Scottish Independence - For Or Against?

[David]

It's a subject that has been discussed in Scottish politics fairly regularly in the past few years, with the SNP being in favour of a referendum on the matter.

 

Other Scottish political parties who favour Scottish independence include Solidarity, the Scottish green party and the Scottish socialist party.

 

Opposition comes from the likes of the Scottish Labour party, Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

 

The SNP have claimed that a 2010 referendum bill is part of it's third legislative programme, with the bill being published on Burns night in January 2010, and the actual referendum itself being scheduled for sometime around St Andrews day in November.

 

Personally, i'm highly sceptical of it coming to light, seeing as the idea of independence is opposed by the majority of the Scottish parliament.

 

It does make for interesting times however, and would open up a whole new can of worms on how such an idea would actually be feasible.

 

Subjects such as currency, monarchy, border lines & passport regulation would all have to be decided, along with the much debated north sea oil situation.

 

There are various pros and cons for Scottish independence, all of which I was hoping would make for some interesting discussion among some of our more politically minded members, be they Scot or non-Scot.

 

Perhaps even some of our Irish and Welsh members can give their views on independence for their nations as well.

 

Anyway, let the English majority start their bashing of us Scots. We are, after all, little more than a drain on your finances, are we not?

 

In all seriousness, it'll be interesting to see what the general consensus is.

 

 

[Chest Rockwell]

Anyway, let the English majority start their bashing of us Scots. We are, after all, little more than a drain on your finances, are we not?

 

In all seriousness, it'll be interesting to see what the general consensus is.

 

 

In all seriousness I'd quite like to know if there would be any negative impact on me if Scotland got their independence? What resources are controlled by Scotland?

[David]

In all seriousness I'd quite like to know if there would be any negative impact on me if Scotland got their independence? What resources are controlled by Scotland?

 

At present, we really control nothing. Everything is controlled by London.

 

Obviously, the main resource that we brought to the table was the north sea oil, with somewhere in the region of

[Mike]

The way it was described to me in Politics class (and bear in mind this is a good 12 years ago, haha) was that the problem would be EU membership, as countries such as Spain would oppose such a move as it'd encourage a similar move by the Catalan folk there. In fairness, I can't see why anyone who's not Scottish would actually care.

[patiirc]

I lived in Scotland about 20 years ago. Salmond and the SNP were banging on, albeit with smaller gusto then. It seems this devolution thig has gone to far. Some of the wider ranging aspects were .. Labour really fucked up with their semi devolution

 

If Scotland becomes independent there are lots of considerations to be taken into account Such as setting up border stations all over Scotland and between England and Scotland. Though wouldnt apply due to freedom of momevent for EU citizens.. I guess it would pissoff holiday makers and non eu nationals to show their passports when trains and cars go between the two countries. would also add an age to travel times.

 

British forces would also have to be dismantled and Scottish and the rest would have to have seperate forces Army Navy etc

 

There may be problems for students from England and Wales going to Scottish Universities and Schools

 

The proposal that Rangers and Celtic to play in the English leagues if was ever to be agreed would like be scrapped.

 

There would be seprate Tarriffs and import and export duties

 

Scotland would probably have to consider its EU membership.. if they didnt would they early adopt the Europe and lose some of their just gained independence.

 

Would they go back to Gaelic as a primary language and be dual languaged like the road rail etc signs in Wales

 

There is a whole host of questions plsu would the Scots be wanting to pay for all the rebranding rearranging and stuff that would be associated with severing ties?

 

 

[RobbieD]

Scottish and can't really see any real advantages of independence.

[David]

Would they go back to Gaelic as a primary language and be dual languaged like the road rail etc signs in Wales

 

Whilst I wouldn't like to see Gaelic brought in as our primary language, it would be nice to see it taught at Scottish schools again.

 

 

[The Gaffer]

Gaelic would probably be simmilar to here in Ireland, where we officialy class ourselves as a bilingual state despite the fact that oh say ... twelve people speak Gaelic, despite the fact that it is compulsory in education right up to university which is a fucking joke considering it serves no use whatsoever except in Government, and even at that it's just a formality/tradition.

[martyngnr]

Would they go back to Gaelic as a primary language and be dual languaged like the road rail etc signs in Wales

 

Whilst I wouldn't like to see Gaelic brought in as our primary language, it would be nice to see it taught at Scottish schools again.

Why? Gaelic is a waste of time as a language that adds nothing to our country.

 

Although the theme tune from Dotaman is the fucking bomb!

[David]

When I was at school, and it may have changed now but I doubt it, Gaelic wasn't even an option.

 

It should be an option.

 

Why? Gaelic is a waste of time as a language that adds nothing to our country.

 

Purely for traditional reasons if nothing else.

 

[James E Dangerously]

Scottish independence would be a disaster as the SNP have recently proved themselves inept on the international plateau with the Lockerby bomber fiasco. The fact that Diagio amongst others are pulling jobs doesnt help. We as Scots would be taxed through the nose. The only up side would be the possibilith of leaving the EU. I certainly would be considering moving if independence was on the cards.

[David]

Scottish independence would be a disaster as the SNP have recently proved themselves inept on the international plateau with the Lockerby bomber fiasco.

 

How, exactly, did the SNP show themselves to be inept?

 

[Famous Mortimer]

the Lockerby bomber fiasco.

Given they released a man who most sensible people believe was innocent and was just given up as a sacrificial lamb by Libya, I'd say they did fine.

 

in a phone call to President George Bush Sr on 11 January 1990, Thatcher agreed to "low-key" the disaster after their intelligence services had reported "beyond doubt" that the Lockerbie bomb had been placed by a Palestinian group, contracted by Tehran, as a reprisal for the shooting down of an Iranian airliner by a US warship in Iranian territorial waters. Among the 290 dead were 66 children. In 1990, the ship's captain was awarded the Legion of Merit by Bush Sr "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as commanding officer".

From a New Statesman article on it from a few weeks ago. But I'm guessing this has already been covered at great length elsewhere, my apologies.

 

I say give the people of Scotland a vote. If they say yes, then yes. Let democracy take its course.

[RoryFice]

I think there should be a public referendum on independence in Scotland, but I'd probably vote no. It would probably cause a lot more bother than its worth. What I'd prefer is for Scotland to have more autonomy within the UK, and the reduction of MPs representing Scotland at Westminster.

[Devon Malcolm]

This won't make Irn Bru more expensive, will it?