Julia Camara | Echo
Scotland teeters on the verge of independence from the United Kingdom, and the British are not happy about it. The referendum allowing Scots to vote for their country's independence will take place on Sept. 18. If successful, the decision would break apart the 300-year-old union between Scotland and the rest of the U.K.
Last month, First Scottish Prime Minister Alex Salmond introduced a consultation document on a referendum to decide his country's future, The New York Times reported. Most Scots believe the freedom to take charge of their own economy would be sufficient, rather than completely breaking away from the U.K.
Those in favor of full independence believe Parliament isn't worth much if it can't take charge of its own affairs and help the lives of its own people. If leaving the U.K. is the only avenue for gaining autonomy, Scots may vote for independence.
Salmond's attempt to leave the U.K. gained popularity only in the last few weeks. "What we are interested in is having a powerful house parliament that can create jobs for Scotland," Salmond said, according to the BBC.
A poll conducted Wednesday afternoon showed 47 percent of Scotland was with Salmond and 53 percent were likely to vote no. The biggest hitch in Salmond's campaign for independence are the U.K.'s appeals to Scottish citizens to stay.
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron travelled to Scotland Wednesday and pleaded with Scots to preserve the union and vote against Scottish independence.
"I would be heartbroken if this family of nations was torn apart," Cameron said, according to Reuters.
Cameron, opposition Labour Party leader Ed Milibrand and British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Cregg begged Scots to use their heads and hearts while voting. Cameron reminded them of the bonds they held during World War II and the defeat of Hitler. He even suggested forming a football team between England and Scotland to finally beat the Germans.
"I think people can feel it is a bit like a general election that you make a decision and later another decision if you are fed up with the (expletive) Tories, give them a kick and then maybe we'll think again," Cameron said. "This is totally different to a general election: this a decision about not the next five years but a decision about the next century."
While Cameron's visit was an attempt to rally the Scots against the idea of independence from the U.K., Labour peer Lord Prescott said Cameron's attempt was more of a hindrance than a help, according to the BBC.
The BBC further reported that Sir John Major, former Prime Minister of the U.K., believes people do not understand the full implications of independence. He says the vote for independence would be "disastrous" for all of the U.K.
Salmond called the British party's campaign a panicked reaction. After the trio made their appeal, Salmond called the day "Team Scotland vs. Team Westminster."
"What Team Westminster seems to be concerned about is their own jobs," Salmond said
Reuters reported that Cameron's job is on the line. A vote to break up the U.K. would cast British politics into bedlam. While it was Cameron's idea to hold the vote, he anticipated a stark yes or no choice would bringing clarity to the existing conditions.
