Is Scotland heading for independance?

Question

Does it matter in the framework of the EU anyway? What are the implications for England PR maybe.

Answer 1

I think the implications for England would mean without electoral reform endless conservative rule.

Answer 2

I don't think Scotland is heading for independence, at least not in the near future.

Its perfectly possible that the Scottish Nationalists will gain more seats than any other party in the Scottish Parliament at the next election, but even if they can find a coalition partner with whom to form an executive - the most they can do as far as independence is concerned, is have a referendum. Scottish independence is exclusively a matter for the UK parliament and does not come under the Scottish Parliament's remit (one of the reasons that the SNP opposed the Scottish Parliament for so long in the first place). So a Scottish Executive headed by the SNP would require a government in Westminster to be sympathetic to their cause. A very unlikely scenario to say the least. I think the most likely scenario is that Scotland will eventually become a distinct state within a united Europe, but I think that will be a very long way down the line.

In my opinion, what should happen in the meantime is that Westminster should cede more power to the Scottish Parliament and increase Scotland's autonomy. This certainly needs to happen before any restrictions on Scottish MPs voting in Westminster are put in place, since the Scottish parliament is currently too restricted in what it can do.

Answer 3

Not likely. Scotland receives massive financial support from the UK economy. To go independant would mean an end to the gravy train. No doubt Scotland would be able to get money from the EU but that might take time during which discontent would be on the up, especially among the Scottish Working Class.

At present, the majority of unemployed in certain parts of Scotland have been reclassifed by their own doctors as 'disabled'. What this means is they are able then to obtain a disability allowance which is greater than Job Seekers Allowance. Most people, myself included, simply turn a blind eye to this. Anything to help because the major industries of Scotland, the ship building along the Clyde etc., have all gone and what's left is unable to take up the numbers of unemployed now in the population.

If the Scots want independance, fine, but there's a price to pay.

Already in England there are rumblings particularly about the number of Scottish MPs in the Commons who sit in on English debated issues and are allowed to vote. This is going to have to stop

The word being used in high political circles at Westminister when addressing the English is 'fury'. That is to say that the political leadership of UK is suddenly aware that there is a growing fury among the English who see their country being dominated by Scottish MPs in parliament.

The English make up something like 85% of the total population of UK. They are in effect a force to be ignored at our peril. They have been ignored and some are already doing something about it. For example, in Dagenham, a lot of people now vote BNP. Whether this will be a permanent thing is difficult to say. Will it spread to the rest of England and the English? Not likely. However there are the ever present rumblings and these will not go away because politicians use soothing words. The English want action and they want it now.

Answer 4

That is up to the people of Scotland. But you're right, to a large extent it hardly matters because Scotland will still be in the EU and we would have to retain close social and political links, as we have with Ireland since they became independent.

A major problem is that rather nasty attitude of the (English) political right. They denied Scottish aspirations for a degree of autonomy for decades, and have now developed an obsession with Scottish MPs in the British Parliament, and cultivated a sort of racism against the likes of Gordon Brown (the "he can't be our PM because he is Scottish/isn't English" line).

Ironically it is those who complain most about the break up of the UK who are likely to be its cause.

Answer 5

If Scotland became Independant - tell me Uncle John & Bertie D..& other like minded people... have you forgotten what will happen to the Oil & Whisky Revenue... remember it belongs to Scotland...so It is Scotland who keeps England afloat with hand-outs... if I was English I would be all for the Union... What I would agree on is ..Scotland does not have Politicians capable of running the country.. you know the ones who claim expenses for their biscuits & their bottles of water... or could you imagine it with the likes of Tommy Sheridan as Scottish Defence Minister.. as for the EU I think we should get out of it ASAP...

Answer 6

The E.U. are anti Scottish Independence they draw comparison with the Republic of Ireland whose economy is subsidised by the E.U. but the opinion in Strasbourg is Scotland will be an Independent state within 25 years and good luck to them

Answer 7

it wont make a difference within the e.u. because scotland will only be a state anyway. Outside of the e.u. would be genuin independance, scotland can then survive by patriotic buying and selling, england and wales can help her with that, and she would have 100% dominion of her own destiny. she can lead the way for wales and england to leave europe, then we would all be free, which reminds me. can the english vote for the scotts nationalist?

Answer 8

Thankfully yes!. every country has the right to independance..even england although they seem to think they have the right to rule over others.
I think the fear of the english is as the UK separates they will lessen in value in the eyes of the world but every child has to take that first step to adulthood and england should not be scared of growing.

Answer 9

Scotland probably is heading towards independence as the SNP seems to be in the Ascendency, but I see Wales looking more likely of becoming independent.

Answer 10

Finances? How does anyone think an independent Scotland will support itself?

I think some form a limited self governance is about the best they can reasonably hope for.