Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2014 | Page 134

ANDREW TURNER MP coffee break reading... Andrew Turner MP The Riverside Centre, The Town Quay, Newport, IW - Tel: [phone] [email protected] www.islandmp.org Andrew Turner MP Better together? A defence of the UK T he referendum on whether Scotland should stay part of the United Kingdom takes place on September 18. Although the referendum is a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’, the myriad of questions that are being answered are far from straightforward. Both sides of the debate have put forward points to support their argument, while outlining the faults of the other side. Some hold the view that it should be left to Scotland to decide - those living there are the only ones that have the right to vote but the rest of us should be involved in the debate. The outcome of the referendum will have repercussions across the UK. I believe the best choice for our future is to remain a strong and proud union, benefiting from the strength, security and opportunity we can all share. As a nation united we can face problems and issues head on together, and all be better for it. The UK is the oldest and most successful 134 www.visitilife.com economic union in the world. For over 300 years, Scotland has traded goods and services with every other part of the UK; and that also works the other way. Not having to worry about a border, a different currency and another language makes trade and transport seamless and has helped the growth of trade since the union began in 1707. Today, Scotland sells more to the rest of the UK than they do to every other country in the world combined, demonstrating the strength and importance of the existing trade link. The histo