Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Oh it could work and if there is a collective intelligence failure and we vote to leave I think we wouldn't immediately fall over but there is no way we would be as successful as we would as part of the UK.

The NO campaign is negative as it's being realistic, the SNP will say and do anything to get a yes vote and their promises of lower taxes, higher benefits, better public services and a free unicorn for all are being shown up.

When you have umpteen experts saying your figures don't add up you should take notice rather than just sticking your fingers in your ears and saying 'La La La, it'll be fine'

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Yes and if they buy all that SNP guff there's no way back from that decision. They can't suddenly decide it's all gone pear shaped and rejoin the UK at the next election. Voters need to focus on that stark reality before deciding where to put their 'X'. Salmond is Scotland's Bliar and anything he promises ought to be treated with the utmost scepticism.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

I appreciate all of that Derek. However, in the event that there is a yes vote then Scotland will decide what promises it fulfills and how it fulfills them if at all. The opinions of experts based on a different paradigm (ie. the current status quo) are largely irrelevant in that particular context.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Apparently Gordy reckons that if Britain doesn't wake up it'll lose Scotland. Well we'll also lose a whole load of his mates in the Labour Party too.

Some clouds do indeed have a silver lining. :D

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Well no because the feasibility of the promises are a central argument in this campaign. If you can have all those promises then I would imagine a lot more people would vote Yes, if you cannot then a lot more people would vote No.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

As stated earlier. A newly independent Scotland, if that turns out to be the end result, can and will seek to introduce whatever changes and honour whatever promises it wishes free from the interference or influence of others. What the outcomes of the implementation might be is anyones guess but to say that with independence they "can't" do anything is simply wrong.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Neatly solves the West lothian question and leaves Labour in opposition perminently. Some clouds are indeed silver lined.:D

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

It isn't, if it depends on other parties agreement/co-operation - for instance, if the Yes Campaign state that if they win, they will definitely join the EU without any waiting, and will keep Sterling as a currency, and will use the existing taxation processes, and the EU/rUK do not agree/do not allow this to happen, the Yes Campaign will be voted in on false premises (and will then, I am sure, blame the EU/rUK for not delivering with something they never agreed to in the first place).

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

In fairness Hugh I was referencing "promises", not negotiable aspirations.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

It will also wipe out the Tory and Lib Dems as well ... hooray.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Yes at the same time as accusing their opponents of 'bullying', 'arrogance' and 'misrepresentation', the SNP has been behaving like a spoilt brat demanding what it wants from the rest of the UK and the EU then presenting those demands to the electorate as what it's going to get regardless of what anyone else thinks.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Alex doesn't sound as if he is aspiring to anything, but stating a fact.....

Grauniad 28th April 2014

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

Setting aside a free unicorn for everyone Derek, whom I was replying to, made reference to promises on "lower taxes, higher benefits, better public services" . These promises, if indeed they are promises, are all achievable under an independent Scottish Government if it is their wont to deliver same - that was the point I was making.

If Salmond states in the event that the yes vote carries that he will conclude negotiations about membership of the EU within 18 months then let him.

I see no reason to doubt his ability to do.

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

And if they're not 'completed within 18 months' what's he going to do about it? Honestly they accuse Cameron of arrogance but Salmond's the very epitome of that trait.

Anyway, it all sounds like 'bullying' to me...

Re: Will Scotland Leave the UK?
 

On the points of lower taxes, and higher benefits/better public services, I would be interested in how this would be achieved.

I see you share his confidence in an 18 months timescale - I have no confidence that the other parties (which have a right to veto) would deliver in that timescale, and it would be inappropriate (imho) to hold them responsible if it wasn't met (as they have never been involved/agreed to this timescale); however, I can see Mr Salmond playing that card....