Scotch Independence - the countdown

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Should Scotland be an Independent Country?

  • Yes

  • No


Results are only viewable after voting.
S'true. tbh I'm not overly keen on either, prefer Rock to Metal, especially that Scandinavian Death ****e. Prefer whisky to Voddie.

One of the finns I met (sometimes still speak to the **** now and again) is mad for man-o-war <laugh>

I told him it was ****e. Amused he was not.
 
Greece Portugal Ireland

Huh??????

2013 GDP per capita

Ireland - $47,400
UK - $39,351

http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD

Eurostat

The latest figures for GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita in EU Member States have been published by Eurostat. They show Ireland's GDP per capita in Purchasing Power Standard (PPS) is 125% of the EU average. Only Luxembourg and the Netherlands arae higher. Denmark and Austria are tied with Ireland. All other EU countries have lower GDP per capita in 2010.Even when measured as a percentage of GNP (Gross National Product) Ireland is still above the the EU average and ranks in the top dozen countries.

And further evidence as to why Scotland may not necessarily be "Better Together" with the UK

The latest EY (EY) Economic Eye Summer report has upgraded its Gross Domestic Product (&#8220;GDP&#8221;) forecast for the Republic of Ireland (&#8220;ROI&#8221;) in 2014 from 1.9% to 2.2%. Ireland&#8217;s return to the financial markets, significant deficit reduction and two successive years of positive GDP growth indicate a smooth exit from its bailout programme.

The Northern Irish (&#8220;NI&#8221;) economic growth is forecast to remain weak in 2012 at -0.8% and 0.2% in 2013 before rising slightly to 1.7% in 2014. The report forecasts 0.8% growth in ROI for 2013. This is modestly weaker than the winter 2012 outlook, with growth downgrades in key export markets an important factor.

Professor Neil Gibson, Economic Advisor to EY&#8217;s Economic Eye forecast commented: &#8220;Previous Economic Eye reports have correctly asserted &#8216;that Ireland is not Greece&#8217;. We&#8217;ve upgrade our forecast for 2014 because the Republic&#8217;s economy is seeing domestic demand at the early stages of recovery; its labour market is stabilising; deficit reduction is ahead of target; and the Government has already successfully returned to financial markets with borrowing costs dropping.

Not the most up to date but still illustrates the point
 
Alex Salmond gets told to **** off by the Orcadians and Shetlanders...

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http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/17/shetland-may-reconsider-place-scotland-yes-vote-alistair-carmichael

Can you feel some of that oil slipping through your fingers?

It's not surprising, they're more Norwegian than Scottish anyway. <laugh>

Historically yes but they all speak English (albeit a shocking version of it) and any of them with any ambition jump straight on a boat to get into a decent college or university.

I'm no so sure it will be as decisive as he thinks tomorrow. I still speak to a few from my time up there and theres definitely an appetite for voting Yes.
 
Historically yes but they all speak English (albeit a shocking version of it) and any of them with any ambition jump straight on a boat to get into a decent college or university.

I'm no so sure it will be as decisive as he thinks tomorrow. I still speak to a few from my time up there and theres definitely an appetite for voting Yes.

Orcadians and Shetlanders overwhelmingly voted against Scottish devolution in 1979. I also read somewhere that the No vote is around 75% in the Shetland Islands based on some polls.
 
It'll be a No definitely. I'm just not so sure it will be as high a no as he expects.

He said it only has to be 60% or more in favour of the Union for the Northern Isles to get their own referendum.
 
Well if they want it they'll be given a crack at it I'm sure.

Or are you suggesting a Scottish government wouldn't let it?

Never. Why would an independent Scotland deny the Northern Isles a referendum on their future? It would be hypocrisy of the highest order. Some people on the Yes campaign (not saying you) will likely see that article and scream "Project Fear" and "scaremongering from the Westminster Establishment".

The Northern Isles will get their referendum if both of these things occur:

1. Scotland votes Yes and becomes an independent state.

2. The Northern Isles voted 60% or more in favour of the Union.

If this does occur, the negotiations regarding maritime borders will get very, very interesting to say the least.