We need us: the story of the last Scottish referendum
The 'No' campaign material from the last Scottish referendum may seem out-dated, says Merryn Somerset Webb - but the issues remain the same.
A letter arrives from a Scottish friend. It contains some materials from what you might call "the last Better Together campaign", the referendum of 1979.
There are some little stickers which read "Good Girls Say NO on 1st March". There are some car stickers with a pretty clear message: "Disintegration? After two and a half centuries?"
But best of all there is a leaflet from "Scottish Customs Controls". This was knocked up by the 'No' campaign and then given to groups of students who were sent up and down passing them out on the London to Edinburgh trains.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
It's a brilliantly terrifying document.Here's how it starts. "When you enter Scotland you will pass through customs. A valid passport must be shown. All goods in excess of the duty-free allowances which you have obtained outside MUST BE DECLARED. There are strict limits to the amount of money in Sterling Notes (£) or Pounds Scots (Sc£) you may take in and out of Scotland. Excess cash and undeclared goods in excess of the allowances are liable to forfeiture."
It then goes on to outline what you may and may not bring in the way of tobacco (not more than 200 cigarettes and "Scottish residents and nationals are entitled to the above allowances only on production of official receipts to show that the tobacco was obtained more than 60 miles from the frontier post"), and alcohol ("the re-importation of Scotch whisky purchased more cheaply in England and elsewhere in the EEC is currently forbidden").
Then on other goods, there is talk of "an equalisation surcharge" on anything bought cheaply in England as well as a note that "the importation of firearms for sporting or any other purpose is forbidden."
Finally, at the end of the document there is a "special note" to motorists pointing out that only the "main frontier posts" are open all year and day around. Try crossing anywhere else and you "may be diverted or turned back."
It is easy to say that some of this sounds ridiculous to the modern ear. Maybe it does. But the point still stands. If Scotland is independent, Scotland is a foreign country. And if Scotland is a foreign country it has borders.
It is also worth noting that while the 'Yes' campaign says that it would like to be in the EU, but keep free movement between Scotland and England , it is hard to see how this is possible.
To be a member of the EU now you have to be inside the Schengen Immigration area, which the UK isn't. So, as it stands, there would have to be a real border and crossing of some kind or another. Here's The Scotsman on the matter.
There is one final thing in my envelope of 1979 goodies. It's a little banner with the slogan from that campaign on it. It's a good one. It is "WE NEED US."
-
The UK areas which saw biggest jump in asking prices in 2025 – is yours on the list?We look at the UK areas where asking prices rose the most last year.
-
‘Sandwich generation’ carers losing £6,000 a year to support elderly relativesMiddle-aged adults are often caught between caring for children or grandchildren and their elderly parents, leaving them taking time out of the workforce and facing a huge hit to wages while they are still trying to save for retirement. We look at the true cost of caring.
-
Beating inflation takes more luck than skill – but are we about to get lucky?Opinion The US Federal Reserve managed to beat inflation in the 1980s. But much of that was down to pure luck. Thankfully, says Merryn Somerset Webb, the Bank of England may be about to get lucky.
-
Rishi Sunak can’t fix all our problems – so why try?Opinion Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement is an attempt to plaster over problems the chancellor can’t fix. So should he even bother trying, asks Merryn Somerset Webb?
-
Young people are becoming a scarce resource – we should value them more highlyOpinion In the last two years adults have been bizarrely unkind to children and young people. That doesn’t bode well for the future, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
-
Ask for a pay rise – everyone else isOpinion As inflation bites and the labour market remains tight, many of the nation's employees are asking for a pay rise. Merryn Somerset Webb explains why you should do that too.
-
Why central banks should stick to controlling inflationOpinion The world’s central bankers are stepping out of their traditional roles and becoming much more political. That’s a mistake, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
-
How St Ives became St Tropez as the recovery drives prices sky highOpinion Merryn Somerset Webb finds herself at the epicentre of Britain’s V-shaped recovery as pent-up demand flows straight into Cornwall’s restaurants and beaches.
-
The real problem of Universal Basic Income (UBI)Merryn's Blog April employment numbers showed 75 per cent fewer people in the US returned to employment compared to expectations. Merryn Somerset-Webb explains how excessive government support is causing a shortage of labour.
-
Why an ageing population is not necessarily the disaster many people think it isOpinion We’ve got used to the idea that an ageing population is a bad thing. But that’s not necessarily true, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
