Would you vote for or against Scottish independence?

[glazbagun]

In principle, given the choice, with resources/debts to be argued/settled later. Just a quick straw poll out of curiosity

[glazbagun]

AndrewW-G said:

It wont happen as long as the flow of cash into Scotland exceeds the revenues generated in Scotland. Yes I know that North Sea oil has produced vast amounts of income for the UK govenment to squander on crap, however even keeping the money generated scotland would apparently still be £5-6B short each year


Source http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2007/feb/08/sco...

I think that, even if Scotland were/is a net producer of tax revenue, there would probably be a drop in living standards simply from the cost of reallocating government resources and the alteration of business environment. I don't think that would neccesarily be such a terrible initial price to pay if we got a more accountable government. We'd also have a smaller military presence in other countries, which would save money, but would probably (at least) be cancelled out by the need for embassies/trade delegations and the fact that we would be competing with the rest of the UK for foreign business, as opposed to being a component of it.

[glazbagun]

Shetland has a long history of autonomy and was only declared a crown dependency in the 17th century, I think.

[glazbagun]

rypt said:

fluffnik said:

rypt said:

fluffnik said:

Um, no.

The Union referred to in United Kingdom refers to the union of the Kingdoms of England&Wales and Scotland - no union, no more UK, just like there is no more Czechoslovakia...

If one member left the union then the union would still go on, but without Scotland being a member and with the flag being removed from the UK flag as well.

There are only two members left in the Union, Ireland left a while back.

When one of two members leave a Union, there is no Union left...

United Kingdom of GREAT BRITAIN and NORTHERN IRELAND

...

It could no longer be a *united* kingdom of Great Britain if Scotland became independant. It would simply become the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Assuming the Queen was still head of state and there's not some Jacobite pretender out there still.

[glazbagun]

s2art said:

fluffnik said:

s2art said:

fluffnik said:

I think of myself as Scottish and (North) European but not ever British...

Given that Scotland is part of Great Britain then you are in denial.

Nope, I just don't feel British.

I have no emotional engagement with Britishness whatsoever.

Emotion is irrelevant. Its simply a fact that your are from Great Britain and therefore British.

You're being needlessly pedantic. You know what he means. If it were as clearcut as you say, we wouldnt have self-questioning "We have no national identity" issues like this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/966849.stm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/yourview/1565970/W...

[glazbagun]

fluffnik said:

OnTheOverrun said:

What if the Scots vote to stay and the English vote for them to go?

England is just as free dissolve the Union as Scotland is...

Now *that* would make for a terrifying precedent. We'd end up with a walled London fending off the unemployed hoardes of the remainder of GB.