Reputational Damage?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-22358118
I'd have thought it would be enhanced!

[jim360]

Well the UK wouldn't even exist any more, technically, so it would neither be enhanced or damaged...

[VHG]

I think the UK as a whole has more to offer on the world's stage than if we were separate countries.

If Ireland become one combined country, and Scotland and Wales were "spun off" as separates countries, all these individual countries (including England) would be more insignificant places on the world stage.

[ToraToraTora]

How would the UK not exist? England, Wales, NI?? we'd be 75% in countrys, 95% in people, so 5% leave disolves the other 95% does it? I think not!

[jim360]

Because the Kingdoms being United were England (as in England [Northern] Ireland] and Wales) and Scotland. So if Scotland leaves the Kingdoms stop being United.

[ToraToraTora]

In some sort of strange semantic world perhaps, so if Texas left the USA they would no longer be the USA?? I see!

[jim360]

No, because all the rest of the States would still be United.. But if you have two Kingdoms United, and one leaves, then you can hardly call it United any more!

[ToraToraTora]

They are not 2 kingdoms, it is the United Kingdom, singular. Still, instead of playing semantics can we address the original post.

[jim360]

Well I'm struggling to see how it could be enhanced by Scotland leaving.

[Old_Geezer]

It isn't something I'd immediately have thought of, but the point is made that if one represents fewer voices then one's persuasive ability is likely to be reduced.

That said it would be less of an issue if we got out of the EU. But I'm sure someone might point out the damage would be with whomever we dealt with.

I suspect more is being made of it than would be the case though.

And I think the enhanced comment is just mischief making.

Of course the next thing is to start making those union flags without the blue triangles. I need to buy shares in that company.

[youngmafbog]

Scotland is predominantly full of lefties. Get shot of them and industrialists from around the world would be more inclined to invest in the United Kingdom of England.

The Sweaties would also need a passport to come in (until they joined Europe - by which time hopefully we will be out so they would still need one)

Also, with Salmon and his crowd advocating change that always puts of investment. Settle it once and for all and investors know where they stand.

[jake-the-peg]

//The Sweaties would also need a passport to come in//

Really? The Irish (republic) don't need a passport - why should the Scots?

[ToraToraTora]

"Well I'm struggling to see how it could be enhanced by Scotland leaving." - Removing a millstone always helps.

[mushroom25]

///The Sweaties would also need a passport to come in///

//Really? The Irish (republic) don't need a passport - why should the Scots?//

what if an independent Scotland chose to sign up to "Schengen"?

[ToraToraTora]

well they might mushroon just as soon as they get into the EU.

[youngmafbog]

Jake, you didnt read my post properly before taking finger to keyboard did you?

//need a passport to come in (until they joined Europe//

And therein lies the clue. Eire is in Europe, no passport/visa required. Unless Scotland was given automatic entry on day 1 into the EU (a rather worrying precedent and I doubt would happen given the PIGS) then they would need a passport/visa.

[jake-the-peg]

Your too busy being smug to recall your history

Eire wasn't in Europe in 1921 was it?

The Irish Republic predates the EU

[youngmafbog]

Yes, but we don't live in 1921 do we. In case it has slipped your notice it is 2013, things have moved on. For starters we are in the EU; as you point out.

[jim360]

ymb:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Travel_Area#1923_agreement

the Irish haven't needed a passport to get to the rest of the UK since before the EU -- in the same way, it's likely that the CTA agreement would extend automatically, or at least with a bare minimum of fuss, to Scotland.

[youngmafbog]

Why should it automatically extend? Has someone agreed something that I dont know about?

And doesn't this just cover travel not work?

Besides the Irish dont moan continually like the Sweaties about how bad England is.

[jim360]

Besides the Irish dont moan continually like the Sweaties about how bad England is.

The troubles didn't end that long ago...

Anyway, such a pathetic stereotype as "Sweaties" is a pretty poor attitude to have.