It is interesting that for once Spurf tells us who will be able to vote post independence - I think that is about the first time we have been given a direct answer to a post election question - even if it could be wrong - let's face it - an independent Scotland can decide for itself who will and will not be eligible to vote. I wonder if the 16 year olds they were so keen to have vote as they thought it would get them a Yes will be enfranchised
Maybe the answer lies in an incorrect stereotype... The main objection to TTIP is one component - ISDS. That's the bit that would allow the Phillip Morris' of this world to sue governments for loss of profits. Not just for allowing posters either - worker's rights, wage structures, leave allowances etc would all be under threat. Little wonder that negotiations are not for the general public's eyes - never mind MP's being kept out of loop... My brother is Scottish, lives in Sydney and can't have a say either - but he accepts that as he left the country to live elsewhere, and gets to vote there on issues that directly affect him. He does have a say in the future of his own country - Australia. Just as I don't get to vote in Australia anymore.... Spot on - it's where you currently reside that counts, not where you left for whatever reason.
If you had been able to answer some of the questions that I asked a while ago I would not still be on this thread. Instead you recycle statements from the Yes campaign without actually bothering to think through the consequences. If you had some originals thoughts you might have been more interesting.
Just have a look at your initial comment and tell me that did not invite my response. I am not looking for an argument believe it or not, it is possible to have this debate without the bile. After TWO YEARS it is difficult to accept how badly informed some people are, although I should remember how the Westminster machine has gone to such efforts to confuse people. I had hoped that I could come on here and enable people to at least see what is actually happening in Scotland, that was the plan. The hostile reception from what I described (wrongly as it happens) as a bunch of tories has made it difficult all along. For me it has been a useful exercise in answering hostile arguments although I have to admit I have failed miserably on the Watford board. Most of all I have been very disappointed by the anti- Scot response from SOME posters. The worst one is actually on the Spurs board. Banter is one thing but some of the stuff has been nasty. I exclude General Chat from this because nastiness is it's currency. My hope is that some people have watched this debate and have learned stuff they otherwise would not have known becuase whatever happens on Thursday I hope this is the start of a Debate throughout the UK that is long overdue.
It is a bit like opening a thread on religion and having a recently born again banging on ad nauseum without actually taking into account anyone else's views. Yes is right and no is wrong - I think we've all got it now.
You are a frustrating old bugger Frenchy, I have tried to answer all of your questions. Thanks for your presumption and your insults. Of course I recycle stuff from the YES campaign that is who I am with. This is the collected effort of a huge grass roots campaign that has taken Scotland by storm. WE research and diseminate. what would you expect us to do? How much is my original work you have no idea because it is not signed and in any case it does not matter this is a collective effort to gain democracy for Scotland. It is such shame that you are not able to see the excitement and buzz in SCotland and to enjoy the thought that thousands of ordinary folk are trying to make things better for the future for their children and to take back the democratic process from the politicians.We should all be in this together whether left or right.
I am sorry to be nonPC but that is just about right. YES is about the future and democracy, and NO is about hanging to the present and the status quo (although of course that is not possible).
Come off it Spurf - at one stage or another you have been rude to all of us. It is just you are arrogant enough to believe that the only person who understands anything is you. None of us are more "badly informed" than you. You just believe the Yes campaign line irrespective. If we are badly informend it would only be because the Yes campaign provide no answers -as it is all going to be negotiated once you have conned the Scots into committing hari kiri. I am not sure there is a single Tory on this board. Just your usual false attack as you think that is a sufficient insult to spoil our arguments. Many of us have relatives in Scotland and are so much better informed than you imagine in your little cocoon. You seriously think we are so ignorant as to swallow the westminster line. Think again. Yet you fall for the Salmond line hook line and sinker. All you have done is convince us all that the Yes campaign has no policies and only bluster.
Exactly Yorkie - some people would have you think the No camp either don't exist or don't matter when all the polls indicate that it's more or less split down the middle.
PHEW!!! so I am not completely ignorant then? Funnily enough the YES argument is convincing but if I was a Scot which I am not ....I would want to know that in 5 years time I wouldn't be broke.... when we realized that the oil money was all tied up and we couldn't access it... due to longstanding agreements etc etc
The idea of having independence is very attractive but I agree with you on the uncertainty issues. It's definitely a leap in the dark but if people think that's a risk worth taking then good luck to them. If they do I hope it works out. Failure would not be in either party's interest in my opinion. If it is a "yes" the reconciliation needs to be immediate. If we have 18 months of in fighting the economy could be wrecked and, again, that would be detrimntal to us all.
This is what really moves me Smurf... I have been a supporter and some time activist in the Tibetan human rights movement since my teens.. People are literally dying there for their rights....
Spot on - I heard someone at the weekend say that this is reminiscent of South Africa in 1994. Some perspective please.
I will try once more without expectation. It has been generally agreed that Scotland does not have sufficient numbers of working people to sustain the pension system. Question 1. Where will Scotland be looking to add to their population from? Question 2. Once they are in Scotland how will you stop them from leaving across the border? Question 3. If the country is already so attractive after these years of SNP rule, why aren't people flocking there? With the UK at present trying, not to well, to restrict numbers entering the country, there is a clear difference in policy. With the UK out of the Schengen Agreement will Scotland accept the agreement, or accept the borderless state that exists through most of Europe? So four questions for you. Straight forward, not trying to trip you up. Just let me know the answers please.
