Scots get independence vote

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond and PM David Cameron have signed a deal that sets out the terms for a referendum on Scottish independence.

The agreement struck between the two men, has paved the way for a vote in the autumn of 2014, with a single Yes/No question.

Part of the agreement will also see 16 and 17-year olds take part in the ballot.

Both Cameron and Salmond wore big smiles as they posed for the cameras, but only one will be smiling come 2014 and I think it will be Cameron, whatever the result.

If the Scots choose yes and leave the UK then Cameron can focus more of his time on the issues in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and as the Conservative presence in Scotland is virtually non-existent, if he manages to get his desired boundary changes pushed through in time the Tories will be shoo-ins to remain in power after the next general election, regardless of what Labour do.

Even if the Scots say no Cameron can still say well that’s what I wanted all along as he has been saying that he feels the UK is better off with Scotland in it.

Salmond is the one who has all the pressure heaped on him, if the Scots choose yes then he has to answer huge constitutional questions like will Scotland join the EU, what will happen to the currency, who will get the oil and gas in the North Sea etc.

If the Scots vote no then Salmond will be left with egg on his face because he has pushed and pushed for this and if it comes back no he’ll look stupid and look like he’s out of touch with the voters in Scotland.

Whatever the Scots decide in the vote, I think they’ll vote yes, Cameron will win either way, and it’s Salmond who’s got it all on the line.