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Referendum decision weighing heavily on families’ minds

Kenny Henderson chats to Lauren McKinney of The Couriers Referendum Roadshow team.
Kenny Henderson chats to Lauren McKinney of The Couriers Referendum Roadshow team.

The referendum debate has given one Fife family a huge dilemma.

Debbie Jury would like to vote Yes come September but her husband is a Faslane-based nuclear submariner and if Scotland became independent her family would likely move hundreds of miles away.

With two children at school and family and friends around them, that is a quandary for them, she explained as The Courier’s Referendum Roadshow hit Dunfermline on Monday.

“I think we should give it a go, but I am married to a submariner and if it is a Yes vote then we will be moved,” she said. “So, I would have to say No in order to stay where I am.

“He has been in the navy for 22 years and this is our home but, if Alex Salmond sticks to what he has been saying, then they would move the base from Faslane.”

Also facing a huge decision is Dunfermline teenager Bethany Baragwnath.

Turning 17 this year, this will be the first time she will have put her cross on a ballot paper and what an important one it is.

“We are being told at school to use our vote and to take it seriously and I am,” said the No-leaning Dunfermline High pupil.

“I have been influenced by the people around me, and they have convinced me. We seem to be moving for independence for almost no reason.”

Dunfermline man David Fletcher, will vote Yes, who said: “We will get the government we voted for and at the moment we do not.”

Also voting Yes is Margaret Stewart, who said: “I feel it is time for change. It won’t benefit me but I hope it is going to benefit my children and grandchildren.”

Another Yes voter was David Ross from Cowdenbeath, who said: “I believe we would be a better country.”

Firmly in the No corner is Alex Gilfillan from Crossgates, who feels Scotland has the best of both worlds just now.

He said: “There are not going to be any winners and, whatever the outcome, we are going to have a divided country.”

Dunfermline Labour MSP Cara Hilton voted No, and said: “The biggest challenge facing Dunfermline is the cost of living crisis the last thing we need is the uncertainty of a Yes vote.”

In our straw poll, the Nos polled 64% in Dunfermline.

Despite the rain, the roadshow also attracted residents in Townhill, including Labour councillor Helen Law.

She said: “I think we are better together it is really important that we work together.”

Of those who took part in our poll in Townhill, the majority were again against independence, with ‘no’ receving 68% of the votes.