"Should Scotland be an independent country?"

Keith

Moderator
Would like some input from a domiciled Scot. How about Jimmymac and Dave Bilyk (sp?)

It's possibly the most major political and economic proposal since WWI and nobody seems that interested :confused:
 

Jim Craik

Lifetime Supporter
As an outsider with only a limited understanding of the inner workings of GB/UK......

How is this different from Canada, Australia or NZ?

They seemed to do ok.

I know how my Uncle Don would have voted......

He immigrated at the age of 10, his son, my cousin, was always called "The Bruce".
 

Keith

Moderator
How is it different? All those countries you mention, whilst sharing HM Queen as the nominal head of state under Commonwealth rules have fully independent Parliaments and are fully independent countries and have been for over a century (rough guideline: if they have the power to fix and levy their own taxes).Scotland, on the other hand, is, through the Act of Union 1707, fully integrated, and although now have a moderately devolved Parliamentary system, is part of Great Britain, a status never enjoyed by the former 'Colonies' or 'Protectorates' you mention.

As others have mentioned, it is quite similar politically to Texas or even California wishing to become completely independent from the USA whilst expecting to retain the 'Umbrella' of Economic benefits and Military protection that being part of the USA affords.

Whether Scotland could make it alone, is the moot point, and it is the economic impact that I suspect most votees will be pondering.

But thank you for bringing us the emotional side of the debate, I am quite sure there are similar feelings in Scotland running up to the Referendum proper in September, but how big a part they will play, I know not.

But I suspect, very little.
 

Jim Rosenthal

Supporter
I was going to say we'll throw in California, but on second thought, no. Hard to imagine giving the UK both TX and CA and then having them united under one flag..

...oh, wait a minnit.....
 
Personally I think the Scots would be mad to leave the U.K. I would be very surprised if the yes vote got up. But then I am observing from afar.

Pete I would not under estimate the support the SNP has in Scotland, the raft of social and tax reforms on the plate are very appealing to the masses who understand little or nothing of the long term implications of the intended welfare state. The current Robin Hood that leads the SNP has made no bones about how he intends to fund his programs and that wont scare those who make up the voting majority .

Bob
 

David Morton

Lifetime Supporter
What do I know about Scotland?
I go there from time to time, and I was based there at the former Nimrod Base called R.A.F. Kinloss on the Moray Firth coast. The S.N.P were a very small political party at that time and there leading figure at the time was Margo McDonald although she is now Independent and represents the Lothians in the Scottish Parliament.
I know Alex Salmond personally and find him to be a very competent person to lead an independent Scotland. I look forward to the vote on independence and I hope it will happen for Scotland. It may be a mistake long term but I feel they really have to have their own stab at ruling them selves.
Although I am now a pensioner and actually don't pay for any medications (even Zinfandell ! ) and I have a bus pass so the attractions of living in Edinburgh are very few, there is a fantastic quality of life, especially north of the Grampians and so many unusual aspects that are almost totally unavailable down in this area - the so called south east of England
It will lead to a really wonderful and diverse country with its very own customs and practises. I also think that extradition should be instated the day they become independent and that any Scotsmen misbehaving will be sent back.
I have not mentioned Black Pudding, Deep fried Mars Bars, Bashed Neaps, Stovies,
'Horf' and a 'Horf', ( a half of Heavy and Tot of Grouse (in the Moray firth area) the most beautiful Aberdeen Angus beef, - the list is endless and is the reason I return time after time and then - shelves and shelves of exquisite malts from all over the north.
I'm rambling. Independence for Scotland YES INDEED. IT CANNOT GET ANY WORSE BEING RULED FROM LONDON BY THE TWATS WE HAVE AS A COALITION PARLIAMENTARY PARTY RIGHT NOW.
 

Keith

Moderator
That's more like it.

I have a feeling that David would rage at any flavour of Parliament - it's in his Viking blood.

Of course, they were eventually beaten by a woman, the beautiful Anglo Saxon Æthelflæd (Alfred the Great's daughter) in alliance with her brother Edward King of Wessex and another of Alfred's offspring, but they (The Vikings) had a good run at 'independence' for around 250 years.

So powerful and respected was Æthelflæd even whilst married to the then King of Mercia, that they created a title for such a powerful & clever woman, so that men would obey her, and that was 'Lady'. A title that is bestowed even today.

The reason I bring this up is that the eventual defeat of the Vikings in the Danelaw (The North West of England from Scottish Borders to Essex) in around 911 by the aforementioned Anglo Saxon lady and her brother, led directly to the formation of England! Ta da!

Which of course, in turn, eventually led to the present situation with Scotland. See? It's all connected.

Ironically of course, our all too brief purely (!) Anglo Saxon period was rudely interrupted by the invasion of the Normans from Normandy, no not French, but a tribe of, yes, those damned Vikings again (as in Norsemen).

So there you have it. A history of England in a nutshell.

Now, about Scotland....
 
That's more like it.

I have a feeling that David would rage at any flavour of Parliament - it's in his Viking blood.

Of course, they were eventually beaten by a woman, the beautiful Anglo Saxon Æthelflæd (Alfred the Great's daughter) in alliance with her brother Edward King of Wessex and another of Alfred's offspring, but they (The Vikings) had a good run at 'independence' for around 250 years.

So powerful and respected was Æthelflæd even whilst married to the then King of Mercia, that they created a title for such a powerful & clever woman, so that men would obey her, and that was 'Lady'. A title that is bestowed even today.

The reason I bring this up is that the eventual defeat of the Vikings in the Danelaw (The North West of England from Scottish Borders to Essex) in around 911 by the aforementioned Anglo Saxon lady and her brother, led directly to the formation of England! Ta da!

Which of course, in turn, eventually led to the present situation with Scotland. See? It's all connected.

Ironically of course, our all too brief purely (!) Anglo Saxon period was rudely interrupted by the invasion of the Normans, no not French, but a tribe of, yes, those damned Vikings again (as in Norsemen).

So there you have it. A history of England in a nutshell.

Now, about Scotland....


Its medication time :thumbsup:

Bob
 

Keith

Moderator
No, it's history. You should try it sometime...

PS It's for Amuricans as they don't understand the whole England/Scotland/Britain thing and I'm not so sure many people that even live here do either..
 
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