THE REFERENDIIM
Lizzie Franke
Director: Edinburgh International Film Festival.
’l find it strange, having moved to
David Eustace
Scottish freelance photographer for Vogue and lhe New Yorker:
'I’m voting Yes, Yes. It’s a small progression, but the worst thing we could do is jump straight in. Scots are very willing to think with their hearts rather than their heads — it’s a Celtic thing. I’m all for our own parliament, independence perhaps a few years down the road. This is a testing ground for that. It’s like everything else — we want it but we’re going to have to take a lot of responsibility with it as well. If we’re the ones that asked for it, we’ll have no one else to blame.’
Actor.
Sean Connery
’Obviously it’s a yes-yes-yes for me. It has teeth and in my own Opinion, it’s the next step from independence. We can learn from all the other parlimentary mistakes. This is the time to start laying ground rules for making it (the Scottish
Scotland Six months ago, that l have the right to vote about its future. That’s why I want to give it due consideration and take it very seriously. As soon as the Film Festival is over I’m going to read the dossier and decide how I’m voting. I’m a
film industry) happen here, and evolving it here.’
Labour Party member so obviously I’ll take advice from the Party. But at the same time, as director of the Festival, I have a cultural remit here and feel a huge commitment to Edinburgh and Scotland in that respect. Also, I’m very proud to be living in a completely Tory free zone.’
David Hayman
Fllm director.
’It’ll be a wholehearted Yes, Yes from me. I’m a supporter of independence and in the meantime this is the most exciting opportunity in about 300 years for Scotland to grasp its destiny and be able to shape its future without interference from 45 million neighbours. It’s not perfect and there are certain key issues which are missing — for a start there’s no control over our own broadcasting which is a disgrace and a serious omission. But with health and education and so many other important issues in our hands, we’re on the threshold of a very exciting
time for Scotland.’ 16 THE lIST 29 Aug—ll Sept 1997
Professor Ian Bone
Consultant neurologist, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow.
’I will vote Yes, Yes. On the first count I think it’s only right that Scotland should have its own parliament. As an Englishman, I recognise its separate identity, separate aims, and the cultural differences which make the two countries very distinct from one another and I can understand the resistance to the concept of being ruled from Westminster. Problems might arise in terms of increasing the standard rate of tax and the difficulties that might pose for the local business community, but it’s a gamble well worth taking in terms of funding our own education and health serVice.’
Bill McMurdo
Sports agent.
I’ll vote No, No because I’m British. I want to keep the UK intact. Should we have devolution. it w0uld be the first step towards total separation. I don’t believe we have the facilities up here to run the country as an independent nation. If we don’t get this one correct, it will have a devastating effect on Scotland and the UK.