Scotland accounts for 9% of raised income tax. That’s very, very little, in a country (UK) which overall doesn’t raise enough as it is. A Scottish nation would probably start its life without a currency and saddled by a 14bn deficit and reduced income (due to the disappearance of the Barnett rule, which basically gives Scotland more public money than other UK regions)… assuming that it won’t face a lengthy dispute on North Sea oil (which is actually very likely) or other dirty tricks (like pulling out every single UK soldier or ship, forcing Scotland to rebuild their army from scratch), which I personally wouldn’t put past the current crop of British politicians. It’s just a bad idea overall, really.
The point is that it’s a very small sum, and it’s definitely less than what they get back (which is about 12%, IIRC). So they’d start “life” with very small income, a lot of debt, a running deficit, and nobody to bail them out.
Gouldina,
I didn’t say I was proud of my compatriots vis-a-vis their view of this very dutiful foreign woman, that the union jack is associated with.
Regarding Germany it has no Governor General, despite its role in two world wars. But NZ does.
Fortunately, your inability to imagine things isn’t relevant to the process.
The Edinburgh Agreement was already signed. If Scotland votes yes, the UK will make the whole thing as painless as possible for all concerned. Politics is like that: consult the history of Scottish devolution for more examples.
Like I said above, no way Spain is going to present an obstacle. The Catalunya issue is separate and tricky for its own reasons, but trying to punish the rest of the Spanish economy to indirectly discourage the Catalans from seeking independence from it is, not to be too subtle about it, a bullshit plan that only a moron would propose.
Ha. You’re not dealing with Tony Blair or Gordon Brown here, dude, not even Baron Callaghan. This government is dominated by a bunch of Oxbridge toffs who don’t depend on Scottish votes to stay in power – in fact, they’re looking for ways to reduce Scottish influence and public subsidies without giving you anything back. What better excuse than “well, you voted for independence, now f* off!” for keeping Scotland away from any power over Pound, military, North Sea and whatnot? Be careful what you wish for.
The Spanish PM 6 days ago:
“I would like that the consequences of that secession be presented with realism to Scots. Citizens have the right to be well informed and particularly when it’s about taking decisions like this one. I respect all the decisions taken by the British, but I know for sure that a region that would separate from a member state of the European Union would remain outside the European Union and that should be known by the Scots and the rest of the European citizens”.
The Scots Nats seem to think the Edinburgh accord means if they want something in any post-separation, they’ll get it. It’s like expecting access to your other half’s CD collection after the divorce.
The Union flag (at least the one with the saltire and St. George’s Cross, St. Patrick was added later) dates from the union of the crowns in 1603, not from the union of the parliaments in 1707.
If an independent Scotland kept the monarchy (which, after all, was arguably theirs first) then we’d be going back to the situation between 1603 and 1707.
Good idea, I think I’d like to see this happen. Phil is the Duke of Edingburgh, isn’t he?
BTW, an independent Scotland would have to apply for membership in the EU, but given that they would fulfill all requirements anyway that wouldn’t be a problem.
Back to topic (sort of): I like the Union Jack. But if the Kiwis don’t like it on their flag, what is keeping them from scrapping it? Canada doesn’t have the UJ on their flag.
