To think Scotland becoming independent wouldn't have any impact on the rest of the UK?

[lesley33]

Some in Scotland want it to become independent. I don't really understand why the coalition government is fighting against this happening. Will it really matter in the rest of the UK if scotland does become independent?

YANBU it would be fantastic and I hope Wales and Northern Ireland follow suit. They are a drag on England we would be well advised to get rid of them

will we still get irn bru in england if they do?

am fine with it as long as thats sorted

It would be nice if we're not paying for their free prescriptions, university tuition etc etc. I wouldn't mind contributing if the whole of the UK got the same.

So long as you don't mind losing the revenues from North Sea Oil and Gas, given that the industry is based in Aberdeen and the fields are located in what would be Scottish waters.

'It would be nice if we're not paying for their free prescriptions, university tuition etc etc.'

So people in Scotland, Wales and NI, don't pay tax too?

Karetta I can't wait for Wales to follow. At least then we will choose our wn future and destiney here in Wales. I can firmly say hand on heart that I am NOT British.

People on another thread recently were asking why the Scots might want independence.

I'll point them over to chat with karetta and threeprinces shall I?

Perhaps England should be given a referendum asking us if they want to keep Scotland, rather than the other way around.

Seems fair that England should have its own government, that puts the best interests of England first, seeing as how every other bugger has got one.

Fine, if you don't mind being stuck with a Tory Government for ever after.

RE the prescriptions etc., the Scottish Parliament makes different spending decisions on devolved issues, otherwise what would be the point? If you feel free prescriptions are a policy priority in England, then lobby for them.

ah karetta I love that attitude!

I am a pro-independence Scot. The more people south of the border who hold your view, the better it will be for the cause.

Then we'll see who is draining whom.

Will the Scottish people in the rest of the UK get a vote in this or just the Scottish people living in Scotland?
This island is so mixed with many having Scot/Welsh/Irish/English heritage it's a minefield surely?

karmabeliever Tue 10-Jan-12 13:59:46

'Seems fair that England should have its own government, that puts the best interests of England first, seeing as how every other bugger has got one.'

Indeed - and that's what England will get - hopefully Wales will become independent too eventually. (Saying nothing about NI)

Agree annakin

Bear in mind that in the previous government, Scottish politicians were very powerful in the British government and making choices which affected people in England/Wales/NI, but English politicians don't have a role in the Scottish parliaments (not saying they should, but it seems to me that it is England which is getting a raw deal) - it's not like big bad England are oppressing Scotland and giving it no say in anything.

Doggiesayswoof has a point. I'm in favour of Scotland remaining part of the UK - as are roughly two thirds of Scots - but attitudes like those displayed above don't really help me make my case.

It's not England's government though, as it contains MPs from the whole of Britain, rather than just ones from English constituencies.

It's always a mistake starting threads like these, as charmers like karetta and threeprinces always turn up.
I see nothing wrong with England having it's own devolved Parliament, and I'm leaning towards independence myself.
Then we can be a completely Tory free zone in Scotland.
We already are, but are still ruled by a Government that we never voted in.

Seems fair that England should have its own government We'd quite like that in Scotland too, the Tories have one MP in Scotland, yet are able to wield considerable influence over Scottish affairs. So it cuts both ways.

Will the Scottish people in the rest of the UK get a vote in this or just the Scottish people living in Scotland?

The referendum, when it occurs will be based on the electoral roll, so if you live in Scotland and are eligible to vote (that includes Scottish dwelling English like me) you get a vote. Scots living in England won't get a say.

mums -My question was about the rest of the UK, not just England.

I'm a Socialist - well Social Democrat - and I just don't think it would be moral to say, never mind about the rest of the UK being stuck with a Tory Government, we'll be fine in our lefty Eutopia. Whatever happened to the common good?

According to the Telegraph, "in Scotland, the Government spent £10,212 per person on average last year ? £1,624 more than in England.... Income tax would have to rise by 11p in the pound in Scotland if it were to fund itself." I just can't see how this is fair on English people - while I have nothing against Scotland, if Scottish people want independence I'm happy for them to have it as it seems it would benefit us too.