The big question

Some time ago, I speculated about the implications of a 'Yes' vote in the Scottish independence referendum for British listers, a theme which has been picked up since by several bloggers. But with the wall to wall news coverage today, I had to try explaining the issues raised by the campaign to a 7 year old. If you have to do this yourself, I wish you luck:

Rowan: 'What's a referendum?'
Me: 'It's like a vote for all the people in Scotland to say whether they want to leave the United Kingdom or not'
Rowan (aghast): 'So what will happen to Uncle Alan and Auntie Heather and our cousins [residents of Stirling]?'
Me: 'Don't worry, they'll still be there'
Rowan: 'So what would Scotland be called if it left the United Kingdom?'
Me: 'Scotland'
Rowan: 'And where will it go?'
Me: 'Well it won't go anywhere, it will stay in the same place'
Rowan (exasperated): 'SO WHAT'S THE POINT OF THAT THEN?'

'So will I be needing a passport then?' Snow Bunting, Cairngorm, 2011

Fortunately, 11-year olds have a more sophisticated grasp of the issues:

George: 'So why do they want to leave the UK then?'
Me: 'Well they don't like decisions about Scotland being made in England, I guess'
George: 'Like what?'
Me: 'Well about money and things'
George: 'So will they have their own money then?'
Me: 'No, they want to keep the pound'
George: 'They can't do that, they can't keep our stuff!'

Tomorrow I attempt to explain the West Lothian question to the Guinea Pigs...

'Don't patronise us. While the establishment of the Scottish Parliament undoubtedly gave a new urgency to answering the West Lothian question, in the event of a 'yes' vote then, self-evidently, it becomes academic. Now go and stock up on that Irn Bru before it's subject to import tax, it gives our coats their special sheen'.