Scottish Independence - Yay or Nay? (Poll)

[Prythaine]

As a Scot, I want to see Scotland gain more autonomy. I hate having Labour governments here who are just their Westminster counterpart's willing bitches. And even more so, I hate having Conservatives in power, who we didn't even vote for. And can directly influence Scotland. So more autonomy would give us greater power to decide our own politics to a greater extent.

Poll attached.

[H-Alba]

I'm Scottish and I support independence for the nation. We've far too long been part of the "United Kingdom", heavily biased towards England.

[Prythaine]

I'm Scottish and I support independence for the nation. We've far too long been part of the "United Kingdom", heavily biased towards England.

Only politically. England votes in the government by virtue of its population.

[Tubbsalot]

I'm Scottish and I support independence for the nation. We've far too long been part of the "United Kingdom", heavily biased towards England.

Really? Biased towards England? In what way? You're clearly not talking about funding...

Scottish nationalism seems to me like one of those vapid popular causes - something which really makes no sense and wouldn't change anything, but is popular for some reason anyway. The OP providing a convenient example. If the Scots Labour politicians are all willing lapdogs, why would that change on separation from Britain?

[H-Alba]

I'm Scottish and I support independence for the nation. We've far too long been part of the "United Kingdom", heavily biased towards England.

Really? Biased towards England? In what way? You're clearly not talking about funding...

Culturally, things are biased towards England, in and outside of the UK. When Americans think of things "British" they think of things English, we have British tea, yet no British Haggis. Politically things are biased towards London as well. And independent Scotland means more representation for the Scottish People, Culture, and Society.

[Povos do Mar]

I'm from the North of England, and though my area hasn't been quite as neglected as certain parts of Scotland, I still feel as if I can commiserate and identify with Scottish people for this reason.
Scotland and the North I feel act as barriers against nasty(er) politics and without Scotland, I don't think my area could defend itself. So for this, rather selfish reason, I'd rather Scotland remain a part of the UK.

[Pyrite]

Nay, thousands of British Soldiers died to bring Scotland to heel and their sacrifice, though long ago must not be forgotten, also it would ruin Scotland, they'd have no army no navy no currency no laws and no money. Not to mention that parliament makes a net loss of around 1.5 Billion a year (after all the Scottish tax has been collected) providing money for the police service and for just about everything else. On top of that English tax payers pay our tuition fees for us.

And finally, and possibly most important, our national sport is TOSSING

[Aesthetica]

Really? Biased towards England? In what way? You're clearly not talking about funding...

Culturally, things are biased towards England, in and outside of the UK. When Americans think of things "British" they think of things English, we have British tea, yet no British Haggis. Politically things are biased towards London as well. And independent Scotland means more representation for the Scottish People, Culture, and Society.

I'd be surprised if there are more Scots who eat Haggis than Scots who drink Tea...

How many Brits eat Jellied Eels? Is that why people don't say British Jellied Eels...

Seems your argument is another "Long live Bonnie Prince Salmond" strawman.

[Prythaine]

I'm Scottish and I support independence for the nation. We've far too long been part of the "United Kingdom", heavily biased towards England.

Really? Biased towards England? In what way? You're clearly not talking about funding...

Scottish nationalism seems to me like one of those vapid popular causes - something which really makes no sense and wouldn't change anything, but is popular for some reason anyway. The OP providing a convenient example. If the Scots Labour politicians are all willing lapdogs, why would that change on separation from Britain?

Why would it not change? Because I think you'd find in a nation where (And this is a hypothetical scenario.) the support for separation from another nation was the majority, the support for a party that took orders from the latter nation would be a minority. Anyway, I'm not a Nationalist, I thought I made that clear? More autonomy, anyway, would give us more power to govern ourselves, and give is more political leverage.

To other posters -

Scotland is a net contributor to the Union! Which everyone knows except the English. And there is a reason more money is spent on the average Scotsman, than the average Englishman. Scotland has a 1/3 the land area of England, but only 1/10 the population. It's much more spread out, and you get a lot more of these communities of 2-300 people away out on the arse end of no-where. The extra money goes to making sure they enjoy the same services as anyone anywhere else in Britain; A post office, a clinic, a school, etc.

[Angleter]

Nay, thousands of British Soldiers died to bring Scotland to heel and their sacrifice, though long ago must not be forgotten

What on Earth are you talking about?

[Prythaine]

I'd be surprised if there are more Scots who eat Haggis than Scots who drink Tea...

That's like saying; "There are more Englishmen that drink Pepsi than Englishmen who eat "full English breakfasts..."

[Angleter]

As a Scot, I want to see Scotland gain more autonomy. I hate having Labour governments here who are just their Westminster counterpart's willing bitches. And even more so, I hate having Conservatives in power, who we didn't even vote for. And can directly influence Scotland. So more autonomy would give us greater power to decide our own politics to a greater extent.

Poll attached.

Rather fortunate you could and did vote Labour out, then, with the autonomy you have. As regards the Conservatives (and LibDems), Britain voted them into power (simplistically speaking), and Scotland is a part of Britain. If one rejects the concept of the British nation-state, then Scotland ought to leave the Union.

Cue Alyakia.

[The Matthew Islands]

Culturally, things are biased towards England, in and outside of the UK. When Americans think of things "British" they think of things English, we have British tea, yet no British Haggis. Politically things are biased towards London as well. And independent Scotland means more representation for the Scottish People, Culture, and Society.

That's because nobody wants to have their name next to haggis.

Also, one of the financial capitals of the world, and the capital of the country that has the largest part of GDP and population of the UK gets more attention than somewhere like Edinburgh. whodathunkit

[Old Tyrannia]

Half-Scottish, half-English, live in England and consider myself British so decided to vote "Other British" since it seemed the most logical decision. Regardless, I strongly believe that Britain is stronger as a united kingdom and oppose Scottish independance.

[South Asia Minor]

Nay, thousands of British Soldiers died to bring Scotland to heel and their sacrifice, though long ago must not be forgotten,

That's a god awful reason. Plenty of "Scottish" soldiers died trying to keep Scotland free. Not that that's important at all, since it was well over a century ago.

also it would ruin Scotland, they'd have no army no navy no currency no laws and no money.

There's such a thing as transition. Scotland's not going to magically cut all ties with England over night.

Not to mention that parliament makes a net loss of around 1.5 Billion a year (after all the Scottish tax has been collected) providing money for the police service and for just about everything else. On top of that English tax payers pay our tuition fees for us.

I fail to see how any of that's an argument against Scottish independence.

And finally, and possibly most important, our national sport is TOSSING :palm:

Cool.

[Tamaris]

I'm English, and I think Scotland should remain in the UK. But if the Scottish want independence, I say we should give it to them.

[Prythaine]

As a Scot, I want to see Scotland gain more autonomy. I hate having Labour governments here who are just their Westminster counterpart's willing bitches. And even more so, I hate having Conservatives in power, who we didn't even vote for. And can directly influence Scotland. So more autonomy would give us greater power to decide our own politics to a greater extent.

Poll attached.

Rather fortunate you could and did vote Labour out, then, with the autonomy you have. As regards the Conservatives (and LibDems), Britain voted them into power (simplistically speaking), and Scotland is a part of Britain. If one rejects the concept of the British nation-state, then Scotland ought to leave the Union.

No, Britain as a whole did not. The only reason there is a Conservative government is that England wants. Why ever that is, I don't know.

[The Matthew Islands]

And finally, and possibly most important, our national sport is TOSSING

Cool.

You have a woman's sport mi'lord!

(Skip to about 1:03 for it to make more sense )

[Aesthetica]

I'm English, and I think Scotland should remain in the UK. But if the Scottish want independence, I say we should give it to them.

Just as long as when we leave, we take all our property home with us...
If they want there own military, they can buy their own gear from somebody, and reemploy all the Scots we downsize when we pull out.

[Prythaine]

If they want there own military, they can buy their own gear from somebody, and reemploy all the Scots we downsize when we pull out.

Seeing as all that equipment is property of the regiment...

[Angleter]

Rather fortunate you could and did vote Labour out, then, with the autonomy you have. As regards the Conservatives (and LibDems), Britain voted them into power (simplistically speaking), and Scotland is a part of Britain. If one rejects the concept of the British nation-state, then Scotland ought to leave the Union.

No, Britain as a whole did not. The only reason there is a Conservative government is that England wants. Why ever that is, I don't know.

Britain as a whole elected 306 Tory, 258 Labour, and 57 LibDem MPs (and 29 others), which caused the Tories and LibDems to form a coalition government. All above board. In a British election, there is no tiering of nationalities whereby all four nations must agree on who should win, because it is an election for a British people as a whole. That's not each of the four nations, that's each and every Briton.

[The Matthew Islands]

Seeing as all that equipment is property of the regiment...

Some regiments are royal though. Also, the regiments may be completely disbanded. Either way, Scotland isn't going to waltz off with military equipment.

[Nadkor]

Yay, so everyone else can get free university education in Scotland, too!

[AETEN II]

What I think as an American is that you should copy our 'states', though, really, all that means is simply taking more power from England and spreading it about the entire UK as for each to gain equal ground.

[Aesthetica]

Seeing as all that equipment is property of the regiment...

Property of the British Ministry of Defence actually... When Scotland becomes independent, British troops pull out taking their British equipment with them, and canceling contracts with local civilians for various services.

And the buildings they leave behind are MoD property too, although I'm sure we'd be willing to sell them to the Scots at a reasonable price.

Unless Bonnie Prince Salmond is thinking of sequestration of a foreign powers assets, which would mean WAR.