For the Yes campaign and myself, the prime reason for independence we seek is to once and for all unchain Scotland from the greed and corruption that ensues with being tied to London. Many on the unionist side claim that London and Westminster benefits Scotland greatly, allowing us to reap the rewards from the vast wealth generated there from its financial sector. In reality however, nothing of the sort happens. Practically all the wealth generated in London stays in London, is spent in London, and goes straight into the pockets of the wealthy elite residing there.
It has been obvious that after the financial crash of 2008, almost all Westminsters' supposed efforts at repairing the UK economy have went into London, with little to no repercussions for the people who actually caused the financial crash living there, the bankers. We have seen bankers' bonuses skyrocket under austerity, whilst those in other parts of the country are struggling to get by under new draconian policies, such as the infamous Bedroom Tax. We have seen millions being poured into infrastructure projects in London and the South-East such as the HS2 debacle which will only benefit London and the South-East, while infrastructure crumbles in other places. We have seen hefty tax cuts for millionaires and ravenous new privatisation policies being put in place, all the while our public services on which millions rely on throughout the country are buckling under lack of funding.
It is crystal-clear to see that all of Westminsters' interest is focused wholly on London and its financial sector. All other parts of the UK are being neglected and being purely used as a means to finance the governments' obsession with keeping London and the South-East happy. There is even evidence that clearly shows the British political establishment has no interest other than propping up the London financial Sector. London Mayor Boris Johnson said on an interview:
"a pound spent in Croydon is of far more value than a pound spent in Strathclyde"
And there you have it. That is the exact attitude Westminster has to Scotland, one of neglect and condescension. They think that we are just not important enough to warrant any attention and funding; just give them their yearly pocket money and send them on their way, that'll keep them happy. This is exactly why the people of Scotland need to take control of our own destiny. We are clearly being shown no attention by the British political establishment.
We have already consistently shown we want to take a different path from that being offered by Westminster. Rather than embrace austerity we have chosen to embrace social-democratic policies that will protect our most vulnerable. Rather that go ahead with privatisation we have seen a fierce resistance to the privatisation of our public services in Scotland.
Under the status-quo however, we can do little but resist. Under independence, we could act. We could finally have the governments we vote for, we could finally get rid of trident (with around 80% of Scots opposing it), we could finally stop being involved in pointless and costly wars abroad and put money into our public services and education, and we could finally reject failed austerity and pursue a different path to recovery (like Iceland, the fastest recovering European nation).
All of these opportunities Scotland could take, are only possibly with a Yes vote. Only then will we be untied from Westminster, and the neglect we're shown by its politicians. They obviously don't want or care about us, so why do we need them?
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