[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

[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.

[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

[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 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

[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.

[joeysteele]

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?

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.

I think you raise a lot of issues and valid ones.

However I still believe myself that no way will more than 40% at the very highest vote for independence in next years referendum.

I think it would be bad for the UK overall and also in a lot of ways for Scotland to choose independence.
Being of Scottish ancestry on my Dad's side and having a good number of friends and relatives living all over Scotland, none of them are voting for independence and I just cannot see the Scots wanting to break away completely.

I do believe they warrant better treatment and more respect from the Westminster Govt. and I would hope that will be forthcoming too.

[the truth]

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?

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.

1. open border - yes
2. education is different in Scotland wales and England anyway, they control that in these countries
3. Scotland would still be part of the british armed forces. though they would probably have a few of their own regiments too
4.bbc. probably. totally over rated bloated wasteful organization, that outside the odd wildlife documentary has barely produced a quality show in years. where are the opportunity for writers? what idiot is driving the bbc news agenda? it tells you nothing
5. I doubt theyd go with euro but its complex... it prints its own money , it would still be sterling. I think interest rates would remain under the control of the bank of England.

[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.

[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

[James]

Originally Posted by arista

Yes via Sky

What about Freeview?

[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.

[fingers]

....in his palatial Edinburgh office:

Youtube video

[Lee.]

James, here's a good sight with answers to common questions re independence..

http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index...misinformation

[arista]

[Independent Scotland would keep sterling, says Alex Salmond
First minister launches blueprint for Scottish independence promising 'a new and better direction for our nation']

Today the Scottish white paper is out





http://www.theguardian.com/politics/...s-alex-salmond

[fingers]

Anyone who pays the slightest attention to that fishy pair Salmond & Sturgeon needs their head examined. Punch and Judy spring to mind, but THEY talk more sense than wee fat Eck and his thin lipped cohort.

[Livia]

I think Mr Salmond takes an awful lot for granted...

[fingers]

Originally Posted by Livia

I think Mr Salmond takes an awful lot for granted...

Pie in the Sky is his favourite food.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by fingers

Pie in the Sky is his favourite food.

Well, some kind of pie, obviously......................

[fingers]

Originally Posted by Livia

Well, some kind of pie, obviously......................

The kind and size that Desperate Dan prefers!

[Nedusa]

Why would any Scottish person living in Scotland NOT want to see their Country ruled by them.

Who in their right mind after being occupied for over 300 years would NOT want to be finally free of English rule ??

Who in Scotland would actually Vote to continue to be "occupied" ???

I think this is a NO BRAINER...........!!!!!