Episode 3 Mibbes Aye, Mibbes Naw

Across Scotland we've all been wrestling with a big decision.

There's no escaping September 18th and the campaign for our votes.

DEBATE PLAYS I cannae stand it.

Oh, dear.

Vote Yes and if it doesn't work out move countries!

Maybe I'll move to Ibiza!

For the last four months our cameras have been in homes across Scotland.

Big and small, in town and in the country.

And if things have been a bit heated round your dinner table,

you can take comfort - you're not the only ones.

I'm British. I was born British and...

-You were born in Scotland.

-I was born British.

You were born in Scotland, so you're Scottish.

So join us for the story of the summer

as real Scots ponder...

Independence? Mibbes Aye, Mibbes Naw.

And I'll be like, "That's it. Let's get voting."

Our cameras have spent the last four months in the homes of voters.

From castles to council flats, we've followed Scots from wealthy

and poorer backgrounds.

MUSIC: West Coast by Lana Del Rey

A few have always known how they'll vote,

but most started the campaign with an open mind.

Here's what you missed last time.

Shipmates Frank and Stewart are still charting different courses

on the referendum.

Farmers Alison and Danny

have been struggling to find the time to decide.

Shaun thought he'd gone Yes, then wasn't so sure.

At the castle, Simon was showcasing Scotland,

but still a strong No,

and Jessica swung to Yes but hasn't told her fiance.

He said he'll divorce me if I vote Yes.

And that's what you missed on Mibbes Aye, Mibbes Naw.

It's now only weeks away from the big vote.

Throughout the campaign we've given our voters some homework -

campaign highlights to while away the nights.

In mid-August it was round one between the two high heid yins.

This is the best bit, actually, when they cross-examine each other.

-I like that bit.

-Oh, I've not seen this.

And welcome back to the first referendum debate

between First Minister Alex Salmond and Better Together leader

Alistair Darling.

Now you said you want a currency union.

What's a currency union?

Seems to me a like getting a divorce

and keeping the same joint bank account.

Why does he keep going on about the currency?

It's like the only argument he's got.

It's no, but it's the biggest argument.

-SALMOND:

-It's logical and desirable to have a currency union.

If you go independent you've got fully independent.

That's good, then, it means we'd that way we write off the debt

that we've got, then.

Well, my wife told me that the best thing to do is to do away

with the pound because then I couldn't go to the pub.

In that case you said something you knew was not true.

I don't like that.

So as a Scottish MP who disavows such things, who doesn't think

that we're going drive on the right-hand side of the road

or be susceptible to attacks from outer space...

They're jokes, ya pillock!

HE SNORES

Huh?

You got 12 minutes to ask questions of the other side

and you waste your time asking did these people

make sarky comments.

Let's listen to the answer.

Answer it, answer it!

-That's my opinion.

-There's no answers for it.

Half the questions that people are asking won't be answered

till we get the chance to get the chance to become independent.

Until we're independent, that is when we'll find out.

-It's no worth risking...

-I don't care, it's a risk worth taking.

-It is in my opinion.

-You'll take a risk like that for him...

-Yeah.

-It is, yeah.

-Cara any other kids we have.

-Yep, uh-huh. Yep, totally.

-Mm-hmm, yep. Mm-hmm.

-You're havin' a laugh.

It's a big day in the south-side of Glasgow,

and at the heart of it is Ria Din.

It's a Pollokshields-wide greenspace festival.

It's pretty much free for all activities.

There you are, that's the full programme.

'I was born in Glasgow about mile and a half from here.'

My heritage is that my dad came over from Pakistan in the mid '50s

and my mum was born in the Gorbals but with Irish parents.

So quite an interesting mixture.

I think being mixed race, and, you know, there's no doubt about it,

we suffered from racism as children

and I just didn't feel that I belonged.

You know, never really felt Scottish until recently.

For Ria, the referendum represents a time for Scotland to take control.

I think the time's right.

I think we're mature enough as a nation.

I believe people should vote Yes and I'm going to vote Yes.

It's because I feel that this is the right thing to do.

Just a few miles down the road,

Laird Simon has been hosting the Crawford clan from North America.

We were at Bannockburn Live and the pipe festival,

and you ask me is that going to change my mind.

No way would it change my mind.

I still think Scotland's the best country in the world,

but it doesn't need to be independent to be the best country in the world.

The haggis!

He may live in a castle, but there's no lazing about.

Having waved off his guests,

our modern laird is now test-running his up and coming annual mud run.

A lot of people relatively local come enjoy the estate,

have a laugh. A lot of people raise money for charities, lots of teams,

so, lots of families... Nice time for everybody.

No doubt in anyone's mind the way I'm going to vote.

MUSIC: Nobody To Love by Sigma

It's now only weeks away from the vote.

Simon's race is run, but the campaign is picking up pace.

All in all, it's been interesting.

I think the campaign has been a little bit more...

..er...

spirited would be a polite way of putting it on the Yes side

than the No side.

Today Ria is out in Dunoon

and comes across something rather interesting.

Perhaps Alex Salmond's holiday caravan, I'm no very sure.

We'll see. Could be.

Alex, are you in there?!

Nope, nope.

MUSIC: No Place I'd Rather Be By Clean Bandit

Today, Ria is visiting someone very special whom

she hasn't seen in a very long time.

KNOCKING

Sheila!

-How you doing, mate?

-I'm all right.

Great to see you.

Sheila was an old mucker of Ria's back in Pollokshields.

I'm just looking at my luscious locks

and your bum out the window.

Remember, that was at New Year's Eve.

But I don't remember when. When d'you think that is?

When and what for, I have no idea.

I know. I was trying to think... I think I look about 35.

We both look really young.

The hairstyles may have changed, but the friendship certainly hasn't.

And it's the big vote that's brought them back together.

Been in France for 18 years.

And, em...I think you could literally say

it was like an epiphany.

I think I woke up one day in March and just went,

"Hold on a minute, this is...I can't stay here."

I can't stay here while there's a referendum going on in my country.

Exactly.

"It doesn't matter, I'll stay at home here on Montpellier

"and sip my red wine on the terrace and look at Sky TV with the news."

And then, literally, one day I woke up

and thought, "I can't do that."

For Ria, there's also a sense of being at home for the first time.

My mum also being a big sort, you know, had an Irish background

and it was always Ireland you were was supposed to look to

or my dad, you know, his nation was Pakistan.

And I didn't feel part of Scotland.

But, you know, particularly in the latter part of my adult life

I've had the opportunity to feel part of Scotland.

I've explored it in more recent years,

which I didn't have the chance to do before.

We do have a shared idea of social justice

and that's critical for me.

Em...

I've been allowed to fulfil my ambition in Scotland,

and I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be.

# When I am with you

# There's no place I'd rather be. #

Like Ria, Simon is passionate about Scotland,

but lately, has been experiencing

a rather uglier side of the referendum.

As you can see, someone disagrees with our opinion.

The sign got put up on Sunday morning,

the black spray paint was done on Monday morning,

less than 24 hours later,

and then a few hours later, the blue paint was done.

I think what's quite frightening about this is,

speaking to a couple of folk in the village

and they are of similar opinion to us, No Thanks,

but they say they're scared to actually express their opinions,

which I think is a really, really sad indictment

to a civilised society -

that you can't have an open debate and agree to differ from each other

but still respect each other's views.

It goes back to that thing,

that you can't be passionately nationalistic

in terms of Scotland as a nation and Scotland as a country

and vote No Thanks.

Shaun and his friend are voting for the first time,

but Shaun's mind has been changing like the weather.

Now I'm more for it, I think.

Over at the salon where Shaun works, owner Leo has popped in

to give his take to the virgin voters.

I'm voting No - being involved in the business sector,

there's too many questions needing to answered

and in the debates

they seem to answering questions with questions

rather than giving the answers we want to find out.

So you're voting Yes because your friends say their voting Yes?

But that's not you voting Yes - that's you following the leader.

But if I can't listen to the parliament or the government

cos I don't understand what they say,

I have to listen to friends and family and clients and you and everyone.

But you listen to everyone,

then after, you form your own opinion.

But you've got to go with what you want for the economy, you know?

I don't know what other people want.

It is my opinion - I'm voting Yes

because I think what I've heard and what I've listened to

and what I've seen in the news, the whole combination of it all...

For Leo, voting is clearly a hot topic.

I think some of the younger generation

is not taking it seriously as they should be

because this is not just about voting because of a vote -

this is about voting because of the future of the economy

and the future of my kids and other people's kids.

-INTERVIEWER:

-Thinking of anyone in particular?

HE LAUGHS

I'm not thinking of anyone in particular

but Shaun comes to mind.

HE LAUGHS

He's confusing me!

It's not a matter of confusing you.

I think, in order to make a proper decision,

you've got to look at it as a whole.

Look at what is Mr Salmond is saying,

what the people at No are saying

and then form your own opinion.

Despite Leo's little pep talk, Devon is still uncertain.

But perhaps a change of scene might help her decide.

I'll be on holiday just before it.

I'm just back in time for the voting,

so when I go there, I won't really be round people

who are talking about it,

so I could probably just make my own mind up when I'm away

and then come back with a clear head.

That's it - so many have been saying to me, the past few weeks...

-Over this side?

-Over that way.

More people have been saying to me, "No".

At first, all my friends have been saying, "Yes",

then the past couple of weeks,

so many more people are saying, "No", now.

That has been confusing me.

But I think I'm going to stick to my guns.

A client was saying today as well, you'll probably have a gut feeling.

And you'll end up just going with that, so...

Still waiting on that feeling!

SHE LAUGHS

Last time we saw farmer Danny and his wife Alison,

they were run off their feet keeping the farm going.

The truth is we haven't left the farm

in the last wee while,

so we probably haven't really had

the opportunity to...

-Talk much about it.

-Yeah.

Today, the couple are showing off the farm to fellow farmers.

So what's the view in the big barn?

I think the majority of people that I have spoken to

from the farming community

are in favour of the Better Together campaign.

I've spoken to a few who are Yes voters

and I think...there is definitely an element of peer pressure.

If most farmers have made up their minds,

the Milnes certainly haven't.

She's playing her cards pretty close to her chest

and I must admit I am too.

You know, trying to double bluff her, maybe.

I think our views are fairly similar.

It doesn't matters to either of us if we vote differently.

But I think, given we have the same moral values

and the same beliefs about what the opportunities

might look like for our children in the future,

I would be surprised if we voted differently.

Will we vote both the same way?

Yeah, I think we probably will. I think we probably will.

It's homework time again

and this time, it's round two of the leaders' debates.

Will our voters enjoy this one any more?

Both our contributors will now have the opportunity

to cross-examine one other,

although they've been doing a fair bit of that so far.

-Alistair Darling.

-Right - I want to go back to currency.

RIA GRUMBLES, IAN LAUGHS

..at our last debate that you made a better fist at explaining

what your Plan B is.

Off you go and tell me.

Well, I've heard of one-trick ponies

but this must be the most extraordinary thing tonight.

He gives three options, but which one will he go for?

Yeah, which is Plan B?

You'll end up stuck with all the debt -

debt, incidentally, which you and the current Chancellor

managed to accumulate 60%.

I'm all right - I've got four jars of home-made jam in the fridge

and a bag of flour, going to make wholemeal bread.

Is that allowed in an independent Scotland?

-Em...

-There's risk of losing the jam jars, too.

Will you be prepared

to support the sovereign will of the Scottish people

if the Yes side win the referendum?

Oh, God - yes, so, "If we get independence,

"are you still going to be Scottish?

"Are you still going to want the best for Scotland?"

"No, because I didn't get my way

"and I'm going to throw all my toys out the pram - boo-hoo!"

Is that what you want him to say, Alex?

THEY TALK OVER EACH OTHER

Are you backing out the Yes side?

-GLENN CAMPBELL:

-Hang on - I want questions...

They don't give straight answers. They always say something...

That's what politicians do.

That is the policy we put forward.

THEY TALK OVER EACH OTHER

Somebody should switch they microphones off.

See when they start talking over each other,

I cannae tune in!

You didn't step in at all!

Shh! Be quiet.

Why you're so strong on it, I can understand that.

I don't know what they're saying

cos you keep rabbling on about the same points over and over.

I'm trying to get my points across to you.

-Ooh...

-Don't you interrupt them as well.

enough people interrupting them.

The time is up.

-Thank God for that.

-Alistair, stop going on about the money.

We get the point.

Thank God.

-You're not even listening.

-I missed that bit.

LAUGHTER

Once upon a time, Jessica and Mark were in unison.

He's voting No as well.

But then she began having second thoughts.

Can you positively tell me that you know that we're going to survive?

No.

Boom, point proven.

After a long hard think, Jessica decided to switch to Yes.

-Are you totally, totally Yes?

-Mm-hm, totally.

But has she told fiance Mark about her change of heart?

I've changed my mind. I was so adamant that I was No

but I've done my research

and saw the right side, I've changed my mind.

Ach, she'd made her own decision so...

But I still think you're daft though.

Why'd you think I'm daft, though?

-You know why.

-Why?

We'll not benefit in any way from it.

-I've changed my mind...

-He was asked specifically,

-if things don't go to plan...

-..cos I've read all the information.

If things don't go the way you've planned them, what is your plan B?

-Just avoided it.

-I've watched the referendum debates

-and I think it's the best decision for Scotland.

-Alex Salmond knows...

The referendum may have brought old friends together

but it may be spoiling this couple's happily ever after.

-I'm not talking nonsense.

-You are talking nonsense.

-I'm making sense.

-Daddy is talking nonsense.

You say, "Be quiet, Dad, you're a midden." You tell him.

You tell him.

-"You're a midden, Dad."

-M-m-m-m.

-Team Salmond.

Midden or not, rest assured,

Jessica's Mum doesn't need to take her hat back -

the wedding's still on..

Fields that were once full of barley are now stubble and bales.

The vote is nearly here and Alison has made up her mind.

I think, for me,

I'm not willing to take a risk,

but I'm going to view it as rising to a challenge.

And I've decided that it's not about following a pipe dream,

it's about being ambitious

and for that reason, I have decided that I am going to vote Yes.

DANNY INHALES SHARPLY

I believe in something better for Scotland.

I'm kind of torn between the two.

One minute, I'm Yes, one minute, I'm No.

I suppose I'm a typical farmer sitting on the fence.

THEY CHUCKLE

Danny's still waiting for his gut to tell him what to do,

but it's looking like the couple might be taking different roads.

I think Scotland itself will cope quite comfortably,

it's just whether or not, as a nation together,

we should just stick together.

When these eggs got thrown at Jim Murphy,

that kind of put my back up a wee bit.

I was a bit disappointed that people would be doing such a thing.

I want everyone to get on together as a nation which we do just now.

I suppose whichever way you decide to go,

I can say with some level of confidence that I'm likely to

be more passionate about the direction in which we go.

I'm certainly passionate about it,

I'm maybe just not such a high-risk taker as you potentially are

because there is an element of risk, there's no question about it.

Even though Alison has made her decision, Danny will wait

and see what his gut ultimately tells him on the day.

This is my old pal, Frank.

Frank and Stewart have been chums for ever.

They also run a business together.

But their views on the referendum have been oceans apart.

I never have tried to persuade Stewart and I never will.

If he wants to listen to what I'm saying, it's fine.

I still have, in the back of my mind, that we're stronger together.

I'll just never listen to what he says.

It's mid-summer in Shetland,

which means it never gets dark.

Today, Frank is on dry land enjoying a barbecue.

CROWD SING FOLK SONG

The nearest train station to here is in Bergen, Norway.

Shetland and Orkney was given as a dowry to the Danish.

That marriage was never completed,

so therefore a lot of people in Shetland

still think that it's...

we're still a part of Scandinavia.

Can Frank convince Stewart, a determined No,

that Shetland is safe in an independent Scotland?

I've always been in favour of independence for Scotland.

So I knew exactly then what I know now,

how I was going to vote so...

But you're different.

Well, yeah, because I'm not Scottish, Frank, I'm Shetland.

It's part of Scotland, Shetland.

It is, I ken that.

Now, the way it's going for me now,

I've been doing an awful lot of hard thinking about this,

and...I ken nobody else from my house

will agree with what I'm going to say,

but I'm going to vote for it.

I've spoken with you, this wee boy that's always given me good advice,

that's been one of my best pals all my life.

And I'm voting for it.

Over a summer, a baby can grow into a wee boy.

People who don't even read the paper can end up excited about politics.

We've followed a small sample of voters

and their decisions don't tell us what Scotland will do.

But maybe their experiences tell us something about this special summer.

We've never voted before,

I'd never watched anything to do with politics,

hardly ever read the newspaper or nothing and I think it has.

It's been dead interesting

hearing different people's points of view and stuff.

I'm the same as you.

I've never ever thought about it before

and this is the first time I've been on the roll

and it is interesting

and maybe it'll make us, in the future,

vote more and take more of an interest.

-Before, it was like we're not really interested at all.

-I was not.

You've got some folk saying I've heard enough, I want it over with.

-Really?!

-Yeah, but I still cannae get enough.

No, you cannae. What you going to do after this?

What you going to tweet about?

Well, the next exciting bit is the fallout from it,

the negotiations, what the settlement's actually going to be.

Whether it's Yes people villainising No

or whether it's No people villanising Yes,

I think its bang out of order.

We're in a free country with freedom of speech

and we should all be allowed to express our opinions

without the fear of retribution.

-It's interesting, the level of passion it has, actually.

-Yeah.

And the fact that it's going to be as close as it's going to be,

it'll be interesting to see what happens after the vote

cos there's going to be an awful lot of disappointed people, whichever way it goes.

We're old hippies with the boat and we love that but...

I have never been a hippie! Where you get this hippie from?!

I'm a hippie.

I don't want to be called a hippie!

-You is a hippie.

-I'm no a hippie.

Look at the jumpers you wear.

I'm no wearing a jumper.

When you does.

HE LAUGHS

-Maybe we need to get into it more.

-I know, definitely.

Never going to say I'm going to join the group or whatever.

-Debating club.

-I know, totally.

-I'd never say that but...

-THEY LAUGH

Whoo. High-five.

THEY LAUGH

I hope everybody in Scotland is going to be the same.

It wouldn't matter how you vote, everybody just...

You have to think of the bigger picture.

THEY LAUGH