Will Scotland Leave the UK?

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by pip08456

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.

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.

[jfman]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

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.

At least Gove sees it.

Red Card and Baroness Davidson playing the same flawed playbook for a decade is destined to fail.

Your post above articulates well the mammoth task unionists face in Scotland.

[Carth]

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

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Carth

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

Your neat sarcasm does you credit.

[Carth]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Your neat sarcasm does you credit.

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

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Carth

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

I drink my Swedish whisky neat, Carth. That's neat!

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

I drink my Swedish whisky neat, Carth. That's neat!

I prefer my Welsh whiskey over that EU stuff!

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I prefer my Welsh whiskey over that EU stuff!

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

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I prefer my Welsh whiskey over that EU stuff!

Great - Welsh, Swedish NOT Scotch. Once people have tasted the alternative ...

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

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

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!

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Hugh

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

Penderyn Madeira finish. Mmm. I'll look into Mackmyra.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

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!

You just have to believe in the opportunities available, and in their entrepreneurial spirit...

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

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!

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.

[jfman]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

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!

Make corporation tax 2p cheaper than England - capital flights and all those threats against tax rises in the UK? Or do you finally accept these threats are a red herring?

Ironically the economic argument isn’t the elephant in the room that you portray it. And the roughly 50% of the Scottish population who favour independence and have considered that despite these threats of doom they’re willing to take responsibility for their own affairs.

To wee, too small, too poor didn’t convince the 45% in 2014, and it will take a monumental effort of lies and misinformation on the part of the UK- which I wouldn’t consider beyond the current PM in order to win a referendum - to turn these individuals.

---------- Post added at 18:25 ---------- Previous post was at 18:23 ----------

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

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.

The obvious answer is to pay Liz Truss to come up and negotiate trade deals with her optimism. Scotland would be unstoppable.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Hugh

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

At last. Something on which Hugh and I agree.

---------- Post added at 18:39 ---------- Previous post was at 18:31 ----------

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

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!

He doesn't need to explain. Andrew is in no doubt that independent Scotland would be up economic shit creek as sure as their fiscal strength would be nil.