In Scotland, voters back EU with an eye on ‘Scoxit’

German offer to concede 1966 goal if UK stays in EU

AFP, GLASGOW: In sunny Glasgow, many voters said they wanted Britain to stay in the European Union Thursday but were well aware that an overall Brexit result could lead to Scottish independence.
“Being in the EU is an advantage for Scotland. It would be silly to leave,” said Gemma Rosaria, a 24-year-old office worker, arriving to vote in the EU referendum in the Broomhouse area of east Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city.
“I don’t want a Brexit but if there’s a Brexit that could be an advantage for Scotland because we can have a new referendum,” said Rosaria, adding that she had voted for independence in 2014.
Scotland’s independence bid, led by the Scottish National Party (SNP), was thwarted in that vote, which unionists won by 55 percent to 45 percent.
The pro-EU SNP, which dominates Scottish politics, still wants independence but says it will only call for another referendum if a clear majority of Scots back it after a Brexit vote.
“If we were to leave the EU, I’d prefer to break from the UK,” said Michael Renfrew, an economics student with a ginger beard and beach shoes.
“The decision-making and the power would become far too centralised in London,” the 23-year-old said.
Amanda Walker, a 42-year-old teacher, added: “Better stay with what we got.” Pointing to her ginger-haired daughter, who was in a school uniform, she added: “This vote is important for her”.
In the car park outside, David Turner, a local SNP councillor, was trying to win over any undecided voters.
“In Scotland, there will be a large ‘Remain’ vote,” the 49-year-old said, as he handed out leaflets.
Polls have shown Scots are far more favourable to the EU than fellow Britons, who are heavily divided.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland’s expected massive vote for staying in the EU could hold the balance on a national level.
“I think it’s really important to keep Scotland and the UK in the EU because there’s lots of jobs and trade and investment that depends on our place in the single market,” Sturgeon said, casting her vote.
“The polls see this on a knife edge across the UK which makes it really important to go out and vote today if you want to make sure that our place in the European Union is protected and we don’t allow Tory divisions to drag us out of Europe,” she added.
The campaign has pitched Prime Minister David Cameron, who led the “Remain” camp, against fellow Conservatives on the “Leave” side, including popular ex-London mayor Boris Johnson.
Several people were concerned that Britain leaving the EU would strengthen the centralisation of power in London.
Vincent Mellon, an assistant physiotherapist speaking in central Glasgow, said England and Scotland were “supposed to be equal parties”. “If only England voted out, that would not be fair,” he said, adding: “People that are leading the ‘Out’ campaign have no interest in Scotland”.
But Alex Blackshire did not want to hear talk about another independence referendum.
“There’s been so much division during the last campaign. I don’t want it to happen again,” the 25-year-old executive said.
Even in Glasgow, there were a few exceptions to the pro-EU mood.
Taxi driver James Ballantine, 44, said he would be voting to leave the European Union.
“There are too many migrants from Europe. People come here and get jobs, benefits,” he said, at the wheel of his cab.
“We need to take back control of our country.”
Another news from Berlin adds: Germany’s top-selling newspaper Bild made a last-ditch plea for Britons to stay in the EU Thursday, promising to finally concede England’s long-disputed 1966 Wembley World Cup goal if they vote “Remain”.
Bild also said it would “no longer make any jokes about Prince Charles’ ears”, “stop using suncream out of solidarity with your sunburn,” and “not field a goalkeeper for the next penalties, to make it more exciting”—if Britain keeps its faith with the European Union.
“Dear Britons, if you stay in the EU, we will recognise the Wembley goal ourselves!” read the daily’s front-page headline as the United Kingdom began voting in the knife-edge referendum that could end its EU membership.

In Scotland, voters back EU with an eye on Scoxit

German offer to concede 1966 goal if UK stays in EU

AFP, GLASGOW: In sunny Glasgow, many voters said they wanted Britain to stay in the European Union Thursday but were well aware that an overall Brexit result could lead to Scottish independence. Being in the EU is an advantage for Scotland. It would be silly to leave, said Gemma Rosaria, a 24-year-old office worker, arriving to vote in the EU referendum in the Broomhouse area of east Glasgow, Scotlands biggest city. I dont want a Brexit but if theres a Brexit that could be an advantage for Scotland because we can have a new referendum, said Rosaria, adding that she had voted for independence in 2014. Scotlands independence bid, led by the Scottish National Party (SNP), was thwarted in that vote, which unionists won by 55 percent to 45 percent. The pro-EU SNP, which dominates Scottish politics, still wants independence but says it will only call for another referendum if a clear majority of Scots back it after a Brexit vote. If we were to leave the EU, Id prefer to break from the UK, said Michael Renfrew, an economics student with a ginger beard and beach shoes. The decision-making and the power would become far too centralised in London, the 23-year-old said. Amanda Walker, a 42-year-old teacher, added: Better stay with what we got. Pointing to her ginger-haired daughter, who was in a school uniform, she added: This vote is important for her. In the car park outside, David Turner, a local SNP councillor, was trying to win over any undecided voters. In Scotland, there will be a large Remain vote, the 49-year-old said, as he handed out leaflets. Polls have shown Scots are far more favourable to the EU than fellow Britons, who are heavily divided. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotlands expected massive vote for staying in the EU could hold the balance on a national level. I think its really important to keep Scotland and the UK in the EU because theres lots of jobs and trade and investment that depends on our place in the single market, Sturgeon said, casting her vote. The polls see this on a knife edge across the UK which makes it really important to go out and vote today if you want to make sure that our place in the European Union is protected and we dont allow Tory divisions to drag us out of Europe, she added. The campaign has pitched Prime Minister David Cameron, who led the Remain camp, against fellow Conservatives on the Leave side, including popular ex-London mayor Boris Johnson. Several people were concerned that Britain leaving the EU would strengthen the centralisation of power in London. Vincent Mellon, an assistant physiotherapist speaking in central Glasgow, said England and Scotland were supposed to be equal parties. If only England voted out, that would not be fair, he said, adding: People that are leading the Out campaign have no interest in Scotland. But Alex Blackshire did not want to hear talk about another independence referendum. Theres been so much division during the last campaign. I dont want it to happen again, the 25-year-old executive said. Even in Glasgow, there were a few exceptions to the pro-EU mood. Taxi driver James Ballantine, 44, said he would be voting to leave the European Union. There are too many migrants from Europe. People come here and get jobs, benefits, he said, at the wheel of his cab. We need to take back control of our country. Another news from Berlin adds: Germanys top-selling newspaper Bild made a last-ditch plea for Britons to stay in the EU Thursday, promising to finally concede Englands long-disputed 1966 Wembley World Cup goal if they vote Remain. Bild also said it would no longer make any jokes about Prince Charles ears, stop using suncream out of solidarity with your sunburn, and not field a goalkeeper for the next penalties, to make it more excitingif Britain keeps its faith with the European Union. Dear Britons, if you stay in the EU, we will recognise the Wembley goal ourselves! read the dailys front-page headline as the United Kingdom began voting in the knife-edge referendum that could end its EU membership.