What will happen to defence and the NHS?
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"In a little over a week people in Forres and across Scotland will have taken one of the biggest political decisions of their lives. If they vote Yes it will be an irreversible decision to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK.
"Voting No gives us security and a guarantee for more powers for the Scottish Parliament. For me a No vote gives us the best of both worlds.
"It’s not a matter of could we be independent, but should we? Should we take a gamble on our currency, pensions, entry into Europe, the shape of our Armed Forces and many more important issues? Or should we say No and use the current powers the Scottish Parliament has and give it greater powers to deliver for people in Scotland while retaining our important business, cultural and social links with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
"Defence has long been a topic of great debate in Forres and the surrounding area. The community rallied together when the air base closed and welcomed the Army Regiment with open arms. As part of the United Kingdom Scotland currently benefits from the fourth largest defence budget in the world. With Independence the SNP have no coherent proposals for defence. What would happen at Kinloss and Lossiemouth? What would be sacrificed and how many jobs would be lost if we had to reduce our defence forces?
"Health is another issue that has raised its head in this debate and it’s important for Forres with the new Health Centre opening and the service we get at Leanchoil, Dr. Gray’s and through-out the area. Unfortunately health has been used by Yes and SNP campaigners who say a No vote could threaten the NHS. Nothing could be further from the truth.
"The amount of public money spent on healthcare in England impacts on Scottish government finances. So no matter if that public money is spent within the NHS or to private companies it is still health spending and the Barnett formula then transfers the requisite spend to the Scottish government. Then the Scottish government can decide how to spend it here, including sending patients to get treatment privately as the SNP have already done.
"So the only way to describe the Yes campaign’s comments on the NHS is scaremongering.
"In this article I have only focused on two issues but I could have looked at many more. The Yes campaign is promising a lot to encourage people to vote for independence but their ability to deliver will only be known after the result when it’s too late to go back if things don’t work out.
"By voting No we can remain together with our UK family of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and increase our powers in the Scottish Parliament.
"For me it makes sense to vote No and to work together to make sure communities such as Forres flourish in a successful Scotland as part of a United Kingdom."
