We're not quite ready

Well there we have it: an amazing campaign and spectacle of political participation has ended in Scotland voting to stay in the UK. I don't mind admitting that I feel somewhat deflated and a wee bit sad too. One of my reasons for voting yes was because I thought it would enhance our relationship with England - where so many great friends and family live and come from. I worry that Nigel Farage - already this morning talking about reducing Scottish funding - might have rubbed the lamp of a slightly hostile and more fractious neighbour; I hope I'm wrong. I think this referendum took place perhaps 15 years too early. Those who witnessed the war, the stoic 50s, the UK's imperial world standing and revere the monarchy and tradition were never likely to vote to abolish what they were brought up to admire and respect. The demographics will be different a generation later and only 1 in 10 no voters need to change their minds. I hope that if the question is asked again - when I have more than a few grey hairs - then it would advocate a republic; who knows, maybe the UK will be one by then anyway? Thanks to everyone for some great debates and when is all said and done, I think this referendum has been an exemplar of democracy - a great turn out and every single vote counted.

Desperate scrambling for a grubby bribe should seal the deal

I will vote yes. I’ve just watched Kevin Bridges on BBC1 and his joke about a lottery to choose a Scottish royal family was utterly brilliant in illuminating the absurdity of hereditary privilege. There should always be time for comedy.

Over on the news, I hear the establishment is about to go nuclear – and while David Cameron is visiting an elderly woman at Balmoral too. With a new poll showing a majority favoring independence for the first time, the No campaign might actually offer some ‘serious devolution’. No wonder Darling struggled so much to name any powers that would be transferred: The establishment planned on as few as they could get away with. The contempt that the ruling elite holds us in is abundantly clear: Throw the jocks enough scraps to keep them quiet. Sadly for them, such late desperation is too revealing. I suspect many of those who may have trusted those in power may be thinking again.

Some of the right wing media scare stories have become comical. This week the Daily Telegraph ran headlines proclaiming the bankers’ concerns about an independent Scotland; us damn mutinous scots might have an adverse affect on bonuses in the city. How selfish of us. Meanwhile, over on the Guardian, two great articles by George Monbiot and Simon Jenkins articulate the positive case for an independent Scotland.

An opportunity to build a new country: I think it’s time to seize the moment.