The little I've seen suggests that everyone is playing out the promise made to allow the vote whilst not really having any firm conviction in the issues at hand or, more specifically, the timing. A yes vote is decisive, whereas a no vote should leave things as they are - no added devolution since the Scottish people would have had their say and a particularly close vote would mean another referendum in the future (probably with better preparation in terms of benefits and drawbacks of Scotland leaving the Union). The campaign run by Westminster has all the traits of arrogant big brother to the extent that it builds resentment and gives the impression of trying to throw the whole thing whilst maintaining a facade of representing the collective. Particularly if losing this would knock off a section of labour votes (if I've read above correctly) then I can't see what Cameron's obvious motivation would be.
Scaramanger you!, For every job likely to head South there is a need for it across the border. Business is Business, we're well aware that as long as there's a Buck to be made Business will be there. Is it a risk for Scotland? In the short term yes, will there be a lengthy period of confusion ?- yes. The oil revenues? No problem there, with the latest managed pressure drilling techniques old Wells are now viable and new fields are showing excellent potential. Remember also the mass support Industry in Scotland that supports the while World. For me, we're always looking and hoping for change a la Obama, maybe, just maybe this change will also force Westminster to be and act differently - would that be so bad? Scotland will have to learn to maximise all it's resources and quickly, the rest of the UK will then be forced to pull up it's own collective socks as it will be forced to be better than it's neighbour. Can that be so bad?
If I worked in the tax office in Cumbernauld, administering tax for people who live in Kidderminster, I would be quite interested to know whether all 11,000 of my colleagues will be needed to look after the tax affairs of 5 million Scots........ ....but it's a red herring, I said above that, once the dust settled Scotland would probably be ok, and doubtless we would too, after a few years of uncertainty. It's the quality of the debate that has depressed me, no where have I seen any discussion about what it means to be a 'nation' in the 21st century, what collective and individual fulfillment nationhood will help the Scots to achieve that they can't at the moment. Perhaps I just need to lower my expectations. What I am thinking about more today is why the combined intelligence and special forces of the USA and UK and their allies can't prevent their citizens being decapitated by a bunch of ignorant medieval bigots in a desert.
Well said. If they said absolutely nothing since this debate began, not a single word, there would be clear daylight now between YES and NO, with NO comfortably ahead. Its noticeable too that ever since his last public contribution when he made a silly reference to the Commonwealth games, Cameron has been very quiet and when he does speak he always prefaces his comments with "Its up to the Scottish people to decide". I suspect his aides and spin-doctors sat him down and made it clear to him that every time the Scottish people hear someone like him telling them what they should and shouldn't do, they join the YES camp in droves. It took a while for the penny to drop and by then considerable damage had been done.
I'm with you but picture this: A Yes vote and Scotland has to make a fist of it alone and there will be some positives for rest of UK. A No vote now means that after all the promises (bribes) that have been made the rest of the Uk will have to pay up with none of the advantages. Just saying - Scotland is now in a no lose situation.
If I take my virtual reality headset off, I think you are right. Unless they vote no, and we (the nasty English) renege on our promise (nothing written or agreed as far as I know) to give them more bribes. Then we could have a bunch of jockhadists targeting breweries and chip shops throughout the realm...... Whatever the result Cameron is holed beneath the waterline. Oh dear, how sad, never mind.
That's assuming the Tories or the coming Labour government keep their word on those concessions. They won't. As for siting tax HQ in Scotland with future independence not being an impossibility that's staggering lack of foresight.
very good, for a change, Panorama, on the history of the last 30-40 years running up to this referendum on BBC1 at the moment. Worth a watch on iPlayer if you have enough interest.
Bloody hell, you tell us after you've watched it! I can't get fecking iplayer here (another reason why the Scots should vote no)
Does anyone remember what happened to Quebec when they decided to cut some of the ties with the rest if Canada (probably late 70's) ? They went from being the core of Canada to being the periphery. Toronto flourished and Quebec faded. Think twice....
Are you implying that Scotland is at the core of the UK? More scaramangering, can take it from stan because he's Stan but ..... You are aware of the following? Oil is only 15% of Scotland's income 20% of Europe's fish comes from you know where 2nd only to Denmark in renewable energy 5 excellent Universities that currently doesn't where themselves to China like the good one's South of the Border. Englishmen rejoice at a Yes vote, you to can have a system that doesn't have to totally revolve around the City.
And let's not forget a more than decent manufacturing and engineering set up where many Scottish companies outsource to England due to luck of Human resources. Hey, who'd have thought it, Bristol, Wolverhampton, Sheffield are the new Mumbai and Manila!! P.S and the Scotch of course
Yes they did, and also with many single women. Ricky Gervais is the offspring of one such Union. It happens all over the World Swords, still. Something different, money, a chance to get away from a grim reality, it's obvious really, isn't it? Get yourself over here for a weekend Swords, they do like a bit of Oirish here. Something different you see.
Milliband is fooked as well if the Jocks vote Yes taking those 43 Guaranteed Labour seats in Westminster with them! If the Jocks do the decent thing and vote yes the Labour Party will never form another Government in the rest of the remaining countries thank Christ!
What you say makes sense Danish but you suggest a proportion of them had homosexual liaisons too with married men. I wasn't prepared for that considering we're talking about the 1940's. Still seems like a shi*ty thing to do. I wasn't aware of Gervais' story
I wonder which way this guy swings? please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
