Discuss your views of the Scottish Referendum with the UK government NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

With fewer than 200 days to go until the Scottish referendum, UK Government has produced the latest edition, in a series of information packs, focussing on money and the economy in the context of the independence debate.

Read more: Scottish independence referendum: Money and the economy.

UK Government wants to find out what Mumsnetters' views are of the Scottish referendum coming up in September. When it comes to the prospect of Scotland going it alone and possible impacts on the economy, like changes in currency and taxes, what are your views? Whether you're Scottish or not we'd love to hear your thoughts.

Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury says, "As part of the UK the Scottish economy is growing, inflation is down and more people are in work. By remaining part of the UK, Scottish industry and jobs will be protected by the generous freeze on duties on spirits and the £3bn tax break for oil and gas industries we announced at the Budget, as well as the big cuts in income tax helping 2 million Scottish workers.

This new pack sets out some key facts people in Scotland need to know before the referendum in September. I urge everyone to read up on the facts and understand the true benefits being part of the United Kingdom brings to Scotland."

Mumsnet will be hosting various content and activity in the run up to the referendum from all sides of the debate, so do keep a look out for these in the coming months.

Thanks,

MNHQ

My family are all English. I don't shout for 'Freedom' or believe in raking up historical battles,

However, I do see a massive difference between Scotland and London / South East in terms of health (longevity), wealth, opportunity and happiness.

Westminster has looked after London and the South East, to the detriment of many regions of the UK, not just Scotland. The gap between the rich and the poor is completely excessive. And the GINI coefficient in the UK is one of the worst in the developed world.

I worked in London for years.

While I feel sorry for people in England in impoverished areas, Scotland is lucky because as a country, we have a chance to do things differently. The English need to vote out Westminster.

Westminster is an archaic, elitist and self-serving institution. I feel zero connection to these political parties in the south Tory, Labour or UKIP. We don't vote for them in Scotland, we get them anyway, we cannot vote them out and they do things that works for the South but not for Scotland.

There has to be a better political system and better potential for Scotland than what we have. I am voting YES... Not for me, or Alex Salmond or any particular party. We will all be gone between 30 and forty years... I am voting YES to open the doors to a better society for the next generations.

We need change. And we need it quickly.

Scotland looking after her own purse and taking responsibility for her own decisions as a country... Is just common sense.

At the moment the money that Scotland generates, flows south and residents of Scotland don't benefit.

If you really want to educate yourself on Scotland's potential, see my links on the previous post.

Or have a look at these two... Lesley Riddoch is one of my favourite commentators on Scotland.

www.lesleyriddoch.com
reidfoundation.org/common-weal/

Enjoy. The referendum is bigger than politics, its the birth of a country. It has a whole future ahead.

At the moment the money that Scotland generates, flows south and residents of Scotland don't benefit.

Why would the 'money-generators' in the North East of Scotland be any more willing to share it with Highlands, Argyll & Bute than Hull or Anwick?

If you really want to educate yourself on Scotland's potential

Sigh.

@Youcantteuchthis

There is a net outflow of monies from the whole country. Independence will mean the country is better off as a whole.

Sigh Really? A sarcastic comment without anything to back it up?

I have a Masters in Business... I do know what I am talking about when it comes to economics and Scotland.

Where Does Scotland's Wealth Go??

Sorry, should have said... this document shows exactly what has and is happening with Scotland.

Where does Scotland's Wealth Go?

For too long Westminster and the BBC have hidden the truth.

David Greig wrote eloquently on Bella Caledonia (yeah, SHOCK HORROR a 'no' voter who reads actual pro-independence sites!)

There are reasonable arguments for both sides. Most Yes voters have their private doubts as do No voters. The fruitful debate emerges when we share those doubts, not when we pretend to certainty.

Whichever way this vote goes it’s going to be close and we’re all going to have to live together in the same country afterwards. It will do no good if this debate is characterised by contempt or name calling. There’s no value in building up a new us and them, or fomenting new grudges. If either side feels defeated or humiliated in 2014 we will all be storing up serious trouble for the future.

And I just read this article this morning... Have a look and tell me it doesn't make sense..

www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/04/04/commentary/scotland-a-nation-not-a-region/#.Uz62tHnt93t

You will never be truly informed about Independence by the mainstream media (BBC or Establishment owned Newspapers) When they will go to war and fight for oil... Do you really expect them to tell the truth?

Devastated to hear about the Death of Margo McDonald today.
A wonderful woman who fought for independence & Scotland her whole life.

Look, just take time to read the thread and you'll see we have already discussed (and agreed on) researching beyond mainstream media. (And we have already touched upon the fact that it is not universally agreed that Scotland is not already a nation)

You are in danger of sounding like a politician nataliamac - banging out the same arguments regardless of the actual context or question. Has anyone referenced or linked to mainstream media? Has anyone been adamant that they would only decide based on what mainstream media has presented to them?

That's awful Fannyfifer. If only half of politicians had her smeddum and determination we'd be better off regardless of bloody referendum

Just reading tributes to Margo online. A great loss to the nation, and to her family.

RIP Margo :-(

For me she embodied what a politician should be, not what they generally are.

I feel genuinely sad to hear of Margo's death.
What a dynamic, genuine woman and phenomenal politician.

YouCantTeuchThis
Well said, a sad sad day.
Did you read Jim Sillars tribute to his wife, beautiful and so sad.

I live in Scotland and I can't wait. I think it will be a yes and it will be joyous! We will be rid of those Westminster vultures for good

I know I have mentioned this before, but all voters should really look closely at whether what SNP are proposing after a YES vote really aligns with your understanding of 'independence'. We will be very far from 'rid of those WM vultures for good' under the terms proposed.

In all of the 'will we, won't we' arguing about EU, the fact that any pre-withdrawal (and re-admittance) negotiations cannot be carried out by Scotland, as it will not (at that point) exist for EU legal/constitutional purposes - it is envisaged that 'the UK' will negotiate the future terms on behalf of Scotland.

There are decisions taken about my community locally, regionally, in Edinburgh, in London, in Strasbourg, in Brussells, and in New York to name just a mere few - some of these decisions are good, some not so good. I would even go as far as to say that very many of the decisions made 'regionally' (i.e. local government level, where they have been increasingly ham-stringed by central government) are more detrimental to my community than those in WM.

Does the Edinburgh agreement signed by both sides not cover the afterwards.

Does the Edinburgh agreement signed by both sides not cover the afterwards.

The Edinburgh Agreement only requires both governments to 'work together constructively in the light of the outcome, whatever it is, in the best interests of the people of Scotland and of the rest of the United Kingdom' but does not go as far as to indicate how each government should meet this requirement.

Basically, the UK Gov does not have to automatically agree to independence in whatever form Scottish Government want therefore SNP will need to be very careful about their bargaining power across all of the issues.

@youcantteuchthis

I believe I am entitled to my opinion. And rather than simply 'beat my gums' I have backed up my comments with links and evidence.

Your comments about EU (in or out) all ill-informed and incorrect.

"And we have already touched upon the fact that it is not universally agreed that Scotland is not already a nation"

What on earth does this mean?

Soooo... RUK/WM will stab iScotland in the back over EU negotiations, and that's a reason to stay with the traitorous bastards?

Still waiting for those positive arguments.

I didn't say that rUK would backstab! Just that an 'independent' Scotland would have to have very strong bargaining ability. Alex Salmond talks like he'll play hardball but he simply won't be in a position to do so.

Which comments about EU in particular?

Natalia, no-one has argued that you not be entitled to you opinion, as everyone is. You have provided links to campaign material adn I don't take them on face value as evidence.

Presumably they'll want to be nice to us if they are doing the EU negotiation as we'll still be their neighbour and (I think) biggest trading partner.

Natalia you're not helping. This is why folk make comments about cybernats. Your only mn posts are on this thread. It would have been better to learn a little more about mn before weighing in.

Absolutely. But this is where issues such as currency (and ultimately agreeing to terms which will not be in the best interests of an independent Scotland) and trident. My point is that everything will be up for negotiation, regardless of how many promises snp make now.

I think we'll be in a stronger bargaining position than you do. We'll be negotiating separation terms with WM at the same time as WM will be sorting out the terms of our continued membership (not withdrawal and readmittance) of the EU, which strengthens our hand somewhat.

It wasn't any particular EU comment, just the overall "feel", iyswim.