Scottish Independence?

[BruceVC]

On the 18 of this month Scotland decides if it wants to be independent from the UK, I use to think that the Yes vote would never succeed and of course " Scotland will want to stay part of the UK"

 

But  now I see the Yes vote has taken the lead in the polls

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/events/scotland-decides/poll-tracker

 

I am worried that Scotland might break away from the UK. If so I think this will  fundamentally weaken both the UK and Scotland, but anyway what do you guys think? What happens if Scotland breaks away from the UK? What will the political and economic consequences be?

 

 

 

[IndiraLightfoot]

A few friends of mine are Scottish ex-pats, and they have convinced me that it probably would work pretty well with an independent Scotland. The hard thing, of course, is to know if it's the best thing to do - their bonds with England and Wales are pretty strong, to put it mildly. The lack of a military could become a bit tricky, but since Scotland has nothing on the UK population-wise, and with them having a few gas and oil fields with increasing revenues, it is plausible, but perhaps foolish.  Scotland apparently has a lower debt-to-GDP ratio than the UK as a whole too, and the Scots put in more in tax into the UK public spending than what they got in return (slightly). Financially, Scotland certainly measures up compared to other pretty successful nations in the EU, and both productivity and employment are looking brighter in the long run.

[HoonDing]

FREE CORNWALL!!!!!

[obyknven]

This "independence" is profanation. Scotland anyway stay a NATO and EU member, same moneybags continue to own  everything.

I watching similar things in Catalonia - people has many problems and they believe what after separation their life become better... but this is lie. They have bad life not because government, but because limitations of whole system - international capitalists, corporations cause this, and for capitalists independence change nothing, they continue rule Catalonia anyway. Such "Independence" is not meant sovereignty.

[Bester]

I don't see it. Many countries would be opposed and would back up UK. If Wales succeed that would make precedence for other independence movements in Europe. And they are numerous:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_separatist_movements_in_Europe 

 

Yes, Europe is falling apart, finally. The markets can keep being opened, but the local governments will start working for national interests instead of supranational ones.

 

Go Scotland!

Edited September 8, 2014 by Bester

[Calax]

Except that the Scotts would easily be blackmailed economically into being basically the u k's toy. Seriously they tried this when James I I was thrown off the throne and it didn't go well

[Bester]

They can just join the Eurozone like Ireland and the Brits can go to hell.

[Wrath of Dagon]

It would benefit the UK to be rid of that leftist appendage. Also statistically it's been shown that smaller countries tend to do better.

 

Obama said that it's up to the people of Scotland to decide if they should be independent. So I thought that implied it's up to the people of Texas to decide whether they should be independent, but I see that UK did agree to the referendum.

[BruceVC]

It would benefit the UK to be rid of that leftist appendage. Also statistically it's been shown that smaller countries tend to do better.

 

Obama said that it's up to the people of Scotland to decide if they should be independent. So I thought that implied it's up to the people of Texas to decide whether they should be independent, but I see that UK did agree to the referendum.

 

Do you think the majority of people in Texas would vote for independence if there was a referendum?

[BruceVC]

 

 

It would benefit the UK to be rid of that leftist appendage. Also statistically it's been shown that smaller countries tend to do better.

 

Obama said that it's up to the people of Scotland to decide if they should be independent. So I thought that implied it's up to the people of Texas to decide whether they should be independent, but I see that UK did agree to the referendum.

Do you think the majority of people in Texas would vote for independence if there was a referendum?

With current situation in states not only Texas.

 

 

I'm not with you ? What current situation in the USA, do you think that despite some of the perceived  economic  and political challenges in the USA states would really  want to be independent? I don't think so ....

[ShadySands]

 

It would benefit the UK to be rid of that leftist appendage. Also statistically it's been shown that smaller countries tend to do better.

 

Obama said that it's up to the people of Scotland to decide if they should be independent. So I thought that implied it's up to the people of Texas to decide whether they should be independent, but I see that UK did agree to the referendum.

 

Do you think the majority of people in Texas would vote for independence if there was a referendum?

 

I highly doubt it.

 

I rarely see any numbers supporting it but when I have I don't think I've ever seen anything claiming higher than 20% or so and even then I don't know how accurate or trustworthy that was

[ShadySands]

That was 20% in Texas and to be honest Texas is most likely going to be much higher than anywhere else

 

And again I don't know how accurate that is or how much is just bluster but I'd welcome any sources you can provide

[Oerwinde]

I'm not up to date, if they separate, would Scotland remain a commonwealth realm? Keeping the queen as head of state and such?

[obyknven]

 

Many Americans are not happy with turning USA to socialistic immigrants refuge camp. With good enough campaign I think it's possible to convince majority to vote yes. It's not as this voice is among few percent right now, it's up to 20% which is a perfect starting option.

 

Location: Poland

 

 

Anyway you are wrong. Immigration in socialistic countries never been- its purely capitalistic problem, moneybags do want moar profit and... invite cheap foreighn laborers.

[BruceVC]

I'm not up to date, if they separate, would Scotland remain a commonwealth realm? Keeping the queen as head of state and such?

 

Yes as far as I know it could be still be part of the Commonwealth if it wanted to, but I'm not sure about points like what currency would  Scotland  use and would they be part of the EU?

[Shallow]

 

I'm not with you ? What current situation in the USA, do you think that despite some of the perceived  economic  and political challenges in the USA states would really  want to be independent? I don't think so ....

Many Americans are not happy with turning USA to socialistic immigrants refuge camp. With good enough campaign I think it's possible to convince majority to vote yes. It's not as this voice is among few percent right now, it's up to 20% which is a perfect starting option.

 

You're forgetting the whole patriotism thing, and whilst a sizable amount of people do use confederate flags, they still say god bless America. Also, socialist immigrants refugee camp is probably the least fitting discription you could give the US. There is no way they're gonna get to a 51% percent for secession, let alone a proper 66% majority that's generally required for more extreme things. If they ever do get a proper percentage though, I hope they secede.

[obyknven]

And USA is starting to have more and more socialistic face under Obama administration. At least that's what it looks like from what i read and see.

 

 And USA is starting to have more and more fascist face (power of corporations, militarized police and other state structures for punishing of opposition, propaganda and censorship everywhere, big brother watching you - it's looks like dystopia from "1984" book become real) under Obama administration. At least that's what it looks like from what i read and see.  

 

[Longknife]

 

 

Many Americans are not happy with turning USA to socialistic immigrants refuge camp. With good enough campaign I think it's possible to convince majority to vote yes. It's not as this voice is among few percent right now, it's up to 20% which is a perfect starting option.

Location: Poland

 Anyway you are wrong. Immigration in socialistic countries never been- its purely capitalistic problem, moneybags do want moar profit and... invite cheap foreighn laborers.

Immigrants who come for legal work are not really a problem. The problem is with immigrants who come to more wealthy country to live on social benefits are problem. And USA is starting to have more and more socialistic face under Obama administration. At least that's what it looks like from what i read and see.  

 

 

I'm not with you ? What current situation in the USA, do you think that despite some of the perceived  economic  and political challenges in the USA states would really  want to be independent? I don't think so ....

Many Americans are not happy with turning USA to socialistic immigrants refuge camp. With good enough campaign I think it's possible to convince majority to vote yes. It's not as this voice is among few percent right now, it's up to 20% which is a perfect starting option.

You're forgetting the whole patriotism thing, and whilst a sizable amount of people do use confederate flags, they still say god bless America. Also, socialist immigrants refugee camp is probably the least fitting discription you could give the US. There is no way they're gonna get to a 51% percent for secession, let alone a proper 66% majority that's generally required for more extreme things. If they ever do get a proper percentage though, I hope they secede.

Maybe. I'm not an expert and do not live in states. Only going by what info I can get from different sources.

 

Pro tip: don't use FOX news as a source.

 

The USA is literally a nation of immigrants. It would be suicide for the US to actively dissuade immigration. History has proven this time and time again, as the USA has several notable waves of immigration throughout its history where the immigrants were met with some hostility, but were ultimately welcomed and the USA benefited from it. I think you'd struggle to name a time in the history of the US where immigration actually hurt us more than it helped us.

[Longknife]

 And USA is starting to have more and more fascist face (power of corporations, militarized police and other state structures for punishing of opposition, propaganda and censorship everywhere, big brother watching you - it's looks like dystopia from "1984" book become real) under Obama administration. At least that's what it looks like from what i read and see.

 

Thanks for enlightening me oby. At first I thought you were just some Russian zealot, but now I can see the truth and expect Obama to grow a strange mustache and start slaughtering Jews within the next two years. It's only a matter of time.

[obyknven]

 

Thanks for enlightening me oby. At first I thought you were just some Russian zealot, but now I can see the truth and expect Obama to grow a strange mustache and start slaughtering Jews within the next two years. It's only a matter of time.

 

Fascism has many sorts and Nazism is only one from them. Be a Antisemites is not necessary for to be a fascist.

[Kroney]

Who cares? If they vote for independence, we should just re-conquer them. If they vote to stay, we should kick them out of the union out of spite and then re-invade anyway.

[Monte Carlo]

Ah, Scotland, net exporter of strange soft drinks and red pubic hair. When they bugger off the rest of us can have double summer time. Also, we can visit their favelas in about five years and buy tartan trinkets from them with our impossibly strong currency.

Edited September 9, 2014 by Monte Carlo

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

Do the Scots really want independence, or can no one else understand what the hell they're talking about through those accents?

[BruceVC]

Who cares? If they vote for independence, we should just re-conquer them. If they vote to stay, we should kick them out of the union out of spite and then re-invade anyway.

 

 

Ah, Scotland, net exporter of strange soft drinks and red pubic hair. When they bugger off the rest of us can have double summer time. Also, we can visit their favelas in about five years and buy tartan trinkets from them with our impossibly strong currency.

 

I know I shouldn't find these posts  funny  but they did make  me laugh

 

But aren't you worried about the economic impact, the Pound has  already lost some value and that's just because the Yes vote is ahead, imagine how the pound will be hammered if they actually get independence?

Edited September 9, 2014 by BruceVC

[IndiraLightfoot]

Oh, this will surely pound the quid for quite some time...

 

*Grabs coat and leaves the establishment.*