to believe we should encourage Scotland to leave the UK

[longfingernails]

It's time to face up to the glaring contradictions in our country. After we have triggered Article 50, I think those of us in the rest of the UK should not only grant Sturgeon her precious referendum; we should actively encourage Scottish independence.

In my opinion, it's a price worth paying to be shot of the EU.

[cariadlet]

No! It might be better for the Scots, but it would be a disaster for the rest of us. We'd never get rid of the Tories.

[SoupDragon]

I'd like to encourage people like you to leave the UK. Is that the same thing?

[SirChenjin]

Scotland voted to remain part of the UK, in case you've forgotten. The 55% of us who voted No are as much part of the UK as you are.

[longfingernails]

We can offer tariff-free trade deals, and unlimited tourist and business visas for Scottish passport holders providing it is reciprocated (though of course no welfare payments), to minimise economic disruption.

[longfingernails]

We can let them keep the pound for 3 years including one BoE voting seat while they transition to the Euro. This should take care of the currency issue which the SNP could not answer last time round.

[SirChenjin]

Who's 'we'?

[cariadlet]

Scotland voted to remain part of the UK, in case you've forgotten.

True, but wasn't one of the arguments put forward that an independent Scotland wouldn't automatically be part of the EU and would have to apply for membership, and that staying part of the UK was the best way to be part of Europe.

[longfingernails]

We = the rest of the UK.

Of course the decision to hold another independence referendum should be decided by Holyrood, but if the decision is taken (as seems likely) the rest of the UK should encourage the Scots to vote out.

[SirChenjin]

That was one of the many arguments, yes. Now we wait and see what happens. It could go many ways.

[longfingernails]

We can give Scotland their fair share of national assets, but over a period of say 50 years; conditional on them repaying their proportion of the National Debt and interest upon it.

[SirChenjin]

The rUK? What, like London? Or NI?

[longfingernails]

As far as I am aware there is no movement to declare independence for London.

NI: there are still far more Unionists than Republicans. Any independence referendum there would be utterly decisive, and I would encourage it. Unlike in Scotland, it might actually lance the boil.

In general, I am a fan of referendums. The latest one shows why. The elites have to kowtow before the masses.

[ScOffasDyke]

Hopefully we will never trigger Article 50.

I hope the UK remains united, and remains within the EU.

Otherwise we are all fucked

[AndNowItsSeven]

Yes a Tory government for many many years to come and no oil would be great for England,Wales and NI.
I assume you displayed the same level of intelligence when you voted leave.

[longfingernails]

I don't think it would be a perpetual Tory government. Occasionally it would be a Tory/UKIP coalition.

[emeraldlakes]

I don't think we should. It should be up to Scotland to decide one way or another. If Scotland leave the UK though there is no guarantee they will be accepted into the EU as a single entity. It seems likely they would have to apply for a new membership and hope Spain and others go against their own interests and veto them. Then there's the problems of Scotland accepting a new currency which is likely to be a condition of joining. I think many are jumping the gun as it's all very unclear at this point.

[AndNowItsSeven]

Oh that's fine then even better.

[emeraldlakes]

*And don't veto them

[SirChenjin]

Not yet - but I'm sure the wealth makers of London could be persuaded to leave the masses to the chaos of their own making, and come with us to the EU (if that is indeed what other parts of the UK decide).

[longfingernails]

I actually agree on delaying Article 50 for a year or so, to encourage the EU to vote perpetually against British interests to try to force us into it.

The reason being, this would naturally affect all other non-Euro countries, and encourage independence movements there too. Our negotiations would be significantly strengthened if we had the likes of Denmark at our side.

The free traders in the EU have lost. Germany might be forced to stay in for political reasons, but the EU will become more socialist. Great for Scotland maybe; bad for EU Nordic states.

[longfingernails]

In return for supporting their bid for independence, we can ask Scotland for a 10 year lease at Faslane while we build alternative facilities for our nuclear submarines.

I see no need for acrimony. Let's get it done, and let Scotland join the EU as they want.

[HooseRice]

Maybe England should vote for independence instead.

[longfingernails]

HooseRice No; Scotland must choose to leave. Why would the UK give its UN Security Council seat to Scotland?

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

I disagree with your reasoning but am a strong believer in self determination and think it is only just to give the Scottish people the right to choose their own future.

[specialsubject]

Scotland can choose to leave the UK and become a separate country. They can then make an application to join the EU in their own right.

And the best of ex-British luck with that.

Sturgeon made it quite clear that if the UK voted leave, she would hold another referendum. Did Scotland vote remain to stop that? Who knows?