For hundreds of years, Scotland had struggled to maintain its independence from England. In 1707, Scotland was joined with England and Wales (later with Ireland) to form the United Kingdom, also known as Great Britain.  This year may mark the possible end of this union. On September 18th, the Scottish will be allowed to vote for whether they wish to remain a part of the union or become an independent nation. Current British Prime Minister David Cameron is working frantically to try and convince the Scottish people that an independent Scotland would be in the worst possible interests for everyone. He may have a tough situation on his hands.

                            If the election were held today, two-thirds of all Scottish would vote to stay in the union. Will this be true in a matter of seven months? Neither Cameron nor anyone else will take this for granted. The Scottish Nationalist Party, which is in favor of outright independence for Scotland, will be campaigning hard for Scotland to become independent. Cameron’s Conservative Party does not have much influence in Scotland. A minority party in Scotland’s parliament, the Conservatives are largely seen as English, and this may not endear them to Scottish voters. However, the Conservatives will play the “catastrophe” card that may have Scottish voters thinking twice about separation from the rest of Great Britain.

                             And there is much to think about. First, what will Scotland become? A monarchy? A republic? What about the country’s currency? Will such a currency be recognized in the rest of Europe? What about Britain’s armed forces? How will an independent Scotland change this? Will an independent Scotland remain a part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization? Will the European Union accept an independent Scotland? Will an independent Scotland be accepted by the rest of the world? These and so many questions will be in the minds of not only those in the British government but in the minds of ordinary people throughout Great Britain. Usually independence is something that comes about from a forced union or under circumstances when a subdued nation has suffered oppression for far too long. This has not been the case for Scotland, and there are many Scottish who may still want to remain part of the union. Let us hope that union shall survive.