The No campaign has acquired a hysterical tone in the last weeks as opinion polls showed a swing towards support for independence. The three main Westminster parties are all united in opposing independence. The Labour Party leaders failed to defend the rights and promote the interests of the working class. Distrust of the Labour Party leadership since Tony Blair went to war in Iraq, and widespread revulsion at the austerity policies of the Liberal-Conservative government since 2008, mean that the united parties of Westminster strengthened the Yes campaign. Recent weeks have seen big business leaders dragooned into the No campaign. They issued dire warnings of impending economic doom if Scotland votes Yes, and warn of job losses, economic crisis, chaos in currency markets, as Scotland has been told they can't keep the pound sterling as their currency. Similar fear mongering is being promoted by the mainstream media. On the one side, this obviously worries people, on the other, it evokes anger at the patronizing way that such company directors threaten the people, with their so-called "objective warnings.' It appears as if the "freedom to vote" for independence is only acceptable if the people vote No.

Even if Scottish independence results in a shift to the left in Scotland and the remaining parts of Britain, the consequences will be likely to ripple around the world, encouraging national independence movements, even where such movements might seem impossible today. But the historical legacy of British imperialism and the arrogance of British leaders internationally will suffer, a terrible, perhaps, permanent body blow if Scotland votes for independence.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://china.org.cn/opinion/heikokhoo.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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