Scotland....independence..

[ZedBloke]

If they do leave the UK and the EU will they start issuing their own currency? Will there be border controls? Their own military etc? Have the SNP etc issued any docs on how it's going to work? Presumably all the Westminster seats in Scotland will be disolved. This is a serious question on how it's going to work not a debate on indepemdence itself, thanks.

[Wharton]

A big question up here is "Where will they park their nuclear submarines?" The supposition is that we'll let you leave them where they are, but it'll cost you (plenty) :-)

[ZedBloke]

I have no idea what you are talking about. This post asks some prefectly valid questions about how a newly indpenedent Scotland is going to work. It seems that even if they go for it they won't actually have indpendence. It's like my teenage son declaring independence and living in the shed. Oh dad I still need to use the bathroom, electricity oh and I need some money etc etc. No one seems able to seriously address this. When a nation achieves independence it needs it's own version of all the organs of state. So How will it work, on the day in 2014 that independence is acheived what changes will their be?

[EDDIE51]

It will not be full independance as say France is independant of the UK.
They already have their own version of the £ (Scottish Notes !)
I don't think anyone knows how it would work , not even the SNP.

[THECORBYLOON]

Who is Head of State in Canada, New Zealand and Australia?

[EDDIE51]

There are no border controls between EU states any way , so no Scots /England border.

[ZedBloke]

Yes I get it, so the Scots are happy to stay in the Empire! Great does her Majesty have a say in this? Do the Scots want to continue as a Monarchy? Not sure why these sorts of issues seem to cause such consternation. I'd have though that any new nation would have given thought about how to proceed on day to day practical matters.

[ZedBloke]

Yes Eddie but after independence Scotland will be neither UK nor EU

[mushroom25]

the vote in 2014 will be for the scottish population to decide whether or not they wish to have an independent scotland. if the answer is "yes", the first fully independent government won't be voted for until 2016.

thus in 2014 it will be business as usual, queen as head of state and pound as currency. all the other detail will presumably be settled by the election - if the snp campaign on a republican platform and win, then the head of state would likely be president salmond.

[ZedBloke]

right so they'd have 2 years to resolve the issues. Thank you mushroom best answer so far.

[steg]

Scotland has a plan, you saying they don,t is irrelevant.
What you have to worry about is who will subsidise englandshire when the scots dump you

[ZedBloke]

Scotland get 130% of what an Englisman gets fact, you'll be dumping yourselves

[steg]

It dosent matter how much any one gets it is what a country generates its self

[ZedBloke]

Indeed it is.

[Wharton]

This gets dafter as it goes. Try to understand the meaning of the word 'independent'. When Scotland becomes independent in 2014, the Scottish people will decide on everything relative to Scotland without reference to any other national opinions. "Independent" - look it up in your dictionary - then gie's a' peace :-).

[mushroom25]

//Scotland get 130% of what an Englisman gets fact//

indeed. scotland receives 9.3% of UK spending; but, it generates 9.4% of UK tax revenue, which is £1000 more per person than the UK average.

read all about it in the leaflet here - http://www.snp.org/vision/better-scotland/independence - you might expect the content to be politically slanted given that it was commissioned by the SNP, but the figures quoted do seem to suggest they have a good point.

[ZedBloke]

The GDP of the UK as a whole is 2.43 Trillion, of that Scotland Contributes 149billion, that figure includes the Scottish "share" of North Sea Energy. Do the math. The fact is that the whole UK is effectively subsidised by SE England.

[mushroom25]

//When Scotland becomes independent in 2014, the Scottish people will decide on everything relative to Scotland without reference to any other national opinions//

not so, Wharton. IF the vote in 2014 is "yes", only then can the Scots dscuss transfer of responsibility with the incumbent governmental authorities. Only then can arrangements for independent governmental elections be made. Independence is unlikely to be a reality until at least 2016.

This is from the SNP's own publications on the matter.

[mushroom25]

//includes the Scottish "share" of North Sea Energy//

North Sea energy has been excluded from the arguments of both sides.

[Wharton]

After independence, what makes you think the SNP will be in power, mushroom25?