THE news is dominated by next week’s referendum on the future of the United Kingdom.

Will Scotland vote “yes” to go it alone or “no” to stay in the Union?

This vote could be the biggest game changer for the UK since we lost America 300 years ago.

While the issues surrounding independence are being widely debated and understood in Scotland, it is only recently the issues surrounding the remaining UK’s outlook is being talked about south of the border.

As the implications are sinking in, more people are asking me why they were not given a vote, given the effects on the wider UK.

Indeed, those Scottish nationals living outside Scotland have been denied a vote in contrast to the rights British nationals the world over have when it comes to a General Election. Given the magnitude, I am sympathetic with those views.

There is no shortage of commentary on the implications of a “yes”

vote. Should Scotland vote for independence, the next three years will be dominated by the negotiations View from Westminster determining the terms of cessation – the terms of independence.

Absolutely everything will have to be negotiated. Whatever it is you can think of that has anything to do with British interests will have to be dealt with, including such items as who owns our overseas assets.

So it is not unreasonable that local residents should start to ask how their MP will work on their behalf in the event of a “yes” vote.

I have some clear lines. I cannot see any circumstance under which I would agree to a Sterling currency union. We stayed out of the Euro because we want control on our currency. We must never give away any control to someone else.

The same applies to the national debt. If Scotland is 12 per cent of our economy, they must take 12 per cent of our national debt. It was, after all, incurred by all.

There are many other issues but this does illustrate how a referendum concentrates the national mind. Inevitably talk will turn to the proposed EU Referendum in 2017 should Conservatives win in 2015.

If nothing else, the 2017 referendum will be a chance to explode some myths and analyse facts.

CONTACT YOUR MP

  • Email: mark.garnier.mp@parliament.uk
  • Telephone: 020 7219 7198 or 01562 746771
  • Write: 9a Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster, DY11 6UU, or House of Commons, Westminster, London