Full independence for Scotland

[johnlambert]

Can I say, that as a loyal Scot, I think that a break from the Act of Union would be a disaster for both England and Scotland?
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20070814/tpl-uk- britain-scotland-39349ed_2.html

[Loosehead]

I don't agree, it will be a disaster for Scotland certainly but a huge bonus for England so obviously I support Independence. What's more, as Scotts can vote on English matters I assume that England will be able to vote in the referendum, I'm voting in favour of independence. Now lets rebuild that dam wall!

[johnlambert]

Yer too late looseheid 75% of us are living in England lol

[Loosehead]

But surely John, you'd all be sent back home to the peoples republic of Scotland under Comrade Salmond!

[THECORBYLOON]

I'm hoping we'll be declared a Scots enclave.

[Kathyan]

Would I get dual nationality as my husband is Scottish?

[johnlambert]

where? Corby? I did a wee bit o consulting work there last month TCL, I heard it's now called "Little Poland"

[THECORBYLOON]

Awa an' chase yirsel!

[kwicky]

The Scots have had it too good ever since they derived that Barnett formula for giving them extra money over English taxpayers. Remove that, let them have their independence, the ability to set their own taxes, and return the Norfth Sea oil rigs to them.

[jno]

I doubt the rigs were Scottish. The oil, on the other hand...

[Loosehead]

is Norwegian??

[jno]

...is gone. Now, if the Scots had just made a profession out of sabotaging the system the way Nigerians do...

[Lady Muck]

How would Scotland support themselves as an independant country?

[Loosehead]

Unfortunately they wouldn't have to. They would become the equivalent of all the Eastern Bloc countries joining the EU and beneffitting from huge handouts. As &*^%king usual paid for by South East England.

[Reverandfunk]

What is the difference between what the Scots raise in taxes as opposed to what is spent? Is it something like �2 billion?

I'm sure someone knows.

If they want indepence then fine I ain't really bothered but it should mean their own parliament (already got) and tax raising powers and their MP's can't sit in the English parliament.

Same goes for the Welsh.

[Pirate1]

Do only the South East of England pay taxes then? Funny I'm in the North of England and a huge chunk seems to be taken out of my salary regularly.

[Loosehead]

No Pirate, we all pay, but a diproportionate amount is spent on the North and Scotland. Essentially the SouthEast subsidises them.

[Reverandfunk]

Loosehead just out of curiosity what is the difference?

[Loosehead]

Well Rev I haven't researched it myself but I heard a statistician type chap on News24 the other day mention that in the case of Scotland, they have 130% of public funds spent on them, the North 120%. With the South East being the main source of the shortfall.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Of course - and I say this as a Londoner - if there wasn't this preposterous notion that everything has to be based in the bloody south-east, perhaps this situation would have arrisen.

The national stadium, for example - why was that in London? Why wasn't the Manchester Olympic bid better supported - they need it more than we do.

As long as businesses and government disporportionately favour the south-east, despite their being few advantages in doing so, this situation will continue.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Or 'there' even.