You do realize what you're actually saying there Pete? That the Scottish people are not free to decide whether they can be independent or not? Do you understand the brevity of what you've just written and the ramifications for such a train of thought?
If the Scottish pull away, then they should take the geordies with them They are the only ****ers who can understand them
By that logic every other country in the EU should be included in Cameron's referendum on membership.
That's what I find with some folk. When its their Country who's the stronger partner in a Union, calling all the shots, they're not too keen on allowing the smaller partners decide their own fate. But when the tables are turned and they're just a small part of a bigger Union themselves, they're all about having their own say on whether they should stay in or opt out. I wonder what these guys would say if they heard there were Germans saying that GB shouldn't be allowed leave the EU without their permission!!
They may tolerate the Germans, they respect strength and efficiency. But the French? And god forbid the Irish.....
I was going to comment SB but I wouldn't want Swords to think I am paranoid. I just can't mention the "I" word. All I'll say is, Britain will go a long way to finding a bigger ally within the EU than ourselves. We wouldn't encourage you to leave the EU in any way. As regards who should vote on Scottish independence, it is a decision for the Scottish people and nobody else.
Sorry SB, but logic doesn't even cast a sly glance in the direction of your leap there. Just because some Scot who have chosen to live in England (and who therefore won't get to vote) believe the Union is better as it is, how does your logic extend that to mean that a German, living in Germany, has a vote on anything to do with the UK? The terms of Salmond's leap for historical relevance have been set, as has the list of those who have a say. Hopefully logic WILL prevail, and we'll still have a four-nation union going forward.
it is only for the Scottish or people actually living there to vote for independence however where is the vote for the rest of the union to see if they actually want a union with them
I think you may have missed part of 1954's proposal, which is that EVERY eligible voter in the UK, not just exiled Scots, should vote on whether a part of the Union should remain in or out. The logic is very clear if you apply the same reasoning to a vote on whether the UK should remain part of the European UNION. By the way, from what I have read this weekend, negotiations for Scotland to join the EU and NATo would start immediately an independence vote was passed, giving them 2 years to sort it out before independence actually hhappened.
There'll be another massive bailout soon then - that's the only reason Scotland would join the EU. Because Salmond won't admit to the gaping hole in the finances, and will need money from everyone else. It'd take a change in EU law for Scotland to be fast tracked anyway - because all the other countries currently in the pipeline would demand that they are admitted first - it's nowhere near as simplistic an exercise as you are painting, and I wonder whether you've been duped by Salmond's rhetoric. Before I'm accused of being blinkered myself, I'm a Conservative voter, and the biggest benefit to the UK - a future where Labour have zero chance of forming a Government ever again - isn't enough to make me back Independence. I can see it all going horribly wrong for Scottish people if Salmond gets his wish, and that would be a disaster.
Looks like I'm in a minority of one then . But to be fair, any of you who picked option 3, took the easy option and didn't give YOUR opinion on the union
Good for you Staines. When this has run its course I'll vote 3, but I hope the Scots go for independence, simply because it makes the world a more interesting place. Very selfish I know. Unlike Willy I don't have all the answers for other people, or the gift of absolute certainty that the religious right (and to be fair the idealogue left) possess, so who knows how it will turn out. But I do know that the practicalities of currency, membership of international organisations, defence etc etc can be worked out through politics. How do I know - because plenty of other countries have been through this in much less favourable circumstances in the very recent past. That's why I think its the idea and romance (sorry Col) of independence that is core to this, not whether they use pounds, euros or groats. PS Col, if you want to know the context in which I use 'romance' look up romanticism/German romanticism on Wiki. May not be what you thought, though I don't think you will particularly like it.
i Understand the scots wanting independence and the right to choose, but we also should be given that right to choose if independence is for us.
Why bring your comment about 'religious right' into it? Because of our previous conversations on the other thread? Nice to see your opinions about me are so unblinkered and fair. My opinion, backed up with the facts I understand, lead me to strongly think that independence for Scotland would be economically disastrous for Scotland as a nation. My religious beliefs have nothing to do with that, so please - don't bring them into the discussion.
Meaning what? Only asking, because it's clear you have an opinion you're desperate to share with your public.
Well that's a different thing entirely Pete and to be fair to you, it does look like that perhaps you worded it wrong when you said the English should be able to decide whether Scotland is allowed its own say on its own future. What you're saying here is totally correct. If you think that England might be better off independent then you should organize and get a campaign going to see if there'd be an appetite for a referendum. You have just as much right to a say in your own Country's status as the Scots have theirs. This might be a good place to start: http://www.petitiononline.com/engfree/petition.html
The whole of the UK should be federal anyway - London, the North, Cornwall etc. Same powers as Scotland's parliament
