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Kevin Thom, managing director of Aberdeen-based QA Travel explains why for many the vote on Scottish independence is an almost impossible decision
In less than a month the residents of Scotland will vote to decide whether or not the country remains part of the UK.
Some polls suggest a win for Better Together is a formality. Others show the Yes campaign making a late charge.
However, the outcome of the September 18 independence referendum will be decided by tens of thousands of people who remain undecided.
When considering the bigger picture of the Yes/No vote there are many fears that come to the fore.
For me, the biggest concern is Scotland making the wrong decision. But what is the wrong decision and what is the right decision? No one can truly tell.
A year ago I sat firmly in the Better Together camp. Now, with only a month until the big vote, I have a foot in both camps.
The idea of Scotland being an independent country would on some level appeal to most Scots. Why wouldn’t it? Who wouldn’t want their country to be self-governing and in control of its own destiny?
But this in itself is not enough to make this a definite Yes vote. There are still too many unknowns, most of which will not be answered until after the vote because neither side is prepared to show their hand until negotiations start.
The pound and Europe are two areas the Better Together parties have highlighted as key concerns if independence is the majority wish for Scotland.
I believe most rational individuals can see how important it would be for the rest of the UK for Scotland to retain the pound.
I also believe Scotland will retain its place at the European table, as the access to Scottish waters for many of Europe’s fishing fleets is far too important to be lost through the expulsion of Scotland from Europe.
In my opinion, the real questions lie in our ability to be an independent country. Do we have the financial resources to support our nation today?
Will we have sufficient resources post North Sea oil and gas, which undoubtedly have a diminishing life span, without having a major impact on taxation?
And do we have the right calibre of people in charge to lead us through what would be a major transition to independence and beyond, where Scotland stands tall as a successful and thriving independent country.
A good friend of mine who is strongly in the yes camp recently said to me: “If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster.”
I realise that with either a yes or no vote, Scotland needs to take a leap of faith. But I wish our politicians could stop their games and let us see what the political landscape and future would look like.
I want to see a roadmap of the future that I would be happy to lead my children, grandchildren and future generations on to.
Whichever way this vote goes, I appreciate there are no guarantees – and those for toasters only last a year.