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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder how Scotland's decision will affect england?

980 replies

LEMmingaround · 06/08/2014 20:35

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?

OP posts:
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6
Sallyingforth · 06/08/2014 22:40

Fluffyears
and pay for the water we send.

Can you tell me how much water you send?
As I understand it, the north of England has plenty of water from the Lake District, and it's not economic to pump it further south.

Sallyingforth · 06/08/2014 22:43

If Scotland gain independence, will we need a new Union Jack flag?

Certainly not. The flag belongs to the United Kingdom. Bits of it were derived from the Scottish flag, but Scotland doesn't own them and can't take them away when it leaves.

OldLadyKnowsSomething · 06/08/2014 22:43

Thatsn0t, that'll be an issue for the College of Arms.

Droflove · 06/08/2014 22:46

No way Northern Ireland will become independent. Totally different and very complex situation with a great portion of the country being more loyal to GB than any Brit in England.

Sallyingforth · 06/08/2014 22:51

The College of Arms is responsible to the Queen, and the Queen is advised by Parliament.
I can't imagine government wanting to change the flag by which we are known around the world, and which forms part of many Commonwealth flags as well.

fredfredgeorgejnr · 06/08/2014 22:55

The UK will get less rain and have longer life expectancy!

Patrickstarisabadbellend · 06/08/2014 23:02

What will happen to the tax credits, dwp and things like that in Scotland?

Will they need to set up their own system?

OldLadyKnowsSomething · 06/08/2014 23:07

Yes, we'll set up our own systems; we do already have a Civil Service, with experienced workers, so it's all do-able. :)

Thefishewife · 06/08/2014 23:11

If it all gose tits up we will have to bail them out like with Ireland

Scotalnd will be the loser in all of this they can't use trident to haggle over as it's coming to a end anyway

They can't say we will default on our share of the debt if you don't give us what we want because they will end up with a shit credit rating
And they won't have the backing of the EU because they won't be in it

Thefishewife · 06/08/2014 23:13

I did have this conversation with my son he. Says his geog teacher says they won't change the flag it's like our brand and is very famous I would be a bit odd and

can I ask if they vote yes will scots not in Scotland have to hand in their passports for Scottish ones and will they still be Scottish or can they choose to have a bristish or Scottish one

Igggi · 06/08/2014 23:24

Hopefully it would lead to a vote where we can get rid of Northern Ireland too.

Fucking charming.

Sallyingforth · 06/08/2014 23:27

OldLady
Don't forget that many civil servants employed in Scotland actually work on English/Welsh/NI matters.
Their jobs will return to England because we won't want to employ foreigners to do our work.

PhaedraIsMyName · 06/08/2014 23:28

can I ask if they vote yes will Scots not in Scotland have to hand in their passports for Scottish ones and will they still be Scottish or can they choose to have a British or Scottish one

No idea.Unlikely as "Scots" isn't a nationality so those who are British living out with Scotland ephod continue as such. I think the Nats' proposal is they could ask for one if they want one.

No idea whether those who are British but born and living in Scotland would have to have Scottish passports. I don't want a Scottish passport.

I did actually write to Eck's office and got the reply every one living in Scotland ,should it happen, would be entitled to have a Scottish passport. Which wasn't what I asked.

PhaedraIsMyName · 06/08/2014 23:29

"ephod" ?? Seriously phone , that's not even a word and how you could possibly predict it for "would"

BarbarianMum · 06/08/2014 23:32

Fluffy does your shit just fly off into the sky where you live? A large part of most people's water bills covers effluent treatment round here.

PhaedraIsMyName · 06/08/2014 23:38

And there will be much more employment for shipbuilding in Barrow and Portsmouth. I can't see the UK government paying foreign shipyards on the Clyde to build or navy ships

There was a hilarious episode of Newsnight Scotland where this very point was being debated. I can't recall who it was 1 SNP bloke and 1 Labour bloke and Labour bloke quite reasonably pointed out Westminster would be insane to award contracts to Scotland. SNP bloke got all huffy and said that would be vindictive.

He only just stopped short of saying "it's nae fair"

Clarabum · 06/08/2014 23:39

If it all gose tits up we will have to bail them out like with Ireland

yeah because the UK are great at handling financial matters Confused

And TiggyD you sound delightful!

ArgyMargy · 06/08/2014 23:39

Birmingham's water comes from Wales. And it is truly delicious.

Patrickstarisabadbellend · 06/08/2014 23:41

Chester water comes from Dee valley water and it's shite.

ShakesBootyFlabWobbles · 06/08/2014 23:42

England would still be part of the UK with Wales and Northern Ireland. I wouldn't expect much will change day to day. I wouldn't want the flag to change either.

The passport question is set out in the white paper page 273, i.e. resident and expat Scots (plus a few other types of eligible folk) have the choice to retain their British passports or take a Scottish passport. My DH is Scottish and our children were born in England where we currently live, but they too are eligible to take Scottish citizenship should they wish to (as would my DH's grandchildren if he takes Scottish citizenship).

My opinion for what it is worth (not much) is that I think it will be a no vote so it is all hypothetical.

I also think the nasty comment about NI is outrageous. Shame Angry

ShakesBootyFlabWobbles · 06/08/2014 23:45

And for what its worth, this isn't a Scotland/England issue, it is a Scotland/UK issue.

PhaedraIsMyName · 06/08/2014 23:47

How much are water charges in England?

I can't remember what Council Tax band our flat is in but the water and drainage charge will be either £684 or £592. 2 people living in flat, one at least quite careful of water use. It might be cheaper for us to be metered.

OldLadyKnowsSomething · 06/08/2014 23:48

Thefishewife, Cameron has just agreed the renewal of Trident with Obama, at a cost of £130 billion. We only found out because Obama mentioned it to Congress, Dave hasn't made an announcement, so I'm not surprised you didn't know that.

In the event of no formal currency agreement being reached, Scots will not be defaulting on a debt. The Treasury has already accepted that debts run up by the UK will be paid by the UK, and if Scotland is no longer part of the UK and not "allowed" to use the £, we have no duty to pay. International money markets don't behave the same way as your bank manager and look at our future potential earnings; they'd actually look at us taking on a debt we don't owe as a sign of weakness.

As for the EU, there is no mechanism to expel us. It took Greenland 8 years to negotiate their leaving, and they wanted to go; we'd still be in the EU while renegotiating the t&cs of our membership.

FFS, why has a thread about "how will this affect England?" turned into "how much can we bash Scotland?" :(

LindyHemming · 06/08/2014 23:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Alisvolatpropiis · 06/08/2014 23:52

The Union Jack should be altered to actually acknowledge the fact Wales exists, regardless of the result of the referendum.

This isn't an England/Scotland issue. It's a Scotland/UK issue.

I don't think Wales is even close to being able to function as a separate entity. One day, possibly not in my lifetime, it will be though.

Can't comment on Northern Ireland and it's prospects of independence.