Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Labour and the Scottish Libdems have their own leaders. It might have been less damaging to BT to have them lead from the front rather than the Westmister 3. It could backfire.

---------- Post added at 14:12 ---------- Previous post was at 13:57 ----------

I'm finding it increasingly difficult to defend the BT tactic of flooding us with Westminster politicians today.

A yes supporting colleague just showed me a clip of John Prescott. After suggesting that England and Scotland should join forces on the football pitch to beat the Germans:disturbd: (tongue in cheek I know but still went down like a lead balloon).. he then went on to slate the Tories for ripping our family apart...:erm: it's not party politics now John :confused: they're on your side!

From having a few healthy discussions so far this week. today is like the circus has came to town.

I'm beginning to think this is all a cunning plan to get rid of us but make it look like it's our own choosing.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

First conspiracy theory lol

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

That maybe, but like it or not, Scotland is currently still part of the UK, and those three are still the leaders of those parties. I don't like the "team Scotland" term that's being used by the Yessers at the moment. Do they think that the No voters don't care about Scotland as they're not in their "team"?

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Frankly I've lost all interest..

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Personally, I think that while a certain group of very proud and Nationalistic Scots would welcome a Yes vote, and it would probably be very good for Salmond's political career (after all, if his seat isn't safe now, I'd wager it will be if he manages to portray a Yes vote as a way of beating the English), I've done some research on this and I don't think a Yes vote would be good for Scotland as a country.

Why? a few reasons..

1) While they may not have to set up as much of an infrastructure as the UK government has said, they will need to set up some infrastructure. After all, do they have an equivalent of the Inland Revenue or HMRC for tax collection? Both IR and HMRC probably have regional offices in Scotland, but how much control infrastructure do they have? When the Scottish Government needs to deal with either department (say to set taxes), they would need a head office to deal with. This is going to cost money to set up. Even if they use the offices in London, I'll bet that those offices will charge for the privilege. After all, Scotland would be no longer part of the UK, so the government may well demand they pay for their use of UK facilities.

2) Finance. Thanks to North Sea oil, Scotland could be a very wealthy nation. Sadly, North Sea oil is going to run out sooner rather than later. How are the Scottish Government going to finance their plans. It's not as if they'll be able to go to London for a grant, and any loan will need to be paid back.

3) Economy size. In this day and age of globalisation, it's an unfortunate fact that for a country to prosper, it needs the support of the multinational companies. They currently look at the UK and see a country offering easy entry to Europe (in terms of business), a solid (if depleted) manufacturing base and a financial system that, in spite of it's size, is considered to be very powerful on the world markets. What are they going to see when they look at Scotland? A country with a good supply of new tech companies (which helps), a good engineering reputation and little else as far as I can see?

Now,when I post this, I don't mean to patronise or insult either Scotland or any Scot, but I genuinely don't see how becoming their own country will benefit Scotland. As I said, I can see the benefit to Alex Salmond, and I can see the attraction.

There is also the risk that outside investors could become nervous about the future of the Union as a whole as a result of this. Nervous investors are bad, because they tend not to invest. They also, if they have currency, have a tendency to sell it, which will lower our exchange rates. A lack of investment and a sudden rush to sell the Pound could push both Scotland and the rest of the UK into a very deep recession. Something that will negatively affect *everyone* regardless of whether they believe Scotland should be a separate country or not.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

It will be all over by next Friday barring a very close vote for no, when a re-run will be asked for.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

You should have changed banks... :)

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Hopefully 'lessons will be learned' if there's a repeat session in 5 yrs or so.

#1 DON'T LET IT LINGER, the last 4 months were completely pointless and has only really served to poison any good will between the two points of view because the whole 'debating' went on for too long.

#2 If you're going to offer DEVO MAX at the end, to avoid looking totally STUPID offer it at the start...

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Seems to me that toxic team Westminster is likely to sway more Scots to vote yes.

The sight of all three "Leaders" singing from the same songsheet but for their own selfish reasons is :sick:

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Well they're damned if they do and damned if they don't.

The Union is one week from being torn apart. They have to do something. Sitting back and letting Salmon rule the airwaves and the debate is not an option.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

The No campaign's six-point lead as measured by Survation, just won't go away:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/in...record-4196976

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Very true but it's a totally unedifying experience. I'm not sure deploying Gordo was wise.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

It looks bonkers from an English perspective, but he is still highly respected amongst the key West of Scotland, Labour-voting demographic that is likely to swing the result one way or the other.

Remember in 2010 at the General Election, Labour's vote held up perfectly well in Scotland.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Labour can win this thing. It's their voters who are switched and there are a lot of them. Bring some of them back will win it.

Is Blair toxic in Scotland?

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Could we then end up with a S.R.A Scottish Republican Army i hope not. :shocked:

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Blair should be classed as toxic anywhere he turns up.