Scottish Independence

[ScottD3]

With tomorrow being the big day for Scottland with their independence vote. I thought it might be nice to try and get a fair view of could happen and peoples thoughts about the whole thing.

I try and stay away from the media in general as they tend to put their own spin on everything and now with each party giving out information to favour the votes in their direction.

What is the main reason for them to break away?

Is it that bad being part of the UK?
Will it be ran like a separate country, france and spain for example?
Are they really wanting to break away from the UK and join the EU?
Main export is oil, what happens when that dries up?
If they do break away will there be enough money for the country sustain itself?

I really have very little idea or understanding of why they are doing this.

My own views with the little information I have, it seems a bit daft and possible fatal for the country if they can't generate enough funds to keep the country going.
Not enough funds, rise taxes, people get poorer, turn to crime, no funds to maintain order and it all just turns to poo.

Which is a shame and I really like Scottland, it helps that most of the people seem really nice.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by ScottB5

What is the main reason for them to break away?

One for our Scottish residents to answer methinks.

From what I've seen from down here (and my visits to Scotland) I'm mystified.

[The_Laird]

Here's the view from an Englishman living in Scotland:

There are very few undisputed facts on the table - for example, the 'Yes' campaigners say there's loads of oil and the 'No' campaigners say it will run out soon; Yes says they'll be in the EU and use the Pound, but No says they won't....and so on.

BUT, there are 2 main reasons for wanting independence as far as I can see:
1. Scotland feels (and is IMHO) very poorly represented by a Westminster government that gets lost north of Watford.
2. They have been shafted by successive Tory governments (Poll tax, Coal mining, Steel and Bedroom tax for example) and hate them with a passion. But despite the Tories not having a single seat up here, that's who governs us.

[Delboy]

For me as a Scot it would be a wholehearted YES

Scotland as a percentage of the whole of the UK is 8% give or take.

When it comes time to vote, historically the people of Scotland voted party A and party B got voted in, why well its obvious there are not enough people there to make a difference overall so for that reason I think its only fair for them to have the power to directly influence what happens there by going it on their own.

I too feel that Westminster are disconnected from the people of this country and serve only to look after their own interests (The Rich) and need a good kick up the backside.

I'm fully aware that things going forward, assuming there is a Yes vote will be difficult for both sides of the border but it would be an damn right selfish outrage to deny anyone the right of democratic process because someone else might be worse off for it.

All that said it makes no difference as I live in England and therefore can not vote but I wish them all the best whatever the outcome.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

2 main reasons for wanting independence as far as I can see:

Do you mean these are reasons you observe people (in general) giving or reasons you personally believe?

[The_Laird]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

Do you mean these are reasons you observe people (in general) giving or reasons you personally believe?

Both!

Even when I lived in Leicestershire I felt disconnected from a Westminster government, and that was only 100 miles north.

And the Yes campaigners have quoted these reasons many, many times.

But my personal belief is that independence is not the answer, but more local powers of government (not just in Scotland)is a better solution. Small countries are economically fragile (look at Iceland and Ireland, who used to be the examples that yes campaigners used as models to aspire to).

I believe we are better together BUT that the Westmisnter government needs serious reform

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

Even when I lived in Leicestershire I felt disconnected from a Westminster government

Indeed, and that's where I'm from. And will be there this weekend.

All the points you made apply to huge areas and groups of voters throughout the UK, so why do the Scots think they're different?
And most of them are relatively short-term politics, irrelevant on the timescale of centuries. After all didn't the Scots help vote in a Labour government in 1997 (which is the last time the UK had a Conservative government as we don't have one at present) or have they conveniently forgotten that? And aren't there almost as many Tory voters in Scotland as SNP, just the process gives them no seats?

And as for representation, surely it's the English who have the main grudge - no local parliament or devolved powers whatsoever (unlike Scotland already has) yet largely run by Scots!
And then there's the West Lothian question.................

[chucklestinlegs]

I'll be voting Yes tomorrow no matter what I have herd from our political genius's, there's not 1 of them I would trust but by voting Yes I hope the people of Scotland are able to look after their own affairs and hopefully have the ability to keep an eye on what they are doing whilst in goverment

Regards will we be able to afford to go it alone' my main question is,

Why are Cameron and his opponents so desperate to hold on to us ?

I'm defo not anti English but I'm defo anti Westminster and hoping by going it alone we have more of a choice and don't get led into anymore wars for the pursuit of oil and gas like we are guilty of just now.

Love 2 all

[Glync]

Based on percentages/size and representation in Westminster Yorkshire will be next then!

I'll get my coat
Glyn

[notorious]

I think it'll be an economic disaster for both Scotland and for UK if Scotland separates. I only hope that major financial institutions move to UK immediately as a contingency measure if scots will vote 'Yes'. My private pension is in Scottish insurance company and I have bank accounts in a Scottish bank. Perhaps I'm an idiot.