I don't know one single reason why Scotland would want to quit the UK

[ClementineKelandra]

I'm genuinely interested in the reasons why Scotland want to break away from the UK. I'm sure there must be many good ones but I jyst can't see any atm.

i am a Scot living in Scotland and don't know of anyne who wants independence. Well, maybe Alex Salmond

Oh, and just to add, that local income tax gave me free access to the local (excellent) sports facilities.

or is she a turkish belge? or a belgian? who knows?

But welfare and macroeconomic policy are not devolved powers - so it's actually an argument for independence and against Westminster, as it could be argued that it is the continued focus on the needs of London and the over heated South East that has resulted in continued high levels of poverty in Scotland. But there are areas of England that suffer from that too.

The abandonment of the manufacturing sector during the Thatcher years hit Scotland particularly badly.

Ah. I could have somehow guessed that Aitch.

If I can't use left wing, why do people keep calling me "right wing"?

well, yes, prettybird. but i think she's not listening to you because she thinks you're a cybernat. (rather than a total MN saddo who's been here for YONKS. )

could've guessed what? not with you.

I don't think anyone on here is cybernat?

At least I hope not. Never let what someone has not said get in the way of political statement though, eh?

and you CAN use left wing. but you mustn't then, in fairness, accuse people of wanting to attach labels etc the first time someone says something as frankly milquetoast as 'you strike me as more right wing'.

However, if you are indeed a cybernat Aitch may your postings prosper!

oh, good. it's just that i thought you'd judiciously avoided answering that question before. so you don't think anyone on here is a plant, then? we're all just normal MNers talking?

good, no problem then.

?

So cyber bats are the siol nan gaideal forum then?

You've lost me Aitch. I've been engaging with other posters on here, not just you.

Looking at that table of tax rates, I can't help noticing that the former Soviet block countries appear to pay more than 15% annual income tax. This sounds great - socialism must have done such a great job there.

I suspect what the headline rate of tax is and what people see disappearing from their pay packets are rather different.

I also notice all that the small countries like Iceland, Ireland and Ireland are very, very high tax. Now which of those is currently in favour with Alex Salmond right now? For a while we were all to model ourselves on Ireland, if I remember rightly. Its Norway at the moment, isn't it?

Although with his favourite ex pat actor's choice of residence, should it not be Babados?!?

none of the former Soviet block countries.

You'll note though that Ireland still aren't wanting to rejoin the uk.

I'VE lost you? lol.

(shoudl the mention of that aging buffoon be like a Godwin's Law on these threads? Connery's Law?)

I've actually tried very hard not to be biased in my comments.

I am actually comfortable to be labelled "left of centre" even I did vote for a Tory in the local elections as it accords with the values I was brought up with. I also think those values are not totally incompatible with the "old" Scottish Tories, even though I disagree with some of their approaches. (for example, I believe in comprehensive education).

I most definitely am not a cybernat

Debates such as this (which to give it its due, has stayed generally civil) are tipping me in favour of voting yes, as I still haven't many positive arguments in favour of the Union, but more and more evidence of the differing values.

As I've mentioned before, I seem to be unusual happen to believe that we shouldn't do it purely because we might/will be financially better off. This is a long term decision. My personal opinion is that people should vote which way they thing is right

To use the marriage analogy, you don't get a divorce because you think you'll gain financially out of it - usually you're poorer, at least initially. You do it because, for a variety of reasons, you don't want to be married any more.

Thats probably a very good idea Aitch!

I'll probably be one of those many Scots who leave. I hope I can do so soon. Englands a nice country too, but I wouldn't really want to live in Norway, Portugal or Ireland!

Sorry should have read Iceland not Portugal. Although I probably wouldn't live there either, except as a second home owner, as wages are too low.

Actually, I would like to live in Iceland for a while. I have a great deal of respect for the way they have dealt with their Kreppa. The Icelanders that I have worked with are mortified by what the small group of bankers did to them and they are working hard to develop alternate industries.

They have been through severe hardship with ultra high interest rates but are coming out the other side.

But I think we've established that I have a different set of beliefs/values to LesMissAbs. Not better, not worse. Just different.

Hi there

This one isn't really an AIBU, so we've moved it to 'In The News'.

You mean, it stayed civil and didn't degenerate into YABU protestations!

Haha prettybird - YANBU!!!! :)