Scotland the Brave

[NWpostie]

Before Scotland decide to become Independent I think it should look at how it will manage without oil, its not going to last forever, once its gone the Scots will have to make up the deficiency, once you leave the Union there is no guarantee that you will be accepted back in, the UK government of the day may decide they doing quite well out of the split and do not need to absorb a financially bankrupt country back into the Union.

This was almost a rerun of 1707 when a bankrupt Scotland was bankrolled by England, the Scots did well out of it, for the English it was the need to secure the northern border against the French and pool of unemployed Scots to become soldiers for the Empire, today things are slightly different.

[fishtank]

What is it that Scotland will come running back to NW?
England is not the rich benefactor you think it is,stripped of any meaningful manufacturing capacity,bereft of any real natural resources,financially and morally bankrupt,it's major companies and financial institutions a plaything for mega rich foreign investors....it is in exactly the same position as the countries that surround it.
Being bankrupt and Independent doesn't really sound much more scary than being bankrupt as part of a bankrupt Union.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

This was almost a rerun of 1707 when some bankrupt Scottish Businessmen and Parliamentarians were bribed by England, these Scots did well out of it, for the English it was the need to secure the northern border against the French and pool of unemployed Scots to become soldiers for the Empire, today things are slightly different.

There fixed it for you. It puts a different perspective when you research further and find out that 3/4 of the Scots were against the Union, that a lot of those who agreed to it had previously gambled on the New Caledonia enterprise and were looking to recoup their losses through the acts of Union, and that part of the agreement to enter negotiations was to overturn the Alien Act of 1705 which had had a direct impact on Scottish Landowners. The Act of Union seen from one perspective seems to be yet another example of the rich looking after themselves, and nothing to do with benefiting the general population.

Of course the placing more troops on the border between Scotland and England, and more into Ireland by the English Army, was a happy coincidence.

One major difference is that the Tories were not in favour of the Union, so some things have changed.

[NWpostie]

The day of referendum is going to be very interesting, if its a "yes" , passport control at Gretna Green might become reality

[Lounge Lizard]

Given the undoubted links and similarities between Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales wouldn't it be better for England to leave the United Kingdom ?

Many a true word spoke in jest.
Administrative Division Area Size (sq km) Population density 2003 (people per sq km)
England 130,281 383
Northern Ireland 13,576 125
Scotland 77,925 65
Wales 20,732 142
United Kingdom 242,514 246

England has about six times the poulation density of Scotland ( 383 ; 65 per sq km ) so can probably deliver letters at about a sixth of the cost.
Independance for either Scotland or England, it matters little which, and stamp prices will plummet in England and soar in Scotland.

[clashcityrocker]

Independance for either Scotland or England, it matters little which, and stamp prices will plummet in England and soar in Scotland.

If only life was that simple.
You pay £7 for your prescriptions. Ours are free.

[NWpostie]

Independance for either Scotland or England, it matters little which, and stamp prices will plummet in England and soar in Scotland.

If only life was that simple.
You pay £7 for your prescriptions. Ours are free.

Will it still be free after Independence ?

[clashcityrocker]

Will it still be free after Independence ?

It will probably be cheaper.

[DGP1]

Given the undoubted links and similarities between Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales wouldn't it be better for England to leave the United Kingdom ?

Many a true word spoke in jest.
Administrative Division Area Size (sq km) Population density 2003 (people per sq km)
England 130,281 383
Northern Ireland 13,576 125
Scotland 77,925 65
Wales 20,732 142
United Kingdom 242,514 246

England has about six times the poulation density of Scotland ( 383 ; 65 per sq km ) so can probably deliver letters at about a sixth of the cost.
Independance for either Scotland or England, it matters little which, and stamp prices will plummet in England and soar in Scotland.

Ireland has about the same as Scotland but it runs it's own postal service at a reasonable price so if it's possible for them then it's possible for Scotland.

[NWpostie]

I'm expecting Mel Gibson to pop up at some point

[DGP1]

Everytime this comes up here, all I can think about is Absolutely http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5cUxawA_6w" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Carp]

Scotland had there proud industries wiped off the map thanks too the iron lady in the 80's and mean tested the poll tax here as well in early 90's.In that time i had my wages arrested for not paying,considering the fact that i was serving in the 1st Gulf War at the time.
I am of course still bitter about that.Now i would prefer the true facts if we do or not go independent,to see where we would stand.The biggest worry for me,personally is.Would this effect my war pension?would this also effect the family and child tax credits etc.....
Nobody has came out with these,and how it would work,so at the mean time,i prefer too sit on the fence and listen too all politicions concerned before i make my mind up

[Lounge Lizard]

Scotland had there proud industries wiped off the map thanks too the iron lady in the 80's and mean tested the poll tax here as well in early 90's.In that time i had my wages arrested for not paying,considering the fact that i was serving in the 1st Gulf War at the time.
I am of course still bitter about that.Now i would prefer the true facts if we do or not go independent,to see where we would stand.The biggest worry for me,personally is.Would this effect my war pension?would this also effect the family and child tax credits etc.....
Nobody has came out with these,and how it would work,so at the mean time,i prefer too sit on the fence and listen too all politicions concerned before i make my mind up

We share the same hatred of 'the iron lady', andy me old mate, but I've never heard of exemption from poll tax for being temporarily away from home.
And yes a canny concern as to ones own financial well being must be a significant factor in any debate about independance.

[domino12]

Given the undoubted links and similarities between Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales wouldn't it be better for England to leave the United Kingdom ?

Many a true word spoke in jest.
Administrative Division Area Size (sq km) Population density 2003 (people per sq km)
England 130,281 383
Northern Ireland 13,576 125
Scotland 77,925 65
Wales 20,732 142
United Kingdom 242,514 246

England has about six times the poulation density of Scotland ( 383 ; 65 per sq km ) so can probably deliver letters at about a sixth of the cost.
Independance for either Scotland or England, it matters little which, and stamp prices will plummet in England and soar in Scotland.

Ireland has about the same as Scotland but it runs it's own postal service at a reasonable price so if it's possible for them then it's possible for Scotland.

Jersey & Guernsey... oh and the Isle of Man, all run their own postal services too

[Tman]

Scottish independence...only about 20 years too late. The EU grant money has run out, and there is/will be more deserving cases like Romania and Turkey for the little left to be spread around to, and it seems most Jocks appreciate that fact.
Salmond, just another self-aggrandising politician playing the Nationalism card, but with no long term plans or strategy in place.
It'll be good to see the last of his "smug Jock" "whining Jock" personnas though.....