Is Scottish independence a 'good or bad' thing?

The answer to that is simple; Ireland and UK negotiated an opt-out before it became EU law. All other EU members and all new EU members (i.e. an independent Scotland) are legally forced to join the area. New opt-outs are no longer available.

I still think with the UK backing their opt out of Schengen, they would get it. I'm sure these things are negotiable if you have enough clout. I think there would be a good case considering they would be sharing a land border with a major EU member. Forcing them to put up new border controls would be against the spirit of the EU.

Why would the UK be pushing for anything that doesn't benefit the rUK? Slamonds already admitted that his plans will damage the North of England. He's also wanting to turn us into a low tax nation feeding off the rUK. As for the EU spirit, they're pushing for more integration, not more fracturing.

I think border controls between England and Scotland would be bad for everyone. But it's all hypothetical, I doubt the issue will actually come up.

I know. As the SNP are going to loose this retarded referendum.

Retarded referendum? The confidence of the Unionists on this forum makes me chuckle. Whilst I cannot be confident that YES will definitely win, I very much doubt there will be all that much in it.

Arguments such as border controls are what is retarded. People creating scaremongering to support their case is pathetic. You can quote any regulation in the world, but common sense tells you it would never happen.
The border crossing between Belgium and Holland looks pretty hardcore mind....

I honestly don't see that happening. It's one opt out they probably would get considering it would directly affect the UK, and the UK has an opt out. I don't see why the situation would be any different to Ireland.

How would the situation change?

Surely no Scottish notes would be accepted and Scottish degrees would be formally different in the same way a degree from South Africa is.

anything that gives the finger to lab/lib/tory party gets my support. A scottish government serving the interests of scottish people at last. The oil near there belongs to scotland too though i think salmond has agreed to share it?

but it would be a sovereign Scotland.Not a region treated as inferior in the UK and Scotland could backfire the English with the same medicine

How have we been treated inferior to the rest of the UK. 2 ou of eh last 3 Prime Ministers and Chancellors have been Scottish. Labours Cabinet was over represented by Scots

How have we been treated inferior to the rest of the UK. 2 ou of eh last 3 Prime Ministers and Chancellors have been Scottish. Labours Cabinet was over represented by Scots

Tony Blair and Alistair Darling are many things but there is nothing particularly Scottish about either of them

The nats seem to be a bit selective on what they consider is scottish and what future scottish politicians would or will do. We've so far heard that the banking crash wouldn't have happened, and then find out that our first minister was all supportive of RBS's reckless behaviour.

RBS? Sorry, I can't have been clear enough with my point which was that aside from being born in Scotland, the only time Mr. Blair spent in the country was a brief stay in Stepps and later a year or two in an English school in Edinburgh; Alistair was born in London.

An English school in Edinburgh? You mean Fettes? You describe its something alien.

My sister's boyfriend boards there, will be looking forward/dreading A-Level results next year and from his accent you'd think he was from the home counties (he's actually from Fife). To someone used to the Scottish education system, it is alien :P