An Independent Scotland - Is it possible?

[Gavinson]

I don't want to hark on but there is definitley a change happening here, especially since the SNP have gained a majority vote into power. I feel it's time we find out if we can stand on our own, I believe in Scotland and the Scottish people, soon we will have the power to change our wee country forever. Feel free to contribute to this debate but I want to see if there are any Scots here who agree or oppose this.

[JockSporran]

If Tonga or the Isle of Man can stand on their own, then surely oil-producing, industrial Scotland can! It's no longer a question of 'will independence happen'. The fact is - it IS happening, not overnight, sure, but gradually. The process has started and will continue. I predict separation from the UK by 2040. Let's hope the people of Scotland vote for independence in the 2009 referendum because, if they don't, there could be 20 years of recession and high unemployment within the UK.

Independence will happen when the people of Scotland want it to happen, and that includes ALL the people of Scotland, wherever they come from, including English-born or overseas immigrants. This is not about anti-English feeling, it's about making Scotland equal with other countries in Europe and the world.

[Tichfield]

I am English and live in England.

If there was a referendum in England asking whether England should should make a split from Scptland I would vote "yes".

But it seems that the English will never be asked such a question, more's the pity.

[4GS]

It would be a disaster for Scotland, England and the rest of the U.K.

I'm a Scot, living in England, if there was a referendum on this issue I would vote to keep Scotland in the U.K. What next? autonomy for Cornwall and Yorkshire?

I know we have our differences but you get that in any community.

Together we are strong, we have been for the past 301 years so why change it? I believe in the old saying, 'if it isn't broke, don't fix it'

[JockSporran]

4GS - it IS broke, so let's fix it.

Scotland is left-wing, England is right-wing. The differences are not between people but between interests and political concerns.

Besides, as long as Scotland remains in the UK it can only be a region or province like Bavaria or Catalonia. Independent, we can be an equal partner in Europe and the world. The ties with England that matter will remain. It's nothing to be afraid of.

[Tichfield]

If Scotland did become independent of the rest of the UK the new country would have to apply to join the EU.

That would require the existing EU members to all agree to Scotland joining.

Maybe the UK would say NO?

LOL

[4GS]

Jock
I'm right wing/ conservative

I'm not afraid

I don't think we could survive alone, north sea oil isn't going to last forever, it could run out within the next decade then where would we be? we've no heavy industry, we couldn't depend on the fishing industry due to fish stocks running out.

Tourism and whisky exports would be our main income and that's not much is it?

I still thing we should avoid breaking up the union

[loonytunes]

What would you do without the subsidies the rest of the UK is currently providing?

[4GS]

loonytunes

More subsidies go to London than to Scotland, so we'd all be better off moving darn sarff!!

[raysparx1]

I don't think the UK should be split, as John says together the UK is far stronger than if it splits, what will Scotland do about defending itself? or Wales or do you only want the benefits it could bring? would they have there own army and navy? don't think so do you? The Uk government is run By Scots anyway. and the Scottish MPS can vote on the health service and education issues that affect England but no english Mp has a say in what Scotland does,

We Need each other, in my very humble opinion.

[puddicat]

A,t the moment the snp are sugar coating the tablet like free toll free bridges and cheaper prescriptions charges, but like the old saying robbing peter to pay paul,i to make them look the best choice,sadly other services will suffer because not enough reveniue will come in,like another aber said oil revenue wont last forever i say stay as a union!!!

[Gavinson]

The weird thing is that I know that the economy may have problems if Scotland were to split from the uk but still want to see it. That sounds daft of course but I just have this burning desire to see it, even if it turns out worse lol! To be honest I've never felt British anyway, I don't think anyone in Scotland really can say that, mainly because I get the feeling English people look at this island as one country, almost as if we are all English where as us Scots feel the need to stand up and be counted. I for one will be voting for a referendum, I just hope the rest of Scotland will do the same.

[JockSporran]

Well done, Gav. Don't give in to the famous 'Scottish Cringe' which claims we can't do it (we're too small, too poor, etc). All other countries seem to manage it, don't they? So we can too.

[raysparx1]

The way I see it Gav is that most English do not have any problems with The Irish,Welsh or Scots, but you all seem to have a problem thinking we have a problem and look down on all the other parts of the UK, this is totally false, it is also fact that you wave your flag you are patriotic, we wave the crosss of st George, we are Rascist. when ever any of the home countries play footabll or rugby I want them to win, unless it is against england of course, but most Celts want England to lose whoever they play, that is pathetic, insular and very immature.

[Gavinson]

yes you are right. Although you only have yourselves to blame on that one i'm afraid. (well not you personally) I don't have a massive problem with the majority of English people - but don't you see a trend when the Irish, Welsh and Scottish have a problem with England? It stems from hundreds of years ago, you may think that's daft seeing as it was so long ago but it is part of our history, our culture our make up. Not just Scotland but many nations which were "trampled" on by the English. Some nations managed to get on with it but not without a fight: The Irish won the war, they have Independence, but not without a struggle, India have Independence, but Ghandi had to go on hunger strike! The USA fought and won, etc etc.
To be honest you probably won't really get what i'm on about because you're not Scottish, but we don't sit here everyday hating the English, we just want what's ours anyway.

[Grypd]

Scotland is a country with its own culture, law and sense of itself in the world. It is this sense of itself that is causing the tensions that will in the end make it an independent state. There is less and less of what there was that kept Britain together and in this modern world more and more incentives to divorce.
It is rapidly becoming the Unionists who are trying to find any excuse not to have independence happen.

[raysparx1]

Well Gav I must apologise on behalf of all the English from the past for the wicked deeds around the world, I never realised that NO Scots Irish or Welsh took part in what happened in India,The USA and elsewhere you are so innocent,please forgive me, don't suppose any celts were involved in the slave trade either, we live and learn, how thick I am. all so clean and pure. that really makes me laugh. also please explain why if Scotland is so wonderfull why so many Live In England, make loads of money then go back up beyond the wall and slag us off, Archie Gemmil springs to mind as a classic example.

Don't get me wrong here I love Scotland and the people have had some great times in Glasgow, but I really do believe for the UK to split will be a massive mistake, not so much for England, but for Scotland, so I hope it never ever happens.

I will not respond any more because we will never agree, good chatting to you, Ray

[4GS]

I was going to say pretty much what Ray said about there being Scots, Welsh and Irish involvement in India and the America's, not just in the military sense but also in regards to settlers and trades people/merchants. You can't just believe that it was anti 'English' feeling, it was about getting the 'British' out of those countries, but I don't think for one second you will accept that will you?

I am one of the many Scots who do not wish to see the break up of the United Kingdom, don't be fooled by Alex` Salmon and his ilk, the man's a buffoon of the highest order, he is not (in my opinion) a politician, he should have pursued a career as a comedian,

[raysparx1]

Hi John, Hope you are well, I hope I never came across as anti-Scottish in my rant, because I am far from that. I just see the break up of the UK as a bad thing, we need each other, that means to me, keeping the status quo. I love the banter when we play each other, god I get plenty of it being from London and Living in real Welsh Wales. together we are strong, like a rope, you cut through a few strand and the rope weakens, we have lost enough over the years I truly hope this break up never happens.

[Gavinson]

I think everyone here is taking a mature approach and it was what I was hoping for. We do have our differences, I just wanted to see how people felt about all of this, especially the Scots, as a nation are quite divided as well. I'm not daft, I know what Mr Salmon is all about, his "game plan" but like I said earlier, I have a desire to find out what it's like, even if he does balls it up! If it gets us one step closer then all for it. I just think it's only fair we have our own crack at it, It should be up to us, no-one else. - I'm not anti England, I'm just pro Scottish. I don't like to be looked at though as if I'm bitter or anti English or any of that non-sense, just think it's time this should be looked at seriously.

Thanks again everyone

[Booldawg]

I beleive it would be rather naive to risk ecomonic turmoil all in the name of national pride.