[DomPugh]

Are you for or against Scottish Independence? (I am not Scottish)

[pr0view]

Although it would be sad to see the end of the United Kingdom i wouldn't mind seeing England as an independent state for a few key reasons.

1. I believe England would be better off financially if it was independent. It would be ranked 8th in the world by GDP in comparison to the UK as a whole been ranked 7th.

2. It would be a great chance for reform e.g. direct democracy

3. Labour would become almost unelectable and we would finally have sensible governments that would allow us to prosper.

[marcusfox]

I am ambivalent about independence. However, I would be against Scotland trying to use this as leverage for further powers over matters relating to the whole UK as regards devolution.

Many Scots believe they would be better off as an independent body because they say that they have the majority of the North Sea oil. But that North Sea oil currently belongs to the UK, and a yes vote on Scottish independence would not simply settle the matter and see them walk off with the bulk of it.

[nmccann]

Yes.

This will lead to the eventual break up of the "united" kingdom and will see the 6 occupied counties of the island of Ireland to be re-united with the remaining 26 creating an everlasting republic.

[G8D]

Against. There is no benefit and it just seems like Sammy is a man determined to go down in history for something.

[Foghorn Leghorn]

(Original post by pr0view)
Although it would be sad to see the end of the United Kingdom i wouldn't mind seeing England as an independent state for a few key reasons.

1. I believe England would be better off financially if it was independent. It would be ranked 8th in the world by GDP in comparison to the UK as a whole been ranked 7th.

2. It would be a great chance for reform e.g. direct democracy

3. Labour would become almost unelectable and we would finally have sensible governments that would allow us to prosper.

What makes you think labour would never get elected?

[cgraham15]

I don't like Alex Sammond, he seems sneaky and "slimy" (you know what I mean). He doesn't seem trust worthy.

[pr0view]

(Original post by Foghorn Leghorn)
What makes you think labour would never get elected?

In the 2010 General Election Labour got 41 seats in Scotland were as the Conservatives got 1. They could still get elected but only if they have a sudden surge in popularity or have a merger with the greens or some other unholy alliance against the human race.

[Lord-Voldemort]

(Original post by nmccann)
Yes.

This will lead to the eventual break up of the "united" kingdom and will see the 6 occupied counties of the island of Ireland to be re-united with the remaining 26 creating an everlasting republic.

Lol: 'everlasting'.

[nmccann]

(Original post by Lord-Voldemort)
Lol: 'everlasting'.

Elaborate?

[Foghorn Leghorn]

(Original post by pr0view)
In the 2010 General Election Labour got 41 seats in Scotland were as the Conservatives got 1. They could still get elected but only if they have a sudden surge in popularity or have a merger with the greens or some other unholy alliance against the human race.

Hmm although labours popularity has taken a hit in england since 2007, i think it's wishful thinking to say labour would not be able to win an election in england independently. In 1997 labour won 43% of the vote giving them a clear majority in parliament. Overall they won 13.5 million of the popular vote where as the tories in second won 9.6m. In scotland only roughly 2-3 million are eleigble to vote and not all voters go for labour. Lets say roughly half of the scottish vote goes for labour, that means labour would only lose 1.5 million votes, still enough to win a majority. So if the tories lose popularity like they did in 1997, which they will eventually as all parties in power lose popularity at some stage, then england will most likely see a labour govt.

[pr0view]

(Original post by Foghorn Leghorn)
Hmm although labours popularity has taken a hit in england since 2007, i think it's wishful thinking to say labour would not be able to win an election in england independently. In 1997 labour won 43% of the vote giving them a clear majority in parliament. Overall they won 13.5 million of the popular vote where as the tories in second won 9.6m. In scotland only roughly 2-3 million are eleigble to vote and not all voters go for labour. Lets say roughly half of the scottish vote goes for labour, that means labour would only lose 1.5 million votes, still enough to win a majority. So if the tories lose popularity like they did in 1997, which they will eventually as all parties in power lose popularity at some stage, then england will most likely see a labour govt.

Well atleast i can dream of day when we will see less labour governments. Devolution wasn't half shooting themselves in the foot.

[marcusfox]

(Original post by nmccann)
Yes.

This will lead to the eventual break up of the "united" kingdom and will see the 6 occupied counties of the island of Ireland to be re-united with the remaining 26 creating an everlasting republic.

Doesn't matter what happens in Scotland. Or England for that matter.

The only people to determine whether the six counties of Ulster are reunited with the other 26 are the people of Northern Ireland themselves.

Currently views like yours are very much in the minority, with people supporting the Union in the majority.

As regards Scotland, they only think they can get away with imaking independence work because they believe they can take the oil with them, a question which is not settled. Additionally, there isn't as much oil being taken out as there once was, and they will have to find something else when it runs out, which it will, sooner rather than later. Something to do with a pot of gold and a rainbow.

The rest of the English hating Scots, (along with the English hating Welsh) would cut off their noses to spite their face, due to the chip on their shoulders as a result of achieving very little in the way of significance apart from being oppressed by the English over the past 300 years.

[nmccann]

(Original post by marcusfox)
Doesn't matter what happens in Scotland. Or England for that matter.

The only people to determine whether the six counties of Ulster are reunited with the other 26 are the people of Northern Ireland themselves.

Currently views like yours are very much in the minority, with people supporting the Union in the majority.

As regards Scotland, they only think they can get away with imaking independence work because they believe they can take the oil with them, a question which is not settled. Additionally, there isn't as much oil being taken out as there once was, and they will have to find something else when it runs out, which it will, sooner rather than later. Something to do with a pot of gold and a rainbow.

The rest of the English hating Scots, (along with the English hating Welsh) would cut off their noses to spite their face, due to the chip on their shoulders as a result of achieving very little in the way of significance apart from being oppressed by the English over the past 300 years.

Valuable insight - yet many flaws.
1) There are 9 counties in Ulster - 6 of which are in the United Kingom
2) "Currently my views are very much in the minority - I find these nonsensical mainly because Sinn Fein the REPUBLICAN party are on the verge of becoming the largest party in Northern Ireland.
3) Sinn Féin also received the most votes of any party in Northern Ireland in the 2010 United Kingdom General Election, although the Democratic Unionist Party won more seats
4) I live within Northern Ireland so I am highly aware of these affairs
5) In many ways it does matter what happens in Scotland. If Scotland chose Yes then the focus will inevitably turn to matters here. What do you think the conflict was about here in Northern Ireland?

[Snagprophet]

(Original post by pr0view)
Although it would be sad to see the end of the United Kingdom i wouldn't mind seeing England as an independent state for a few key reasons.

1. I believe England would be better off financially if it was independent. It would be ranked 8th in the world by GDP in comparison to the UK as a whole been ranked 7th.

2. It would be a great chance for reform e.g. direct democracy

3. Labour would become almost unelectable and we would finally have sensible governments that would allow us to prosper.

1. Yes, we have a higher GDP than Scotland but a lot of people like hiding it by saying 'yeah but if you split England into regions....' but then don't split Scotland into regions. I'm sure the highlands are poorer per person than Edinburgh so I wish people stopped saying this.

2. Do you mean for Scotland or England? I'm sure what is virtually a referendum for every policy or issue has as much chance of happening in England as Scotland because while we have more people we have more money and resources to put to asking everyone, so by GDP we are certainly not less able to perform such task if Scotland can.

3. Labour has won many elections in England. But if you mean their chances of ruling England (run by the UK government which means people outside of England can vote for it) are reduced then you are right, but it doesn't mean they can't ever win again.

[bahjat93]

Give the Scottish there independence but we (English) should keep the oil from the north sea for all our selves .
Also refuse to share our army with them financially crippling them

[Nick100]

I am Scottish and I am against independence because I think Scottish independence would make it more difficult for both Scotland and England to move in the right direction on matters of economics and civil liberties. I don't think Scotland would move in the right direction with regard to those matters given that the SNP and Labour would be governing following independence - neither of those parties particularly like the ideas of a free market economy or individual liberty. Unless we're going to get a better government out of it independence is completely worthless.

[nmccann]

(Original post by Nick100)
I am Scottish and I am against independence because I think Scottish independence would make it more difficult for both Scotland and England to move in the right direction on matters of economics and civil liberties. I don't think Scotland would move in the right direction with regard to those matters given that the SNP and Labour would be governing following independence - neither of those parties particularly like the ideas of a free market economy or individual liberty. Unless we're going to get a better government out of it independence is completely worthless.

First of all , do you see yourself primarily Scottish or British?

[Dhaal_Chawal]

It would be a step backwards for these isles.

[Nick100]

(Original post by nmccann)
Elaborate?

The Irish Republic is unlikely to exist forever. Even if world peace was achieved it would probably end up abolishing itself after becoming obsolete, or end up being merged into some larger state.