to believe the remaining UK should not make special exceptions for Scottish economic refugees?

[longfingernails]

In the event of Scottish independence, the Scottish economy will be in the toilet. In this event, Britain should not be allowed to become a magnet for Scottish economic migrants.

I wouldn't blame Cameron if the Scots choose independence; the Tory party don't exactly have a strong foothold in those parts. However, I will certainly excoriate him if he gives an inch in any negotiations in the event of independence - especially if he allows large scale unskilled immigration from Scotland into Britain.

An independent Scotland would have almost zero negotiating power and Britain should exploit that to maximise our own advantage.

What always gets me about this debate (If you can call it that) is how the Scots don't like to be referred to as 'Foreigners' yet some of those very same people want to be independent.

So they would most certainly be foreigners although technically where England is concerned they already are because the last time I checked Scotland was a country in it's own right.

It's no good even talking about this until after the vote ....and even after the vote (It's so tight and evenly balanced) there will still be a division in Scotland from the yes and no camps.

And of course the 'forces of darkness' who would simply love a yes vote.

English the majority language?!.... Get back under your bridge!

Ah. But theres foreigners and forriners. Scots would be the desirable sort.

English certainly not the majority language in Glasgow! I'm sure that many Englanders would struggle to recognise the language here

That's the thing with Schengen - there are very few border controls. You can travel back and forth between Germany and Netherlands, between Scandinavian countries, etc. But it all depends on EU membership....

Trident in Portsmouth sounds grand though.

Scots, in some places, are already ''foreigners'. We are all 'foreigners' somewhere. Even the English. So bloody what!

I suspect, in the event of independence, many unskilled workers would be happier staying in Scotland - there will always be need for 'unskilled' workers. After all who will clean the posh folk's toilets? In England there will be no welfare state, no NHS, a Govey education system. We've even got good weather in Scotland just now.

Caruthers, because the kind of people who like to emphasise that we would be "foreigners" are the kind of people who don't much care for foreigners and therefore use it in what is perceived to be a pejorative sense.

It's hardly unusual to dislike being insulted, however hidden the attempt.

There'll be a golden horde heading North from London & the Home counties I tell ya .

The Shetland Islanders who haven't yet decided if they want to be part of Scotland OR the UK hold a lot of power in the economic negotiations. Perhaps they'll choose to follow the Icelandic model and take their oil and gas resources with them. After culturally they have more in common? They've not exactly been respected by the mainland historically, so owe mainlanders nothing and may prefer to look after their own?

We all speak Scots up here.
Only type in English so the foreigners can understand us, polite like that see.

caruthers I strongly suspect that you're right. I also think that in the event of independence, after about 3 months Scotland and the remaining UK will truly despise each other. Domestic political opinion in both won't be happy with any concessions, and the resulting acrimony will be a quite natural consequence.

The difference is that the remaining UK doesn't really need much from Scotland; the reverse certainly wouldn't be true. The Scots would have to compromise out of sheer necessity; we wouldn't. Therefore I would be furious if Cameron made unnecessary concessions on substantive matters purely out of his liberal guilt.

Of course Shetland will leave.

I think it is quite likely that Berwick will become independent in its own right too.

And I'm sure there will be a renegotiation of the England/Scotland border - Durham was mentioned earlier?

I doubt Cameron will negotiate anything that's not in his own interests.

OldLadyKnowsSomething a poster stating that you would be foreign if Scotland votes for independence isn't exactly going out on a limb to offend...that poster would just be stating the facts.

If you think being referred to as a foreigner when you are is offensive then you'll just have to be offended then

That is what the vote is about. And like I mentioned earlier Scotland IS another country already.

You're definitely using 'foreigner' as an insult.

This country has had all my money since I moved here 25 years ago so if you want me to fuck off out of it do you want my house back?

My half English kids?

My springer spaniel?

I only came here for the cunting weather and the English husband

England needs bugger all from Scotland.

It has plenty of its own oil reserves.
And there is certainly no shortage of water.
Or electricity.

LaurieFairyCake did you want a chance to vote on this?

English certainly not the majority language in Glasgow! I'm sure that many Englanders would struggle to recognise the language here

Oh please....we're no less understandable than some Londoners, Liverpudlians, Mancs or Bristolians. I really wish some of my compatriots would stop pretending Scots are so different/special/better than anyone else. The sooner this stupid, bloody, waste of space referendum is over the better. All it's serving to do is create division where none existed before.

Well, longfingernails, I have to say that I don't think that an independent Scotland will need much from England. We'll be looking at what we can do for ourselves. I've lived in Switzerland and there's a lot to learn from there and other small independent countries about how to work well with your neighbours while making your own decisions to achieve the quality of life and economic prosperity you want.

Yup the border would slide south to Watford. The Cornish have wanted independence forever too, so might try and join forces with Wales and NI.

What exactly does Scotland gain from England at the moment? If the benefits were so obvious there'd be no independence movement and vote in the first place.

Westminster has got too out of touch and arrogant. This is the price paid, shame the English peasants can't break away and obtain their freedom too!

Being another country might just be why a significant number want independence.

BTW Cameron won't always be in his current post. Not will Salmond. I think there is already a fair amount of acrimony. They are just playing at politeness. Just about. Sometimes I just play at politeness too .....

No, the folks that live there can decide.

There is no way I should have a vote in this when I live in England.

And very simply for the cheap seats - if the Scots retain their British passports we wouldn't become 'foreign'

Ubik I was following the OP's argument through to its conclusion, no need for sighs! (I'd be an odd mother who was still planning to vote yes if it meant I'd be repatriated elsewhere in the UK!)
But talk like this does cause worry and may affect people without the benefit if mumsnet to put them straight. So une pointe to the OP for that.

LaurieFairyCake You're interpreting 'foreigner' as an insult. That doesn't mean I'm using 'foreigner' as an insult; rather, it means you lack basic comprehension skills.

If Scotland becomes independent, then to people in the remaining UK, Scots would be foreigners. If you choose to be insulted by that fact, then please feel free!

Passport= citizen of the UK

Ie. not foreign

I certainly don't lack basic comprehension skills.

You're always attempting to stir up racism with your right wing views.