to wonder how Scotland's decision will affect england?

[LEMmingaround]

Just that really? If they do go their ownway how will it affect england?

Also will it open a can of worms with wales and northern Ireland?

oddcommentator - could you please stop with the 'guaranteeing', There are no guarantees at this point.

Also, the big 'fuck you' that some are predicting would go against the edinburgh agreement -

30. The United Kingdom and Scottish Governments are committed, through the Memorandum of Understanding 4 between them and others, to working together on matters of mutual interest and to the principles of good communication and mutual respect. The two governments have reached this agreement in that spirit. They look forward to a referendum that is legal and fair producing a decisive and respected outcome. The two governments are committed to continue to work together constructively in the light of the outcome, whatever it is, in the best interests of the people of Scotland and of the rest of the United Kingdom.

I second Wanksock. You must be the only person in Scotland who knows without a doubt that we will not have a currency union, odd. I'm sure many Yes advisers also have Masters degrees and higher in related fields, it is much more common to hold a Masters these days.

Also funny how, when these assertions are made with absolute certainty in support of a No vote, the poster is praised. When I post my opinion on something, I'm told I have no hard proof and am wrong.

No side can guarantee a thing just now.

I'm sure Westminster will stick to the Edinburgh agreement, just like they kept their promise in the 70s... I don't trust it will happen.

One question: If we're better together, why is it not better for Scotland already? Why do we only get promised more powers, like a child being promised a treat for behaving, now that there's a referendum? Why weren't we given more powers well before now?

Fair point, they are not to be trusted!

The 'more powers guaranteed' thing really pisses me off, only way to guarantee more powers is to vote yes. They could even take powers away from us in the future if they want, if we stay in the union. And I don't think having power over income tax is all that beneficial if you are still handing over your cash to westminster to receive your pocket money back based on how much is spent in england?

It still makes me [that] Scott's still think their will be a currency union

If your join the EU you will be using the Euro thems are the rules

It's not in our interest to let you go on with the £
And it's not in the Scott's to take on the euro so they will not be able to join the EU so were will that leave them with out an answer just like salmon was the other night

I would not base my whole economic destiny on a man who has no clue what money everyone will be using

It's mad

One question: If we're better together, why is it not better for Scotland already?

I don't understand what you are asking. It already is better!

Scotland already has its own parliament and lots of devolved powers. More devolved powers have been promised - far more than Wales for instance, or regions of England.

If you really want more freedom, then you will have to take the independence option. And if a majority vote that way, you will get it.

I think Scottish independence would be great for England (apart from the impact on housing in the South-East), and if you do get your wish Numanoid, we will both be happy.

Great, I hope they say yes. That way the English MIGHT get their own Government like everybody else has.

From what I have read thefishewife he can't know 100% re currency or EU until independence actually happens. If it does

You might want to read more before making such sweeping generalisations too.

Add message | Report | Message poster FanjoForTheMammaries Fri 08-Aug-14 12:08:30
You might want to read more before making such sweeping generalisations too.

no you may want to the rules of the EU state that any new joking country will have to take on the euro

All Member States of the European Union, except Denmark and the United Kingdom, are required to adopt the euro and join the euro area. To do this they must meet certain conditions known as 'convergence criteria'.

Sorry joining (sp)

Well the point is sallyingforth that there are a lot of people in scotland who don't think it is better already. We have things imposed upon us from westminster that we don't want, we have a lot of poverty and feel that we as an independent country could tackle our own problems better, we look to England and don't like what we see with privatisation. Yes, healthcare is a devolved issue for us, but as far as I understand it, our budget received is not based upon what we put in, but on what is spent in england, therefore is a risk that in the future we won't be able to afford the nice fluffy things which we think are important, even if we as a country could have afforded them.

If Scotland do not take on the euro they cannot join the EU end of

It's not in the UKs interest to let Scotland keep the £

And I don't think saying he will have no clue about what going to happen until we leave it's quite the winning argument you think it's just demonstrates what a fool he is something so important should be ironed out before trying to have votes

What currency will you pay for this better life because it won't be the pound or the euro

I think in the event of no currency union we would continue to use the scottish pound pegged to the pound rates, like ireland did for years. Or we could set up our own fun currency

May be monopoly money or bit coin

So certain services in the NHS are outsourced to private companies. Who pays them? Does the government pay them? Do they charge significantly less than before? And why is it privatisation when it happens south of the border but not talked about when it happens in Scotland?

As far as I can see spending on the NHS is continuing, but more is being paid to private companies. It is still being paid. The question of whether they're more efficient or not is not something I know, I don't have access to the procurement process data.

And as far as I'm aware it is still free to access services. Unlike in the Republic of Ireland.

Despite this, some (not all) Yes supporters like to scaremonger that we will all be paying to visit GPs if we vote No.

He's hasn't got the foundation right so how can he be trusted with anything else

First on the list of any country even on sim city is currently

there are a lot of people in scotland who don't think it is better already

I'm sure there are. Just like there are lots of people in Wales of England or NI who think it's not better already. It takes a long while to get out of a deep recession, and we'd all like to do it much quicker.

I personally think it's better for all of us to stick together, and work together for a stronger United Kingdom. But unlike the other parts of the union, you have the chance to pull out if you wish.

If you vote Yes, I will be very comfortable with your decision and wish you well. I will certainly be better off, and I hope you will be too.

I do wonder about your expectation of the 'fluffy things' though. The loss of so many jobs to England means you will have less tax coming in and many more claiming benefits. It will be an 'interesting time' as the Chinese say.

Thefishewife: of course Scotland can keep the pound! That is not in question. What is in question is a formal currency union.

Countries using other currencies this way can do just fine. There are plenty of countries out there using currencies like USD.

Scottish banks already print their own bank notes, and lodge the equivalent value with the bank of England.

poster Sallyingforth

Well said sadly I can't think of many countries that have broke away and it's ended up well sadly many end up tin pit republics that have to be bailed out by the ex country

Frmarirolu, I notice though that with the list of pound using countries you supplied, none of them are members of the EU. If Scotland wants to be in the EU as an independent country they will probably be expected to use the Euro. There are plenty of EU laws about currency use, and I don't know if Scotland would legally be allowed to use the UK's currency if it leaves. And I assume Scotland would want to apply to be in the EU, they wouldn't want to be totally without outside support?

It will be interesting. On a purely selfish level I think I will be slightly disappointed if the Scots vote No - just because it will be interesting to watch it all happen!