Would an independent Scotland go same way as Ireland and Iceland?

[inkyfingers]

No one's saying whether Scotland can afford to be out of the Union. I know those 2 countries have had huge ££ problems already, but the UK gov owns RBS and Scots would have to buy it back? Is North Sea oil going to be a big enough wealth creator? Most small EU countries are struggling ATM.

What if teh Dilay Mail opens a TV news channel and broadcasts the truth, just as it does in its newspaper pages? The progressives will be apoplectic. It'll be like setting the Fox News among the chickens, you'll never witness anything so hectic.

An interesting piece in today's Independent on some of the issues involved.

interesting, yes, but sometimes a messy divorce is the way it's got to be if one party wants out. did anyone read the hughes-hallett piece?

There may be a lot of arguments from the 'No to Independence' campaigners that may resemble the arguments of the 'No to AV' campaign. A lot of the 'No to Av' campaigners will also be 'No to independence' campaigners. There'll be David Cameron and possibly John Reid.

The people with politics degrees and PPE will say "No, No, No", just as they did to AV. But they'll have to wait and see what the Scottish people say.

Interesting article there from Paddy Ashdown's former press secretary.....there's a quite few assumptions in there

oh yes he is, isn't he? had forgotten he was ashdown advisor.

claig, i couldn't agree more. i cannot see a vote for independence go through for that reason. if they cannot get such an obviously better voting system through (although across scotland it was a much closer-run thing) then how to persuade people to go it alone after three hundred years? all the naysayers have to do is spin a few doom-laden predictions and people will shite it.

Aitch I read the Hughes Hallett article.

I think the SNP going for a positive campaign won them votes, so I am not sure how a no campaign will succeed, especially if it is Tory led... time will tell.

if you listen to the rscotland link you can hear him. he's the opposite of tub-thumping, very measured and calm. and english, iirc.

Yes the might of the media will be swung against independence. But they may be underestimating Alex Salmond and the SNP. Salmond is very capable and may put a spanner in the wheel. Who will they use to convince the Scottish people to vote no? Scots like John Reid, Gordon Brown, Ming Campbell? Haven't the SNP got that Scottish and worldwide legend, Sean Connery?

yes, but we think he is a nob.

No, shurely not?
Why do teh Scots think he is a nob?

Shurely there is no comparison between Sean Connery and John Reid. No contest. Put it to the public vote.

lol. we think he's a nob because he is an old bastard who lives in spain and comes her to lecture us about our own business.

I like Rod Stewart. Which side is he on?

Interesting parallels ?The Dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden

Sean and Rod are world famous Scots who have done well. I am sure they fly the flag for Scotland wherever they go. People like them are great ambassadors for Scotland, much better than the politicians, because they have earned the worldwide public's affection.

rod is english, mind you.

really interesting, tapsel. my norge chums are always baffled that we aren't independent.

What happened when Ireland split from Britain? That might throw some light on it.

I'm not sure, but I think Rod considers himself Scottish, even though he was born in England. He could have been born in Kathmandhu, but he is still Scottish.

aye, so he says. i think his dad is a jock, so fair dos. (as we say up here).

I would love to see a split like the one between Norway and Sweden, two countries with polarised politics at that time, from what I have very briefly read, but they split semi-amicably and it was very positive.

I read the Independent article and feel it was not a very balanced piece, imo, some great comments below it from readers.

someone posted this on fb today.

"Just once I?d like to hear a Unionist say: ?Of course the Scots could successfully rule themselves. Other nations do it, why shouldn?t they? I just happen to believe we?re better off within the British state?.

i reckon it's how i feel about the whole thing, what are the real, honest, pro arguments? i see that the 'you're too crap to run your own affairs' line is probably the more successful, though.