As the countdown to Scotland’s referendum over independence reaches its final dramatic hours, Scots in Portugal have spoken of their outrage over their inability to vote.
Gail and Ross Buchanan are just two of the million Scots that live outside their country. They first arrived in Portugal 10 years ago and moved to Tavira, in the Algarve, in 2009.
“It’s terrible that we cannot vote!” Gail told Diário de Notícias in a report out today.
“We may have chosen a different place to live, but our hearts and our families are in Scotland. We go back there regularly. We continue to pay our taxes there. We should have a say.”
Husband Ross was just as adamant, suggesting the decision not to allow overseas residents a vote was “completely wrong”.
Nonetheless, as the campaign ‘back home’ approaches Thursday’s ‘make-or-break’ moment, both agreed that deciding which way to vote is a huge issue – thus it is hardly surprising that news services are reporting Scotland’s future remains on a knife edge.
“It has nothing to do with not wanting to be part of England,” explained 62-year-old former teacher Gail. “I would love to stay part of Great Britain. But we are not content with the way London deals with our country, and our natural resources.”
“Right now, my opinion changes by the week. I feel we still don’t have enough information.”
But if she could vote, what does she think she would do tomorrow?
“I would vote yes,” Gail told DN – proving the latest polls that say Scottish women are pro-independence.
Nonetheless it all depends on the day – and that will be here soon enough.
