But will it actually be the Scots voting?

BBC News - Scottish independence: Swinney defends referendum EU voters

From an electoral perspective there is no such thing as a "Scott" nor "English" nor "Welsh" just an eligible voter. Just as it was yesterday and the day before. As for ex pats not being eligible to vote - It is a specious argument, if eligible, they had the option to remain on the electoral register where they were last registered. There was no clamor to change the rules for the 1979 referendum nor for devolution nor for the last UK Westminster election so why now – distraction.

Just seems rather strange that Scots are going to be considering probably the most important decision they will ever make and a fair swathe of those voting will not actually be Scots :confused:

Last year the present government was voted in on the UK election (a big decision since the last big decision) - I'd argue that % wise probably greater number of EU nationals across the UK took part in that vote than will on the Scottish indie vote. It is nothing new - in truth I suspect the proportion of EU nationals who exercise their voting right will be small.:hmm:

Nor indeed for the 1997 referendum which actually reinstated the Scottish Parliament, albeit in neutered form, after a 290 year adjournment.

As for the Scottish Government; the decision as to who does/does not vote is a simple case of damned if you do - damned if you don't. Whichever group screams "disenfranchised" will be championed by the Anti's who, as ever, seem only capable of generating more heat than light.

One of my former colleagues in the US, Art Sandeson, had a Grandfather who hailed from Portsoy. Perhaps Art should also be given a vote. I'll drop him a line and suggest he write to the Daily Mail who, I'm sure, will be delighted to take up his case.:rolleyes:

But you could argue that Art's Gran-p has more of a right to vote than Hannah the Hooker from Hanover :p:p:p

You could but you would be wrong. The last known abode of William Wallace was the Tower of London. Unless he remained on the electoral register in Scotland, then your friend Hannah would still have the more legitimate right to vote. The Scots are not impressed by the title of a profession "the rank is but the guinea stamp', so your friend is ok, hell they will even let an English ex pat vote - so long as they are registered!:O

Something of this magnitude and any old TD or H can vote, how bizzare :eek:

Seldom, you're seeing monsters under the bed, its exactly the same rules used for UK Westminster elections and the world still turns. Some would argue there will be more democracy involved in the process of the indie vote than the process that took us to war! But that's another argument
.:)

TomJoad,

Unfortunately it's not going to be the same rules as for as Westminster Election; I could vote in one of those, but even as a proud Scot (by parentage, birthplace, and residence until last month) under the SNP proposals I will not be able to vote in what is one of the most important votes in my countrys history.

It seems totally wrong to me that the model used for any upcoming referendum isn't one that allows as many Scots as possible to vote on the future of their country. Given that no referendum will take place until 2014, and that it seems there is time to include 16 - 17 year olds (no attempt at currying favour with the young there at all obviously) there must be time to work out a more sensible voting model that will allow expat Scots to vote. Who knows how many of us are just longing to come back home when conditions (ie employment opportunites) are right.

I don't see any issue at all with the franchise directed to those whom the issue affects most of all, ie the residents of Scotland and those who reside elsewhere but have retained an interest as shown by remaining eligible for a postal vote.
If you've moved away for whatever reason and taken your vote with you then that indicates to me where your priorities lie. Anyway given the timescale I'm sure people who feel strongly enough will be able to move back to their country of origin in time to register again if they feel strongly enough about it.


And anyway, what makes someone Scottish, residence or birthplace, red hair or a taste for whisky and salmon?

I would say that it's completely unreasonable if you're going to use the same rules as a Westminster election.

In a "westminster election", British citizens living overseas can vote for up to 15 years in the constituency they were registered in before leaving the UK.

I can still see a requirement for a massive registration process in which Scots around the world, who currently hold UK passports, notify their desire swap to a Scottish passport if the referendum results in succession. Only those should then get to vote in the referendum.

R4 reporting this morning that the credit ratings agencies would not rate Scotland as high as the UK, they will pay a higher interest rate on government loans, assuming the UK doesn't fall off its' pedestal (which is a distinct possibility despite what the government keep saying).

I see "Scotland have fallen out of the world's top ten rugby nations following last weekend's Six Nations loss at home to England."

Let's hope they improve if they get independence.

Given the Scot's history for philanthropy, the could boost the squad with South Sea Islanders, by allowing the ringers to claim that their Great Grandad once ate a Missionary.

When it comes to boosting the squad..............

Alex Corbisiero - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mouritz Botha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

:p:p:p:p

So why haven't the SRU cottoned-on?

Honesty, integrity and an all round sense of fair play per chance :p:p:p

Cue a rush to google Scottish transgressions :E

Not from me. Wrong code altogether.

Seldom, no google required if you were watching the match.

Debutant Dave Denton, Scotland's No8, deserved Man of the Match and the best player on the field by a stretch. Spoke with quite a Rhodesian twang.......

Sorry old bean, they're all at it....