The Big Questions about Scottish Independence

The time to vote for or against Scottish independence is creeping ever closer. With less than a week until the big ballot day, big names from Rita Ora to Sir Sean Connery are actively highlighting their views on the matter to sway voters. So the question is, what will life be like in Great Britain if Scotland becomes autonomous on 18^th September?

According to a new poll, 53% of people will vote for Scotland to stay in the U.K. in next week's independence referendum. If the majority of Scotts were to vote Yes, their government has a set a date 18 months from now, 24^th March 2016 for their official independence day.

There would be amendments made to the constitution and the 1707 Act of Constitution would be dissolved but the Queen would remain as monarch of the country. It’s also been said that the Queen has been privately concerned over the referendum, and as for the 2015 General Election, Scotland would still be invited to take part, but their representatives would only potentially serve a 10-month term in office.

Whichever way the poll sways, it’s still yet to be decided what currency Scotland would employ if they separated from the rest of Great Britain. The three main Westminster parties - the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats have ruled out a currency union, although Mr Salmond, Scotland’s  First Minister insists an independent Scotland would keep the pound, take on the Euro or retain their own Scottish pound exclusively. Moreover, in terms of national debt, it’s also yet to be decided how much of the UK national debt would be transferred to Scotland. It’s likely to be worked out on a per capita share based on population.

Additionally, an independent Scotland’s stance on global affairs is yet to be negotiated. The nation would have to negotiate its own entry into the European Union and NATO and with regards to the issue of defense, the strategy is not yet certain if Scotland were to be a standalone country. As NATO is fundamentally a nuclear alliance, and if Scotland struggles to become a member, they are likely struggle to join the EU too, which would have a big impact on their economy. They are likely to have their own defense force, particularly because they have their own North Sea oil and fishing industries to maintain and protect.

Immigration is undoubtedly an immense problem in Great Britain currently, but it’s already been decided that an independent Scotland would control its own borders. However, the Scottish National Party (SNP) aspires to have an open border policy but Home Secretary Theresa May has already warned she will not allow Scotland to be used as a way for immigrants getting into England if Scotland adopts a looser immigration policy.

The laws surrounding passports depend almost entirely on whether Scotland joins the EU; Scottish citizens would be entitled to a Scottish passport, but a UK passport would still be valid until it expires. British citizens who were habitual residents in Scotland would be automatically considered Scottish citizens.

State taxes and benefits would become the responsibility of the new Scottish government, meaning they could potentially create their own policies, and with this and so much else to consider before the poll, it’s easy to see why many English politicians, including David Cameron and pushing the No Campaign.  However, Mr Cameron has insisted his sudden boost in interest in the referendum is not due to a lack of support in recent polls and that he will not be resigned as Prime Minister not matter the outcome of the vote. Some have even argued that the announcement of a second royal baby was tactically revealed to sway voters to remain faithful to the unity of Great Britain.

Furthermore, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has drawn up plans to shift its Head Office from Scotland, where it has been based since 1727, most likely to Central London, in the event that next week's referendum backs a break away from the rest of the UK. On the other hand, one of the North Sea’s biggest investors, BP has urged Scotland to vote against independence, arguing that oil wealth would best be protected by remaining inside the UK.

Scotland’s ­education system has always been distinct from the rest of the UK, but the future of the country’s schools and ­universities is still a key issue in the independence debate. Questions have been raised about tuition fees, research grants, overseas students, teacher recruitment and exam options as the Yes and No ­campaigns battle it out and with four universities based in the Capital, Edinburgh has a special interest in what independence might mean for higher education.

Whatever the final verdict come 18^th September, Scottish and British politicians alike have a great deal of negotiation and debate ahead of them in order to decide how to lead their nations if they do their separate ways. Many aspects of British life are up in the air, but it’s only a matter of time before questions about the vote will be answered.