The Org Scottish Referendum

[JulesW]

On my recent visit to Scotland I was blown away by the hospitality of the Scots.

[Heorot]

Actually, Bibio, our neighbours opposite in Sighthill were the only Scots that were willing to be helpful and be with us on a social basis. We spent one Hogmanay with them and I got gloriously drunk, a real rarity for me. The snooty ones at Standard Life, RBS and Scottish Widows wanted none of us outside work.

I ironically, I have worked and socialised with many Scots in England over the last 45 years and they have almost all been nice and friendly. Perhaps it's the social environment north of the border or the Central Belt that's the problem.

[timwilky]

My brother whilst working in Edinburgh was accosted one night after work in a pub along the lines of ferking sassenach barsteward coming taking our jobs. When in jumped the lads he was working with with the reply we had no jobs until this sassenach barsteward gave us one. When he left scotland, he left behind a team in Scotland trained in tunneling and capable of executing new contracts. Yes some Scots do hate the English. but others realise we are all the same, just without the accent (and ginger hair)

[Heorot]

On a political note, what hasn't been overtly stated is that if Scotland did become an independent country, that more or less guarantees that the rest of the UK won't see a labour government for a generation at least. Labour would lose their 40+ MP's from Scottish Constituencies. That's why over 100 labour MP's are campaigning for a NO vote in Scotland today.

[JulesW]

If Scotland go it alone the North of England should follow

Originally Posted by Heorot

On a political note, what hasn't been overtly stated is that if Scotland did become an independent country, that more or less guarantees that the rest of the UK won't see a labour government for a generation at least. Labour would lose their 40+ MP's from Scottish Constituencies. That's why over 100 labour MP's are campaigning for a NO vote in Scotland today.

The last election was the only one for a very long time that Scotland's Labour vote was enough to adjust the end result

[andrewsmith]

I think the vote is good (way the voting has been done ain't), its bringing a lot things to a head in the North East. In short its: Oi!!! What the **** about us in the North East!

If it happens we'll become England's Inverness (and Berwick will be Thurso)

But as Lance has rightly pointed out, national debt is with Westminster (Gordon Brown cleared a significant amount it in 1997 and Scotland took control of their finances in 199. The main credit line provider to govt. and the banks is; Bank of England.
Once you look at the finances of Scotland and the arrangement Scotland is given a pot of money to run its affairs (Its everything except the Military and a few centralised departments) its the same in Wales. The financial numbers that Salmond and co quote are good (Scotland see's very little of the tax off North Sea crude and the whiskey which has £8 & £10 of duty per bottle)


I think its good as its making a point and the rapidly being rushed white paper shows how scared Westminster is about losing 5.5 million tax payers and all the money from the Scotland Exports.


The final point I'll make is: If they do vote yes in Scotland it won't be a fast process it'll be at least a decade before full independence happens (a lot of people think of East Timor in Indonesia who got independence in 3 years, but the UN controlled the island for over a decade to allow it to split back into two)

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by Heorot

On a political note, what hasn't been overtly stated is that if Scotland did become an independent country, that more or less guarantees that the rest of the UK won't see a labour government for a generation at least. Labour would lose their 40+ MP's from Scottish Constituencies. That's why over 100 labour MP's are campaigning for a NO vote in Scotland today.

Working on the last figures yes.
Scotland is a Labour Nation in the most part. As a challenge name the Labour areas in England then think about the way the areas are arranged.

If it does happen the Tories will have less on an issue getting into power.

Originally Posted by andrewsmith

But as Lance has rightly pointed out, national debt is with Westminster (Gordon Brown cleared it in 1997 and Scotland took control of their finances in 1998.)

What?

Care to run that by me again?

Are you honestly suggesting Gordon brown cleared our national debt entirely or am I reading you wrong?

Confusing debt and deficit?