to wonder why the SNP aren't getting the same bashing that UKIP are?

[kinkytoes]

I'm not a political expert by any means and I know there has been a lot of discussion on both topics here.

But both these parties have the same ultimate aim - independence for their countries. Why is no-one calling SNP supporters racist? Not that I think they should be - just curious about the apparent double standard.

[MelonadeAgain]

As a side issue, I can't help noticing that more "No" supporters post at the weekends!

[OldLadyKnowsSomething]

Yes supporters are all reading the Sunday Herald, or out searching for copies.

[OTheHugeManatee]

Having read iScotland threads on MN for a while now I've concluded that I can see where the Yes campaign is coming from (I'm English and resident in Rngland, btw) as while you can argue economics till the cows come home at the end of the day independence seems to be more about self-determination and democratic representation than money.

What I truly don't understand is why Scotland would go to such lengths and take such risks to secure their democratic sovereignty from a Westminster government that doesn't adequately represent Scottish interests and values only to then say how keen they are to hand that sovereignty right away again by joining the EU.

But then I believe many of the arguments for separating Scotland from England also apply to separating England from the EU. I have been intrigued and inspired by the Scottish desire to combine a liberal and outward-looking mindset with a firm sense of national pride. I think Scottish nationalism offers a really positive model for the way English national pride could still be wrested from the skinheads and loons and rehabilitated to the benefit of our political culture.

[TheBogQueen]

Maybe that's when they've got all their homework done, Melonade

[Toadinthehole]

To answer a point made up-thread concerning the independence of the BOE. The BOE is basically the UK's reserve bank. As such, it is answerable to the Government and is of course subject to law made at Westminster. Increasingly in the last few decades, the government has allowed it a freer hand to manage matters as it sees fit. The most well-known example of this is the setting of the official cash rate. This is now done by the board of governors of the BOE. Up to the end of John Major's government, it was done by decision made in Cabinet.

So it is more correct to say that the BOE is allowed to do what it likes in some matters, but not correct to say it is independent.