Indyref 9

[IrnBruTheNoo]

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Do you know I think it would be easier to have a genuine discussion on education policy with Michael Gove (though he's gone now I believe!) than with Mike Russell.

There is no dissent allowed in Scottish education, it's bizarre.

There is no dissent allowed in much of Scotland, full stop. Get used to it because its only going to be more so if there is a vote for independence.

Chelsy: Clyde blowers boss mentioned entrepreneurs. the poster weatherall seems to have her ear to the ground and had made a few mentions of women entrepreneurs many threads ago. I sense a theme.

I can't remember who brought it up on indyref8, but a yes voter basically said that Scots and the Scottish would be the laughing stock of the world as their main reason for voting for independence. Is this really what many people think? I can't imagine that anyone would laugh at a no vote - why would they?

Secondly, regarding passports, while everyone who has a UK passport now will probably be fine, but what about your children? I know that people who have a parent born in the UK will get a passport under existing rules as far as I'm aware (had to apply for my foreign born kids a few years ago), but you can't get one through your UK born grand parents. Also, the rules keep changing, so there may be specific rules implemented against allowing your children / grandchildren being allowed to apply for UK passports.

Does this concern any yes voters?

I'm not being snarky, just would like to hear opinions, thanks.

You would have a really stimulating conversation with Gove. I met him (next door constituency). He gave me 15 minutes at a fete. He listened. He cares. He really is driven by "education as fundamental for social mobility". His policies may be misguided (or not) but his passion is for the pupils.

Any comments on Mike Russell anyone?

I hate the 'we'll be a laughing stock' argument. It gets trotted out a lot on facebook by the same people who call No voters traitors. I think over these many threads we have established that people are voting for a wide range of reasons. We don't all agree with each other's interpretations, but then how dull would life be if everyone agreed? But the idea we will do something because we fear a sense of shame, or what people will think - what would you say to your children if they said they didn't want to do something but they had to because otherwise the rest of the school would laugh at them? Vote Yes if you want to, but don't try and shame other people into it with those arguments.

To be fair - it isn't an attitude I've seen much of on here, but I have elsewhere. I think if that was the standard of debate on here, we wouldn't be up to Indyref9 and we wouldn't have people making such detailed responses.

Rose - my youngest son sat his GCSEs this year. He was a guinea pig yet again for all the changes brought in - mid GCSE course as well in the case of the English language exam.

His whole 5 years in secondary school have been change after change after change - his older siblings also had to suffer this sort of nonsense although not on the same scale. And then to be told their efforts were a waste of time as the exams weren't rigorous enough.

The secondary system in England has been absolutely awful for the whole 11 years I have been involved in it, I am glad my association with it is nearly over.

Fortunately my older ones have managed to get through unscathed, and I am hoping my youngest will too.

But Gove has done nothing to improve things and it sounds as if his successor won't be changing anything quickly. My sympathies lie entirely with the teachers.

to mark place

I noticed in one of the article that MN linked to commenting on yesterday's WebChat (I think it was the Guardian one), someone "laughing" at the supposedly old-fashioned format of the threads. That is the very reason why I like MN: it encourages articulate and indepth discussion of the issues rather than complicated replies to replies and of course no tickers

Never had any contact with Mike Russell so can't comment. Can only repeat that my personal experience of CfE to date has been very positive :)

News of RBS jumping ship rather premature, it appears (if this link works!).
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Those voting yes, will you want to be part of NATO?

As long as we lose the nukes I'm not too fussed either way. They might be a bit more fussed though given Scotlands fairly strategic position.

Reports saying 97% of those eligible have registered to vote - that is absolutely incredible! Apparently the largest electorate ever!

For those downplaying the issue of the head offices moving and saying it is only a technical issue, just a brass plate etc...what about the tax revenues that will go with them?

At the moment, GERS revenue methodology apportions corporation tax based on the economic activity undertaken in Scotland. I'm not a tax expert, but given the scale of their operations in rUK I'd guess the banks would be classed as UK resident for corporation tax purposes.

At the moment, GERS revenue methodology apportions corporation tax based on the economic activity undertaken in Scotland. I'm not a tax expert, but given the scale of their operations in rUK I'd guess the banks would be classed as UK resident for corporation tax purposes.

My understanding was that corporation tax should be paid in every country they are in, based on their economic activity in that country obviously there are various ways around this-

Petty Betty I have heard people pro independence saying it will be mortifying and we will be embarrassments to the world if we reject our independence. Their argument seems to be that it's nothing to do with Snp and Salmond and just about independence and how we will be rich from day one, it doesn't matter if we can't use the pound. It's all about FRREEEDDOOOOM.

It's all about FRREEEDDOOOOM

No its all about a country being able to govern itself.

How about a compromise though - how about every general election a different UK country takes turns at governing, this term was WM so next term NI or Wales or Scotland should govern the UK? Would that work?

Yes, statistically, that's what happens with corporation tax now, and according to AS at a press conference, will continue to do so. They'll pay corporation tax in Scotland on their activities in Scotland, and in England on their English earnings.

Hello SC

For those downplaying the issue of the head offices moving and saying it is only a technical issue, just a brass plate etc...what about the tax revenues that will go with them?

Here's the answer in this clip of Alex Salmond's press conference this afternoon. wingsoverscotland.com/handed-back-on-a-plate/

Corporation tax is payable where the company's activity takes place, not in the country where the company is officially registered. As RBS have just confirmed that they would not be moving jobs down south, there would be no effect in the corporation tax take in Scotland. It's a bit of a lengthy extract, but .you might also be interested in how old some of the quotes from CEOs are which have appeared today, and also at comments today of Sir Angus Grossart and the guy (sorry, forgotten his name temporarily) who runs Aberdeen Asset Management (both major figures in the Scottish financial services sector) who have both expressed incredulity at the scare stories on the go today.

It'sallgoingtobefine - I would rather we stayed as part of the UK! I didn't mean that's how I personally felt. I've never actually seen Braveheart. Better not tell that to some of the pro yes campaigners!

And a Wings free link for those with allergies:

pretty I don't doubt you. My child is doing well at school.

I fear that it's the Matthew effect and not good for society as a whole.

The words "according to AS at a press conference" do not inspire confidence frankly!

Given that they would be based in England, I think assuming that iScotland would get anything like the same share of corporation tax as is being attributed to it just now is a big leap of faith.