Originally Posted by pip08456 (Post 36047098)

Ah, the remainer publication posted by a remainer quoting a remainer comment.

Why am I not surprised?

Stugeon is the First Minister of a devolved Government and just as the First Minister of Wales is it is up to them what they do in this respect and have no part in what England does in response to the pandemic. It has rightly been left to the devolved Governments to decide what is best for their areas of responsibility.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36047115)

It's easy to criticise Michael Gove (born and brought up in Scotland) but at least he has given some thought to non-financial strategies to discourage Scotland leaving.

Originally Posted by Carth (Post 36047210)

I've no real idea, or interest, in the Scottish politicians and their policies, but I'd gladly see Scotland become an independent Country.

I think they'd do well and would flourish in the economic world we live in. Lots of English could also apply for dual nationality passports ;)

Joining the magnificent EU would be easier than expected, seeing as they're in need of somewhere else to dump their flotsam :D

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36047214)

Originally Posted by Carth (Post 36047216)

Oh I wouldn't call it neat Seph, I doubt anyone has the skills to make 'Scotland leaving the UK' neat :D

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36047218)

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36047253)

I prefer my Welsh whiskey over that EU stuff!

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36047253)

I prefer my Welsh whiskey over that EU stuff!

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36047093)

There's a lengthy article in the FT about this subject. Google "London’s ‘complacency’ puts Scottish independence back in play" if you wish to read it.

Points include:
- The threat was spelt out by Michael Gove on July 21 and the penny has now dropped in the Conservative Party.
- The move towards separation is being driven by Brexit’s unpopularity (62% voted Remain in Scotland) and the belief that Edinburgh has responded better to Covid-19 than London. Other factors encouraging it are the House of Lords unpopularity, the Conservative Party's unpoularity and as JFMan has said, a lack of a convincing narrative for remaining in the Union to meet the emotional arguments head on.
- The most recent survey, conducted by YouGov, this month found that Scottish voters willing to express an opinion would support independence by 53% to 47% per cent - the first time the Yes side has been consistently ahead in a series of opinion polls conducted months apart.
- Boris Johnson vetoed Michael Gove’s suggestion that Nicola Sturgeon be invited to atted cabinet meetings on special occasions as part of a suggested strategy to to work more harmoniously with Edinburgh.
- Michael Gove's strategy has led to UK government ministers visiting Scotland but few ministers have any popularity there with Rishi Sunak being a notable exception.
https://www.ft.com/content/2420501f-...5-46e56d325547

As one Scottish-based FT reader commented

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36047256)

Mackmyra is lovely - I just bought a Mackmyra tasting set from the website - I wasn’t impressed by Penderyn.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36047263)

You still haven't explained how Scotland would avoid economic disaster. The elephant in the room.

From that article, it sounds like they are expecting the EU to give them regular shedloads of money!

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36047263)

You still haven't explained how Scotland would avoid economic disaster. The elephant in the room.

From that article, it sounds like they are expecting the EU to give them regular shedloads of money!

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36047263)

You still haven't explained how Scotland would avoid economic disaster. The elephant in the room.

From that article, it sounds like they are expecting the EU to give them regular shedloads of money!

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36047267)

Not up to me to explain it.

At the moment, the nationalists' argument for independence seem to have won a consistent majority in polls across Scotland. As JFMan and Michael Gove have both concluded, the UK Government needs a non-financial narrative to sell the United Kingdom to an increasingly sceptical Scottish nation.

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36047256)

Mackmyra is lovely - I just bought a Mackmyra tasting set from the website - I wasn’t impressed by Penderyn.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 36047263)

You still haven't explained how Scotland would avoid economic disaster. The elephant in the room.

From that article, it sounds like they are expecting the EU to give them regular shedloads of money!