Yes...

In three days time the people of Scotland have a once in a life time opportunity, an opportunity to take control of their future and make decisions for the good of the country and the people who live here.

I have thought long and hard for many months about where I will be placing my X on the ballot paper on September 18th and have came to the conclusion that all the decisions about Scotland should be made in Scotland, that I no longer have any faith in the UK government to make the required changes to build a nation with greater equality and that Westminster does not represent the Scottish people anymore in an effective, positive way. We, in Scotland, have the power to change the way we are governed and, more importantly, who governs us and I shall be voting for independence.

It is an opportunity to redefine our relationship with all the other nations of the world and I believe, with independence, that Scotland will find a self belief that has been lacking for many, many years.

I came to my decision after all the lies, scaremongering and bias that has been representative of Better Together and the UK media from the start of the campaign reached its zenith in the last few weeks, in order to scare the Scottish people into voting No. There is no doubt that it has been one of the most uninspiring and negative campaigns that I have witnessed in my lifetime.

I also believe that we must get rid of the abomination of Trident, and that the future of the NHS in Scotland will be safer after a Yes vote than it will be if we continue to be governed by Westminster where it is being privatised by stealth on a daily basis. It will also be Scotland’s decision whether we send Scottish soldiers to war and we will no longer have to take part in any illegal wars.

There is no doubt it will be hard, that the benefits will not be immediate and that tough decisions will have to be made but, in order to grow as a nation, we must be in control of our own future and our own finances.

I'm not some flag waving Nationalist but I firmly believe that it is in Scotland’s best interest to embrace this once in a lifetime opportunity with both hands. No longer will we be able to blame Westminster because we will be responsible for our own decisions. Scotland has the potential to be a fairer and more just country. We have the resources and people to make it work, it’s now time to prove we also have the courage.

Yes
Cap In Hand