
“I don’t know. Should we even have an opinion, living in England? That’s why they get the vote and not us.”