Portraits taken in Glasgow, on the day of the Independence Referendum, September 18, 2014. The vote did not result in Scottish independence, but Glasgow had one of the highest percentage of Yes voters in the country with 53.49% of the electorate opting to leave the Union.
Charles Collins, retired bus driver, has lived in Glasgow his entire life and is a lifelong supporter of Scottish independence.
“The English will take care of themselves, and we’ll be just fine without them”
Rebecca is a theatrical actor, born in Glasgow and raised in the Highlands. After a long family debate, they all collectively decided on voting for independence.
“I tried to educate myself as best as possible on the question and I know it’s a huge risk. But I also won’t miss an opportunity to guide my country towards meaningful, positive change.”
Richard was born in Nigeria and lived in London before moving to Scotland 3 years ago. He makes a living selling magazines, and thinks matters can only improve is Scotland were to leave the Union. He has no qualms about barbed wire popping up at the border overnight in case of a Yes win.
“Finally the Scottish people will take a break from resenting the English. Plus it’s gonna be a whole lot easier to get rid of politicians if they run the country like idiots”
Kevin works the bar at Jumping Jaks, a pub popular with university students. They are stocking up with extra amounts of booze for the weekend.
“We’re expecting roaring trade for the weekend, regardless of outcome. We’ll see if it’s a celebration or a wake”
Kevin himself is in favour of independence, he cast his Yes vote first thing in the morning. He is weary of the consequences of a narrow No win. “We’re might get shafted for daring to stand up for ourselves.”
At the time of taking this photo, Andrew still hasn’t decided how he’s going to vote. He studies business and investing at Glasgow Caledonian University, and based on what he has learned the rational decision, he says, would be voting No.
But in his heart Andrew is an absolute Yes voter, his main reason being it’s impossible to govern a country as socially diverse as the UK based on the current narrow-focused system in Westminster. He made his decision in the booth later that day.
Joe Logan is an IT manager and active Yes supporter, he put up dozens of posters and signs in his neighbourhood during the campaign.
“Think about it, September 18th would be a new holiday, another day off work for the rest of our lives!”
On a serious note, he thinks Scottish people are overwhelmingly left-leaning, something that is impossible represent with the current makeup of the House of Commons. Scotland trying to fight an English majority in lawmaking is a failed concept, an independent state is the way to go in his opinion.
Alan works with Joe, but voted No. He thinks the economic risk of independence is too great.
“If we inherited 10% of the debt the UK has, that’s would be an unbearable burden for the 5 million people of this country, even if happen to keep most of the oil money, which is highly unlikely in the first place. If this were the 1970-s I’d be a Yes voter too. But in the current economic climate I prefer to play it safe.”
Philippa moved to Glasgow 5 years ago to study painting at the Glasgow School of Art. In the beginning she felt she has no dogs in this fight but her Scottish friends convinced her to vote Yes when the time comes.
“Young people are much more willing to take the risk, we have no kids, dependents to take care of, mortgages etc. We are much more capable of adapting to radical change than folk who are 5-10 years away from retirement. I think it’s worth risking a short period of downturn if it yields results in the long run.”
Taylor, a 25 year old sound-engineering graduate, has an 18 month old daughter.
I’d want my daughter to go to Uni for free, just like I did, like all Scottish people do today. I consider education a basic human right, and I’m appalled by the nine grand tuition for a degree in England. It’s a form of wealth chauvinism and I’m certain it will be introduced in Scotland as well if we remain under Westminster rule.
His parents on the other hand are No voters. “I tried persuading them a number of times but gave up after a while, it was a waste of everyone's time. I hope they’ll see the error of their ways come this weekend and we’ll all have a laugh.”
Ian is a proud No voter. “I was born here in 1965, been working here ever since, I have a british passport and will continue to have one. If it ain’t broke, why fix it? I tell people I’m Scottish, but I’m a British citizen. I’d like my grandchildren to be British as well.”
He doesn’t agree with people who say life would be better without the English. He takes pride in the fact that the men in his family have fought under the British banner in all the wars the UK has fought.
Hyun Lim moved to Glasgow from Malaysia 30 years ago, he runs an Asian specialty food shop. He thinks if Singapore “where even tapwater is bought from the Chinese” can make it on their own, Scotland could do it too. He does, however have reservations about the work ethic of Scottish people when compared to Singaporeans, he thinks Scots might just lack the discipline that made independence possible for Singapore.
“I’m a Yes voter by heart, but cold rationality tells me No. I won’t tell you how I voted, I don’t like talking politics in my shop. All I’ll say is I have a hunch the No votes will prevail, but only by a few percent, it’s going to be close. My business would definitely suffer short term in the event of a Yes victory, some of my trade partners have already voiced their concern.”
Keiron was one of the few Glaswegians who declined to vote. "Neither side made it easy to see through the fog of bullshit, most of the campaigning consisted of hysteria, half-truths and sheer mud-slinging. Not nearly enough solid information to make a decision. On a sentimental level I'd be for indenpendence, but emotions don't feed families."
Gary (and his dog Frankie) would get rid Trident first and foremost. "Nuclear submarines paint a giant crosshair on our backs if Putin or some other idiot with power decides to push the big red button. I'd also have a hard time living with the thought of a nuclear strike launched from Scotland too."
Ian, an electrical engineer rarely wears a kilt but had hopes of wearing one every September 18th henceforth. He is also wearing a Catalanoian flag T-shirt in this photo. "I'm waiting on my wife and daughter by the way, this bike would be a wee bit small for my size"
