Scotland for Independence?

[Staenwald]

With the majority won by the SNP in the recent election, which is already a surprising result form an AMS system, do you guys think we will be seeing have significant talks about Scotland gaining independency, and what are your opinions on this?

[North Enclavia]

And do what? Depend on the UK to support them as their economy tanks?

[The Imperial Shard]

Only one question: why? Whether or not Scotland is a part of the UK, it will probably be a part of the EU eventually.

It seems childish, to be completely honest. I mean, I love my country but I don't want it to gain independence from the UK.

[Kalibarr]

If Scotland wants independence, then it should have it. Self determination is key.

However I don't think they will, they are probably pretty economically dependent on the UK

[Staenwald]

And do what? Depend on the UK to support them as their economy tanks?

im not sure how much they get subsidised by England's taxpayers. They probably won't be able to afford free university for all born residents of Scotland like they do now. TBH they will probably join the EU and it'll make little difference except that they have their own territory and government. They have to abide to the same trade laws as the UK if they do join the EU.

[Meowfoundland]

Have a referendum. Although personally I want it to become independent again, because I like pretty maps.

[Staenwald]

Have a referendum. Although personally I want it to become independent again, because I like pretty maps.

they are probably going to have one.

[Lacadaemon]

im not sure how much they get subsidised by England's taxpayers. They probably won't be able to afford free university for all born residents of Scotland like they do now. TBH they will probably join the EU and it'll make little difference except that they have their own territory and government. They have to abide to the same trade laws as the UK if they do join the EU.

About £2000 -ish per person per year.

Of course if the oil rights get handed over in the independence process, this becomes a wash - more or less. (But the oil is running out &c).

I think an independent Scotland would be poorer - since you'd probably see some flight from the Edinburgh financial center to the more hospitable climes of the City - but not massively so.

Realistically the two countries are intertwined far more than the Nats probably want to admit in public. So it's not as easy as talking about who subsidizes (or owns!) what.

[Wolffbaden]

"TELL THEM THAT SCOTLAND IS FREE."

I'm sorry. I had to.

[Forsakia]

With the majority won by the SNP in the recent election, which is already a surprising result form an AMS system, do you guys think we will be seeing have significant talks about Scotland gaining independency, and what are your opinions on this?

They'll set up for a referendum at the end of their term, they'll lose it. Life will go on. The interesting thing will be how losing a referendum will affect their electoral prospects.

[Lacadaemon]

They'll set up for a referendum at the end of their term, they'll lose it. Life will go on. The interesting thing will be how losing a referendum will affect their electoral prospects.

Oh I don't know. The Conservatives could cack things up to the point that Scotland wants to bail.

[Angleter]

Although the basis for independence is in my view rubbish, I wouldn't put it past them to win it on groundless ethnic hysteria and Salmond's personality.

[-St George]

With the majority won by the SNP in the recent election, which is already a surprising result form an AMS system, do you guys think we will be seeing have significant talks about Scotland gaining independency, and what are your opinions on this?

They'll set up for a referendum at the end of their term, they'll lose it. Life will go on. The interesting thing will be how losing a referendum will affect their electoral prospects.

This^.

As an aside, currently 52% of Scots polled would vote NO to independence, as opposed to 35% who would vote YES. These figures are from a Yougov/The Scotsmen poll taken 26-29 April 2011 PDF Link - Bottom of page three.

The poll shows a slight decline in the support for staying in the UK (52% from 53% in 2009) and a slight increase in support for independence (35% from 33% in 2009) - Link to 2009 poll (middle of page three).

[ArghNeedAName]

Can't imagine it happening, even if the majority of Scots want independence (polls consistently show that the majority don't, but they still don't mind voting for the SNP). Anyway, what happened to the "Arc of Prosperity"? Ireland's been badly hit by the recession, Norway owes billions to the US and Iceland's gone fishing. Scotland's banks got bailed out fine. Small European countries are often vulerable.

[Beinai]

Meh...If they want independence, it's OK. After all, they have a parliament but those from Scottish constituencies can still be in Westminster which, to me, sounds stupid.

[Georgism]

If they indicate that they want independence through the referendum, they should get it. Self determination etc.

[Lacadaemon]

Can't imagine it happening, even if the majority of Scots want independence (polls consistently show that the majority don't, but they still don't mind voting for the SNP). Anyway, what happened to the "Arc of Prosperity"? Ireland's been badly hit by the recession, Norway owes billions to the US and Iceland's gone fishing. Scotland's banks got bailed out fine. Small European countries are often vulerable.

I think you'll find that Norway lost billions lending it to people in the US, and that's the problem, not that Norway owes the US.

At any rate, I would think that over time Scotland would actually be better off disentangling itself from England. Though the immediate effect of independence would be that it would get a bit poorer.

[United Kingdomers]

it is they're choice, but they are econonomicly Dependant on the UK, they think they're oil will support they're economy for a good while, but it wont, it has been projected that the oil in the north sea would be depleted by 2014, then they will come running back.

[Lacadaemon]

Although the basis for independence is in my view rubbish, I wouldn't put it past them to win it on groundless ethnic hysteria and Salmond's personality.

Why is the basis rubbish? I agree that Scotland's independence is a bit more complicated than just saying goodbye because the two countries are more entangled than Salmond wants to admit, but I don't think the notion is completely baseless.

In the case of Wales, I'd agree, it doesn't really have an independent identity other than as a region. But the way I see it, Scotland has its own Cricket team, and that's enough.

[Soviet Haaregrad]

Scotland should annex Nova Scotia.

[Lacadaemon]

Though saying that, Welsh independence is not a bad idea because it would mean more international cricket at the Riverside Ground.

[Great Nepal]

Meh... just give Scotland and Wales independence... after few years, when they have had their independence dance over and economy collapses, they are likely to request invasion from England anyway...

[EvilDarkMagicians]

Meh... just give Scotland and Wales independence... after few years, when they have had their independence dance over and economy collapses, they are likely to request invasion from England anyway...

'd at bold.

[Alterrea]

Scotland should annex Nove Scotia.

And England should annex New England.
And Wales should annex New South Wales.
And Ireland should annex... New Mecklenburg!

[Cyborg Holland]

I would hate to have to take my passport to the border....