[jackc1806]

Unfortunately, Scotland will fall on its arse without the UK

[Lee.]

Originally Posted by jackc1806

Unfortunately, Scotland will fall on its arse without the UK

What makes you say that?

[Z]

I don't think Scotland would fall on its arse without the UK. I think we'd have to expect that there would be a lot of noticeable changes to begin with, perhaps our economy wouldn't be very strong while we worked out the finer details, but ultimately I think we've got more than enough established infrastructure to adapt to being a small, sustainable nation of 5-6 million people.

The more the Conservatives drive the country into the ground, the more I think we'd be better off as an independent country. I detest Alex Salmond and his ploys for attention but he's very good at what he does, you have to give him that.

[jackc1806]

Originally Posted by Lee.

What makes you say that?

Economy wise

[jackc1806]

Originally Posted by Zee

I don't think Scotland would fall on its arse without the UK. I think we'd have to expect that there would be a lot of noticeable changes to begin with, perhaps our economy wouldn't be very strong while we worked out the finer details, but ultimately I think we've got more than enough established infrastructure to adapt to being a small, sustainable nation of 5-6 million people.

The more the Conservatives drive the country into the ground, the more I think we'd be better off as an independent country. I detest Alex Salmond and his ploys for attention but he's very good at what he does, you have to give him that.

Agree with your point on the Conservatives. I've always thought as Salmond as wanting power tbh

[Lee.]

Originally Posted by jackc1806

Economy wise

Oh right.. Well FYI Scotland more than pays her way as part of the Uk and actually gets back less than we put in.

[lostalex]

Scotland would be just fine not being part of the UK, they'd still have a very special relationship with England, obviously. Just like America and Canada are still very close, even though Canada is a separate country.

I'm sure Scotland and England could negotiate partnerships economically and militarily, just like The USA and Canada have partnerships like NAFTA and NORAD.

[MTVN]

Scotland would be very reliant on their oil if they did get become independent, and that's such an unstable market that it doesn't really offer that much economic security, the richest reserves of the oil have already been used

What happens with the likes of HBOS and RBS as well, who needed the British government to bail them out when they racked up such massive debts? Plus Britain is trusted as an important and secure economic power, an independent Scotland would miss out on that and find it harder

Scotland being independent would only harm them economically imo, and most of the arguments for independence seem to mainly be based on emotional nationalism and resentment of the power and importance of London in the UK. I especially can't stand Salmond, seems to just have a big chip on his shoulder

[Novo]

Scotland would also end up having conflicts like Ireland if it were to go Independent, The Unionists in Scotland would team up with the Unionist in Northern Ireland and they would drive the Nationalists into the sea and then we would eventually have peace so this could be a good thing

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Scotland would be very reliant on their oil if they did get become independent, and that's such an unstable market that it doesn't really offer that much economic security, the richest reserves of the oil have already been used

What happens with the likes of HBOS and RBS as well, who needed the British government to bail them out when they racked up such massive debts? Plus Britain is trusted as an important and secure economic power, an independent Scotland would miss out on that and find it harder

Scotland being independent would only harm them economically imo, and most of the arguments for independence seem to mainly be based on emotional nationalism and resentment of the power and importance of London in the UK. I especially can't stand Salmond, seems to just have a big chip on his shoulder

oil is an unstable market?? lol, no, actually having a resources based economy is very stable. the only reason Canada and Australia did so well compared to the rest of the world from the 2008 financial crisis is because they both have resources based economies. Scotland would have actually been better off not being so deeply connected to the London financial system.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Lee.

Oh right.. Well FYI Scotland more than pays her way as part of the Uk and actually gets back less than we put in.

I totally agree with you.
I also think Scotland has had some very raw deals from UK Govts. of both main parties, often being the experimental area for unsavoury policies.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by lostalex

oil is an unstable market?? lol, no, actually having a resources based economy is very stable. the only reason Canada and Australia did so well compared to the rest of the world from the 2008 financial crisis is because they both have resources based economies. Scotland would have actually been better off not being so deeply connected to the London financial system.

It's unstable to be so reliant on it because any shifts in prices or sudden changes will have a massive effect, and the fact that the richest reserves have gone makes it more uncertain

http://www.economist.com/node/21552564

[the truth]

If they vote for independence , then I believe they will be better off for it. A richer Scotland will help the rest of the Uk as we wil continue to trade with them as much as ever.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by MTVN

It's unstable to be so reliant on it because any shifts in prices or sudden changes will have a massive effect, and the fact that the richest reserves have gone makes it more uncertain

http://www.economist.com/node/21552564

tell that to Australia and Canada. They both emerged from the crisis relatively unscathed. The only real negative effect on them was the rise of their own currency, which isn't the worst problem in the world to have.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by the truth

If they vote for independence , then I believe they will be better off for it. A richer Scotland will help the rest of the Uk as we wil continue to trade with them as much as ever.

wow, first time for everything... I agree with thetruth.

[James]

I don't want Scotland to be independent.

I can think of a few reasons, possible negative consequences or unanswered questions.

Would there be an open border with England? Would you need a passport to cross the border?

Would companies be allowed to trade freely with England?

Would Scottish people be able to work or be educated at university freely in England or would there be restrictions?

Would Scotland have its own currency and central bank which would set interest rates?

Would Scotland be able to defend itself?

What would happen to broadcasting - would we still get the BBC?

Above all, the question I would ask is, What is so bad about Britain?

I also think it is a mistake for some to believe that if Scotland was independent it would always have a left or centre-left government just because of the parties it votes for now. The whole political landscape would change and Scotland would be making its own decisions on a range of other issues which could change the way people vote.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by James

I don't want Scotland to be independent.

I can think of a few reasons, possible negative consequences or unanswered questions.

Would there be an open border with England? Would you need a passport to cross the border?

Would companies be allowed to trade freely with England?

Would Scottish people be able to work or be educated at university freely in England or would there be restrictions?

Would Scotland have its own currency and central bank which would set interest rates?

Would Scotland be able to defend itself?

Above all, the question I would ask is, What is so bad about Britain?

I also think it is a mistake for some to believe that if Scotland was independent it would always have a left or centre-left government just because of the parties it votes for now. The whole political landscape would change and Scotland would be making its own decisions on a range of other issues which could change the way people vote.

most of these questions are just silly. ofcourse there would be open borders, Scotland would be part of the EU, so of course just like all EU countries, you can travel freely. Also of course the EU has free trade between all european nations, including England. Most of your questions are solved once Scotland becaomes a member of the EU which i'm sure they would do immediately if they choose to be independent.

Would Scotland be able to defend itself? from who? or what? Scotland is still on the same island, so of course England would never allow a foreign country to invade Scotland, because it would be just as much a threat to England.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by lostalex

most of these questions are just silly. ofcourse there would be open borders, Scotland would be part of the EU, so of course just like all EU countries, you can travel freely.

Would Scotland be able to defend itself? from who? or what?

Still need a passport to travel to other parts of the EU though

[Z]

Joining the EU can be a very lengthy process because the requirements for entry have changed since the UK joined; Scotland would need to meet a lot of criteria in order to accede to union membership. It might not take as long as it has done for the likes of Croatia but it could be a number of years away.

[James]

'What would happen to broadcasting - would we still get the BBC?' I've add that one to my list of questions.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Still need a passport to travel to other parts of the EU though

well i don't think England is gonna set up border guards asking to see it. I'm sure England and Scotland would agree to keep all roadways and railways as free and open as possible.

You guys make it sound like all of a sudden there would be this hard border between countries, i don't think either country wants that.

It will be like travel between Northern Ireland(UK) and the Republic of Ireland.

[James]

Initially yes. But if Scotland adopted a more open immigration policy, for example, it could lead to a closed border. Or different duties and taxes on things could lead to more restrictions to stop smuggling.

[arista]

Originally Posted by James

'What would happen to broadcasting - would we still get the BBC?' I've add that one to my list of questions.

Yes via Sky

[fingers]

....in his palatial Edinburgh office:

Youtube video

[James]

Originally Posted by arista

Yes via Sky

What about Freeview?