The votes of many have already been cast and the minds of many more already made up. It is very exciting in one sense that so many of us are engaged in discussions about the nature of democracy and who runs whatever bits of the countrie(s) we happen to live in. However it is also very disturbing that a small number of men and women, some of whom seek our consent to make decisions on our behalf are prepared to take advantage of a debate that has been running since 1706 in some places to pit some of us against others. The appalling sight of 100 Labour MPs on a train to Scotland or the occasional appearance of a much smaller number of Conservative MPs in locations that they have never or rarely visited before is very concerning, as is the words uttered by Messrs’ Galloway and Farage. Farage is wrong to argue he or most of his UKIP colleagues have a role to play and Galloway despite his nationality should behave very differently when speaking to any voters, let alone 16-17 year old ones in his home nation.

Whatever the outcome of next Thursdays referendum and what seems bound to be subsequent votes and decisions taken by the men and women of Scotland, we are linked together by far more than can possibly separate us. The opportunity to pass judgement on the governance of Westminster is something that many of us would relish, although choosing to reject one form of governance when the alternative is a great deal more uncertain may be more of a poisoned chalice than some in Scotland appreciate. The outcome of the election apart, there is a great deal of work for us all to do together if we are to reduce our combined dependence on foodbanks and improve the health and employment prospects of all of the men and women on our many Islands.