Westminster must back Scotland like a parent would their 18 year old leaver

Alex Salmond (Image: scmp.com)

Can you believe it is less than six months until Scotland make their biggest decision in generations? It is hard to believe that it is that close considering it seems like only yesterday when their First Minister Alex Salmond first announced his desire to make Scotland an independent country. Now we're edging closer to Thursday 18th September 2014, people in every corner of the British Isles are contemplating life without Scotland as part of the United Kingdom. It is hard to escape the discussions. Even if you think you have, there is bound to be someone on television or someone you pass in the street that has even the slightest of Scottish accents, you cannot help but think about the prospect of calling them a 'foreigner'.

It is an equally daunting thought that hundreds of thousands of 17 and 18 year olds are, as we speak, receiving offers from their first choice University as they start thinking about a new chapter to their lives which is to take place six months from now. Their parents or guardians must be undoubtedly proud of their sons' or daughters' achievements but at the same time, are imagining life without them as they leave home for the first time - a feeling many do not want to comprehend.

September is evidently a big month for a lot of us. A lot of pride and possible new beginnings beckon. Pride, because, in the parents' perspective, they have done all they could do raise their children in a way that they can stand on their own two feet and embrace living life independently. These children will meet new people, attend meetings and lectures without getting that dreaded wakeup call from their parents. They have the chance to keep control of their finances, learn how to budget without having 100% reliance from relatives. These are new beginnings any teenager can grasp and parents, who are ready to let them go, can be proud of the way their boys and girls have developed into men and women.

Letting go is a hard thing to do and I cannot imagine what the British government is thinking right now. Although most of the Scottish population back the campaign which would "Keep Britain together", there is still a precious portion of those who are undecided. Some may not decide until the day of the referendum. The government has picked their side (they want Scotland to stay a British nation) which is understandable. They are like the parents of millions of 18 year olds who have that element of fear of their child's wellbeing when they ride solo. There is a heavy degree of reluctance - what can Westminster do without Scotland, a country they nurtured and supported for so long? It may seem unimaginable but it may be inevitable.

Scotland has passed their tests. They have proved they have excellent and invaluable ties with thriving countries and have the capability of decent financial management, despite the Royal Bank of Scotland showing their displeasure of the referendum. When you look at economic statistics, it seems clear that they can do it alone and yet still cope.

Westminster needs to keep an open mind about Scotland leaving. I can only imagine that's the stage parents are in at the moment. They hear their child is likely to study Higher Education, and that University will be nowhere near from home. They are naturally delighted for their children, but still have those worries about their decisions. Is the city of the University safe? Are the surroundings enough to satisfy their child's needs? Those are the usual questions, but they are still open to the prospect of their child leaving home. They are curious. I can imagine what my parents were like six months before I moved to Bangor, North Wales. My mother came with me for an overnight stay during a blustery October. After basking in the Gogledd and asking sensible questions, we both knew it was the sort of place I wanted to spend three years living in. David Cameron has to be at this stage now or he'll never accept the fact that Scotland could go it alone. He has to accept, like thousands of parents nationwide, that his baby wants to pack its bags and enjoy the freedom.

Westminster should be proud of how far Scotland has come. The Scots have, in the past, been portrayed as these bag-piping, kilt wearing troupers of the north. This social stereotype is no longer the prime focus. They have made a grown up decision and they have to acknowledge that being independent will not be an easy ride. I understand why Westminster are upset and it would be a blow if they were to let go of Scotland. However, they must respect the Scots' bravery and let them enjoy the world of adulthood, should they vote "Yes". The last thing they should do is condemn Alex Salmond and develop their friendship further - Westminster must guide them through the good times, and during challenging times.

If Scotland does vote for independence, Cameron should hug the country, congratulate them and say "We're here should you need us." After three years, who knows - perhaps Scotland may be a boomerang child and return as part of the UK. If that were the case, this should be supported by Westminster, whoever resides in 10 Downing Street by then. Or maybe, Scotland will be just fine and will become a strong ally for Britain. Who knows, maybe by 2017, Scotland may move on from the pound...?

Should Scotland become independent, they cannot dump everything that's partly theirs, such as the currency. Becoming independent is just a start of the process which will not take overnight to complete. They need the status, and then the tiny details would be applied. Whatever their decision, it will be the right one because it is theirs, and theirs alone.