Scottish independence

[keithyr]

whit he said ^^^^

i am all for more devolved powers but we must remain as part of the UK, the SNP have actually done not too bad a job in government and i think look after the interests of Scotland more than Labour/Tories.

will be interesting to see the debates going forward but i doubt the Yes campaign will convince enough people to gain the majority.

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

Ah, the wonderful Alex Salmond stoking the flames to feed his own notoriety. After all, he's the only man in the world who seems not to understand the conventions that govern national borders and territorial waters when licking his lips over 'Scottish' oil.

I say we let Scotland have It's independence. The rest of the UK can stop funding them at a level grossly disproportionate to their GDP, the Welsh can have the nuclear subs and the jobs that go with them, and Scotland can rely on men with blue painted faces who strangle cats for music to defend them, or to perhaps act as a tourist attraction.

At the risk of feeding the troll... what an excellent demonstration of exactly why I'll be voting for independence.

A troll I may or may not be. Scottish I most definitely am, though I'm ashamed to say I don't live there, though with my wife retiring prematurely through ill health this year I may well be heading back.

And Salmond is a nob. Any slim chance of a yes vote is completely negated because of that idiot.

At a strategic level I'm not for independence. At a more personal level I'm all for it, as I'm a Shetlander and the islamders are poised to push for greater autonomy for Shetland and Orkney if Scottish Independenxe became a reality, and that's something is personally support, though being reliant on so many unlikely events happening in succession I doubt itll happen in my lifetime.

 

[daugs]

how successful an independent Scotland is will rather depend on its starting position, how much oil but also what share of the UK national debt. Some optimistic folk seem to think can take the assets and walk away from the debts some of which will have built Scottish roads, schools, hospitals never mind the couple of banks that had to be bailed out or would they want these assets as well ? It's been mentioned before but no answers given. Without clarity on what it means no one knows whether it is good or bad, and since none of this will be discussed beforehand then it will be a complete punt. No doubt the poorer off in English society will end up paying for it despite they were oppressed as much by the ruling Engish classes (Edward I et al) as the Scottish were all those centuries ago ?

have people seen http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... t_Britain/ quite interesting about some of the internal squabbling

If some of the Islands are looking at the Falklands type relationship with Westminster, will they go with Edinburgh who I'm sure will want more control over their new empire ???

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

Oh, absolutely it's not any formal arrangement triggered by a yes vote. It's simply a movement slowly gathering interest and a yes vote is seen as being liable to add momentum to the cause, generate more interest, and legitimise any such future push for automomy by the Shetlanders themselves. A nexus in time, politics and history, but I suspect a convergence of Events that is unlikely to occur.

We're the referendum scrapped they would doubtless continue to push, but a successful yes vote will generate interest momentum and political precedent, all of which are seen as liable to cut decades from the process. I suspect ill be cold in the ground, never mind back in the islands before this put come seems likely.

 

[velomaniac]

Scotland is a very popular place to migrate to internationally

Almost as many people migrate away from Scotland as migrate to it. Many migrants are economic from within EU and ebb and flow as economic situations dictate. International students come to our great educational institutes then leave again. The birth rates decreasing and the life expectancy is going up so the tax paying workforce are decreasing. The industries many work in are foreign owned and from outwith the EU so of course they use scotland as an EU base but post independence EU membership is not guaranteed so said industries will shift. Those industries that are home grown need to be members of trading blocks, UK membership has developed many scottish household names etc.

Tourists want to come here for two week holidays which is a good boost to the economy but how many imigrants illegal or legal if given the choice between Scotland and SE England will put us at number 1.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Anyway, what happens if the 'rest of the UK' lose London's economic benefit to some degree? Most regions don't pay their way.

"Devolution in London can help solve the city's problems

Recommendations in the London finance commission's report would let councils respond quickly to local issues"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-governm ... ion-report

 

[technodup]

Once again I ask, in relation to the Westminster rabble and their promise of more powers for Scotland if we say no to independence, who on earth do you all think you are?

Her Majesty's government, presumably.

All the polling so far has indicated the people of Scotland would vote for further devolved powers if not for full independence. Why wait?

Because we don't actually want it? We'd agree to anything that isn't independence just so the fat bawbag doesn't get his way.

'Full independence'. Please Mr Barroso/Mr Rumpoy/Mrs Merkel can we join your club, please? We'll be good and quiet and do what you say, you'll hardly notice us.

You know a recent question in the Scottish Parliament was about whether they should have a resident cat? Because clearly there's nothing more pressing to deal with.

Can we have an option to disband and go back to Westminster please?

 

[suburbanreuben]

"Scotland has a low immigrant population compared to many other parts of the UK"


May be the key to the supposed welcoming attitude...

 

[dyna-ti]

Scotland is a nation, it has always been a nation and im unsure whether independence would change things a great deal. :? It may do something negative to the Scottish Identity. Maybe bad but then again it may reaffirm it. :?
Personally i'd like to see Scotland as its own country. It is one of the few remaining that are still forced to live under the yoke of England. When some of the other conquered countries fought for their independence there was much the same stories appearing in the press but the vast majority of the English population supported them(less to pay out? Thanks for your wealth ) Im not seeing the same support from them :? Strange that.

I suppose it would at least shield us from the experimental policies the English Government like to test on us from time to time, poll tax etc.

 

[Rumble]

I'm genuinely shocked that the unionist campaign is scraping the barrel so soon. Apparently we should remain a colony as if we vote for independence we might lose the world class service of...

...the Royal Mail!

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-23112568