Scottish Independence Poll

[Paramanic]

So not long not that Scotland will be voting on independence

and just to see what you all think.

I know some people will be sick of hearing about it but it's

Just a Wee Question Poll

Let it be nice and no arguments

Just a Matter of Personal Opinion :) keep it nice :D

[MattDRX]

Think its a joke, I was born in Aberdeen and all my family are from there but no one gets a say, I'll be a foreigner by default. Don't think it'll happen personally but the only thing that'll swing it is the hate for the English, forgetting about the Irish and Welsh at the same time, remarkable how 5m people believe one politician and not the business leaders who are the ones they should pay attention to, complete joke.

[higgsy]

I am not scottish, but I think we are better together, too many questions unanswered from what I have seen and has focused the usual political tit for tat, rather than supplying people what they need to know to make an informed choice.

[jimbro]

Absolutely YES. Why should we be saddled with a government we didnt vote for. Its time we started making our own decisions. As regards expats living in England. Why should they get a vote. That would be like me having influence over what happens in England. I think its only fair that only people who live here can vote. Remember, this isnt about Alex Salmond or the SNP. Its about the future of our country. For every Tory business leader who says we cant do it, there are 3 or 4 who say we can. Even without oil, we are a wealthy country. To quote a recent debate, if Scotland is so insignificant and poor, why are the British Government desperate to hold on to us? Maybe something to do with the massive oil field off the Shetlands? And believe it or not, I was a no voter. Better Together? Why are we not better now?

[higgsy]

My general thoughts are. "Hope you don't go, but should you decide that's what you want to do then good luck"

[jeebowhite]

I am not scottish, but I dont want the scots to go. Otherwise I will have to pay import tax on decent products like highland whisky and irn bru.

[jeebowhite]

on a serious note though. I can understand why the scots would like it, but I personally think that as a nation alone, I wonder if they may struggle after a time away. I dont believe the country / county is big enough in population to really support its own? again this is just me spitballing, as I know Scotland is more open countryland than the likes of the big towns / cities that we see more of around England. Having said that though, Wales does manage well!

I can understand why the scots want independance. They do have their own way of doing things, even down to the likes of Sherrifs court and different legal practices etc. But then again, I personally think that as it is, is the best of both worlds. They get to do things how they prefer to do it, have their own means and still be different but also part of the bigger picture.

I personally think independance outright - I am not overly convinced it would work (if it did come about I would say good luck also) but I think it would have been better if instead of complete independance, they were petitioning for more freedom of their own right. That way, they could negotiate, get more of what is suitable, and still be part of the family, with the support there when its needed!

I guess this is like the EU vote - in, out, or a compromise, so whatever happens I say good luck, and I personally hope it doesnt happen, as I know Stef123 will be fuming :D

[SandyCat]

Doesn't bother me much what they do as long as independence means independence - as in independent from England, Scotland and N. Ireland. Go it alone and good luck to you seriously. I hope it works out.

However, it seems that they don't actually want total independence - they want to keep hold of the good bits like our pound which is strong. We, quite rightly, have said the pound is ours so go get your own currency and pay us back your £100 billion of our National Debt with that but the Scots say they will refuse to pay their proportion of the ND if they are made to have their own currency! Sorry but that's like other EU member states outside the UK saying oh we will have your pound as well please because it suits us better. We have agreed to keep responsibility for all ND regardless of the outcome of the referendum but we would then look to Scotland for repayment. Fair enough.

Independence is fine as long it means just that and not only where it's more convenient. Just like Southern Ireland they would have to move to the Euro or create their own currency with applicable exchange rates which is only fair and reasonable surely?

[jimbro]

Actually the pound belongs to the whole if the UK, it's not England's. As is the bank of England but, if England want to keep the assets entirely, then by rights England will be stuck with the liabilities too. Can't have your cake and eat it. Let's face it, we can use the pound if we want. No one can stop us. It would just be more beneficial for all if there's an agreement. Let's face it. You'll need every penny when you see what we charge for oil.

[Paramanic]

Actually the pound is no one's ....... And Scotland has the second oldest bank in UK (bank of Scotland) only one year younger than bank of England and was first bank in Europe to print it's own notes and it still does .....we already have our own currency but don't see people complaining about isle of man, or Jersey, Guernsey and Gibralter all not apart of UK but uses the pound and In currency union .....If it goes independent Scotland has already offered to pay its debt its upto rest of UK to decide if it wants it to be paid or cancel the agreement and gains the debt but scotland also looses the assets in London but has already been proven that pound can be used by anyone ....... That's a old subject now really

[MattDRX]

Absolutely YES. Why should we be saddled with a government we didnt vote for. Its time we started making our own decisions. As regards expats living in England. Why should they get a vote. That would be like me having influence over what happens in England. I think its only fair that only people who live here can vote. Remember, this isnt about Alex Salmond or the SNP. Its about the future of our country. For every Tory business leader who says we cant do it, there are 3 or 4 who say we can. Even without oil, we are a wealthy country. To quote a recent debate, if Scotland is so insignificant and poor, why are the British Government desperate to hold on to us? Maybe something to do with the massive oil field off the Shetlands? And believe it or not, I was a no voter. Better Together? Why are we not better now?

Sorry but you're completely misled, you do know that these "massive" oilfields will be drilled by the yanks and Russians right?

As for the government you didn't vote for, I didn't vote for Gordon Brown to run the UK into ruin, so if that's how it it Scotland should have to pay back everything that the foreigner lost us in the first place.

Sorry you think you don't get a say in England, the rest of us don't see the UK like this, hence why we call it the UK as we are one, not listening to the evils of our local pub hero spilling hate towards the English. Just remember it's a one way trip, your taxes will go up, house prices will soar and you'll lose free uni places, fact is you get more than you put in, which means you'll be a deficit and taxes need to go up and things need to be cut.

[SandyCat]

Our cake and eat it? That's a joke. Looks like any excuse to ditch their proportion of the national debt yet keep our currency because swapping over to the Euro would be too expensive.

It's a shame because I like the Scots and Scotland. I have never got this 'difference' thing. Anyway, whatever happens, I hope it works out well for everyone and I am not going to fall out with anyone over it.

[Philf1]

Glad we're keeping this friendly!

I was always told not to discuss religion or politics unless I wanted an argument, so I'm abstaining, :)

[beluk]

to be honest guys why fix somethink that's not broken

[Ianb]

Scottish in me says Yes

English in me says No

The Italian in me says "mama Mia, I don'ta care-a abouta this stupide vote-a!"

Sent via carrier pigeon using Ford OC

[MattDRX]

Our cake and eat it? That's a joke. Looks like any excuse to ditch their proportion of the national debt yet keep our currency because swapping over to the Euro would be too expensive.

It's a shame because I like the Scots and Scotland. I have never got this 'difference' thing. Anyway, whatever happens, I hope it works out well for everyone and I am not going to fall out with anyone over it.

Exactly, also regarding the mass oil which let's be honest is all they keep bleeting on about, do they seriously think the boarders are going to be squared off at the wall and that's that??? Also forgetting there are no Scottish oil firms to distribute the stuff, Shell moved to the UK after the epic tax deal they got which is next to nothing you think they are going to fund a million plus neds.

Something the Hero salmond hasn't told anyone either, how do you fund a nation of nearly 6m people on a working tax paying population of just over 600k people? Real figures here too, the millions plus he bangs on about are taking into account the sheer numbers that cross the boarder and oil rig workers due to being classed as overseas pay no tax as they aren't working in the country for a set period of time.

But enjoy the Euro and unaffordable housing and education for all, I'm sure Braveheart will be broadcast on every station the night before the election to just inspire that bit more hate for the rest of the nation.

Funny thing is they won't be able to join the EU as Spain, France and Serbia will block it due to their own problems, Italy probably would too as the north want their own state.

[jimbro]

A million plus neds? Is that how you view Scotland?

[jeebowhite]

I would watch what you say Matt, comments like those referenced above are the point that we didnt want this conversation to go down. Lets keep it sensible, civil and without assault.

[jimbro]

Wise words. Let's just agree to disagree and stick to Mondeos. No point falling out over it

[MattDRX]

Isn't that what ned stands for? Unemployment is very very high certain areas, should be voting labour not snp, not being derogatory here just a term, anyone who isn't brainwashed by Salmond will agree that stats speak for themselves you simply cannot fund it through hate of the English and oil being taken by foreign firms and paying a minute royalty, also hydrogen cars are on the cusp of going mainstream and you watch demand and cost fall dramatically, christ some firm in lichtenstien made a car run on saltwater and batteries for 400 miles recently, bit late to say you can all be billionnaires on oil.

[jimbro]

I think you believe this referendum is all about the amp and Alex Almond. It isn't. It's about Scotland. If we do gain independence, the amp will no longer be required. There's a good chance we would have a Labour government in Scotland or a completely new party in charge. The big thing is, it will be the party we vote for. We will not extract the oil ourselves. We don't at present. The revenue is from the tax on ojl which is only the cherry on top. Scotland can manage without oil. It's just a bonus, especially the new area around the Shetlands. Westminster kept that quite. PS, there are no more hate the English up here than English who hate Scots. There will always be a narrow minded minority everywhere. Most of my friends are English and that will never change

[MattDRX]

I've never met an English dude who hates us btw, this model he has which is essentially copying Norway is just too late, they have taken decades to acquire 2% of the global stock market and it wasn't just this revenue that gained it for them, taxes there are stupidly high on everything it's over £10 a beer and petrol is over £2 a litre, the average person there is no better off than we are here currently, this plan of his takes decades and technology is moving quicker than the oil market is declining, once things like Hydrogen cars go mainstream, Aircraft run cleaner ( air travel is declining in the Euro sector and they all makes losses presently, even Emirates due to the cost of the things ) the Yanks are building superpowered rocket ships that go from London to Sydney in a few hours and aren't oil based fuels is Hydrogen Peroxide same as other rocket fuel, and everything is going electric.

If Scotland wants to be independent for the sake of going it alone then do it, but let us all have a say and not cast out the people who work here because there is no work for us up there presently, and not on same obnoxious economic dream based on a 50 odd year old business model of which technology markets will outdate it quicker than it will come to fruition and then this future generation be stuck in an economic rut as you couldn't join the EU ( no matter how bad it seems in the paper it's alright to an extent economically ) if anything it'll be worse for future generations.

I hope it's a no and Salmond quits as a result.

[jeebowhite]

Matt,

If you didnt intend to offend or refer to the scots in a derogatory manner, I will point you to the below:

noun

: [scottish] informal

noun: ned; plural noun: neds

a hooligan or petty criminal.

a stupid or loutish boy or man

Anyway, back on track, there is more at stake than anything. Scotland wont saw the ground in half and float away on a mystery island till they find a new home, the geography wont change, at a glance to those of us not living day to day there, nothing is going to change. But for the scots, the impact on independance is one thing "Yey, we are no longer governed by Westminster" - granted thats the biggest bonus (I dont want to be governed by them, but thats a different story!) but beyond that, there is so much more impact than anything else. I worry that Scotlands independant economy, tax revenue and general standards of living will drop dramatically. As was pointed out, for such a low working population in such a largely dense population, one has to wonder what the impacts are going to be.

Not just that, but I have friends working up there, whose jobs might well be cut if this goes through, because they are working on British projects. If things change drastically, they could be looking at losing jobs as well as anything else.

Its not a light hearted "im bored, what shall we do today" that Scotland are going through, this is a life changing decision. The question is really, how will they cope if it goes through. Clearly the government up there believes they have enough to keep themselves going, and support a strong economy - if thats the case and the impact is minimal, its a good luck to all! however, the question I wonder is, have Scotland thought it through enough, and if they havent, how long is it going to be before they come to Westminster - cap in hand?

[MattDRX]

I thought Ned Was "Non Employed Delinquent" referring to the non workers who sit around in pubs all day, quite a few of them, quite a few down here to be fair, should give them the Shetlands and we can all live in Harmony, or the an outer Hebrides, either way doing something that will raise taxes, cut benefits, raise house prices and rents will create more of the, which will happen btw, think about it, independent nation, where is the most expensive part to live? the Capital and financial centre, which will be Edinburgh so they'll become even more horrendous, it will attract more overseas workers saturating the market inflating them even more, then onto Aberdeen which is going up at a stupidly good rate will follow suit due to all the work there, then people are pushed out and onto commuter routes, look at what it's like within the M25 corridor, go near a train station with direct link into London it puts 50K on the house price and £250+ onto rent than somewhere only a few miles away, plus the train network is crap upthere and accessible areas will just swell up because of this, none of this has been thought through and supposed to be a long term plan.

Although with that said, anyone with a small deposit stashed away buy a house in Edinburgh or Aberdeen a day after the vote in the horrible event of being yes and make a killing.

[catch]

George Monbiot says it all for me

Irish Grandparents

Scottish Father

Born in England

OK can't Vote but could I get a Scottish Passport ?