SNP Encore...

[KeepItSteel]

I dont know the facts, how much is Scotland subsidised?

I have heard that without British money, the country would be skint. Is that not true? (not the Briain isnt already skint)

I have trouble understanding how oil from the North sea can be considered 'Scottish oil' though, but I note the considered use of the word 'Territory'

I work in the oil industry though, and from what I understand the vast majority of rigs / FPSO's & platforms are outside territorial waters.
Happy to be proven wrong though.

 

[highlandsflyer]

There are conflicting accounts relating to the oil, and the subsidy.

There are openly available reports from economists who reckon there is enough of an argument for independence if it is handled well.

Actually we have a central hub of wealth generation like a lot of countries, and our rural nature elsewhere is an asset not a liability. Having a government that can operate in sympathy with the needs of the country and its idiosyncrasies rather than having to work on a broader scale will enable us to develop the industries that play to our strengths.

We are strong is financial services and still have engineering, science and IT expertise that punches well above our weight.

All the arguments against our ability to manage financially overlook some intrinsic aspects of our society.

We are natural socialists.

We will be happy to pay a lot more tax, or less unhappy than the population south of the border would be if you like.

The people mentioning free prescriptions and further education seem to be assuming these are long term loss making policies.

I think there is a strong argument that encouraging education and good health benefits the economy in the long term.

If we have a shortfall of a couple of billion a year it will be a matter of taxation to cover it, along with improving services over the long term to make them more cost effective.

The main thing is to look beyond the immediate problems and see the future possibilities, something I think they have lost sight of in Westminster.

Clegg needs to go.

I wonder how that situation is going to develop.

Guessing Vince Cable back in temporarily, the Liberals will see that would play well as he seems to stick up to the Tories, then long term I think Chris Huhne may have another bite.

Like I said before though I think the Liberals will factionalize and rebrand.

The burning question is will this happen within this parliament and cause an election before their five year agreement?

 

[KeepItSteel]

There are openly available reports from economists who reckon there is enough of an argument for independence if it is handled well

As is there enough of an argument to sue the french/germans/romans/vikings for unwelcome invasion etc etc, if you use the right words.

We are natural socialists.
We will be happy to pay a lot more tax, or less unhappy than the population south of the border would be if you like.

A pertinant point. I'd be very interested to see how that turned out in reality

The main thing is to look beyond the immediate problems and see the future possibilities, something I think they have lost sight of in Westminster.

Quite, if only any goevernment would realise that.

How much of Scotlands money is tied up in the 'upper classes' I wonder?
I'd imagine at least 50%. Of which most of them are probably Tory ex English ex pats..
Why dont you all turn Tory? It would be so much easier

 

[mattbrown]

isnt most of your employment from the public sector - when labour said it created more jobs, they just swelled the public sector,

If they went independent, then i could see scotland ending up like ireland, low interest rates to pull in the big businesses, then lots of spending to show how scotland is becoming wealthy, then going bust when america sneezes

 

[suburbanreuben]

Nah... Scotland's got a lot more going for it than Ireland has. It's joined to the centre of the world, for starters.
Had some very clever people, including that bloke with the kettle. Just that most of them, just like that staunch nationalist Sean Connery, have Effed off elsewhere...

 

[mikee]

it was once noted that if we had independance ,that it would mean 5 to 10
years of hard ship
well since thatcher we've had that and more , so lets go

 

[KeepItSteel]

Nah... Scotland's got a lot more going for it than Ireland has. It's joined to the centre of the world, for starters.

Tut :roll: . Universe!

 

[suburbanreuben]

it was once noted that if we had independance ,that it would mean 5 to 10
years of hard ship
well since thatcher we've had that and more , so lets go

Germany had 5-10 years of (relative) hardship when it unified; guess it works in reverse.

 

[mikee]

germany has had it bad in the past 5/8 years or so too but its bouncing now

 

[Ernie]

Here are 2 old articles from the "Independant newspaper", they give the pro and the cons in plain terms..they are about 2 and 3 years old..might not have a "current" baring due to the bad financial state of "The Union"

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 24286.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 32319.html

Ernie