to wonder what English MNers think of the Scottish referendum?

[OTheHugeManatee]

I'm English. I quite want Scotland to vote Yes. Personally I'm not sure the financial arguments stack up but I think you can argue it either way. I want a Yes vote not because I think Scotland should eff off or anything puerile like that, but because I think we're long overdue a serious constitutional shakeup in the British Isles and a Yes vote might well be the thing to trigger it.

Also I'm quietly (and, I hope non-xenophobically) quite firmly Eurosceptic. One of my main objections to rule from Brussels is the lack of democratic legitimacy: I don't feel that my vote counts for much in deciding who gets into power there. So I can sympathise with Scottish complaints that they feel the Westminster government doesn't represent their views and never really will. Given that I want freedom from Brussels so as to go back to self-determination as a democratic nation, logically I can't object to Scotland wanting the same thing.

But other English MNers seem to feel quite strongly the other way. If you're English, what's your view?

Ididntseeitsoitdidnthappen Wed 03-Sep-14 16:29:57
Because they've made such a song and dance about it.

'They'? There's over 5 million of us. Most of whom have made no song or dance at all.

But my main gripe with it is, I feel British, and Scotland is part of Britain. I don't want the country broken in two :(

I would like a yes vote. I hope that it would lead to a vote in England about dissolving the union entirely. I would like Ulster Unionists to realise how little of a shit the vast majority of the UK gives for their flag waving.

ididntsee we don't even get a capital S now...? If people don't want a Tory government, vote for someone else! I don't know a single Scottish person who voted Tory in the last election and yet look what we have. Clearly keeping us isn't going to make a huge difference in the future as it made no difference last time.

As for the Old Firm stuff, my DP is a hardcore to-the-grave Celtic fan and I can honestly say it's 90% abuse coming from the Rangers side. I lived in Edinburgh until a year ago and I was shocked by the difference. I ASSURE you, it's not a reflection of the entire country.

I'd be sad to see Scotland go, but at the same time I think it'd be the wake up call needed for politics in the UK. Our position on the world stage wouldn't be somewhat weakened, which I don't think is a bad thing. Britain isn't the super power it once was and we ought to stop pretending we are.

Any small s's are an error from me using my iphone not a sleight on your state as a nation.

The current government doesn't represent me either. I didn't vote for them.

I must confess that I don't understand why on MN UKIP are bad, but SNP are not. Little Englander = bad. Little Scotlander = good. It's one of MN's finest double standards

My theory is that it's because MN is broadly left-leaning, and the Left loathes British nationalism. So UKIP is bad because they are at root a nationalist, libertarian party and the SNP is good because successful Scottish independence is a kick in the balls for Great Britain. It's based on a fantasy that the UK is still powerful enough to oppress anyone, and therefore is The Power that must be Fought

My family is a bit Scottish, a bit English and a little bit Irish. We are British. I feel sad about this.

And this business of 'we didn't vote for this government' makes no sense. I didn't vote for Blair but I had to put up with him for years.

There are so many great things we have done as a United Kingdom. For me the most emblematic is D-Day--Lord Lovat's piper playing as all those brave Special Service Brigade British troops landed in horrific conditions.
blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2014/06/d-day-70-tribute-to-bill-millin-lord-piper/

I'm Scottish and voting no (half English though, and grandparents are even from the UK on both sides) but relatives in England are mixed. Most of them have said it's like a divorce...they'd feel rejected and hurt. But the ones in Portsmouth (most of them) are hoping for it, as then they'll get the shipbuilding jobs.

The only reason (from an English point of view) to stay in a union with Scotland was because they returned labour MPs and helped keep the Tories out. Since the rise of the SNP that is no longer the case. We've already had the worst that can happen, plus Scottish MPs voting with the government on issues that don't effect Scotland!

I'm left-leaning and I can't stand either UKIP or the SNP. Is MN really pro-SNP?

What will happen about the military?
There are a lot of scots who are proud to fight for the queen there but proud scots none the less. What will happen to them? Will they be part of the Scottish army or stay British?

It will be interesting to see how contracts will be distributed when they no longer have to send them over the border.

I think it's a big mistake for Scotland to leave with so many unanswered questions about their future. They are jumping into the dark with no idea what's out there. But if they want to go, then I wish them luck.

I almost agree with this, posted on the Telegraph website:

EmilyEnso • 9 hours ago

Good news for me.
I hope the Yes camp win.
If I was a Scot I would vote for Scots sovereignty and independence to be restored.
If I got the vote as an Englishwoman I would vote Yes to get the Scot politicians fingers out of England.
The damage they have done to my country under the Blair/Brown administration is immeasurable.
I wish the Scots well, but please do us English a favour and just go.
The only thing that puzzles me is why they want to hand their regained sovereignty over to Brussels.
But that is their problem.

cherry As for the Old Firm stuff, my DP is a hardcore to-the-grave Celtic fan and I can honestly say it's 90% abuse coming from the Rangers side.

I'm not having that. I am a "hardcore to the grave" Rangers fan, and I can honestly say there are eejits on both sides equally. Claiming a 90%/10% split is completely unfair and ridiculous. For every horror story you come up with, I can counter with an opposite one of my own so don't bother. And mine are first hand experiences, not "my dp"

Apologies for derailing someone else's thread, but couldn't let that one pass without comment. I'm now hiding it.

I'm Scottish and it will be no from me,by the way i or any other Scottish person i know haven't made a 'big song and dance about it'.
The only song and dance you'll see is from wee Eck and his hanger on'ers.
They can't answer a straight question,and i get abuse as i wear a no badge,i don't give abuse to anyone wearing a yes badge.I'll be glad when it's all over and done with

I have no idea what side they were on but whenever people heard my English accent I got a torrent of abuse.

Never had an issue in any other part of Scotland - Edinburgh was lovely as were the people same with Dundee, Perth and the borders. I would expect the highest proportion of voters to be weegies tbh

I'm English and voting Yes ( there are loads of English people in Scotland )

FesterAddams Wed 03-Sep-14 16:52:19
I must confess that I don't understand why on MN UKIP are bad, but SNP are not. Little Englander = bad. Little Scotlander = good.

AFAIK it's because UKIP are against immigration and the SNP are not. Indeed, in many parts of Scotland we need immigration.

I have a lot of Scottish family, and I'd be sad if the nation we have now splits up. But at the same time, I am really interested to see what would happen if they got independence.

I'd vote No.

Stronger together....

I do feel sad that the split may come - comparing it to divorce feels very fitting.

It does grate that the Scottish MPs can vote on matters purely English though!

Scottish and living in Scotland. A no voter.

Always feel threads like this stoke up that undercurrent of anti Scottishness on this site.