Will Scotland Leave the UK?

[techguyone]

If they do win & they 'get everything they want' it'll only be very short term gain. If they default on any debt wonder how that'll affect their countrywide credit rating. Would you want to lend them any money?

Originally Posted by Hugh

Sounds like a blank cheque (politically) for the SNP if they win.....

The SNP's plan for a post-Yes vote is to blame everything on Westminster and/or London when they don't get everything they've promised their electorate. You can never go wrong blaming London.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Hugh

tbf, the SNP's view of 'amicable' seems to be 'what they want'.....

You noticed that too Their whole argument seems to be predicated on them getting everything they want as and when they want it. Given that attitude, why on Earth would the EU (or anyone else for that matter) be inclined to accept them into their club?

[nomadking]

If they are prepared to renegade on their debts, why should the EU accept them in?

[techguyone]

It might be funny if they leave the UK to 'get rid of the English' and then we veto them when they apply to join the EU...

[Derek]

Originally Posted by nomadking

If they are prepared to renegade on their debts, why should the EU accept them in?

Because big Eck says so. He's also got promises and assurances that not only will Scotland be welcomed and fast tracked into the EU we can choose to only take the bits of EU law we want as well as keeping the pound.

The only problem is the assurances are secret so he can't show anyone till after the vote and anyone who says otherwise is a bully.

This video will save the union: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOIILuMzelE

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Mmmmm - wait for the outcome of the vote before negotiating terms.

So, if "Yes" win, and if Rest of the UK don't agree with the SNP requirements raised during the negotiations, no matter how outrageous they are, Alex et al can invoke "will of the people", even though "the people" didn't know the specifics.

Sounds like a blank cheque (politically) for the SNP if they win.....

Mmmmmm - pretty much so, yes.

The 2012 Memorandum requires the signatories to work for the common good and "The two governments are committed to continue to work together constructively in the light of the outcome, whatever it is, in the best interests of the people of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom."

Salmond can rant and rave (see: "Negotiate") all he wants in the event that he does actually have a democratic majority voting for independence.

I suspect this is exactly why there is so much negativity being bandied about.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Derek

Because big Eck says so. He's also got promises and assurances that not only will Scotland be welcomed and fast tracked into the EU we can choose to only take the bits of EU law we want as well as keeping the pound.

The only problem is the assurances are secret so he can't show anyone till after the vote and anyone who says otherwise is a bully.

Yet people are buying his nonsense...

Originally Posted by Mr Angry

Mmmmmm - pretty much so, yes.

The 2012 Memorandum requires the signatories to work for the common good and "The two governments are committed to continue to work together constructively in the light of the outcome, whatever it is, in the best interests of the people of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom."

Salmond can rant and rave (see: "Negotiate") all he wants in the event that he does actually have a democratic majority voting for independence.

I suspect this is exactly why there is so much negativity being bandied about.

Salmond can't rant and rave but suddenly the Scottish won't be Westminster's constituents anymore and they'll play hardball to protect British interests. We won't want to concede anymore than we have to. The UK holds most of the cards, the only one Scotland would hold is the threat to walk away from the debt. Their bargaining chips are Oil and Faslane. Both of which seem to be red lines as the oil is to to pay for everything and a nuclear free Scotland is one of their main principles.

It's actually a point I don't think the Yes campaign has grasped. Scotland and Britain would be rival countries. We'll compete for the same businesses. One of Salmond's great ideas is to cut corporation tax and this is lauded as a genius way to grow the Scottish Economy and take business away from London. Yet implicit in this is an idea that Britain would sit back and let that happen. Do they really think the Conservatives will bulk at the idea of cutting corporation tax? When it comes to cutting taxes who would hold their nerve more, the Tories or the SNP?

Too many in the Yes campaign seem to think this is Independence with all the perks and none of the drawbacks. Scotland as it is now but richer. They've been cocooned away from the rough-and-tumble of the world stage and difficult choices instead choosing to blame London for every ill.

Salmond's "stop bulling Scotland" tactic isn't going to work when try to secure trade deals with Foreign leaders.

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by Damien

Salmond can't rant and rave but suddenly the Scottish won't be Westminster's constituents anymore and they'll play hardball to protect British interests. We won't want to concede anymore than we have to. The UK holds most of the cards, the only one Scotland would hold is the threat to walk away from the debt. Their bargaining chips are Oil and Faslane. Both of which seem to be red lines as the oil is to to pay for everything and a nuclear free Scotland is one of their main principles.

It's actually a point I don't think the Yes campaign has grasped. Scotland and Britain would be rival countries. We'll compete for the same businesses. One of Salmond's great ideas is to cut corporation tax and this is lauded as a genius way to grow the Scottish Economy and take business away from London. Yet implicit in this is an idea that Britain would sit back and let that happen. Do they really think the Conservatives will bulk at the idea of cutting corporation tax? When it comes to cutting taxes who would hold their nerve more, the Tories or the SNP?

Too many in the Yes campaign seem to think this is Independence with all the perks and none of the drawbacks. Scotland as it is now but richer. They've been cocooned away from the rough-and-tumble of the world stage and difficult choices instead choosing to blame London for every ill.

Salmond's "stop bulling Scotland" tactic isn't going to work when try to secure trade deals with Foreign leaders.

Speculation is certainly healthy for debate, Damien.

The fact remains, however, that an agreement has been signed ensuring "...the best interests of the people of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom." will be what is thrashed out after the outcome of the referendum is known - irrespective of what that eventual outcome might be.

What exactly that might involve is anyones guess.

Originally Posted by Mr Angry

Speculation is certainly healthy for debate, Damien.

The fact remains, however, that an agreement has been signed ensuring "...the best interests of the people of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom." will be what is thrashed out after the outcome of the referendum is known - irrespective of what that eventual outcome might be.

What exactly that might involve is anyones guess.

Doesn't mean anything. Doesn't commit anyone to anything specific. The UK will look out for the UK, Scotland will look out for Scotland.

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by Damien

The UK will look out for the UK, Scotland will look out for Scotland.

Most people would understand that, yes.

[greeninferno]

Originally Posted by Osem

Yet people are buying his nonsense...

Salmond is preaching to the converted the other 2 thirds think he's talking crap.

[Osem]

Well it'll be interesting to see what proportion of Scots get taken in by Salmond's dangerous nonsense and how quickly they come to regret it.