Freedom!

[bigmalc]

A recent poll showed that the majority of people in both England and Scotland supported independence for Scotland.

If this is the case, should the voice of the majority be heard? Is England ready to have it's head cut off?!

[Lonnie]

I think the main question here, is could Scotland suervive alone. If you look at Eire, which is what Scotland is doing, they were given loads of Euro's which created a boom. That won't happen with Scotland.

yes, give them full devolution.

[bigmalc]

It seems simple to me. England will be free of the burden of subsidies, Scotland will, finally, have it's independence and both countries can stop hating each for preventing the other for not allowing them what they want.

Plus there won't be an argument at the next World Cup (when Scotland qualify and England don't) as to whether fans of one should support the other!

[johnizere]

Yes, and rebuild that wall at the same time!

[bazwillrun]

as most of the current government are scottish, it aint ever gonna happen anytime soon

[bigmalc]

Eire wasn't given euros when it became independent from Britain though. It would obviously take quite a few years to separate but I'm pretty sure that Scotland could survive on it's own. I mean, it's not like there would cease to be any trade between England and Scotland. Scotland would most likely become part of the EU too.

[Llamatron]

I remember when they got rid of North/South Humberside, news reports featured people who claimed to have been campaigning against it since it's inception. Some people need to get a life.

Lets face it, it's not really up there with global warming, Trident, terrorism, violent crime, NHS, ID Cards, house prices, fuel costs, teen pregnancies, decline of communities, etc etc etc.

Why can't we all just get along?

[bigmalc]

Not quite sure what you mean. But anyway, for a lot of people it is as important as Trident, NHS etc. In fact those issues are inextricably linked. Don't forget that Trrident is based in Scotland and there is evidence to show that the vast majority of Scots neither want Trident in their country nor do they want it at all. Dundee has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Europe per capita which, in turn puts a huge burden on the NHS. House prices have risen faster than anywhere else in the UK in Edinburgh. Glasgow's knife crime record and sectarian violence ensured that Scotland was - last year - the most violent country in Europe. The brain drain from Scotland's universities means that vital jobs cannot be filled, thus leading to a decline in communities etc etc..

This all results in people feeling a bit fed up and wanting to be able to sort it out for themselves. Scotland has a larger population than Eire and a more established financial sector and more natural resources than Ireland had before it gained it's independence. It's patronising and very Anglo-centric to say that people should get a life.

[brionon]

I really don't see what difference it would make. We are all in the EC. so there will be free movement of Labour and Capital,and the Scotts will STILL blame England for all their problems.

[Loosehead]

60% per head more public money per head spent in Scotland, whinning anti English Jocks. They'll all move South Anyway, give them independence and rebuild the bloody wall I say. Before someone mentions the Oil , they don't own the North sea and it was there for years before English engineering extracted it.

[bigmalc]

Loosehead, I couldn't have given myself a better reason for championing independence than your answer!

If that is, indeed, the response from south of the border, then give us what we both want.

Do you really think that anyone from Scotland would want to move down south if that was the kind of attitude they would encounter? And if Scotland lays claim to it's mineral wealth, will the US and England form a coalition and invade?!

[brionon]

BigMalc, Er --wasn't it the Scotchman Blair who ordered the invasion of Iraq ? Or are you using the Famous ''No true Scotsman'' argument ?

[bigmalc]

Fair enough! You can keep him!

No, I mean, obviously there are huge differences of opinion on this. Who's to say that the future President of The Scottish Republic (!) won't order his/her troops into an unpopular and unnecessary war? But that's not the point. At least we would have the choice.

[jonnythebosh]

When the oil runs out Scotland will offer nothing to the Union (except vast sales of Tennants Super Strength and Buckfast wine). The Hated Engish would then subsidise them to an even more unprecedented degree. But thanks to the Jock mafia that infests Westminister this longed for divorce won't happen. Lets not forget that Scotland get Labour elected thus allowing them to f*ck up the country. Its ironic that the party that has done more than anybody to destroy British (particularly English) history and wipe out a national sense of identity, is utterly dependant on this union surviving. If it did happen then we could look forward to disposing of the hideous left wing agenda that infests this government. Bring it on.

[brionon]

BigMalc; You may have hit on a good idea. Perhaps we could both get rid of the Royals ! That would be a Plus.

[Liney]

Bonus!

Seriously though jonnythebosh, if Scotland is of that little value to you, then why not give it independence?

Besides, Buckfast and Tennents Super provide a necessary and lucrative supply of much-needed addiction fuel for the millions of chavs and winos throughout the British Isles! Surely the export duty on these products alone would be enough to sustain the populous!

[matty1]

I think Scotland should get independance aswell as the welsh

[jonnythebosh]

Liney, that was my point, i would love to give Scotland it's independence. I'm just pointing out that it won't happen. Plus i would love to repatriate my missus's family back north of the border.

[brionon]

We cannot GIVe Scotland it's independence since we don't own it. The Scots can decide ,at any time, to break the partnership. It seems strange when we are challenged by Resurgent Religion and economic pressure from the third world that we should be fighting among ourselves.