Scottish independence

[ger147]

No I didn't know that (though I have heard it said) - and neither will most English. Unfortunately that sort of sensible rationale will fall on the deaf ears of many. All we see is that Scotland has FREE Prescriptions, FREE university; FREE elderly care - and HIGHER per head public funding. These are all highly contentious issues in their own right and seeing Scots getting them FREE goes down like a bucket of...

This is how it is.

How did you think they were being paid for?

As the formula hasn't changed for decades, Scotland has had less money to spend these past few years but we can't borrow extra to make up any shortfall so cuts have resulted. The NHS in Scotland has been particularly hard hit in recent years.

 

[SocketRocket]

This is what i understand also. So if Scotland have to sign up to it, doesn't that effectivly mean we do also?

An independent Scotland would not be a member of the EU so would not be able to sign up to any treaties.

 

[SocketRocket]

What sticks in many English craws are things like all EU countries students being able to get free Tuition Fees at Scottish Universities except the English who fund it.

 

[ger147]

An independent Scotland would not be a member of the EU so would not be able to sign up to any treaties.

If Scotland vote Yes, they do not immediately become independent. They will still be a part of the UK and therefore an EU member when all of these negotiations will take place.

 

[ger147]

What sticks in many English craws are things like all EU countries students being able to get free Tuition Fees at Scottish Universities except the English who fund it.

That particular issue could be very interesting post a Yes vote, as in theory English, Welsh and NI students would essentially be from another EU country and therefore entitled to free university education in Scotland as well.

 

[SocketRocket]

That particular issue could be very interesting post a Yes vote, as in theory English, Welsh and NI students would essentially be from another EU country and therefore entitled to free university education in Scotland as well.

I believe the White Paper excludes English Students.

 

[ger147]

I believe the White Paper excludes English Students.

Doing so is against current EU legislation and other countries who have challenged it have all lost to date...

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

An independent Scotland would not be a member of the EU so would not be able to sign up to any treaties.

This is of course true Socket, but Mr Salmond has expressed his intention to join the EU.
If he gets a mandate to do so from any future SP, then the questions become valid, and concern us down here and the island of Ireland.
Its all supposition though at the moment, and some may claim scaremongering.

"Oh what a tangled web we weave..." I guess both sides should take note from Mr.Scott.

 

[patricks148]

I shall be voting "Yes" And leave England to having a Tory Gov for the next 60 years.

 

[Old Skier]

Most folk I know would prefer Scotland to remain part of GB put with the poor representation from those leading the No vote, using scaremongering tactics instead of giving the facts and the pontificating of the SNP they are getting highly feed up of the hole mish mash.

With a tin foil hat on just perhaps those political boys south of the boarder are secretly hoping for a Yes vote.

 

[Old Skier]

I shall be voting "Yes" And leave England to having a Tory Gov for the next 60 years.

Could be worse, you can go labour then and become another Greece. That's if you get into the EU.

 

[patricks148]

I believe the White Paper excludes English Students.

and many scottish students too. Its not all how you have been lead to believe!

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

I shall be voting "Yes" And leave England to having a Tory Gov for the next 60 years.

If this happens i've already told me aunty i'am moving in with her.
Needless to say she's already going round encouraging everyone who'l listen to vote no.
Charmin..

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I have never met a Scot in favour, however as they all live this side of the wall I am not sure how valid their opinion is.

The Anglo Scots probably have more to lose than the Scots so would favour a no vote.

At Central Station Glasgow [Pre Celtic match] last night there were hoards of bright young folk handing out YES leaflets and happily explaining to passers bye the benefits of an independent Scotland.
Historically 30% of Scots support Independence.
I think Lord Soapy played quite a strong card with the white paper up here, so at the moment I think the vote will be close.
Radio Phone ins etc seem to support a 50-50 split.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I believe the White Paper excludes English Students.[/QUOTE

Utter rubbish.

 

[ger147]

The latest poll (from 3 days ago so pre-white paper) was 47% No, 38% Yes and 15% Don't Know.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

How did you think they were being paid for?

Don't ask me - I don't live in Scotland. All I know is what I see and what I am told. I see all that stuff FREE - and I am told that Scotland gets £1600/head more in government funding than England. The logic then is clearly that the extra funding is therefore paying for all that FREE stuff - and that is what many believe. The truth is what the people believe.

 

[Old Skier]

The Anglo Scots probably have more to lose than the Scots so would favour a no vote.

At Central Station Glasgow [Pre Celtic match] last night there were hoards of bright young folk handing out YES leaflets and happily explaining to passers bye the benefits of an independent Scotland.
Historically 30% of Scots support Independence.
I think Lord Soapy played quite a strong card with the white paper up here, so at the moment I think the vote will be close.
Radio Phone ins etc seem to support a 50-50 split.

As the silly man was allowed to say who can and cannot vote it was always heading for a close affair. Yet still no mention of the Elephant in the Room.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

What sticks in many English craws are things like all EU countries students being able to get free Tuition Fees at Scottish Universities except the English who fund it.

Ah but dear SocketRocket - you are sorely mistaken - see elsewhere on this thread. The FREE uni education is funded by Scots being frugal in other areas and nothing at all to do with English taxpayers funding it.

 

[ger147]

Don't ask me - I don't live in Scotland. All I know is what I see and what I am told. I see all that stuff FREE - and I am told that Scotland gets £1600/head more in government funding than England. The logic then is clearly that the extra funding is therefore paying for all that FREE stuff - and that is what many believe. The truth is what the people believe.

The truth is the truth, what people believe is up to them.

Incidentally, UK average GDP per person is £22,336. The Scottish figure is £26,424. That's £4,058 more per person in Scotland than the UK average.