to ask how you feel about Scottish Independence?

[PierreBourdieu]

Particularly looking for opinions from South of the Border, but all opinions welcome. My FB is awash with Independence fever after the rally in Edinburgh yesterday. As a Scotwoman I am always interested to hear the views of the English and get that perspective. I'll not disclose whether I'm pro or anti as I suppose it's not relevant here, also not looking for a bunfight! Care to share?

ItIsAllGoingToBeFine, thank you for a voice of reason!

Flabbergasted by the responses so far. I would like to reiterate what ItIsAllGoingToBeFine said - If you are going to be voting in this referendum, you must take the time to educate yourselves on the details before making a decision. Some people are clearly vehemently opposed to Scottish independence, yet clearly haven't looked at the issue in detail, and it is these people who are making emotional decisions, not those who are voting 'yes'.

To clear up a couple of points. Scotland is in no way subsidised by Westminster. The taxes raised in Scotland go directly to Westminster, and in return Westminster gives a small portion of that money to the Scottish Government to deal with the matters that are devolved to Scotland. Scotland actually contributes more to the economy than it receives back. But it is only because the Scottish Government has chosen to spend the little money they do receive wisely that we have free tuition fees, prescriptions, a strong NHS etc. If you are angry that you do not get these benefits in your region, then direct that anger towards the Labour and Tory governments in Westminister over the last 30 years who have chosen to spend your money on other things. This is a great example of how much better Scotland could be with independence, when you see how well the Scottish government has managed with the devolved powers it already, in stark contrast to how Westminster governments have frittered money away and achieved nothing.

You will not need a passport to travel between Scotland and the remainder of the UK. You will not need to exchange currency (at least not for the first few years). There is no realistic reason for Scotland being forced out of the EU, or forced into using the Euro.

You aren't voting on whether you like or dislike Alex Salmond, or the SNP. The vote is to decide whether Westminster continues to make the major decisions on how our country is run, or whether that takes place at Holyrood. Alex Salmond and the SNP will likely fall away in the few years after independence and you will be voting for a Labour Scottish government, or a Socialist government, or whatever. The difference being only that this government will be based in Scotland and thinking only about the decisions that affect our country.

Does anyone have a non-biased link to the fiscal facts and figures please?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine
That's a very carefully thought-out piece for one side of the argument.
I'm sure there would be an equally convincing screed for the other side, and perhaps there already is.

I do note already that the writer wants to select his own menu of 'independence', e.g. he wants to still use the Bank of England and have a say in its decisions.
That's just a fucking cheek. If his economic case is as strong as he claims then he should stand by it and have his own currency instead of being forever bailed out by England.

I don't really know much about Scotland, been a couple of times, probably won't go again. Live in England. As another poster said I've always considered myself English not British so the idea of 'splitting up the country' doesn't exist to me, Scotland is a separate country to me it just isn't technically. If I'm abroad and theres a Scottish person I don't think British I think Scottish so it all feels separate anyway its just it isn't on paper.

I'm not too fussed about the independence. I feel as if I've heard about it for years and years and I wish it would just appen so it would stop being banged on about.

The tory issue does slightly concern me, although there in now so what difference can it really make. If independence does happen I definitely think it should be a total split not a pick and choose situation. Also can't understand why you would keep the Royals, don't you all hate them.

Very well said JMacks I am always astounded that people equate independence with the SNP and Salmond. Personally I hope for independence under an old Labour administration. We're allowed pipe dreams eh?

ruby

fullfact.org/factchecks/Simon_Heffer_Daily_Telegraph_Barnett_formula_Scottish_spending_settlement-2693

fullfact.org/factchecks/Simon_Heffer_Daily_Telegraph_Barnett_formula_Scottish_spending_settlement-2693

Thanks.

I really don't see the relevance of this who subsidises who argument.

If Scotland become independent - truly independent - then we'll find out soon enough who had the right sums.

You know, just because people are saying no does not mean they are not educated on the details.

I work in a professional services firm, and we had an internal event recently where we spent a lot of time discussing, debating and considering the possible scenarios which would arise from an independent Scotland. Few of these were positive. Many of these people have been working on the issues of Scottish Independence for a while to ensure that we can support our clients whatever the outcome - they are educated on the details (as far as they are known) and almost every single one was against it.

I'm also not voting on the basis of Salmond - I just also happen to think he's a bit of a plonker! :)

I'm sick of hearing Alex Salmond whinging on about it. Let the Scots go, if that's what they vote for. But it's got to be total devolution. They can have their own currency, collect their own taxes, raise their own army, and pay their own welfare and pensions.

They can also take their due portion of the national debt.

No half measures.

let the Scots go ha, that says it all to me. It's not about the English letting us go, it's about the Scots choosing self determination and taking the control of their lives away from a Westminster that has no mandate to govern our affairs.

onehandflapping

That's what independence is, that's what we want...

PennyDead,
Good for you if that's what you want.
Which would you choose, a floating Scottish dollar, or joining the euro?

i think an island should be united.

but...
if scotland gains independence, all the scottish mps at westminster, and all the scottish newsreaders and other presenters, should be repatriated, at least for the first twenty five years, so we can see how we get on without them. the english should have a chance to find out who they are, without being harangued by the scots about things that happened hundreds of years ago. there should be no further subsidising of scotland by england.

of course, england will have to spend a lot more money on defences, and might need to rebuild that wall...

Scottish; living in Scotland. I'd vote for devomax, with a view to full independence long term. If devomax isn't an option, I'll vote for independence.

As the Scottish currency prior to the union of 1707 was the pound, I can't see why we couldn't revert to our pre-Union currency the pound after independence. Utterly baffled by Osborne saying otherwise.

I think our economy would be stronger if it was tailored to Scottish needs. I think Holyrood has been a good thing for Scotland, tackling Scottish issues such as our historically poor health. I'm in favour of policies such as minimal alcohol pricing.

I like the comprehensive school system and am glad that education is a devolved issue. I feel that our education system needs to be protected from Westminster. However, devolution has done that, and so education isn't an independence issue for me.

I live in a part of Scotland with almost full employment; several industries rely on migrant workers. Westminster doesn't fine tune its immigration policies for areas such as this (Aberdeenshire) which have a very low rate of unemployment. An independent Scotland would have more control over Scotland-friendly immigration.

all the scottish newsreaders and other presenters, should be repatriated, at least for the first twenty five years, so we can see how we get on without them what the actual fuck are you talking about?

Whatever the political considerations are it surely makes sense to have the island of Britain as one unit - defence, trade.

Penny dead- in what way does Westminster have no mandate. Last time I checked scots had the vote like everyone else. Or do you mean the ruling party are not the one you voted for!

london that's exactly what we mean. It has been shown in general elections that the Scots may as well not bother voting at all. The Scottish population is about 5 million, england/Wales is about 56 million. Our votes don't matter in the slightest and that rankles.

The ruling party are not the one any (99%) of Scots voted for, so yes that's exactly what I mean.

of course the current uk government has no mandate, it is cobbled together a coalition.