Taking the high road on independence

Guess what folks – you don’t get a say.

You don’t know what’s in the best interests of the Scottish people, so it’s better you keep your opinions to yourself.

I won’t be using this space to dare tell my countrymen and women which way to vote but that doesn’t mean I can’t comment on the campaigns and tell you why the “no” camp has failed abysmally.

“Better Together” epitomises the whole reason we are having the debate – its failure to understand the Scottish psyche is the reason the polls are so painstakingly close.

From the patronising television commercial it released of a poor wee Scottish lady who was struggling to keep up with the debate and should therefore vote no, to an advertisement with the slogan “if you don’t know – vote no”, the “better together“ campaign has spent all its time focusing on speaking to voters like morons.

The “yes” campaign, on the other hand, has empowered Scots to believe in themselves with positive messages and imagery.

Instead of telling people it’s all too hard, the “yes” campaign has told people to inform themselves and choose wisely.

The “yes” campaign hasn’t been able to answer some fundamental questions about the economy – questions which should be deal breakers for the voting public – but the dismissive tone of the “no” campaign’s “it’s all too hard” messages has left a great number of Scots saying, “maybe we don’t have the answers, but we sure as hell are capable of figuring it out”.

I don’t know which way my homeland will vote in this referendum but while I’ve been disappointed with the blatant bias of the BBC, I was pleased to see, after much speculation, the Rupert Murdoch-owned Sun decide not to take a stance as the “people of Scotland will make the right decision”. And that’s exactly right.

To voters: Vote with your mind first, your heart second and be prepared to deal with the consequences of your decision, no matter how tough, and you’ll have made the best decision you can make.

Slainte Mhath (cheers).

Jenna Cairney is The Land’s deputy editor and proud Scot.