to start a new Scottish Indyref thread?

[FannyFifer]

Round 2 folks, ding ding!

Population of Shetland a bit over 22,000
Number of signatures on petition a bit over 1100 (and that's assuming they were all Shetland inhabitants) that's hardly a mass movement. Having said that I think they should have a referendum if they want one - I believe the petition was dismissed as too close to close to the "main" referendum to be able to organise in time.

I believe that any individual/village/city/region/country should have the right to be independent if they wish. Obviously, in some cases the reality of the situation means this is not possible eg Sealand which is not recognised by anybody as an independent state.

frankie that's because it's in response to legislation from Holyrood.

ok McDonald's apparently support the union. I'll take that. But why would an independent Scotland cause McDonald's any problems? Is there a country they haven't carpeted in stores?

More importantly, the question to answer is how will Scotland fund itself? In 2013 the direct tax take from oil and gas production for the whole of the UK was £4.67 billion and falling. This compares with annual spending of the Scottish government (plus UK spending on Scotland) running at £65.2 billion. Hence, direct taxation of oil and gas production may account for less than 7% of the Scottish budget. Where the other 93% is going to come from?

This is a common misconception. Oil is a lovely bonus sure, but Scotland does not need it to prosper.

"If oil revenues are included in GDP figures, Scotland is shown to generate more per head of population than the UK as a whole. For Scotland, it is £26,424 per head compared with £22,336 per head for the UK, according to Scottish government estimates.

If you do not include oil and gas revenues then there is little difference in the figures - GDP per head in Scotland was £20,571 in 2011 and for the UK it was £20,873."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-24866266

Oh yes - income tax, VAT and national insurance are the other big income generators in Scotland.

And there's the duty on whisky and other alcohol, property taxes, VED...

In 2011-12, around 67% of tax revenue generated in Scotland comprised income tax, North Sea taxes, VAT and NI.

Is it a given that the Queen will still be Queen of iScotland?

Yes, the Queen will still be Queen, the question is one of independence, not whether we want to become a republic. Though I can see a future referendum on that issue further down the line.

OldLady the Scottish gvt have held talks with the councils of Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles about devolving further powers, these talks are ongoing.

Sounds about as convincing as saying it wasn't the Scottish lairds which caused the depopulation of Fetlar or the English Gladstone who eventually introduced protective crofting secured tenure from Westminsters...

That would be the singular...damned phone.

I don't suppose Her Majesty will enjoy the 18 months of negotiations.

One Westminster is enough, we don't need more than one Chelsy!!

Would we still have to pay for the queen?

the Scottish gvt have held talks with the councils of Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles about devolving further powers, these talks are ongoing

How come we believe that, but not the chat from Westminster about more powers for Scotland? Is that our mythical superior Scottish politicians again?

chubbyhez, she won't do it for free you know.

Westminster hasn't actually held any talks with the Scottish gvt re further devolved powers. There have been suggestions from the main parties, but these have not been reached by agreement, there's been no input by the SNP.

I didn't realise rbs had signed the pro indy letter released tiday?

Then let's get the royal family to fuck then!

They haven't. The ex-chairman did.

Can't get rid of the royal family and use money with their face on it!

Do Australia etc pay towards the royal family?

Yeah just read that it was the ex chair. Big rbs logo behind the presenters discussing it on BBC news. Bit misleading?

I am pretty sure that Australia funded Kate and Will's recent jaunt.

I think Australia pay for the High Commissioner (the Queen's Representative in Australia).

You're going to have to pay for a Head of State.

If you want a Head of State.