A poll this weekend revealed that 40% of Scottish voters will vote for independence. But what will happen if they do? Well, think of this as all the questions you’ve wanted to ask about Scottish independence, but you’ve been too afraid to ask answered by an actual adult. Who knows a lot about Scotland.
**Why are some people in Scotland for independence? And why are people against it? **
The best way to answer this question is to speak to voters directly rather than putting words in their mouths. Here are some of the answers I received when I asked Scottish voters on Twitter why they’re voting. Supporters of independence tended to back it for patriotic reasons (‘We deserve to give ourselves a chance to self-rule’) and because of a sense that Scotland would be better off alone (‘We’re a rich little country that can govern itself’… ‘I would like our own future in our hands.’)
There was also an incredibly strong anti-Westminster sentiment (‘Westminster is increasingly foreign and hostile’) coupled with an anger that Scottish voters who elected just one Tory MP have ended up with a Conservative led government (‘Want government we actually vote for’… ‘Scotland is culturally and socially similar, but politically different from UK. Westminster does not reflect our views’).
When it came to No voters, many felt emotionally connected to the rest of the UK. (‘The SNP message of grievance and bitterness against outsiders is just like UKIP in kilts’… ‘I’m voting NO because I am a proud Scot and a proud Brit!’)
The main sentiment, however, was a belief that Scotland would be worse off independent. (‘The fiscal plan just doesn’t add up’… ‘Alex Salmond’s entire economic plan is a shambles & with less than a month to go, that doesn’t inspire much confidence.’)
**What’s with the currency thing? If they vote for independence, would they get their own money? Or the Euro? **
Currency is perhaps the single most contentious issue of the campaign – and you get a different answer to this question depending on who you talk to. Alex Salmond wants an independent Scotland to keep using the pound in a formal currency union with the rest of the United Kingdom.
The only problem is, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg have all said they won’t let this happen – although they could be bluffing on this one. There’s nothing to stop an independent Scotland continuing to use the pound without a formal currency union. However, this would mean Scottish banks such as RBS would no longer have the Bank of England as a lender of last resort – which might force them to relocate south of the border. Lenders to banks – including ordinary depositors – don’t like uncertainty, so relocating could reassure them.
Another option would be the Euro or a brand new currency for Scotland.
The Euro – once Alex Salmond’s first choice currency – would mean Scotland’s interest rates would be set by the European Central Bank.
If Scotland were to adopt a new currency, it would need to create a new central bank, which would arguably give it more freedom to pursue its own policies.
What it means for England if they get independence?
Without Scotland, the rest of the UK would overnight become a smaller country with (inevitably) less international clout. There would be a reduction in oil revenue and the nuclear weapons currently held in Scotland would relocate south of the border.
Without Scottish support, Labour would find it much harder to win a Westminster election. This could mean they tailor their message more towards the centreground, with Blairite policies. Beyond that, it’s unclear what would happen.
And how about Team GB?
Well yes. Scottish athletes contributed 14 medals to the most recent record Olympic haul, and England hasn’t had a Wimbledon Men’s Champtionship winner since Fred Perry.
If politically it would be good for Cameron, then why is he backing the No vote?
Privately, some Conservative MPs think David Cameron should back Scottish independence because it would politically damage the Labour party, who currently have 41 Scottish seats compared to just one Conservative seat.
But Downing Street sources insist David Cameron is backing the Union because he thinks that is the right thing to do, and believes passionately in the United Kingdom family. Equally important, however, is that Mr Cameron doesn’t want to go down in history as the Prime Minister who allowed the break-up of the Union.
I’m told it’s the only thing the Queen wants to talk about in the weekly catch up sessions with her Prime Minister. Just imagine how awkward those meetings would be if Scotland voted Yes…
READ MORE: What Makes A 19-Year-Old Student Nurse Join UKIP?
On that note, will Scottish people still have allegiance to the Queen like in Canada or something? And – crucially – will she still holiday there?
The Scottish Government’s proposal is that the Queen remains Head of State in Scotland, in the same way as she is currently Head of State in independent nations such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Alex Salmond has said affection for the Queen in Scotland is ‘undiminished’ and ‘strong’.
However, in the last couple of days the Queen herself has become a battleground for both campaigns, with Alex Salmond implying that the Queen would back an independent Scotland amidst reports that she’s concerned about the break up of the UK. Meanwhile, David Cameron is being pressured by MPs to urge the Queen to speak out against independence. She herself is has kept characteristically schtum on the matter so far.
Either way, though, I can’t see the Queen giving up her summer holidays in Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, without a fight.
**What will happen to the UK flag? **
To put it simply: nobody knows. In fact, nobody even knows who has the authority to sort out the flag issue. Disentangling the flag is no easy matter and so far neither the Yes Campaign or Better Together have committed to a solution.
The Union Jack – which dates back to 1606 - merges the English red-on-white cross of St George, Scotland’s St Andrew’s cross and Ireland red-on-white diagonal cross of St Patrick – it doesn't include the red dragon of Wales. Changing the flag doesn’t just impact the United Kingdom – the Union Jack features on the flags of more than 20 countries including Australia and New Zealand.
**Meanwhile, will we need a passport to get there? **
At the moment, you don’t need a passport to cross the border between Scotland and England by land (although you might for air travel). Better Together argue that there’s no guarantee this will be the case with an independent Scotland.
It becomes really complicated if England and Wales and Scotland have different immigration policies. If the Yes vote wins, Alex Salmond hopes to increase net migration into Scotland – while south of the border David Cameron is trying to bring it down. Politicians in Westminster worry that if immigration rules are different, people might travel to Scotland in order to move south.
And finally – what's With Alistair Darling’s eyebrows?
Contrary to popular belief, Alistair Darling’s rather startling eyebrows aren’t a cunning way to distract Alex Salmond in the TV debates.
He revealed all in a GQ interview back in 2011: ‘It’s all natural. I’ve been going grey since I was 12. It’s just the way I am. You take what nature dishes up.’
Sophy Ridge is Political Correspondent for Sky News. Follow her on Twitter @SophyRidgeSky
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.