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Your last sentence is what it's all about. If Scots have worse health, employment and life prospectives, then it's clear that the union isn't working for them.

Your last sentence is what it's all about. If Scots have worse health, employment and life prospectives, then it's clear that the union isn't working for them. Why shouldn't they vote to leave? These stats may not improve in an independent Scotland, but it's clear that given our history, it's unlikely things will improve in the union and actually, I'm pretty sure the feeling is the devolved government has been doing a better job since the SNP won power. Apparently, polls suggest those who are educated are more likely to vote yes. I guess it comes down to whether those who aren't are going to fall for the fear tactics of the "better together" campaign.

celticninja 12y ago
However it should be noted that health and life expectancy are related to one another, additionally the Scottish government has been in control of NHS spending in Scotland since 1999 and health and life expectancy have not improved in that time. Additionally Scotland have spent much more on the NHS (per person) than the rest of the UK, about £300 more, £1750 v £2150. So if you are voting yes because of these issues you may want to look into them further. Of course if you just want to rationalise an emotional decision then people will assume what ever suits them I. E. London is to blame for ill health in Scotland.
- ownagefool 12y ago
  I agree, it is an emotional decision but it's also not really fair to expect a change in life expectancy throughout 15 years of government, the majority of which was a lib/lab coalition. Still: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26681098 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26681098 It'd be nice to back that with cause and effect, but it seems it's untrue that there's been no change.
  - celticninja 12y ago
    As that article is looking at historic records from 1980 we would need to see the per decade breakdown to see if there was a marked increase since 1999,or roughly half way through the period they looked at. They have averaged it at about 2 years per decade but if we had better info we could determine if the greater benefit was post 1999 and whether it is a statistically significant difference or not, I. E. Life expectancy is usually always increasing but did it improve by a greater percentage under the SNP.
    - ownagefool 12y ago
      You'll get no debate with me there. Personally, I'd be suprised if the SNP had actually made the biggest dents in those stats, I don't believe they've been in power long enough to have done so. I do hope that something like Alcohol minimum pricing[1] will have a positive effect in Scotland, time will tell. However, I very much believe we'd never get legislation like that without a Scottish Government serving the interests of the Scottish people[2], something I neither believe Westminster nor devolution with Scottish arms of UK parties in power would get us. [1] I generally don't like such legislation, I very much believe in flat tax and letting people spend it on what they want, but Scotland sadly us have a cultural problem and I think the pragmatic view is it's worth doing. [2] This is obviously just an example. It's hard to quantify a feeling, and that's not thet point. I'm just trying to describe how I feel, which is basically the rUK parties cultrually will bend to big business in an attempt to have the best economy possible, which I don't believe reflects Scottish values, nor common sense unless you're already rich.

celticninja 12y ago

However it should be noted that health and life expectancy are related to one another, additionally the Scottish government has been in control of NHS spending in Scotland since 1999 and health and life expectancy have not improved in that time. Additionally Scotland have spent much more on the NHS (per person) than the rest of the UK, about £300 more, £1750 v £2150. So if you are voting yes because of these issues you may want to look into them further. Of course if you just want to rationalise an emotional decision then people will assume what ever suits them I. E. London is to blame for ill health in Scotland.

ownagefool 12y ago
I agree, it is an emotional decision but it's also not really fair to expect a change in life expectancy throughout 15 years of government, the majority of which was a lib/lab coalition. Still: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26681098 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26681098 It'd be nice to back that with cause and effect, but it seems it's untrue that there's been no change.
- celticninja 12y ago
  As that article is looking at historic records from 1980 we would need to see the per decade breakdown to see if there was a marked increase since 1999,or roughly half way through the period they looked at. They have averaged it at about 2 years per decade but if we had better info we could determine if the greater benefit was post 1999 and whether it is a statistically significant difference or not, I. E. Life expectancy is usually always increasing but did it improve by a greater percentage under the SNP.
  - ownagefool 12y ago
    You'll get no debate with me there. Personally, I'd be suprised if the SNP had actually made the biggest dents in those stats, I don't believe they've been in power long enough to have done so. I do hope that something like Alcohol minimum pricing[1] will have a positive effect in Scotland, time will tell. However, I very much believe we'd never get legislation like that without a Scottish Government serving the interests of the Scottish people[2], something I neither believe Westminster nor devolution with Scottish arms of UK parties in power would get us. [1] I generally don't like such legislation, I very much believe in flat tax and letting people spend it on what they want, but Scotland sadly us have a cultural problem and I think the pragmatic view is it's worth doing. [2] This is obviously just an example. It's hard to quantify a feeling, and that's not thet point. I'm just trying to describe how I feel, which is basically the rUK parties cultrually will bend to big business in an attempt to have the best economy possible, which I don't believe reflects Scottish values, nor common sense unless you're already rich.