IN a madcap Scottish Sketch-show from the 80s called Absolutely, there was a creation named McGlashan.

He was a parody of the utterly frustrated Scottish Nationalist who hated England, and subsequently blamed them for every ill he perceived Scotland to have. I must admit to having some empathy for one or two of the sketches, particularly one when he found out the group stage draw for 1886 World Cup, Scotland yet again in the group of death and our English friends landing firmly on their feet, again.

The National: McGlashan had a tendency to blame all of his problems on EnglandMcGlashan had a tendency to blame all of his problems on England

The Scots have been defined as having a chip on the shoulder, and having a dominant neighbour has at times created such a scenario for many. But it isn’t that which creates a craving for independence in me, I am no McGlashan.

TELL US WHAT INDEPENDENCE MEANS TO YOU

The thought of living in a dystopian Tory Britain till I leave this mortal coil is just to much to bare. Worse still is the thought of my two beautiful twenty-something daughters being lumbered with this for another generation, it could and should be infinitely better.

People now realise that Scotland is wealthy and small, which is a tremendous combination to create a better society. No more neo-liberal rhetoric, no more vulture capitalism, a society that cares, that welcomes people and buries the legacy of Thatcher once and for all. We can become the envy, a prosperous caring country where folk want to live. I feel a overwhelming responsibility to create that. Let’s do it!

Eugene Michael Crummie

READ MORE: From No to Yes: I was a firm Unionist in 2014 ... then I had an epiphany​

I AM American by birth but moved to Scotland in 2007. I got my UK citizenship just in time to register to vote before the referendum on independence. I had not thought much about the vote before my citizenship but ended up passionately involved on the pro-indy side.

I have seen how England continuously votes Tories into power, a political party Scotland has always rejected. I have seen how this "partnership of equals" is so terribly unbalanced – how whatever England wants, England gets – and how MPs from England talk about and treat Scotland and its leaders.

TELL US WHAT INDEPENDENCE MEANS TO YOU

I have seen how Scotland pays for projects that benefit only England while austerity rains down on everyone. I have seen how England has done away with free prescriptions and university and is slowly dismantling its national healthcare system as well.

England has made no secret of its desire to be just like America. I left America for a place that valued the benefits that a good education and healthcare for all bring to society as a whole. That place is disappearing, and independence for Scotland is the only solution.

Julie Blakley