Why do you think Scotalnd wants independence.?

Question

As a young boy in Scotalnd I remember the bitterness of those who had fought in the war(s) when the present Queen was named the First when the UK had never had an E1R. The 1st Elizabeth was English only. On top of that the English play the UK? National Anthem even when they are playing 'locally'. Why not 'Jeruselem'....marvelous. You are displaying unnecessary arrogance...it is only a game!!!!

Answer 1

Some Scots do want independence, but other do not. It is hard to tell the true numbers that do, and the true numbers that do not.

I want independence, as I believe Scotland will be better off, but others believe that Scotland would fall into a major economic downfall.

The Independence question is maybe, not as clouded as it once was, with 8 years of Devolved Government in Scotland, many now see that Scotland is not "too small" to govern itself. We have shown to be capable, and bringing changes to Scotland to improve the health, education, and general standards of the people.

With the right polices, Scotland can become richer, per head than England, and so many other countries. The resources are there, be it oil or natural capability. The Education of the people is there. Scotland must take a risk, which should and could pay of big.

'Devolution is a process, not an event'.

However there are those, who will argue successfully, if Scotland is independent, will we have the money to keep this standard? Much of the reserved powers, are purely funded by the English taxpayer. How can Scotland make it on its on, without upping taxes, or going backwards on public spending?

The numbers must be clearly and exactly done before a referendum is attempted, No country can realistically go into a vote blindly, no matter how well a devolved Government has played.

Answer 2

I find it unfathomable in a Europe that is increasingly we are told becoming more united, and a world that is becoming more disparate for a country with an elected legislature to speak of independence. Rather the English could point to a lack of an English parliament with only English elected representatives to make law rather than a Westminister which allows Scottish MPs to vote on laws they have little or in some cases nothing to do with. Maybe the English should want independence from the Scottish, or maybe the Welsh should want a Parliament rather than an assembly. All I think are moot points as everybody is represented by their own legislature and the countries of the UK have more in common than the have in contention. However some "pub" historians propose theories without consideration or any intellectual backing that means every country still holds animosity towards the other much of which is without warrant or in fact is irrelevant in todays world with all its dangers. As for arrogance well I'm not sure what that means surely instead of different anthems all the constituent countries should play the same UNLESS they chose to be different as is their right!

Rights they have together fought and would continue to fight to defend.

Answer 3

The Scottish Nationalists want independence, but they are too busy trying to run the country as a minority executive at the moment, and seem to have put it on the back burner in order to foster an atmosphere of consensus.

Now that we have our devolved Parliament, the majority of Scots are quite happy to be part of the UK, and treat points such as those you mention in your question as little more than minor annoyances.

Personally I think that Westminster should cede more powers to the Scottish Parliament while maintaining the Union, but that is another issue.

This idea doing the rounds at the moment that "Scotland wants independence" is little more than a myth, and independence is not a realistic prospect for Scotland in the foreseeable future. Even the most died in the wool SNP supporters recognise that fact.

Answer 4

The time is right, and we may all be aprt of a USE (United States or Europe) in a few years anyway! Hooray, at least someone would be able to say they were as big and powerful as USA for a change.

I saw some 'Free England' graffiti the other day.

I think the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island is too comlicated. Why not just England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. And the island that England, Scotland, and Ireland are on is called Great Britain. This makes everything nice and simple.

I sort of agree that England should use an England-only anthem although it is by far the biggest slice of the UK, and the song was originally written for them really.

To be honest I think it's time Scotland had a new anthem, ours is all about how we were invaded by England, and how in the end England were wrong, but they won coz they had more man-power - it's all a bit old and negative. I think it's had it's time.

Answer 5

You have to remember that most people who voted in the recent Scottish parliamentary election did not back the SNP, and therefore did not vote for independence. If they had, the SNP was not be having to field a minority executive (with the support of the Greens), and would not be having constantly seek votes on an issue-by-issue basis.

So to say that "Scotland wants independence" is over-stating the issue somewhat!

I would like to see more powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament, but remain part of the Union. I suspect that the majority of people living in Scotland would feel the same.

Addition for Moneta_Lucina's benefit. Welcome and thank you for showing an interest in UK and Scottish politics. In my opinion any oppression shown to the Scottish people by the English is now firmly in history. The last rising in Scotland was ended in 1746, although the following Highland Clearances went on into the 19th. Century.

I was born in England (half Irish though) and have lived in pretty well most parts of the British Isles and Ireland. Although there are still pockets of great poverty, especially in Glascow, I think overall Scotland is the best place to live in the UK. There is a wonderful balance between town and country and in Scotland one is far more likely to know your neighbour than in England.

Having a Scottish parliament has improved things further. Independence seems to be based more on sentiment than reality, especially since oil production is already at half the levels it was in the 1990s.

Answer 6

Independence always sounds great until you get into the financial reality of such a venture. Scotland wants to be free of England, the basques want to be rid of Spain, Quebec wants(depending on the year) to be free of Canada and the list goes on. Often the roots of such independence movements are historical. Much like a feuding family. At some point slights were made by one side against the other and these remained throughout the generations.

If Scotland wishes to become a republic and in dependant nation, does it have the financial resources to back up health care, economic trade treaty's, creation of Ambassadors and residences and Embassies around the world, and is it able to back itself up economically in all other matters? Not every country which leaves one retains their standard of living. It is a dicey road. Sometime it is best to remain where you are in a political, economic union and just enjoy the freedom, standard of living and degree of self autonomy you now enjoy.

Answer 7

Okay, so I can't really know . . . as I am ignorant to much of the politics of the UK, (esp the inner workings!).

Though generally speaking, independence is sought after when a people feel that they have been long suffering under the rule of another.

In my country, you can visit the southern ex-confederate states and hear, "the south will rise again" (sans the slavery, pray). And relatively speaking, the US is an infant still.

The issues that plague the UK are how old?

Answer 8

Your point is strongly made in the only way a real Briton and a Celt can.

The Celtic Folk of Scotland want Independence from England for many more than mere historical reasons. One excellent reason for Independence is the fact that the Scots on the whole are extremely well educated, clever and talented.

I will be totally honest and explain to you, that as a Welshman, I am entirely biased in my opinion in favour of the Celts, the Cornish, Welsh, Scottish and Irish.

What I think may happen in time, is a Pan-Celtic coming together.

Let's just look at Wales, briefly. The Welsh Assembly have a trade agreement with Brittany, a Celtic Nation to whom they are directly related in both blood and history.

Scotland should have no fear of going in dependant and it should forge relationships with other Celtic countries. Together we will have massive economic power. Believe.

Here is a small Welsh phrase for you - Celtii bew - it means simply, "the living Celts".

The Scots are admired throughout the whole world.

Go Scotland Go!

Answer 9

A large majority of Scottish people do not want independence - as implied by the question.
(Scotalnd should be Scotland!)
Scotland is a wonderful country to which my wife and I (and the children) have often been on holiday - including the Orkney, Shetland & Hebredian Islands (to which many Scots have never been!). We love the Scottish people and wish to stay with them as part of the United Kingdom. (And we come from Yorkshire!)

Answer 10

Everyone wants independence. Of course you recall, although most Scotsmen forget, because they are too blinded by their own bigotry, that after Elizabeth I, who became the next king? James VI of Scotland came down and the Scottish king became the king of England, therefore Scotland took over England.

It didn't last long, however, chiefly because the Scots themselves couldn't agree. Robert the Bruce, the big hero was a conniving, back-stabbing leader, who at one time played up to the English then rebelled against them.

The principle enemy of Scotland is the people of Scotland, and until that ends, the Scottish people will not be free.