The Yes Vote for Scotland..

[willair]

Just wondering what others think about Scotland breaking the 307 year union it has had with Great-Britian, apart from the "Braveheart" version
which did not end too well for Mel-Gibson and was no-way in any way played on facts,then if it goes ahead Scotland would have to apply again for the membership back into the European-Union and from what I read Spain -Belgium and several other countries may well veto Scottish New membership ,then you have the Banking-N-S OIL Taxes quite a big list that are starting to cause shudders away from Britain"s borders..

 

[Corey Batt]

It'll just end up another failed socialist experiment if it happens. They'll no doubt try to emulate the Norway model, but don't have anywhere near the O&G resources per person as Norway.

 

[Esel]

I think the problem is, people don't have enough information to make an informed decision.

I dont think they even known whats happening with their currency. Who knows if they will join the EU. Maybe it will be a headache to cut them loose so they might get membership rushed through. How will they fund all their services? Will people need passports to travel to the UK? Will scots be allowed to emigrate to the UK? Will prices go up? Who will set interest rates? What will happen to mortgages on Scottish homes with UK banks in sterling? How will the oil and gas fields be split? What will be the cost of setting up and independent Scotland and who will pay for it? Will tax rates rise? Will there be an exodus or influx of migrants?

What seems certain is that the UK labour party will loose a fair chunk of its MPs, making it harder to win an election. And the pound has already fallen. I think it will be expensive for both countries.

 

[Aaron_C]

They say Scotland is the Tasmania of the UK.

 

[Peter_Tersteeg]

Scotland still holds ultimate power in the Commonwealth. They hold the Stone of Scone.

 

[Arnoldus]

They say Scotland is the Tasmania of the UK.

My understanding was Scotland contributes more in tax towards the UK than they receive back (similar to WA) and their rate of public spending is lower than the rest of the UK. Perhaps you're thinking of Wales?

On OP topic, I hope Scotland stays put for now, a split could get very messy and bugger up what's left of my shareholdings in Europe.

 

[Esel]

My understanding was Scotland contributes more in tax towards the UK than they receive back (similar to WA) and their rate of public spending is lower than the rest of the UK. Perhaps you're thinking of Wales?

On OP topic, I hope Scotland stays put for now, a split could get very messy and bugger up what's left of my shareholdings in Europe.

Have you got that the wrong way round? It would be like WA if they got free university tuition (but students from other states had to pay to study in WA) free prescriptions (but everyone else is paying) and free care for the elderly (yep, the other states all pay). I think the O&G revenue isnt a sure thing anyway.

Salmond thinks they get more because he thinks most of the oil and gas fields are scottish, and he works out how much revenue is raised from that and how much gets spent in scotland. If you look at all the revenue raised all over the UK (and a huge chunk is made in london) and then divide it per UK person, scotland receives more per head than the rest of the UK.

I think most people believe that they will struggle to maintain their spending once a lot of UK business relocates to the UK, and im not sure how the oil and gas fields will be divided up anyway. People are talking about tax hikes.

 

[Arnoldus]

Salmond thinks they get more because he thinks most of the oil and gas fields are scottish, and he works out how much revenue is raised from that and how much gets spent in scotland. If you look at all the revenue raised all over the UK (and a huge chunk is made in london) and then divide it per UK person, scotland receives more per head than the rest of the UK.

I think most people believe that they will struggle to maintain their spending once a lot of UK business relocates to the UK, and im not sure how the oil and gas fields will be divided up anyway. People are talking about tax hikes.

Haven't seen Salmond's figures, was going by something I read a couple of years ago (which would have included oil and gas). Having a quick google now it looks like folks from both camps reckon Scotland raises about 800 pounds per capita more than the UK average, but then depending on what source, gets anywhere from a little bit less to up to ~1300 pounds per capita in extra government spending.

I think the perception that Scotland is a drain on the UK is a tad disingenuous, and I think they *could* possibly make a go of it if they went it alone. But I think the end result of independence would be a net loss for both the UK and Scotland.

Beyond having very diluted Orcadian ancestry, I haven't really got much connection with the UK, so haven't really taken much interest in the referendum. Will be relieved that whatever the result, the wheels don't fall off (am a bit worried if Yes gets up, things could go pear shaped).

 

[joeExpat]

On a similar note, today is the national day of Catalunya and there will be over 1 million people in the streets of Barcelona forming a giant V (for Vote and Victory). The vote will be in November if Spain doesn?t stop it.
http://www.cataloniavotes.eu/the-catalans-next-challenge-a-giant-v-for-independence/

Spain is very resistant to losing one of its most productive and profitable regions so Cataunya will have a much harder time than Scotland even though a much higher proportion here want independence.

 

[Esel]

Haven't seen Salmond's figures, was going by something I read a couple of years ago (which would have included oil and gas). Having a quick google now it looks like folks from both camps reckon Scotland raises about 800 pounds per capita more than the UK average, but then depending on what source, gets anywhere from a little bit less to up to ~1300 pounds per capita in extra government spending.

I think the perception that Scotland is a drain on the UK is a tad disingenuous, and I think they *could* possibly make a go of it if they went it alone. But I think the end result of independence would be a net loss for both the UK and Scotland.

Beyond having very diluted Orcadian ancestry, I haven't really got much connection with the UK, so haven't really taken much interest in the referendum. Will be relieved that whatever the result, the wheels don't fall off (am a bit worried if Yes gets up, things could go pear shaped).

Im a bit biased as ive only ever really heard the english side of things. I hope if they do get independence and the oil they set up a sovereign wealth fund like norway rather than lining the pockets of foreign owned companies like the UK and Australia have done (I think Australia missed a one off opportunity when it stuffed the mining tax).

As for catalonia, i dont know much about it, but i would imagine that it would be quite different as scotland already had devolution. So they had a parliament, health service, education dept etc... Almost like an australian state. Wouldnt catalonia be starting from scratch with everything? which would be so expensive

 

[joeExpat]

As for catalonia, i dont know much about it, but i would imagine that it would be quite different as scotland already had devolution. So they had a parliament, health service, education dept etc... Almost like an australian state. Wouldnt catalonia be starting from scratch with everything? which would be so expensive

There is already a Catalan parliament, health system, etc. They also speak a different language to Spain unlike most Scots who speak English (when you can understand it).

 

[Esel]

There is already a Catalan parliament, health system, etc. They also speak a different language to Spain unlike most Scots who speak English (when you can understand it).

I had no idea (about the parliament and health system). Oh well then, looks realistic.

 

[Tony3008]

They say Scotland is the Tasmania of the UK.

Perhaps it's the Singapore of Malaya?

 

[bob246810]

Aren't European countries already small enough these days? Especially compared with the juggernauts of the USA, China, Russia, etc.

Although the upside of Scottish idnependence is that I could have a reason to buy a new globe. Mine still says USSR, East Germany and Yugoslavia are still around...

 

[lizzie]

My understanding was Scotland contributes more in tax towards the UK than they receive back (similar to WA) and their rate of public spending is lower than the rest of the UK.

Based on that thinking - wonder if the Hunter can peel away from the rest of NSW ... received a pittance in return for the royalties and taxes paid from the region

 

[AlmostBob]

Prince Leonard of Hutt River.

 

[Olly]

They covered this on Dateline this week -
http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/watch/id/602007/n/Divided-Kingdom

Very interesting but very confusing for those on the border of the 2 countries.

I don't know the full reasons why the vote is on other than emotional ones. A bit like Wales really (where I'm from). Sounds great to be your own country and not have England in charge, but they probably can't stand on their on own.

 

[wategos]

Probably a good time to abandon the UK titanic

 

[willair]

At least the Scots will know in a few hours,small oil producing places like Norway seem to do better then larger countries maybe Scotland will go down the same path as Norway has gone,..

 

[Strannik]

They covered this on Dateline this week -
http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/watch/id/602007/n/Divided-Kingdom

Very interesting but very confusing for those on the border of the 2 countries.

I don't know the full reasons why the vote is on other than emotional ones. A bit like Wales really (where I'm from). Sounds great to be your own country and not have England in charge, but they probably can't stand on their on own.

australia seems to be doing ok since gaining independence from UK.
most of other countries too. no reasons to suggest scotland would be different.

what's interesting is that whenever someone tries to get independence the whole world around them tries to make it harder for them and scare them with things like "oh but you'll have to reapply to EU" or do this or do that, instead of saying we recognise your decision and will work with you to make transition as painless as possible.