Jan, 59, is a charity event organiser in Tyne and Wear. Having lived in both Scotland and England over the years, she was sceptical about independence. But Brexit, and the rise of Boris Johnson, prompted a change of heart.
I SUPPOSE I am the sort of person who is happy with the status quo. If it’s working why tamper with it?
That was my earlier view as an English person living in Scotland. I had lived in Scotland on and off for more than 15 years (my husband was in the RAF).
My daughter was born in Scotland. I thought Scotland had it all – its own parliament and some independence from the UK Government.
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So when the independence referendum became a reality we were a split camp. My daughter proudly displaying the YES poster upstairs, while downstairs we showed our allegiance to NO. We had some very interesting debates over dinner.
Then we had to deal with a teenager’s disappointment when the Nos won. There were plenty of tears to deal with.
In Westminster there was David Cameron, who I am slightly embarrassed to say I quite liked.
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If we had to have a Tory government he seemed middle of the road; got a bit cocky, put his foot in it and Brexit was born.
Cameron steps down and Boris and his clowns were given a platform for their non-European views. I have always considered myself a European so I was outraged. I suddenly found myself in the wrong side of a No camp.
Although I have now moved back to England, luckily into a Labour area in the north east, I still have a vested interest in what happens to Scotland. My daughter has stayed there and one day (if you will have me!) we might just move back.
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My politics definitely align more with Scotland and nowhere near the dubious views and morals of this horrible government.
Of course you should have your independence. Why would you want to have anything to do with us? You consider yourself European, you are left wing, forward-looking, not traditionalist, you have a heart – should I go on?
Why Scots would identify themselves as British anymore I don’t know. There appears to be no common ground. And the arrogance of many Brits who think the Scots couldn’t stand on their own two feet financially.
Good luck to you! And please, when the time is right, let me back in!
The National brings you a new From No to Yes story every week. To tell us about your journey, please click HERE
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