Nicola Sturgeon Says Independence Is In Reach For Scotland

[Bobbisox1]

Is this something she strives for and is a personal goal or do the Scots wish to break away from the Union ,we have I’m sure,many Scottish people on AB, I wonder what their thoughts are about ‘going it alone’

[Old_Geezer]

One might not feel content with bare basic survival. If one were one would not be pushing asking a foreign unelected elite to take one in after one's run away from a home union.

[davebro]

From the Scottish play:

"I pray you, speak not. He grows worse and worse.
Question enrages him. At once, good night.
Stand not upon the order of your going,
But go at once."

Lady Macbeth

[youngmafbog]

Give us English the vote. Then you will all get your wish.

[New Judge]

//...and it follows that it might be argued that English ways are a drag on Scottish potential.//

Why? In what way do "English ways" (whatever they might be) drag down Scottish potential?

//45% of voters voted for independence, the SNP should get around about 40-45% of vote in the election//

It's not quite that simple. In 2017 (just looking at Scotland alone) the SNP polled 36.9% of the votes but were returned in 60% of the Scottish seats. So only about a third of those who voted in Scotland seemed to support the SNP. This is hardly the overwhelming majority they claim supports their (seemingly one and only) cause. Surely if the electorate in Scotland was champing at the bit for independence, more than a third of them would have voted for the only party committed to ensuring it.

Independence will be a far bigger deal for Scotland than Brexit will ever be for the UK (provided the "rump" of the UK that remains does not shower Scotland with money and gifts on its departure). Scotland has no currency, insufficient funds to enjoy the lifestyle it has become accustomed to, no realistic means of making up the difference and is currently responsible for 50% of the UK's annual deficit. None of these things apply to the UK/EU relationship.

[steg]

I think your views on Scottish independence are quite strong NJ even tho you say they are not

[steg]

//One might not feel content with bare basic survival. If one were one would not be pushing asking a foreign unelected elite to take one in after one's run away from a home union.//
House of Lords is unelected elite,
at least we will have equal representation among the unelected parts of eu

[Old_Geezer]

The House of Lords need reforming, but there, ultimately, the view of the Commons prevails; not vice versa.

[Old_Geezer]

Representation is no real representation when folk are there from patronage not the choice of the people it's claimed they are representing.

[Old_Geezer]

I think NJ has firm views on what it will mean. Has no axe to grind on whether it occurs or not. Different sides of the same issue.

[davebro]

Scotland in the EU (if allowed to join) would have about 13 MEPs (out of the 750 elected). Maybe 15 after the UK's 70 odd drop out.

[Old_Geezer]

Not that it would matter, MEPs don't set the agenda.

[steg]

// I think NJ has firm views on what it will mean. Has no axe to grind on whether it occurs or not. Different sides of the same issue.//

Lol aye right

[Bobbisox1]

Annie A, I don’t live there but I refuse to be told I should before posting about something that could effect all of us, if that’s okay by you?

[steg]

//Scotland in the EU (if allowed to join) would have about 13 MEPs (out of the 750 elected). Maybe 15 after the UK's 70 odd drop out.//

We only have 6 the now, so double + would be cool

[anneasquith]

Tell me Bobbie, how would Scotland being independent affect you ?

[Bobbisox1]

I don’t intend to converse with you , just you carry on thinking it’s personal !

[anneasquith]

That would be a * no comment * I assume ?

[Old_Geezer]

Much the way a family member opting to leave the family would.

There is strength in unity; as long as the union isn't so large you realise that you are no longer in sufficient control. That's why groups should share the same culture, and at most stay normal country size. The UK has a parliament we can all vote candidates to, and which decides what it's agenda is. Some other groupings simply have an elite that dictates to the rubber stampers what is changing next.

[ToraToraTora]

anne: "Tell me Bobbie, how would Scotland being independent affect you ?" - I'll tell you, we'd have half the deficit for a start and we could scrap the Barnet formula saving a gazillion. Now tell us why you want to commit hari kari?

[bodeker]

Cannot stand the woman , she should sort out Scotland before she does anything else! Instead of swanning around Europe she should listen to her constituents who are having to live in awful conditions. She chooses to ignore them !