If the SNP win a referendum on Scottish independence, what do you think the criteria will be for moving there and getting a Scottish passport?

[Kendodd]

I'm English, live in England but love Scotland. If they became independent I would definitely want to move there if at all possible (if they let me). What do you think the rules would be for moving there and citizenship?

@slitheringsnakes

California - if Scotland is a fantastic place to live, why do you want to change the status quo? Is it because of Brexit, or because of nationalism? If you're pretty happy with how things are, then don't change them. People are finding that out the hard way with Brexit.

I want the people of Scotland to be able to make all the decisions relevant to their country. I want their votes in a general election to actually count. I want to be part of Europe again. This isn’t nationalism its wanting self determination.

It’s fine, honestly.

Hopefully you’ll get another referendum and the people of Scotland can leave, as it does seem that’s the majority opinion now.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/03/independence-could-cost-scotlands-economy-11bn-a-year-forecast-suggests

@Timeandtune

Surely a better question would be “If there is a vote in favour of independence what will the criteria be for moving to England?”

Yes. I don't want a Scottish passport or to remain in a separated Scotland.

What was the reply to the fact that LSE economists have estimated that Scottish Indy would cost Scotland 2-3 times more than brexit? And that we are starting from a very bad point given covid and brexit?

cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/publications/abstract.asp?index=7714

Are they Boris stooges despite their academic freedom?

And 'rejoining the eu would do little or nothing to migrate these costs'.

But who cares about money.

@CountessFrog are you serious?

The last thing NS comes across as is honest and straightforward, so much so there’s currently investigations going on about her conduct and probity with regard to a parliamentary inquiry.

As well as the cutthroat faction fighting within her party

Wow, that report is pretty damning. Independence 2-3 times as costly as Brexit (which according to the SNP was catastrophic). Has NS tried to spin this yet?

If Scotland is not in the UK and not in the EU, how the hell will it survive? It's a nightmare scenario. Other countries aren't exactly queueing up to do business with the UK, and Scotland is tiny in comparison.

Or is it aiming to be the next Venezuala?

I'd love to see how she can - because the costs aren't mitigated by (re)joining the eu, so the SNP's previous argument that you so often hear that leaving the EU makes leaving the UK a wash, clearly doesn't wash.

Binary choices eh?

@anon444877

What was the reply to the fact that LSE economists have estimated that Scottish Indy would cost Scotland 2-3 times more than brexit? And that we are starting from a very bad point given covid and brexit?

cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/publications/abstract.asp?index=7714

Are they Boris stooges despite their academic freedom?

The Ex Mp SNP journalist who was replying to Lse report said “ that all economists should go to the pub for a few years “

Made me laugh -

The journalist also kept mentioning economic levers that Scotland could pull however no mention of which levers - what would they be ?and no mention that our borrowing costs will be much higher than uk ones.

So if anyone could answer above please.

I didn’t know she was being investigated. Must have missed that. Wow. I always think she seems to have a lot of integrity, but that her bitter attitude lets her down.

I’m surprised.

But still, seems the majority opinion is to leave?

@annabelindajane

The journalist also kept mentioning economic levers that Scotland could pull however no mention of which levers - what would they be ?and no mention that our borrowing costs will be much higher than uk ones.

So if anyone could answer above please.

Scotland doesn't have control over a single tier 1 macro economic or industrial policy lever. 40% of our expenditure is decided for us by London, whilst 70% of our taxation is also reserved. No country on earth can steward its economy or finances in these circumstances.

There's no economic defence of that trade impact report - jokes and deflection and confusing the issue is what will happen.

Yes let's argue about economic levers and ignore the elephant in the room, that eu membership doesn't mitigate the cost of making trade harder with the country you do most of your trade with.

Do you believe England will stop trading with Scotland?

I think if there is a bad break up them rUK would probably naturally seek trading partners elsewhere. There will be a lot of hostility to factor into any future relationships.

@Nyx

Do you believe England will stop trading with Scotland?

Well if Scotland joins the EU gawd knows what will happen.

Let's hope sense remains and we all (UK) stay together.

Scotland won’t join the EU . It won’t meet the conditions for rejoining for decades to come.

If Scotland joins the EU it might benefit England. Look at NI and their trading relationship with the EU through being on an island beside Ireland.

I think 'decades' is going a bit far!

Scotland will be a failed state for years to come .

The LSE group is not suggesting England is going to stop trading with Scotland. Introducing frictions reduces trade and makes us poorer - true for brexit, worse with scexit. Conjecture about undefined benefits to Scotland magically being in the EU aren't going to change these facts.

The report says that Independent Scotland will be much poorer despite England still trading with it, and despite joining the EU (if that ever happens). That’s the point. It’s scary. Mutter mutter mutter “leavers of power” mutter mutter mutter is no response. The poorest in Scotland are the keenest on independence, and the poorest are the ones that are going to suffer most from Scotland being a failed state. Crazy.