The vote is in two days, now and I’m curious how you all think it will go. Despite recent polls showing rising chances for secession, I think they will vote to stay.
From what I’ve heard opinions are nearly equal. So my gut feeling is last minute voting will tend to swing more towards the status quo and the majority will not vote for secession.
I would have guessed no just a couple of days ago but Scotland has captured the world’s attention and the vote has come to represent a larger geopolitical point around governance. I think the historicity of the occasion will give the yes people the slight bump they need to prevail in the polls.
I’m predicting a Quebec 1995 kind of situation. So, no.
When there’s doubt, I assume the status quo will win.
I voted yes. Just a hunch.
All I know is from my cousins in Scotland, and they feel they have a better chance on their own. So I say the “Yes” vote will win.
But I hope it doesnea.
I’m-a sayin’ No.
I predict that the pro-independence side will lose by an eyelash. So, yeah, Québec 1995.
My guess is that when it comes time to actually push the button the possible negative economic possibilities will start to weigh on the voters.
No 55% to 45%.
I hope yes, but think no.
I think the ‘Yes’ vote will win due to postal ballots
I think it could be like the 1992 UK election, which was badly miscalled by polling companies (I saw one pollster today saying that since this is quite different to other votes that they predict, they could be way off either way this time). The theory in 1992 was people unwilling to admit they were going to vote Tory. I get the feeling that Yes supporters are more zealous and vocal, so I’m saying the silent majority will make it 55% No 45% Yes.
Hoping for “yes,” expecting “no.”
I think no. By a comfortable margin.
I’m about 80 per cent sure they’ll preserve the union, due to economic uncertainty in the event of independence, the tricky issue of an independent currency, for instance and joining the EU which will have inevitable economic repercussions.
I think not, but I know which way groundskeeper Willie is leaning.
Oh you mean that the ballot counters in neighborhoods will be given instructions that result in them invalidating half the ballots in some voting stations.
A major difference is that in Quebec in 1995 the question asked was almost incomprehensible:
Do you agree that Quebec should become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of the bill respecting the future of Quebec and of the agreement signed on June 12, 1995?
Clear? And the government had actually planned to declare the same night that the formal offer had been made and refused and declare independence by the following day. But that was admitted only after. Also they kept talking about keeping the Canadian dollar, but you don’t have independence if you cannot control your currency. The Scots ought to know that. The currency union between the Czech Republic and Slovakia lasted, IIRC, 37 days.
I don’t know, he seemed hesitant to make a firm recommendation. If it happens to go his way though, he is available for a new job… 
Agreed, and as an Englishman and Brit working in financial services (which will face a whole bunch of confusion, instability, and unnecessary expense in the event of a Yes vote) this is what I hope for as well. I am amazed, given the huge monetary uncertainties, that the independence campaign has done as well as it has. It just shows how a little nationalism can go a long way.
I also think that deep down, Salmond doesn’t really want a Yes vote. Nationalism has been a great political platform for him and given him a lot of power, and there is little doubt that devolution has been good for Scotland on the whole. But now he is on the brink (and can’t very well do an about turn), he might be thinking “Christ, what a mess we could get into if this actually happens”. Whereas a close loss seems likely to give Scotland even more devolved powers while still being part of the Union, which is probably the best outcome for all concerned in my view. Let’s hope Salmond hasn’t overcooked it and made it too close :).