Scottish Indyref 2

[ExecutiveFiat]

I think it’s inevitable now and only a matter of when not if!
When will it happen and will it be a yes? What are your predictions?

“ Genuine question (i.e. not trying to be goady) - would Scotland still be able to fund free prescriptions and university fees if it was totally independent from the rest of the UK?”

Why wouldn’t a medium sized nation with a developed economy, natural resources and first world infrastructure be able to do that? How does Finland do it?

STG I think the vitriol worked both ways. Lots of abuse of Indy supporters as well! Tbh, If you have to move to another country because of a referendum campaign, then I’m sorry but I think you really need to address your mental health issues, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.

Genuine question (i.e. not trying to be goady) - would Scotland still be able to fund free prescriptions and university fees if it was totally independent from the rest of the UK?

Not without running up massive public debt, seriously cutting spending, or whacking up taxes, no.

“ then brand me not a proper Scot”

That’s just an outright lie, which is all the Unionists really have left.

The hard border issue depends on whether we keep this right wing Tory government or not. If we have a more moderate government after 13 December (I'm not optimistic but lets hope) we might decide to stay in the CU and SM. That might make a lot of people in Scotland think twice about independence, as it would remove the major downsides of leaving the EU. But if they did vote to dissolve the union, an independent Scotland would join EFTA as a starting point to (re)joining the EU and therefore no hard border would be necessary.

And if we do keep a nasty right wing government, there won't need to be a hard border between Scotland and Northern Ireland if Scotland is in EFTA because NI won't be outside the EU SM and CU anyway.

There are lorry queues on the Germany/CH border and the Norway/Sweden border, although there is free movement for people.

“ Not without running up massive public debt, seriously cutting spending, or whacking up taxes, no.”

Comical.

Why wouldn’t a medium sized nation with a developed economy, natural resources and first world infrastructure be able to do that? How does Finland do it?

We are not Finland. Our economy is different, our population is different, our tax rates are different, our health problems are different. You need to look at what our situation is here, not what is happening elsewhere.

“Why wouldn’t a medium sized nation with a developed economy, natural resources and first world infrastructure be able to do that? ”

Tbh, If you have to move to another country because of a referendum campaign, then I’m sorry but I think you really need to address your mental health issues, and I mean that in the nicest possible way

I disagree. If the result could fundamentally change your life in a way you don't want, why wouldn't you be worried? I don't think it's irrational to be anxious about it.

“ Not without running up massive public debt, seriously cutting spending, or whacking up taxes, no.”

Comical.

Are you not aware that we currently have a deficit of around 8%? How would you close that gap?

“Are you not aware that we currently have a deficit of around 8%? How would you close that gap?“

Scotland does not have a deficit. The GERS figures you refer to are heavily caveated the report to signify that this is illustrative, based on the current constitutional and macroeconomic model under the UK. It does not indicate what an independent Scotland would look like financially and all analysts agree on that.

Is Finland not absolutely beyond extortionate to live in though?

In my opinion there are so many unanswered questions from 2014, that my opinion has not changed.
Also they say everything goes to London, they are just as bad as no thought is given to anything north of the Forth road bridge. For the record I have lived in the three Scottish cities in the past three years and the differences in services in the central belt compared to the other two northern cities is mad.
Also I now hate discussing politics as I am made to feel stupid by others that I wouldn't automatically vote SNP. In my opinion the 2014 referendum did more harm than good.

Honestly the utter drivel from the no voters on here is laughable.

Come back when you know what you are actually talking about.

The questions and assumptions you are making here have been explained about 679,965 times. Go research it.

Frankly I'm sick of referendums. In the end if the Scots want to go then let them, BUT I suspect when they see the effect of loosing the £1000's of £ of subsidies provided as being part of the union which means loss of free university education, prescriptions and care for en elderly I suspect it may change. Oh....and also when they start negotiations to join the EU, then they will have to introduce and police a hard boarder the length of the boarder, as well as introducing the Euro....crack on

@MarieG10 Crack on, we sure will.
Which river do you want us to park Trident?

The unionists have had their way for over 300 years and change is finally on the way.

But England and Scotland have been separate throughout history for far longer than they have been part of an alliance, so if we're merely taking turns, then we have a very long time left before we're 'even'. You make it sound like 'the unionists' are one specific quantifiable group of people, who conspired and sought to take and keep control. Also, there are plenty of unionists on both sides of the border, as well as plenty of people in E,W&NI (not including me) who are tired of all the complaining and just want Scotland to get on with it and go - it isn't just the nasty English wanting to keep you as perpetual puppets.

You might as well say that the modern British people have had our way for long enough and it's high time for the Vikings/Romans/Picts/Gauls etc to have THEIR lands back.

If the majority of Scots want to leave, as proved by a referendum, then that's what should happen; although, whoever actually calls the referendum to put it to the people will presumably be castigated for doing so as David Cameron was.

However, I really don't understand why the 'official' line (i.e. the one shouting most loudly and overbearingly whilst insulting and branding as bigots anybody who disagrees ) is that maintaining a 40+ year alliance with the EU is the only sensible choice whilst remaining in a 300+ year alliance with England & Wales is clearly madness.

That’s just an outright lie, which is all the Unionists really have left.

Bollocks is it a lie. Traitor. Quisling.

The abuse people like JK Rowling got was shocking. There is a very nasty undertone to a lot of the cybernat stuff. Also on a related topic I hate the way they've hijacked MY COUNTRY'S flag for their own narrow little political aims. The Saltire is now nor a symbol I would ever associate myself with.

If there was another independence referendum and if the SNP won, yes we'd leave. Not immediately probably as I'd want to see my 12 year old through his schooling first. But they would have to hugely raise taxes to maintain services at their current levels they would bleed us dry and it would get to the stage we'd be considerably better off in England.

Northumberland is where I'd go.

No. Thank. You. Hell no.

And anybody thinking that a vote for SNP is a vote for remain, don't be so gullible, no one wants brexit more than the SNP.

FOTOFSOFAFOA
We’ve already had our referendum so get over it SNP and abide by the vote. They want to keep us voting till they get the result they want. 👎

I don't feel we are part of a union that has no respect for us at all.

In this union we are treated as an irrelevance. Look at brexit, the majority of scotland voted to remain, by quite a margin, but because Scotland's population is only 5 and a bit million what we want doesn't matter. In this union England decides always.

And to those who assume Scotland couldn't financially make it alone here's just a few of our national assets.

World renowned tourism destinations & events.
World renowned food and drink industry.
World leader in renewables/green technology.
An estimated 25% of Europe's offshore energy capacity.
4th largest core fishing waters in Europe, which are some of the richest fishing grounds in the world, and account for 87% of the UKs fishing catch.
Most of the UKs fresh water supply (Loch Ness alone contains more fresh water than all of England and Wales).
1/3 of the UKs land mass.
And finally 96% of the UKs oil and gas fields.

But of course there's no possible way us subsidy junkies could go it alone.

I voted No and would again.But I think it is now almost inevitable.
SNP should do very well in General election.
Indy ref 2 to follow
And probably a Yes vote

“ Is Finland not absolutely beyond extortionate to live in though?”

Not relative to earnings in Finland, no.

“ Bollocks is it a lie. Traitor. Quisling.

The abuse people like JK Rowling got was shocking. ”

It IS a lie. The poster said that the SNP has branded her “not a Scot”.

JK Rowling is a bit of a troll.

Scotland only narrowly voted in favour of staying in the union, but almost the whole of Scotland voted to stay in the EU.

I think a lot of voters will change their minds, and vote to become independent so that Scotland can then vote to rejoin the EU.