The Choice

In 41 days, on 18 September, the people of Scotland will go to the polls in a referendum to decide whether they wish to become an independent country. The votes will be counted the next day. It has been a very prolonged campaign and has generated more heat than light. Last Tuesday evening we watched a television debate between the First Minister, Alex Salmond, and the leader of the Better Together Campaign, Alistair Darling. The next day I met three ex colleagues for lunch, something we do every 8 weeks or so. Three were definite No voters and one was undecided. We all felt that Alistair Darling had performed better. This seems to be accepted more generally. The mood among the people I know is that no matter what they think, the likely outcome is a No Vote. The flags on the Bank of Scotland seemed to me to epitomise the choice we're going to make. Ah well, only 42 more days and then we'll know.