To think Alex Salmond is in his own private dream world?

[SpineInABap]

Ok so Alex Salmond wants an independent Scotland, and sets out his ideas.

Then all three Westminster parties tell him - "no you can't share the pound and be independent as well, it would be too unstable. Did you see what happened in Europe when they tried to share a currency between different countries with different economic policies? And those countries were trying to become more united, and in this case the two countries would be trying to split apart!"

Then a guy from the European Union remarks that it won't be plain sailing for an Independent Scotland to join the EU, as all the other members will have to agree - and many won't as they don't want to encourage their own splinter states to start asking for independence as well.

So two fairly serious problems. And what is Alex Salmon's reaction? Basically to go "Ner ner ner, you're all being mean and nasty and you don't really mean it. I think that if we all vote yes for an independent Scotland, then you will change your mind and let us share the pound, and let us join the EU. You're bluffing, and so I'm not coming up with a plan for what would happen if Scotland voted yes and we realised that, oops no...you weren't bluffing".

How can anyone think this man does not sound a bit bonkers? I'm English, but if I was Scottish I would be very worried about voting for someone who thinks nothing of destabilising a whole economy just to make a Political point.

I don't mind a wee glass tankard of vino rosso, FannyFifer

I too thought your name was an oblique reference to wine ProfondoRosso probably because dh has a hobby wine business and is studying to be a Master of Wine - I'm obviously not educated enough to understand the reference

Just for you Profondo

logicsrock.blogspot.com/2014/02/proud-cybernat-badges-on-sale-now-as.html

Unfortunately they are all sold out, but they may do a second run...

Gutted, ItsAllGoingToBeFine, just gutted.

I don't know much about politics but from what I've read on the whole debate we're damned if we do vote yes and we're still damned if we don't.

That link and its tone is exactly the sort of stuff which makes me (Guardian reading , Labour voting graduate of an old university if we're scoring the demographics) even more sure No is the right answer.

So, if you'd like the world to know that you are pro-indy, prefer not to get your political journalism from a hooch-swilling ned, don't crack one off leering at under-age girls described as "beyond their years" and don't like having your home-affairs news filtered though a Tory-boy nyaff who needs to get back at the world for his years of being bullied at school by bullying any potential 'out-group' he can identify, and is content to work hand-in-glove with fascist thugs to do it, then a Proud Cybernat badge is for you.

Charming.

Do you know the background to that one, Santana? There's a reason for the tone. (Daily Mail connected.)

LittleMissAbs - you have a very similar posting style to Xenia. Maybe it is because you are both lawyers.

Well I'm going to vote YES just because I can - if it all goes pear shaped I will move to Spain so yah boo to the rest of you, stay with your lovely London parliament with its reasonable and balanced debates not

No, I don't read the Daily Mail.

Even with the context, there is no need for this: "This is how we can really get them on the run - mockery. Every insult like this we can turn around and use to our advantage and turn their own weapons back on them is superb"

Why on earth does that sort of language need to be used?

This isn't recent but it might be interesting to recall Alex Salmond, some years ago, accused George Robertson of being an “Uncle Tam”: “Scottish on the outside, British on the inside. Tartan ties – Union Jack underpants”. Charming, really charming.

I'm also very annoyed by Nats who try to discredit Better Together by saying the No campaign has no alternative to offer for what will happen if No wins. Er, why do we need one? It'd be the status quo.

Background is that the DM ran an anti-yes campaign, "naming and shaming" people they identified as "cybernats", and not in a good way. One of their victims was a woman who was doorstepped by their photographer while going out with her autistic (and terrified) son. Her crime? She plans to vote yes (is resident and working in Edinburgh) and has the temerity to be American-born. That's it.

Caitlin, it won't be the status quo if we vote no. Both Labour and Tory parties have promised to scrap Barnett, taking billions out of our economy. Austerity, austerity, and more austerity.

Voting yes gives us the chance for change.

Actually, I think the one thing that we won't get is the status quo. Whether we get Devo Max, tax raising powers, change to the Barnett Formula (perhaps to compensate for the tax raising/retention powers): it's all up in the air.

It also depends on who wins the election in 2015.

And if that's Dave, he plans to privatise our NHS, just like he's selling it off in England.

I don't think he can do that: health is a devolved issue and even before the Scottish Parliament, NHS Scotland was a totally separate organisation to the NHS in England.

My dad (as a committed left wing doctor) has to remind himself not to let his blood pressure rise as he reads horrific things happening organizationally in the BMJ as they only apply in England.

But the money we can allocate to the NHS I think works on a percentage base with rest of UK, if most of it is privatised in England then that impacts on the amount of funding we can get.

You ignored the point on the violent and militaristic language, OldLady. Any comments to make on that?

Both Labour and Tory parties have promised to scrap Barnett, taking billions out of our economy. Austerity, austerity, and more austerity.

Why would the Scottish Labour (or indeed, Scottish Tories) follow a different path? As you keep reminding us, there will be a general election.

Less funding available means private companies jumping in, all Daves pals.

It's a devolved issue for now (and yes, always has been, like our legal system) but there is absolutely nothing to stop the WM gvt changing that. Forget devo max, they can do away with our parliament all together, or at least reduce it's powers to those of Bliar's "parish council"; both Tory and Labour want to devolve powers away from gvt and towards local councils (where they have more chance of gaining power). WM just recently removed Scottish gvt powers over renewables, without and bother or fuss, or indeed mention in msm.

Truly, a no vote terrifies me.

The cybernat badge stuff I assume is meant to be tongue in cheek & a dig at the horrendous "expose" of anonymous cybernats in the Mail (who were so anonymous they posted on twitter etc using their own names and photos. )
The language in those articles is pretty identical, terminology etc as the language on that link.

Santana, I don't see violent language; the whole thing is a joke. Since when was mockery militaristic?

Forget devo max, they can do away with our parliament all together, or at least reduce it's powers to those of Bliar's "parish council"; both Tory and Labour want to devolve powers away from gvt and towards local councils (where they have more chance of gaining power). WM just recently removed Scottish gvt powers over renewables, without and bother or fuss, or indeed mention in msm. Truly, a no vote terrifies me.

And you try and call the no side 'Project Fear'!

From 2015 Scotland will be able to issue its own investment bonds- how does that fit into this narrative?

I find the language (especially from the second quote I posted) very distasteful.

Forget devo max, they can do away with our parliament all together, or at least reduce it's powers to those of Bliar's "parish council"; both Tory and Labour want to devolve powers away from gvt and towards local councils (where they have more chance of gaining power). WM just recently removed Scottish gvt powers over renewables, without and bother or fuss, or indeed mention in msm. Truly, a no vote terrifies me

Why distasteful? Its all true...