On a Scottish ‘yes’; still allowed to vote in the 2015 election?

[Isitmebut]

As the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ vote in Scotland is said to be neck and neck, here is a question open to potential Westminster politicking.

If Scotland votes for independence, should Scotland vote in our General Election in 2015 and have a say in who governs England – as why would they even care?

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

I would assume not. Presumably there would be some people temporarily resident in Scotland that were on the electoral roll elsewhere in the former UK and could submit a postal vote. But, for the rest, it would make as little sense as letting Belgians determine the make-up of the British government.

[Bowlersarm]

No of course not (surely). They need to sort out their own business in their own country. The rest of the uk is no longer any more to do with them, and they should have no say in it.

[Viviennemary]

I don't expect they've thought that far ahead. And a yes vote won't mean separation the next day. These things take ages. Years perhaps.

[AMumInScotland]

Well, it would depend on the timescales for the move to actual independence - if we vote Yes in September, it could take a year or more to actually 'unpick' the Act of Union.

So, why would we not have MPs at Westminster for the intervening time?

When we became independent in reality, there would no longer be any Scottish constituency MPs at Westminster, which would change the balance of power (potentially) and affect who 'runs' the government. You might then need to dissolve Parliament and bring in a new one, with different PM and ministers.

I don't think anyone up here would expect to have MPs at Westminster after independence, but that wouldn't stop us having them until independence.

[ginmakesitallok]

If we are still part of the uk then of course we should be able to vote as the uk gov will have a big influence on any separation. After separation if the uk wants to it can have new elections. But given that one if the main arguments for independence us that scottish voters have had little influence on Westminster I don't see it as an issue?

[Bowlersarm]

I don't get this.

Isn't it like asking your husband/wife for a divorce. Then getting a divorce. Then demanding a say on how your ex husband/wife conducts the rest of their life without you?

It's like having your cake and eating it.

[ginmakesitallok]

No, it's like agreeing that you are going to move out at some stage in the future, and being allowed to use the fridge while you're still together.

[Bowlersarm]

But it shouldnt take you five years to move out. Nowhere near, if you've decided to separate. It seems a bit greedy to be allowed access to the fridge for all the time.

[ginmakesitallok]

Sorry, your analogy just doesn't work. Or maybe mine doesn't! Deciding to become an independent nation would just be the first step. There's loads to sort out before Scotland would actually be independent. If it happens its in everyone's interests for it to go smoothly.

[AMumInScotland]

Until the 'divorce' is finalised, we'll still be paying taxes to the UK government.

No taxation without representation!

[OddBoots]

Isn't it meant to be 18 months between independence vote and it being finalised? I don't see why they wouldn't vote, just their MPs wouldn't be MPs for very long.