Salmond "We can take Scotland in two weeks"

[Old Greg]

Scotland are rapidly becoming perceived as a bunch of ungrateful .... who want even more when they already get more than others get (free university, free prescriptions....)... (oh and if you don't believe me read the comments on an referendum article on the times, telegraph, guardian or mail website).

Offering any more devolution is going to go down like a lead balloon in England and going to go down very badly at the election. I couldn't imagine myself ever voting for UKIP but can imagine them winning a fair few seats if Scotland get any additional perceived benefit from this vote...

If you want free prescriptions in England, campaign for a party to adopt them and then vote for them. I think it would be great.

But don't believe that people who comment on newspaper websites represent England. They are a pretty self-selecting bunch. I don't know anyone who gives a damn.

Why shouldn't Scotland have more autonomy within the UK if it wants it? If England or English regions want autonomy, then people should campaign for it.

[jemb]

The 1995 Quebec referendum was very tight - 49.42% Yes to 50.58% No, but there have been no further referenda, because an acceptable constitutional settlement within Canada was found. There are differences of course, but a close No does not make a repeat inevitable.

This is why it is getting fraught. The hard core nationalists recognise that this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. What is going on I think is this thought process:

If this is our one change to gain liberty, then any lie or half truth (e.g. on currency, risks to EU membership) is justified.

It is a profoundly anti-democratic position, and it's a shame because the arguments for independence stack up pretty well on their own merits. But the risks should be acknowledged. What I think is really interesting is that the YES campaign are making a plat for the DevoMax supporters by presenting a watered down sovereignty with a Currency Union, where Westminster has a veto on certain Scottish fiscal matters and the BoE continues to set interest rates etc. Of course, the truth is that CU will never happen, the YES campaign know it and they don't want it in any case.

What worries me is that after a Yes vote there will be no CU and entry into the EU will be painful.

What will the Nats do? They'll ignore the fact that they were warned that a Yes vote is economically crazy and do what they have always done - they'll blame the English.
I hated that sh1t when I was a kid and it'll just come back round. We'll end up looking like small minded tw@ts again.

[Batcher]

Scotland are rapidly becoming perceived as a bunch of ungrateful .... who want even more when they already get more than others get (free university, free prescriptions....)... (oh and if you don't believe me read the comments on an referendum article on the times, telegraph, guardian or mail website).

You missed off the EDL & BNP websites from your list

[BrilloPad]

Scotland are rapidly becoming perceived as a bunch of ungrateful ....

Becoming?

[Unix]

WMS The US are using fracking with great success so they're now in position to actually export oil, also from what I read the EU is looking to reduce it's reliance on fossil fuels so if you're reliant on oil revenues that's not great.

At the end of the day someone will only pay what it's worth and Salmond has no influence over global oil prices.

Oil is a scarce resource and as it becomes more scarce the price will go up. This is simple economics. Also Scotland HAS oil, to have oil at all is a bonus. There are many untapped areas in Scotland that could prove very lucrative (west coast once Trident is gone).

Also see this
Why an independent Scotland could become the richest country on Earth - Comment - Voices - The Independent

[BrilloPad]

Oil is a scarce resource and as it becomes more scarce the price will go up. This is simple economics. Also Scotland HAS oil, to have oil at all is a bonus. There are many untapped areas in Scotland that could prove very lucrative (west coast once Trident is gone).

Also see this
Why an independent Scotland could become the richest country on Earth - Comment - Voices - The Independent

If my uncle could become a woman he could become my auntie.

[Unix]

Scotland are rapidly becoming perceived as a bunch of ungrateful .... who want even more when they already get more than others get (free university, free prescriptions....)... (oh and if you don't believe me read the comments on an referendum article on the times, telegraph, guardian or mail website).

Offering any more devolution is going to go down like a lead balloon in England and going to go down very badly at the election. I couldn't imagine myself ever voting for UKIP but can imagine them winning a fair few seats if Scotland get any additional perceived benefit from this vote...

Why should anyone in Scotland care how things "go down" in England? Our only concern is Scotland. Salmond is a very skilful politician and will exact the maximum he can from this whole situation. If there is a yes vote I see rUK have a political crisis with PM resigning and a snap election. MEanwhile Scotland will be celebrating our Independence and Salmond will go down in History as a Scottish hero. What's not to like

[eek]

Why should anyone in Scotland care how things "go down" in England? Our only concern is Scotland. Salmond is a very skilful politician and will exact the maximum he can from this whole situation. If there is a yes vote I see rUK have a political crisis with PM resigning and a snap election. MEanwhile Scotland will be celebrating our Independence and Salmond will go down in History as a Scottish hero. What's not to like

Agreed. I think the hero worship wi be very short term though. There is a strong possibility that independence may be very painful with unexpected consequences

[Unix]

Agreed. I think the hero worship wi be very short term though. There is a strong possibility that independence may be very painful with unexpected consequences

Not for Scotland, we have a small population and Oil and other important industries. Maybe in 50-60 years if somehow we don't build that trillion pound oil fund.

[JustinTime]

Not for Scotland, we have a small population and Oil and other important industries. Maybe in 50-60 years if somehow we don't build that trillion pound oil fund.

You're building your dreams on a resource from which the world is rapidly moving away. Good luck with that; I'll wave as I'm driven by in my new electro-Google-buggy.