Scottish Independence

[Sultan Of Swing]

After the referendum, the SNP (Scottish National Party) has won the majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament. Their main aim is Scottish Independence, and a referendum concerning that seems to be on the way. It seems likely that Scotland will be separated from the UK and made into a separate country.

So, what is everyone's opinions on this? What effects will this have on the UK?

Personally, I'm unsure. I think it's great that Scotland can have independence, and it'll certainly liven up politics

However, I also believe it's better that Britain stay United rather than divided. Ah well.

So, what are your thoughts?

(P.S. OMG UK IS GOING TO HAVE TO CREATE A NEW FLAG AND COAT OF ARMS!! Maybe for once Wales will be given importance and we can have a cool dragon flag with a red cross. )

 

[sandandfoam]

I'd like to see the UK break up and a new association emerge between Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

 

[kai]

I dont have a real problem with it,I suppose its about time , i think we can all have a close and mutually beneficial future.I think we would probably be better off in some kind of union as I dont know how successful a truly independent Scotland or Wales could be , i am guessing it would have to be symbiotic with England but i dont really know. Cornwall next i suppose

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

in principal I have nothing against it. However I rather doubt it would get through a referendum.
There would be a massive amount of untangling to do especially in regard to the banks which are now mostly UK government owned.
A majority of the money the Scottish Government spends comes from the UK Government, who also gather the taxes.
I am not saying it could not be sorted but it would not be easy, and the transition would be extremely costly to both individuals and businesses.

a further problem is one of nationality of individuals and families. Unless dual nationality was granted to a high proportion of UK citizens it would be very difficult to accommodate peoples expectations, and beliefs, as to which country they belonged.

 

[Valjean]

Does Scotland have the economic base to go it alone? How will secession benefit the people?

If Scotland can secede with just a simple vote could Northern Ireland do the same?

and does politics really need to be "livened up?" Strikes me it's entirely too lively as it is.:yes:

 

[Panda]

I don't think it is likely. Lots of people support the SNP because of their other policies and the fact they are not just a whipping post for Westminster. I know of a lot of people, myself included, who support an SNP government but don't support independence.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Does Scotland have the economic base to go it alone? How will secession benefit the people?

If Scotland can secede with just a simple vote could Northern Ireland do the same?

and does politics really need to be "livened up?" Strikes me it's entirely too lively as it is.:yes:

If Scotland took over the licencing of the off shore oil and extend it into the Atlantic deep sea reserves They would be well off energy wise. They also have almost unlimited wind and wave power.
Industrially they are now, like the rest of the UK, somewhat limited. Though whisky still derives a very large income. Other traditional industries like fishing and ship building are very much in decline.
Banking and financial services had been very strong till the recent troubles.
I think they might be able to make a go of it on their own, but it would be very risky for such a small country.

 

[Willamena]

I'd like to see the UK break up and a new association emerge between Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

Celt power?

 

[Revoltingest]

After the referendum, the SNP (Scottish National Party) has won the majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament. Their main aim is Scottish Independence, and a referendum concerning that seems to be on the way. It seems likely that Scotland will be separated from the UK and made into a separate country.
So, what is everyone's opinions on this? What effects will this have on the UK?
Personally, I'm unsure. I think it's great that Scotland can have independence, and it'll certainly liven up politics
However, I also believe it's better that Britain stay United rather than divided. Ah well.
So, what are your thoughts?

An nation of angry janitors & shovel wielding groundskeepers who play golf & eat haggis...ruling themselves?
Sounds good to me!

 

[Panda]

If Scotland took over the licencing of the off shore oil and extend it into the Atlantic deep sea reserves They would be well off energy wise. They also have almost unlimited wind and wave power.
Industrially they are now, like the rest of the UK, somewhat limited. Though whisky still derives a very large income. Other traditional industries like fishing and ship building are very much in decline.
Banking and financial services had been very strong till the recent troubles.
I think they might be able to make a go of it on their own, but it would be very risky for such a small country.

Scotland already exports energy to England and rest of the UK. I think economically energy exportation is one of our best resources.

 

[sandandfoam]

Celt power?

lol now we're talking

 

[Panda]

lol now we're talking

A union without any English people is an idea

 

[HonestJoe]

After the referendum, the SNP (Scottish National Party) has won the majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament. Their main aim is Scottish Independence, and a referendum concerning that seems to be on the way. It seems likely that Scotland will be separated from the UK and made into a separate country.

Independence is far from a done deal. Even if they have a referendum, the result is uncertain and a yes for independence wouldn't actually mean anything. Any change would have to be agreed in Westminster and unless there was very strong support on both sides of the border, I can't see that happening.

So, what is everyone's opinions on this? What effects will this have on the UK?

We'd spend billions on the civil servants and lawyers to make it all work and then continue to spend money on additional politicians and related duplication of resources. We'd print loads of new headed notepaper. I've never been clear on any actual benefits.

 

[Noaidi]

a further problem is one of nationality of individuals and families. Unless dual nationality was granted to a high proportion of UK citizens it would be very difficult to accommodate peoples expectations, and beliefs, as to which country they belonged.

I'm sure we would let you in if you were well-behaved (and stopped talking about 1966).

I think, given the recent hammering the Con-Dems took in the elections, less resources will be going to Scotland from Westminster over the next few years. I can't see Cameron /Clegg being too forgiving in the immediate future. Perhaps it's time to take stock of what we have and evaluate what we can do with it.

 

[kai]

A union without any English people is an idea

yes it is! i am sure we could go it alone.

 

[niceguy]

I am bit curious about the Scottish economy, I do understand that Scotland are rich in resources but have these resources been used to build up Scotland or have it used been drained to the rest of Britain?

In comparison, in the northern parts of Sweden, my country, we got the mines, most of our forests and the rivers with the big hydroplants supporting Sweden with much of our electricity needs. Still little of the income from this region seem to be invested to better the lives for the people living there. the resources are there but the population centers are in the southern parts. Does it work the same in the British isles? Basically, if Scotland want to leave, would they be allowed to go?

 

[kai]

I am bit curious about the Scottish economy, I do understand that Scotland are rich in resources but have these resources been used to build up Scotland or have it used been drained to the rest of Britain?

In comparison, in the northern parts of Sweden, my country, we got the mines, most of our forests and the rivers with the big hydroplants supporting Sweden with much of our electricity needs. Still little of the income from this region seem to be invested to better the lives for the people living there. the resources are there but the population centers are in the southern parts. Does it work the same in the British isles?

Basically, if Scotland want to leave, would they be allowed to go?

Oh yes !


and this might be of interest;


Economy of Scotland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Sultan Of Swing]

Scotland is the largest petroleum producer in the EU. I think they can manage economically by themselves.

So, I guess Scottish independence is still some way off. But if they do get it, what are the implications for the other countries in the United Kingdom? Will places like Wales and Northern Ireland want to follow suit and break off from the UK? If Sinn Fein win the vote in N. Ireland next time, then NI could easily form a union with the rest of Ireland and break off. But what about Wales? Can they even sustain themselves? Do they have any support for independence?

 

[Yerda]

I've chatted with SNP members who are adament that Scotland subsidises the rest of the UK. I've also read articles that suggest it's a very complicated formula, and that the economic strength of an independent Scotland is impossible to determine until it happens.

We are a fairly developed and educated nation on par with the other small EU countries, certainly we have stonger infrastructure, manufacturing, and trade levels than Eire had at its break-away and they were going well til they were fed to the banks by their governers.

I think it's worth a crack. If nothing else it means we can be free of London's sorry attempts to retain fading international prowess. We can just get on with it, without killing people half a world away, and screwing their economies cause it suits us.

 

[kai]

This is interesting;

UTV News - Scotland independence vote could contain 'financial autonomy' option