What are your views on an independent Scotland?

What are your views on an independent Scotland?

Didn't find your answer?

While big differences remain between the Scottish and UK governments on the timing of a referendum, what are your views on an independent Scotland?

How worried are you about Alex Salmond’s plans? 

How will Scottish independence affect the wider profession?

Replies (12)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

avatar
By User deleted
11th Jan 2012 12:56

I am totally opposed ...

... and surely the English should have a say too?

I have English registered companies based in Scotland, and I have Scottish registered companies that I act for, how this will shake down if they are independant is frankly extremely worrying.

Despite the fact I object to Scottish MP's voting on English issues; and the fact disproportionate amounts of tax revenues go to Scotland; and the amount of government jobs that are located in Scotland, the net benefit to both countries is that the sum of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

People like Alex Salmond make me sick, Bob Ainsworth whom I was watching on "Have I got news .." last night is another, as was Tony Blair and his "gang", they are such small minded inverted snobs and they are very dangerous as they have the ability to sweep people along with their self-serving rhetoric and by the time realization of this dawns irreparable damage is done.

In the final analysis, all people really care about is a roof over their heads, food in their stomachs and a bit of spare cash for the odd treat, holiday etc. but they too easily get caught up in the heat of the moment and the consequences would be dire, I think, for both countries.

At least with the status quo the Scots can moan about being screwed by the English government, it won't be quite as much fun for them when it is the Scottish Government [***] them!

 

Thanks (1)
avatar
By andrew.hyde
11th Jan 2012 14:48

A bit harsh on Mr Salmond?

He's just being a politician!

I do hope the Scots aren't seduced by all the 'Braveheart' tosh.  For the moment London and the SouthEast of England drives the rest of the UK's economy, and that's not going to change in the short term.  For any part of the UK to want to go it alone is a bit like Mrs Gates threatening to walk out on Bill.

Mr Salmond sees an independent Scotland as Norway but without the incomprehensible language.  Greece but without the nice weather might be nearer the mark.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By 3569787
03rd May 2016 17:57

As long as the whole union votes on it !

;

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Albasas
11th Jan 2012 16:58

Time to vote on: The Declaration of Alex's Boasts

First up, it was quite funny to find out that, constitutionally, the power to hold a referendum (like any changes to Scottish rates of corporation tax before it) belong with the UK and Westminster. Trouble is, yet again none of the local Scottish politicos ever knew. How long has Westminster been sitting on this information? Alex Salmond really must look at the legal advice he receives from his constitutional experts.

You have to understand the background here to understand the timing. In my opinion, independence would be a disaster for Scotland. Scotland has one third of the more inclement climate, barren, isolated communities land mass of the UK and something like a tenth of the population. Raising taxes for public services or indeed cutting corporation taxes outside either the UK, EU or indeed, ever so boldly both, is going to be economically, er, very challenging for a small State on the fringes of European capitalist markets, especially in the current financial climate. Its a no brainer. Although the Queen will remain safe and rest easy  as The Sovereign in Alex's Tartan Utopia, the USA may not be best pleased with Scotland taking both her troops and country out of NATO. Then we ask England Wales & NI to calculate our share of the UK gold reserves and give it back. Will the Shetlands & Orkney Isles stay with an independent Scotland? Unlikely too. So no surprise that Alex cannot tell us Scots whether we will retain the Pound or be joining the Euro....  So again its all no surprise that Alex is playing for time on all this until his perceived Braveheart moment ...eventually comes along. Westminster is absolutely correct in pushing for a referendum, as soon as, because all this current uncertainty is harmful for Scotland in the UK and wider global economy. Also as an aside here, HMRCs seem to be in the process of locating a lot of Scottish tax matters the other side of Hadrian's Wall over in Newcastle, England. I believe there is no such thing as coincidence here. There is also lasting 'racist' PR damage being done in our relations with our English, Welsh & Irish cousins. So lets get it done and dusted.

I am not worried about Alex Salmond's plans because they are obviously pure fantasy for all the reasons already stated. Most Scot's just want a devolved Federal Scotland recognising its own unique historical identity within the UK. The so called Independence Light. The very charismatic skilled orator, that is Alex, is not a complete fool and knows this to be the case. Albeit he's a bit of a wind-up merchant he will try and hoodwink us all into his tartan shortbread tin egotistic economic fantasy.

Although it wont happen, Scottish Independence would naturally see ICAS running the profession as the Scots economy first adjusts, then shrinks into a depression lasting for 1 -2 generations. IMO. That's if we don't first, as is in my opinion the more likely event, all commit clannish genocide on each other first in some tribal holocaust. Now I am being stupid.

 

 

 

 

   

 

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Helen Crowley
11th Jan 2012 16:16

Will I get a vote?!

I'm English, having been born in England to English parents but we moved about a fair bit between Scotland, England and Germany thanks to my dad's career in the RAF. I moved to Scotland approx 20 years ago, I work here, and my two children were born in Scotland. So will I qualify for a vote? Do the Scottish living elsewhere in the UK/World get to vote? The big thing here in the North East of Scotland is the Oil and Gas industry, the locals seem to think that Scotland will be so much better off if they didn't have their oil "robbed" by England. Not my opinion of course but that is the kind of stuff that gets bandied about thanks to the "Braveheart" attitude!

Thanks (0)
avatar
By uktaxpal
11th Jan 2012 16:53

I think devolution gives local democracy.

Can Scotland exist as an independant state?Will there be movement of people to England?

 

Probably a storm in a tea cup when considering world politics.

 

Better to work together.

Thanks (0)
By mwngiol
11th Jan 2012 23:46

My thoughts, for what they're worth

First, I believe every nation has the right to govern it's own affairs, or at least have the choice of doing so. Whether they succeed or fail is then their own business and responsibility.

Secondly, whether it's for the good of the UK as a whole is irrelevant. The Scottish people must decide whether they think Scotland will be better off, and that should form the basis of their decision.

Thirdly, the other UK nations should not have a say in it. It's a decision for the Scots. It's not like they volunteered to join the UK. Why should people from one nation have a vote on who governs another nation? The argument that Scotland should not have MP's in Westminster since they have devolution is flawed as not all powers and decisions have been devolved. I agree however that Scottish MP's should have no part to play in Westminster decisions on devolved matters.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Chris Smail
12th Jan 2012 01:19

But they did volunteer to join!

After the monstous [***] up in Darien they were flat broke and begged to be let in.

Presumably we will not have to make payment to Cumbernauld any more, or hang on the phone for hours. I do wonder how many UK government  jobs would be repatriated if Wee Alex got his mad way.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By DMGbus
12th Jan 2012 09:02

Economics, taxes and get out of EU

I suppose Scotland could become independent and be a "guineau pig" to test out an exit from the EU.

If Scotland could successfully operate outside the EU, then let England & Wales follow.

Regarding taxes, Scotland would raise its own taxes and then spend them where it so chooses - I do wonder about things like overhead costs like Civil Service, Army/Defence, etc.  Existing public sector pension obligations would need to be factored into Scotland's independence with Scotland continuing to pay into it's fair share of public sector pensions.

If Scotland found itself unable to fund itself and obligations from existing tax rates (Income, Corporation and Value Added) then the increased tax rates in Scotland would be required with the prospect of people choosing to "emigrate" from Scotland to England.  Conversely Scotland might find itself able to reduce tax rates so English may wish to emigrate to Scotland.  As it happens Scotland alrweady has the power to operate something termed the "Scottish variable rate" of income tax to fund extra spernding but has not found this necessary so far.

 

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
12th Jan 2012 09:55

The ridiculous thing is ...

... that the best option for all parties is a continued devolution of local powers whilst maintaining the union for national issues. This is what is being worked towards by Westminster and the self serving Salmand is trying to hijack this and make out it is all due to the SNP standing up to the Sassenach toffs. It is happening anyway, far better to engage in sensible dialogue and work out what best serves the public rather than this infantile sabre rattling. 

Thanks (1)
avatar
By Albasas
12th Jan 2012 11:32

Alex's Boasts Suffer An Early But Expected Setback

Jon Snow hammered Alex Salmond by putting to him just some of the basic fiscal issues to be settled on Scotland leaving the UK, last night on Ch4 News.

My apologies for saying: "Scotland's share of gold reserves" above. I of course meant the bill for our slice of the now quite considerable UK national debt. Not the best start in life as many a divorcee can attest too. Unless others ex-spouses pick up the tab. Divorce is a messy business, especially when it is unaffordable. 

Anyway, the smart money says Salmond knows all this as does Sturgeon with her repeated warnings to Cameron not to bully Scots too far. Or alternatively she is being careful for what she really wishes for. That being a Federal Scotland and not a fully independent one. Most Scots don't vote SNP for full independence. A lot of it is just tactical voting against Labour. Old style Scottish Labour are gradually losing  the hearts and minds of the people. Scottish society is moving on, whereas Labour still clings to its own very conservative values, nepotism, and industrial central lowland heartland past. That's the real issue.   

 

Thanks (1)
avatar
By thisistibi
12th Jan 2012 10:22

@OGA

You are spot on with your comments on this issue..... 

Thanks (0)