A plastic Jock speaks.

I have been lying awake for the past hour thinking about the independence referendum and feeling the need to throw my tuppence worth into the debate.  For months I have watched as friends on both camps (although mostly the Yes team) have posted links, articles and comments about Scotland's future and I have kept my head below the parapet, not wanting to stir up anger and risk friendships, but it occurred to me in the wee small hours of the morning that this fear is what sums up the whole problem with the debate.  I think there are probably more No's out there who, like me, would rather say nothing then come out and say they actually quite like being a part of the UK. So, sod it, here's what I think.

First of all let me state that I was born in England and am about to miss the vote because my family have moved to Abu Dhabi (ironically to find work as economic migrants, in a small oil rich country so we can one day dream of paying off our Scottish debts and having a decent pension). That's the elephant in the room.  However, distance and difference gives perspective, so I don't think I should be excluded from holding forth, even if I can't vote next month. Although I was born south of the border, I have lived in Scotland for half my life and I love it. I love the landscape, the people, the cities, the culture, the humour, the food and drink, the whole shebang.  I have a Scottish husband, son, daughter, in-laws, degree and mortgage.  I have benefitted from the Scottish health service, education, political and legal system and think its brilliant.  I have bristled at every biased news report, weather forecast and sports commentary I have heard, and every ignorant London focused business meeting I have ever attended. In short, I think Scotland is an often overlooked and amazing country with an unparalleled heritage that I am immensely proud of and consider my home. But I truly believe that being part of the UK is a massive part of what makes our country as a whole so amazing.  

When I first moved to Scotland one of the things that astonished me was the need people seemed to have to draw boundaries between everything. North/south, East coast/west coast, Protestant/Catholic - at 18 it had not occurred to me that these things could or should be issues. I still feel the same. As an English girl who grew up on the Welsh border and has lived the majority of her adult life in Scotland I see myself as truly British and I want to stay that way.  I don't think I am the only plastic Jock who feels like this.  When I look at what is going on in the world around us I really can't see how creating more division can help. The UK is the most amazing example of what can be achieved and created when you embrace different nationalities and beliefs and work together. It is not perfect, and it got there the hard way, but it is a unique and wonderful thing.  Rather than rebuilding walls, we should be leading the way to show others how life can be better when you take them down.  That is the kind of world I want my son to grow up in. He is 6, and raised to be a proud Scot and an even prouder Brit.  I will always be outnumbered in my own home when Scotland, or anyone else, play England (in everything) but we will celebrate the things we do together with equal joy and pride.  I asked him last night whether he thought Scotland should stay part of the UK or be on its own and his response summed it up for me as only a child can: 'I think Scotland should stay because otherwise the Red Arrows will be much less colourful'.  It is our differences that make us special, let's embrace our crazy, patchwork, beautiful, colourful country and keep it together.