Independance for Scotland, thoughts?

Question

Personally think its a good thing, no subsidies from England, no Scots politicians voting one way in the UK and another way in Scotland (tuition fees?) and no labour government - the conservatives would be in power without the scottish vote. Oh, and no Brown and Blair.

BTW I'm English!

Answer 1

I also think that it is a very good thing, for both countries involved. England would as you say no longer have to use the Barnet formula to give Scotland the extra 10 billion pounds. But this will stop anyway, when the SNP and the Lib Dems pass a Bill for a referendum for more devolved powers for Holyrood, which a Scottish public i think will pass, which will mean Scotland will take charge of the North Sea Oil, and all other taxes and other duties which goes to Whitehall, and fails to bring its way back to the 30 billion pound budget of Holyrood.
I quite agree that it is unjust that Scottish MPs can vote for English-only-matters, England should take charge in this and ensure they get at least a bill passed to stop all Scottish/Welsh/N.Irealnd MPs voting for things that will only effect the English, or get their own Devolved Parliament, which the Tories want and other nationalist English parties. It is also worth stating that some Scottish MPs refuse to vote in English-only-matter, like the SNP.
I doubt that stopping the 50 or so returning Scottish MPs would ensure a victory for the Tory Party, right now there are (as of the 2005 General Election) 356 Labour MPs and 198 Tory MPs, so England may still have a Labour government even though no Scottish, and I also presume Welsh, and N. Ireland MPs cannot return to Westminster.
Brown may represent a Scottish constituency, but if Scotland achieved independence, there would be no reason, why Brown could simply go down to the North of England, and represent a Labour strong hold, as he of course could apply for English citizenship.
To what I have read, some people fear, that the clout that the UK brings will be seriously reduced, within the EU, UN, and NATO, this may be true, but isn't this a price worth paying for all countries concerned, to have more freedom, to keep extra billions of pounds of their own money to benefit their own country. And I do wonder how reduced that it will become, England will still have 60 million people living within it, France only has 64 million in it also, and it has major clout within the EU, so should and still England. Scotland would benefit within the EU, more than it does now, with a Scottish voice representing Scottish affairs, instead of an English one representing "UK" affairs.
So, an independent Scotland, and an Independent England, would both benefit from separation of Gvernment.

Answer 2

It may happen or it may not happen, if it does though I think there will be problems for all British countries. The economy will crash. If Scotland get a grant then that is good but how long would it last? I have soubts about it. I love both England and Scotland. I was born in England but I now study in Scotland. I dont mind if Scotland becomes independent or not I just hope that the countries of Britain dont have major economy problems in the process as we are already in the midst of recession

Answer 3

I agree to a large extent with you, and mainly because i'm fed up with the Scots going on about it, i'm almost of a feeling 'let them have it of they want it do much'.

The biggest problem then is we lose so much power i Europe and the world, we have for many years punched well about out weight.
With many countries emerging as huge world players such as China, S Korea, etc, we need that power more than ever.

As England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales standing alone we are nothing more than 4 small countries which the Germans, the Dutch and particulally the French will take great delight in running all over us.

Answer 4

I agree with someone who mentioned above about power.

We shouldnt break up into smaller countries. We should have some form of central power and governance over all these countries as this will make GB stronger against foreign powers.

There should be a greater degree of autonomy within the state which should give more power to Scotland..etc. More control and power to local Government.

Answer 5

Remember that we all pay tax too up here and so we're entitled to subsidies just like in England. And we are also entitled to having our say in votes to. Whether this is in line with your political views is irrelevant. You pick what political party is going to be the most beneficial to you. If, in Scotland this turns out to be Labour then of course we are going to vote them. We don't choose these parties just because it is a Scottish guy who is leading them! These Scottish gents must be doing a pretty good job to be leader of these parties for so long don't you think?

I think a minority of English people still think we are in the dark ages up here. Did you know that in Glasgow "The layout of the approximately two and a half mile long retail district of Buchanan Street, Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street has been termed the "Golden Z". In October 2005 retail locations in the area were sought after to the extent that Buchanan Street had the 7th highest shop rental fees in the world" from wikipedia.

We have a great deal of valuable exports e.g. granite and things like that. Whisky, electronics, tourism, Edinburgh is one of the worlds biggest financial centres, largest oil reserves in Europe in the North Sea to name but a few.

I'm not saying that I'm for independance in Scotland - I don't know enough about it to make that judgement. I'm not trying to say we are a better or more profitable country than England as again I don't know enough about it. I just think that England (again not all English people) have a very distorted view of Scotland and seem to think we are just hangers on who live in huts and wear kilts everyday! Couldn't be further from the truth!

Answer 6

Scotland could be a very successful independent country.
But I think rather than become 100%independent, scotland should have way more say of what happens in scotland.

Its more beneficial to all the members of the union that Scotland remains in it.

Answer 7

It has been a Scottish dream for centuries. I don't think it's a good idea because of its economic ties to England. Scotland has to my knowledge greater autonomy than other parts of the UK.

Answer 8

Saw adoco about it recently and i hope the Scots do get independence.

Answer 9

It's been a long time in coming, but you are crazy if you think the Brits will give up the collar and leash without a fight.

Answer 10

I am English, but I really like the thought of all of us being connected. Anyway, how will Scotland support itself as a country?