Scottish Independence

Do you support Scotland's independence?

  • Yes

    Votes: 16 45.7%
  • No

    Votes: 10 28.6%
  • Maybe

    Votes: 5 14.3%
  • Don't care

    Votes: 4 11.4%

  • Total voters
    35
Does it really make too much difference at this stage? Surely people are voting only on an ideal, rather than an actual arrangement at this stage - and a referendum post finding out that they might be screwed (or minted) once we've split up, would surely yield different results.

I also hadn't realised how small the population of Scotland is. I'm sure the English may expect Scotland to be fully self-sufficient, is that feasible with such a small population?
 
You'd expect there to be a detailed plan regarding Scottish independence I have yet to see one. Does anyone know if it exists?
That's the lynchpin of the 'No' argument and I don't blame them.

I also hadn't realised how small the population of Scotland is. I'm sure the English may expect Scotland to be fully self-sufficient, is that feasible with such a small population?
There has been talk that immigration laws would have to be loosened in Scotland to help with that, but this could just be scaremongering at this stage. It would certainly throw up some border security issues if it were the case as suddenly the UK would have a physical border with a country with different immigration laws - possibly a non-EU country too.
 
Can't help but compare opening of the Scottish White Paper... Fairer for all of Scotland blah blah.... to the fact that in this thread we have people support the independence of a part of our country (not just a union), because the government doesn't represent them well enough... Seems like the Scots are being sold the concept that Scottish politicians will have the Scottish peoples best interest at hearts - when in reality, most people think that politicians and governments only have politicians and governments best interests at heart.
 
Funnily enough, I've been having a lengthy discussions with some North Walians on Twitter about merging/demerging our councils and counties. Vastly different ramifications of course, but similar principles.

There is much dissent in this United Kingdom. One thing Scotland certainly has done, for better or for worse, is galvanise people's interest in local, regional and sub-national government.
 
I'm going to head home shortly - buy some beers and some food, and then go to my bed for a few hours... will get up about 10-11 pm and then watch the results programme through the night - I think it will be something of a rollercoaster ride.

Some of my work colleagues honestly believe that a No vote will result in widespread trouble - I have to say, I think there will be some, possibly directed at the BBC - since they have already been subjected to protests at perceived bias (see the discussion of the Nick Robinson thing earlier in this thread - that is what sparked the protest, even though it was largely unjustified, but never mind).

There will be plenty of people in a very bad mood tomorrow - a Yes win will spark wild celebrations and No voters are likely to react with dismay and worry, and some Unionist elements in Glasgow might resort to trouble. A No win, however, will probably be met with relief rather than joy from the No voters, and muted celebrations on a much smaller scale - but pro-independence campaigners are likely to be distraught, and a large number will be very angry as well... I guess that is what happens when the nationalist pot is stirred, coupled with promises (some more realistic than others) of a 'better nation'.

It's going to get interesting.
 
When you want to trade and interact with a wider community beyond tribal geographic borders, I guess.

But the divisions within any local community are probably greater than the divisions between comparable people in different areas. Who is more different to me, (a 35 year old, single, white, physically able male, middle/senior management, no university education, personal and company pension, no kids, can't afford a mortgage, some personal debt, likes to play Gran Turismo)

A: A 35 year old, single, white, physically able male, middle/senior management, no university education, personal and company pension, no kids, can't afford a mortgage, some personal debt, likes to play Gran Turismo, that lives in Scotland..

or

B: A 17 year old, single female mother of two, with basic GCSE level education, and no job, that lives 1 mile away.

Potentially the person in scenario A is suggesting that he is not represented well enough by the same government that represents me, simply because he is 500 miles away, whereas in reality the situation is very different for someone living down the road.

The gap between the lifestyles of the decision makers and the normal people is far greater than the distance down the motorway (plus you can stop off at the Toby at Carlisle on the Motorway :D)
 
I'm going to head home shortly - buy some beers and some food, and then go to my bed for a few hours... will get up about 10-11 pm and then watch the results programme through the night - I think it will be something of a rollercoaster ride.

Some of my work colleagues honestly believe that a No vote will result in widespread trouble - I have to say, I think there will be some, possibly directed at the BBC - since they have already been subjected to protests at perceived bias (see the discussion of the Nick Robinson thing earlier in this thread - that is what sparked the protest, even though it was largely unjustified, but never mind).

There will be plenty of people in a very bad mood tomorrow - a Yes win will spark wild celebrations and No voters are likely to react with dismay and worry, and some Unionist elements in Glasgow might resort to trouble. A No win, however, will probably be met with relief rather than joy from the No voters, and muted celebrations on a much smaller scale - but pro-independence campaigners are likely to be distraught, and a large number will be very angry as well... I guess that is what happens when the nationalist pot is stirred, coupled with promises (some more realistic than others) of a 'better nation'.

It's going to get interesting.
Good luck.
 
Some of my work colleagues honestly believe that a No vote will result in widespread trouble - I have to say, I think there will be some, possibly directed at the BBC - since they have already been subjected to protests at perceived bias (see the discussion of the Nick Robinson thing earlier in this thread - that is what sparked the protest, even though it was largely unjustified, but never mind).

I'm also thinking there might be pretty substantial riots on the back of a NO vote. Most of the TV channels seem to have had a sight bias to NO whilst trying to be as impartial as possible but I think that's because the coverage is being aimed as the rest of the UK who mostly want that outcome.
 
Don't start, you'll give me a haddock. There's enough problems with fishing quotas.
 
It's a tench situation, I guess the voters need time to mullet over. I was going to tuna in tonight to see the results start coming in.
 
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