To think it is now inevitable that Scotland will become independent?

[amandacarnet]

With brexit and the increasing move to the right wing, I think it is now just a matter of time until Scotland becomes independent.

Except that there is no time limit on adopting the Euro and there are Schengen countries who don’t use it.

Stop your nonsense.

There are, but they were original members. They don't allow that anymore. Look you can keep believing that Scotland won't have to take the euro, but reality is that they will I'm afraid. It might not work out bad for them, it might be terrible. Who knows.

“With dwindling oil & gas reserves (which will become irrelevant once carbon based fuels are eventually banned), just how will Scotland finance itself if it were independent?”

Same way other medium sized countries like Finland , Denmark and Austria do. Cheers.

I think it's 50/50. I definitely think we will see a united Ireland within the next 20-30 years or sooner; before I would have said 40-50 years.

Arabella, I have said quite clearly Scotland needs its current sea defence against organised crime. My understanding though is that this was the police, not navy who did this.
Responding to emergencies needs decent emergency plans. Does not have to involve the army though and already involves a lot of civilians. So these just need beefed up a bit to take place of any army contribution.

just how will Scotland finance itself if it were independent

How do most small countries finance themselves?

There are many small countries throughout the world that seem to cope ok. There is no reason why Scotland can't do the same.

New Zealand - that's doing ok. It's got less people than Scotland. It's got its own currency, military and everything.

There is NO reason why Scotland can't cope by itself.

The target in Scotland would be the nuclear bases. Maybe shift those to the south of England? (Can't see a London Government doing that). If we were to deploy these weapons it would be a permanent goodnight for all, regardless of what side of the border you were on. (Got a designated space in a nuclear bunker anybody?).

Nuclear weapons are no deterrent - some nutjob countries have them, regularly test them and we have no way to stop them using them. The wars across the world are not being fought with nuclear weapons - and we have proved unable to stop the genocides because we have them.

“There are, but they were original members.“

Utter rubbish again!

Sweden joined the EU in 1995 and Schengen in 1996. Czech Republic did not join Schengen until 2007.

Just stop.

Y s nuclear bases would be a target. So you say to Westminster either you dismantle them, or you provide armed forces to defend them.

There are many small countries throughout the world that seem to cope ok. There is no reason why Scotland can't do the same.

Do these other countries have the same levels of unemployment? The same low taxes? The same free NHS? Free university education? Free prescriptions?

In most small countries I know much about, they have a strong economy, industry, etc or are tax havens.

“Do these other countries have the same levels of unemployment? The same low taxes? The same free NHS? Free university education? Free prescriptions?”

What the actual fuck?

Do these other countries have the same levels of unemployment? The same low taxes? The same free NHS? Free university education? Free prescriptions

All depends on how you choose to run your country, I suppose.

Most small countries exist as small countries because they are economically strong. Even tiny countries like Iceland with no real industry are economic powerhouses for the size of population.

“There are, but they were original members.“

Utter rubbish again!

Sweden joined the EU in 1995 and Schengen in 1996. Czech Republic did not join Schengen until 2007.

Just stop.

1996 was a long time ago. The rules have changed since then.

Czech Republic is planning on taking the euro.

europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries/member-countries_en

More info there is you need it on the others.

Could they? They are part of the British army, they are employed by Britain. I mean I guess Britain could let Scotland to keep them and make them properly separate, but why would they be helpful like that?

You do know that Britain is a land mass? Great Britain is an island not a country or a state. The Scots are, and always will be, British. You mean the UK? Scotland is currently a member of a 4-member union, comprising 8% of the population and much more of the natural assets. There is no all-powerful 'Britain' who controls everything.

The Czech Republic has postponed adopting the Euro indefinitely. Enough.

Given the mess around the Irish border and the backstop, it would be interesting how the issue of the Solway-Tweed line would be resolved and whether it would affect the vote or EU membership.

At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, how does the SNP get a legal referendum?

Real world, absolutely no one is going to deal with an illegal ‘independent’ country. (Just ask Catalonia.) And presumably no one is seriously suggesting an election that is not overseen by an independent electoral commission, which even if not the UK Electoral Commission would require to be set up under UK (reserved) law.

Great Britain is an island not a country or a state. The Scots are, and always will be, British

The rest of the UK will need to think of a new name then...

You do know that Britain is a land mass? Great Britain is an island not a country or a state. The Scots are, and always will be, British. You mean the UK? Scotland is currently a member of a 4-member union, comprising 8% of the population and much more of the natural assets. There is no all-powerful 'Britain' who controls everything.

I'm not really sure what your point is. The question was could scotland keep the army they have, considering they are employed by the British army? If Scotland leaves the UK, they are no longer part of that member state, so no longer have access to the army. Would the UK allow them to keep the soldiers they currently have? That remains to be seen.

The Czech Republic has postponed adopting the Euro indefinitely. Enough.

Where was that said?

At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, how does the SNP get a legal referendum?

No idea. They have to get permission from Westminster don't they? And bojo has said no to that already ages ago. But maybe he'll let it happen after brexit? Not much point right now, just causes a mess within a mess. Might as well get one out of the way.

The rest of the UK will need to think of a new name then

Half of Europe and Asia has been renamed since WW2.

Rename England - Boris Britain, his ego will have already taken him there!

Rename England - Boris Britain, his ego will have already taken him there!

If that happens I'm leaving.

amandacarnet

In the event that heavy rain falls and floods are going to cause chaos in numerous small villages you need manpower to help minimise flooding, minimise damage, get people to safe places before they get stuck and also rescue people.

Not only do you need people you need people who are fit, you also need people who can work as a team, and in poor conditions, and under pressure, and can help organise and reassure civilians (who are getting pissed off and worried) and you need teams of these people so they can work in shifts, you also may need people who can fly helicopters or run boats. To do all this you need a lot of people, a lot of money and a lot of training.

Don’t undervalue the work that people in the forces do just because you don’t agree with every operational deployment they have done.

“The rest of the UK will need to think of a new name then...”

Did Scandinavia cease to exist when Norway became independent?