[jameslindsay]

So, for St Andrews Day the Scottish Government have started the programme to work towards giving us Scots a referendum on Independence. Which, by the way, they tell us that we Scots want. So, do we want it or do we think we will ever be Independent?

For the record I don't want Independence and doubt we will get it in the foreseeable future. However, I never thought we would get the expensive eyesore that is the Scottish Parliament.

[doganjo]

I agree with some of that, James.  I don't think we will get nor do most Scots want full independence. But I do thing we need more autonomy and governance over our own laws and the income that should be ours.

I also agree that that thing is an expensive monstrosity - if that architect hadn't died somebody would have lynched him!  Having been inside it now it is a huge cold unwelcoming building, a total waste of our money.

[Rosemary]

I never thought I woudl but I kind of favour independence now - especially if the Tories get in at Westminster. They will have no mandate to govern Scotland.

However, I think there shoudl be a referendum - if it's No then it's off the agenda for a while. But I really object to not being asked - and for that reason alone, I'll be voting SNP. Most disappointing are the Lib Dems who are neither liberal nor democratic.

I listened to a snip of a programme today and was amazed at how aggressive the English callers were aout Scottish independence. If the hate us that much, maybe we'd better leave quietly.

[RUSTYME]

most English people don't think about the Scots one way or the other really ... they are just there the same as us . But there is bad feeling both ways with 'some' people , thats just the way things are .
 As for Independence well, Scotland can separate from the former UK if it wants , it makes absolutely no difference at all . The whole of the former UK is now governed by the EU, NOT westminster  !!! try to become independent of the EU ...ask for a referendum on that  !!!
 I know Scotland has it's own parliament and Wales has it's own assembly , but they are still governed by the EU , and can only do what the EU allows them to do . The main thing with the EU was, it wanted to bring England down , pull it apart .... they have all but  done that now. They were not too bothered about Scotland and Wales , but they came with the package and are part of the EU and under it's control , like it or lump it !!!

cheers

Russ
 

[sandy]

I can understand the reasoning behind Independence in Scotland but I think financially being independent may be a very bad move.

Most people that still hold grudges against the English are not worthy of being true Scots!! (OH Dear) I consider some places in Scotland would be run down and isolated as the indigenous people move out to find and the crime in the major cities of Scotland would drain the economy if not for the alliance with Great Britain

This pattern happens all over the world, ideally it would be great if all the Scots stayed and made the country strong and Dependant but the weather, the lack of work and the economics of living so far from everywhere make emigration too tempting...now I am waffling and making enemies.

May I add, I would love Scotland to keep it's traditions and culture as I would also love the rest of the UK . I am proud to have Scottish ancestors and relations.....but the way things are going times are changing for everyone.

[JD]

I agree James I don't think we will achieve independence but like Rosemary I would like to be asked. But an even bigger and more expensive eyesore than the carbuncle that is the parliament building are the nuclear submarines in the Clyde. How many billions are they costing? I have voted labour all my life but have now changed my allegiance to SNP following Blair and co lies about the Iraq war and WMD.
You are correct Russ about Britain's diminution of power as an EU member state but I think that the smaller countries do well from the European Union. If Scotland was an independent country there is no doubt in my mind that we would have at least been asked re our membership and would not have been forced into it by westminster. This current Scottish government are doing ok despite not having a majority.
JD  

[doganjo]

This current Scottish government are doing ok despite not having a majority.

And the way things are going it will have a majority next time!

[sellickbhoy]

‘It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.’

or as Mel would say

"FREEEEEEEEDOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

I'm all for it, I think the Scottish Parliament has done many many good things - things I would say are just as regards health care, the elderly and education

ok, lots of nonsense too, but I think their heart is in the right place

a united europe is on it's way, so once we are all swallowed up in that, we may as well at least have our own country to enter in the olympics

[doganjo]

Hear, hear, Chris! Well said!

[Gordon M]

Agreed!! Labour have shafted the UK, so I'll be voting for independance.

[marigold]

From a work point of view (I work in cultural services) I would like to see Scotland with greater recognition within Europe. Scotland has a culture of learning which enhances citizens quality of life. However I have lived in England and many of my family for various reasons live in England and I really don't want an increase in animosity.
In many ways Scottish attitudes towards culture, the arts and education are in the forefront of good work. It all goes back to the Auld Alliance and the idea that to be an educated individual we should have a good knowledge of Europe. Our young people keep this type of thinking going with doing a year of travel in a gap year. However England is one of the places that is interesting to travel to and learn about. I am not a nationalist but I am keen on everywhere having a strong cultural identity and then being able to appreciate their own and their neighbour's cultural identity. Financial independence doesn't seem viable because we are so very very small. So long and short of it is that I'm not sure but if someone comes up with a good arguement one way or the other I'll vote for them.

[doganjo]

Give us back our oil!

It's gettin awfie naer hogmanay

[shetlandpaul]

who's oil cry freedom for Shetland a land stolen by its large southern neighbour. keep your mitts off our oil you southerners. the enforced servitude a ruling elite imposed on us and our freedoms taken away. give us our laws back give us our language give us our fish back

[Snoopy]

I can understand the reasoning behind Independence in Scotland but I think financially being independent may be a very bad move.

Most people that still hold grudges against the English are not worthy of being true Scots!! (OH Dear) I consider some places in Scotland would be run down and isolated as the indigenous people move out to find and the crime in the major cities of Scotland would drain the economy if not for the alliance with Great Britain

This pattern happens all over the world, ideally it would be great if all the Scots stayed and made the country strong and Dependant but the weather, the lack of work and the economics of living so far from everywhere make emigration too tempting..

Well Said Sandy - if people were not emotionally involved in these issues they would see that smaller countries could not survive without the infastructure and social welfare benefits from the larger population.

Ireland has the same problem - some of them fee lwringed by the English and want the North Back - personally I would see having the North back a large drain on the Irish governement and they could not handle it  - Ireland is going bankrupt now because of the influx of Romanian, Polish and other E.U. citizens who are entitled to live here, and claim for all their kids back home and send money to them.  Family child allowance in Ireland is 135.00 per month for one child, increasing as you have more children.  The monthly salary in some E.U. countries is 330.00 euros per month - so if they have three kids, and move on their own to Ireland, they can work and earn up to 600 euros per week, and because they are working here, are entitled to over 400.00 euros per month to send home for the upkeep of their kids.

Its a way for the new entries into Europe to have their population get rich - legally - but as Ireland have only 4 million tax payers and 2 million people that are non-nationals claiming on the system - we are in a bit of a pickle - or hot soup - or something

Imagine having that problem in Scotland - you would be begging the English to stay 

[Rosemary]

I don't agree that Scotland couldn't survive on its own. We need to look to the northern European countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden for our example. The UK ie England harks after its imperial past, hence its alliance with imperialist USA. Scotland has never had imperialist expectations, although many Scots fought and died in many ways to build the British Empire.