Is the Break away of Scotland from the UK inevitable?

Answer 1

Nothing inevitable, but I'd bet on it. After all, Scotlanders are quite the proud race. I'd like to see them break away.

Answer 2

I'm guessing some of the people who have answered already are not Scottish (Scotlanders?!) Also we do already have our own parliament, and therefore it is not necessarily anything to do with the "British" government as to whether Scotland will be allowed to become independent.

It isn't inevitable it will happen, but if the SNP (Scottish Nationalist Party) are voted into power next week and Alex Salmond become First Minister, I believe there will be a referendum to ask every Scot their opinion on becoming independent. Opinion polls already suggest it would be a popular move, and it looks like Labour are unlikely to win this election.

As a Scot, I'd suggest that the reasons assumed here as to why we would want or need independence seem ridiculous. We would easily "survive" without being a part of the UK, and to suggest Scotland would become "one of the poorest countries" is unfounded - where do you think a huge percentage of the UK's oil comes from?! We are not a small backwater here, there are four major cities in Scotland you know! We have our own education and exam system, the country has been making it's own laws for some time.

Answer 3

It's not inevitable. If SNP forms a Government in next weeks election, then they must also get over the hurdle of a referendum, to clearly state the will of the people. That will be difficult. As when it comes down to it, people start to worry about jobs etc and what unkown effects change will bring. Then, assuming the referendum is a "YES" then the Scottish Executive can negotiate the withdrawel of Scotland from The Treaty of Union 1707. At this point the British Government has absolutly no power to stop this. They have signed up to the UN Human Rights Charter which says that the government supports the self determination of any people. Be they ex colonies etc and should the people clearly show in a referendum that they want independence, the British Government has confirmed that this will be allowed. Even in the case of Scotland.
So, it's only inevitable in so far as the Scottish people vote it to be and that in itself is anyones guess

Answer 4

No - Even if the SNP win the upcoming election, there are too many obstacles in their path.

Firstly the SNP have promised a referendum if they are part of the next Scottish Executive. That referendum could well go against them. Although the SNP have an opinion poll lead over other parties at the moment, the majority of Scots are still in favour of the Union.

It isn't even certain that we will have a referendum yet. Under Scotland's form of PR, the SNP cannot achieve an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament without a coalition partner. If they manage to get enough seats - an SNP/Green coalition is certainly on the cards, and if that happens there's little doubt that we will have a referendum. It is more likely, however, that the SNP would have to make a deal with the Lib Dems either as well as, or instead of the Greens. If that happens, a likely consequence of the coalition deal, will be that the idea of a referendum is set aside since the Lib Dems will never agree to it.

Lastly, if a referendum does take place and is in favour of independence, Westminster has the final say since constitutional matters do not come under the remit of Scotland's devolved powers. It is highly unlikely that the Westminster parliament would vote to break up the union.

Personally I would like to see an SNP / Green coalition after the election, because I think it would benefit Scotland and because it hopefully would get this issue settled finally.

Answer 5

I believe that there is a chance of it happening in the nearer future, maybe in about 6 years. Gordon Brown wouldn't let it happen now as he holds a Scottish seat and if they gained independence then he would have to call a general election which wouldn't be wise as it would most likely result in a hung parliament. Also at the moment the English are using Scotland because of its north sea oil (we get about 9/10 barrels). But on the other hand according to the Barnett formula the Government pays £1500 extra per head in Scotland than they do in Britain.

Answer 6

I hope not. I'm Scottish and i love the fact that i am, however, I am still proud to be part of the UK as well and i think most Scots really need to grow up. A lot of people have prejudices against England that are simply stupid. It wouldn't be practical or economically sound for Scotland to break away from the UK and the sooner people realise that the better.

Answer 7

Scotland is not economically viable as an independant nation.It has to depend on UK or USA.It has no industrial base like USA or its share in world trade will be very low.If it breaks away it will become a poor country like Somalia or Bangladesh.It is wise to retain UK as a single unit.United we stand ,divided we fall!
Some limited autonomy and special package for development of Scotland is the only sensible alternative.

Answer 8

Hope so, people keep saying 'break away from the UK' whats that all about,? It's the English I want to break away from, Southern Ireland are doing very well without the rest of the UK, Northern Ireland should be a part of a united Ireland, and when the troops are moved out there is a good chance that eventually it will be united again, any one against that can move over to England and say "long live the Queen"!!
Wales should also be independent from England.
Scotland would welcome English tourists, and as we already do, we would still welcome immigrants.
This of course is only my opinion, there are no doubt a few Scots who actually want to remain part of this UK thing, even though the English have robbed us blind for hundreds of years, but that's all history now isn't it?
Lets just forget that shall we??? You must be joking!!!!!!

Answer 9

Looks that way with the SNPs lead in the polls on the eve of voting.

It is entirely a matter for the Scottish people to decide.

Should Scotland decide to go it alone and free itself from its perceived shackles with England, then it should not expect the English to bail them out when things do not go according to plan, which inevitably will be the case.

Answer 10

If the major political parties are so sure that it's not inevitable, Then why are they putting so much effort into publicising the alleged benefits of Union and using famous Scottish people in their ad campaigns to promote the Union. I personally think it is inevitable, but i do have some reservations, it is politics after all. Smokescreens and lies, misinformation etc etc etc....