Any Scottish members out there?

Any Scottish members out there?

Didn't find your answer?

We're ramping up our coverage of the Independence vote - as you may have seen on site. 

As such, we'd like to hear from you, our members, about what your views are on the vote and what you think the implications will be if it goes either way. 

In addition, we have an opportunity for two members to star in our upcoming Scottish Independence podcast. If you're interested in that, leave a comment below and we'll be in touch. 

Otherwise, simply post your thoughts below. 

Replies (574)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

avatar
By User deleted
18th Sep 2014 15:47

@ Stepurhan ...

... my tongue was mainly in cheek, other than the bit about there are nice ways and nasty ways of doing things, I prefer the former, clickhole veer to the latter! ;o)

But as I constantly rail, I like IE, I know my way round it, I am fed up with constantly having learn and relearn software, all of which takes time away from servicing muy clients and earning fees! And experience has taught me they are none of them better, they just have different weakspots, Chrome is much worse than IE in that if I am watching something on i-player whilst doing a boring task and the phone goes, if I pause the video Chrome fecks up my PC so I can't then open whatever it is to deal withthe telephone query - I don't have this problem with IE!

Thanks (0)
Replying to Wanderer:
Stepurhan
By stepurhan
18th Sep 2014 15:49

Don't use IE

Old Greying Accountant wrote:

... my tongue was mainly in cheek, other than the bit about there are nice ways and nasty ways of doing things, I prefer the former, clickhole veer to the latter! ;o)

Since I don't use IE, and have actually uninstalled it from this computer (because it was [***] up something else) I have no idea what clickhole says to IE users. I was simply pointing out which product is definitely inferior here.

Have you considered Firefox? I switched to it ages ago and have not had any problems since.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By daveforbes
18th Sep 2014 17:31

Following off topic and steering it back on !

It is not IE in general it is the version that you are using is quite old. Upgrade to 9,10 or 11.

From the front page of clickhole ....  <!--[if lte IE 8]>      <script type="text/javascript">          window.location = "http://clickhole.com/upgrade";      </script> <![endif]--> Oh and @stepuran - you may think you have "uninstalled" IE, but the bulk of it is still there lurking as windows depends on it. I am using the EN-GB version. I wonder if Microsoft will be releasing an EN-SCT version. 

Thanks (0)
Replying to paul.benny:
pic
By jndavs
19th Sep 2014 08:56

Inadvertent commentary?

daveforbes wrote:

It is not IE in general it is the version that you are using is quite old. Upgrade to 9,10 or 11.

From the front page of clickhole ....  <!--[if lte IE 8]>      <script type="text/javascript">          window.location = "http://clickhole.com/upgrade";      </script> <![endif]--> Oh and @stepuran - you may think you have "uninstalled" IE, but the bulk of it is still there lurking as windows depends on it. I am using the EN-GB version. I wonder if Microsoft will be releasing an EN-SCT version. 

 

I had to laugh, have you seen where this link goes?

Thanks (0)
Replying to Tax Dragon:
avatar
By daveforbes
19th Sep 2014 09:56

indeed

jndavs wrote:

daveforbes wrote:

It is not IE in general it is the version that you are using is quite old. Upgrade to 9,10 or 11.

From the front page of clickhole ....  <!--[if lte IE 8]>      <script type="text/javascript">          window.location = "http://clickhole.com/upgrade";      </script> <![endif]--> Oh and @stepuran - you may think you have "uninstalled" IE, but the bulk of it is still there lurking as windows depends on it. I am using the EN-GB version. I wonder if Microsoft will be releasing an EN-SCT version. 

I had to laugh, have you seen where this link goes?

Yes - I am tempted to put that on our website when there is an incorrect link. In my defence, aWeb "automatic link spotter" has included the quotes and semicolon in the link.   www.clickhole.com/upgrade  is clickhole's upgrade page - which is not nearly as exciting

Thanks (0)
By johngroganjga
18th Sep 2014 17:39

Topic

So I take it we are all done with comments on the Scottish referendum - perhaps only until tomorrow.

Thanks (0)
David Winch
By David Winch
18th Sep 2014 17:41

Users of AWEB

I suspect the IT know-alls at AWEB Towers could tell us what proportion of visitors to AWEB use IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, etc.

My guess would be that the browsers probably rank in the order I have put them with about 50% of visitors using IE - but that is only a guess.

Would you like my guess on the referendum result now?

David

Thanks (0)
Replying to NathanRob123:
paddle steamer
By DJKL
18th Sep 2014 20:56

Lies, damned lies, statistics and polls

davidwinch wrote:

I suspect the IT know-alls at AWEB Towers could tell us what proportion of visitors to AWEB use IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, etc.

My guess would be that the browsers probably rank in the order I have put them with about 50% of visitors using IE - but that is only a guess.

Would you like my guess on the referendum result now?

David

Prediction time;

Up here there is so much claimed insider knowledge that it is hard to sense anything. I was phoned thirty minutes ago by telephone polling so despite there not being exit polls, we are told, I am sure figures will be flying around between 10.00 .m and 6.00 a.m or so.

As the area results come in , first expected at 2.00 a.m. I believe, everyone and their dog will be predicting, per my daughter social media has claims and counter claims on exit polling and stories that some polling stations have had 100% turnout. ( I am awaiting the first claim of say 101% for all hell to break loose)

So predictions, here is mine:

Yes 46%

No 54%

This is based on a telephone call from someone, who heard from someone, who heard from someone.................................... who is connected with a polling company, so must be really, really reliable. In fact it is so reliable I will not bother staying up all night and just go to bed. Then again I have seen more reliable figures in the books of the dodgiest clients I have ever had the pleasure to meet, so perhaps I should remain awake.

So away through to the lounge in fifteen minutes to think about the first malt of the evening (self control until 10.00 p.m.) as I settle down to sit through a very long night.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By andy.partridge
18th Sep 2014 17:48

Confusing

Are you saying that 50% of visitors are in favour of iEngland?

Thanks (1)
avatar
By User deleted
18th Sep 2014 20:49

@daveforbes ...

... I know that, we are on IE8, but we are at the mercy of IT - all will change as we need a server upgrade soon and everything will switch to WIndows 7 before things stop running on XP!

Thanks (0)
By Ruddles
18th Sep 2014 21:32

All I want

Is for someone to explain betting odds to me. From all reports, money has been piling on to Yes. I always understood that betting odds only partly reflect the view of the bookmaker and to a large extent reflect where the money is going. So why, with more and more money backing Yes, have the odds on a No victory continued to shorten and those on Yes lengthen? If there is a Yes victory, the payout is going to be astronomical so why aren't they shortening the odds to protect themselves? Or are they really that confident that they're prepared to continue to offer attractive odds to suck the punters in?

And why on earth has Betfair already paid out on No? Someone likened it to paying out in the Grand National where the leading horse is half a mile in front just before the last fence. Risky indeed.

Thanks (0)
Replying to Tax Dragon:
paddle steamer
By DJKL
18th Sep 2014 21:44

Who understand betting

Ruddles wrote:

Is for someone to explain betting odds to me. From all reports, money has been piling on to Yes. I always understood that betting odds only partly reflect the view of the bookmaker and to a large extent reflect where the money is going. So why, with more and more money backing Yes, have the odds on a No victory continued to shorten and those on Yes lengthen? If there is a Yes victory, the payout is going to be astronomical so why aren't they shortening the odds to protect themselves? Or are they really that confident that they're prepared to continue to offer attractive odds to suck the punters in?

And why on earth has Betfair already paid out on No? Someone likened it to paying out in the Grand National where the leading horse is half a mile in front just before the last fence. Risky indeed.

I suspect it depends on what bets previously have been laid off, no real idea how it works.  I once worked on the audit of a company that did tote betting and I did not really understand that business either.

I know someone who is a director of a company in the industry, he assured me it is a NO and the bookies are rarely wrong, but right now I am as nervous as when watching the Scottish football team.

I presume you are up here, I am in Edinburgh. Where are you based and how does it look in the streets? Edinburgh does not have many NO posters in windows but there are not that many posters in total anyway ,compared with the hype ,so I hope there are a large number of shy No voters.

Eighteen minutes to go, must start choosing the Malt

Thanks (0)
By Ruddles
18th Sep 2014 21:57

I am in East Lothian

Won't say precisely where but I know from speaking to people in the town (if they're to be believed) that apart from a few obvious pockets the vote here will be predominantly No, despite there being virtually no No stickers in sight. I think (hope) it is just a reflection of both the different mindsets of the respective camps and the nature of the referendum itself - the typcal No voter will have made up their mind long ago and will vote accordingly - they see no need to bang any drums. Whether or not that is a misplaced confidence we'll need to wait and see.

I haven't advertised my intention anywhere, and I've listened to very little from Better Together. Partly because I don't trust very many politicians but really because no-one needed to convince me to vote No. What someone had to do was convince me to vote Yes. Very little of what the SNP have said agrees with the independent analysis, they have dismissed expert opinion as scaremongering and have singularly refused to answer the big questions. So, for me, they've fallen way short of convincing me of the economic viability of an iScotland and for that reason, to paraphrase Duncan Bannatyne, "I'm oot".

Thanks (0)
Replying to kiwilondon99:
paddle steamer
By DJKL
18th Sep 2014 22:03

Nice Area

 

Here is hoping then for Berwickshire, Borders, East Lothian, Midlothian and Edinburgh. The new Eastern Bloc.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
18th Sep 2014 22:27

I think the Betfair payouts ...

... were not actually Betfair, but they had a system of matching yes and no voters against each other, a bit like when MP's pair up and go to the pub instead of voting!

I have never understood betting either, and apart from a brief dalliance in my teens have never felt the urge to gamble I had a narrow escape when I put £15 (a lot of money when I was only on £70 pw) on a horse at 3-1 on, it went lame and just limped over in first place, all that trauma for a £5 win put me off for life!

Thanks (0)
Replying to stepurhan:
paddle steamer
By DJKL
18th Sep 2014 22:40

Greetings

Old Greying Accountant wrote:

... were not actually Betfair, but they had a system of matching yes and no voters against each other, a bit like when MP's pair up and go to the pub instead of voting!

I have never understood betting either, and apart from a brief dalliance in my teens have never felt the urge to gamble I had a narrow escape when I put £15 (a lot of money when I was only on £70 pw) on a horse at 3-1 on, it went lame and just limped over in first place, all that trauma for a £5 win put me off for life!

 

Hi there,  am I right you are down South, Surrey, Sussex or London?

What is the view down there, if a No vote will I have to visit the south only after some work on my accent? How much have our idiots really annoyed the rest of the UK?

Right now TV coverage telling nothing, only slight positive is a faint whiff that Westminster politicians are not that despondent.

 

Thanks (0)
Replying to stepurhan:
Avatar
By I'msorryIhaven'taclue
18th Sep 2014 23:58

Helfen!

DJKL wrote:

Hi there,  am I right you are down South, Surrey, Sussex or London?

What is the view down there, if a No vote will I have to visit the south only after some work on my accent? How much have our idiots really annoyed the rest of the UK?

OGA is I believe Surrey based, although he may possibly be the OGA formerly known as "OGA Middlesex" (and incidentally, OGA, where (tf) is Misslesex these days? It seems to have more or less vanished from the geographical map, although not necessarily from the cricketing map! What's happening there? And, more to the point, was there a referendum?)

The view here in Middle England (and there's a fair few "don't know" Scots hereabouts) is that the "Yes" votes will probably the day: all those too soft or otherwise too confused to have yet made their minds up will in the end vote for independence, if for no better reason other than from a dutiful sense of patriotsm.

Based on which Yours Truly will stick his neck out and predict 53% Yes / 47% No (of those who trouble themselves to cast a vote).

On a  rather sadder note, Johnny Gustafson (the legendary best Mereyside bassist* and singer - of the legendary "Big Three", and whose brief 1964 tenure with the Mereybeats coincided with their most poppermost hits - help me out here OGA!) passed away on 12th September. A moment's silence, if you will, and a sense of perspective if you please. Johnny was not terribly Scottish - more Swedish, actually - but I'm certain that had he ever been faced with a vote on his country's nationality he would have voted to have been part of Scandinavia. RIP Johnny.       

http://liveforvinyl.com/2014/09/15/johnny-gustafson-1942-2014/

*"Old" Paul Mcartney, the second best bassist in Liverpool, died in a 1966 car crash. "New" Paul - Scottish William - is a totally different guy who turned up in 1967 sporting a beard, a different girlfriend, and a laboured left-hand bass action. All of which was about as unlikely and contrived as a mongrel called "Pickles" diggin' up the lost Jules Rimet Trophy. (Help me out here, OGA!)

LATE EDIT: Whoops, sorry OGA your post pre-empted mine by a few mins. Note to self: employ brevity!

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
18th Sep 2014 23:52

I'm north surrey ...

....  personally I am not annoyed but saddened, I have two English family branches living in Scotland, the daughter of one family is married to a Scotsman and they have a young son, I have a number of clients there and some very good friends and a yes has the potential to complicate things on many fronts.

Generally I think people are totally fed up with it, think Salmond is a complete git and Cameron is not much better for letting it come to this anyway and for forcing a ye/no with a devo max option.

To be frank, where I am our biggest issue is will they won't they build a third runway at Heathrow and if so where, rather than what is going on with something we have been denied any say in despite the impact it could have on the entire British Isles.

Interest is also more in the fact Johnson is going to fight the "safe" Tory seat of Uxbridge, most inhabitants of which work at Heathrow, an airport he wants shut down and moved to Kent - shrewd move by Cameron perhaps!

I will just be glad when Mr Toad is not on everything I watch or read.

We should meet up next time I come up, I generally visit Glasgow and then up to Aberdeen so pass by your door. I think I need an extra day next time so I can visit my cousin and her son (is that first cousin once removed I think?) who are also in Edinburgh, I haven't actually met him yet, last time we saw each other was her wedding in St. Mary's.Cathedral (the proddy one, not the left footers one). Depends if I can get a visa if it is a yes - lol

Thanks (1)
avatar
By User deleted
19th Sep 2014 00:10

I do the same myself, frequently ...

... postally I am in Middlesex, administratively Surrey. We have a referendum ourselves soon, in the next stage after Staines decided to become Staines-upon-Thames - whether we should leave the green rolling hills of Surrey and join the suburban sprawl of Greater London is the question, the prime motive seems to be the good burgers of Spelthorne want to get cheaper train fares to visit the Smoke - personally, if we leave Surrey I would rather join Berkshire! Spelthorne is rather unique, like Berwick is the only English side in the Scottish league (how will that work out), Spelthorne is the only Surrey borough north of the Thames.

Johnny Gustafson, from the wonders of Google was a member of Roxy Music, I never knew that, and was involved with most of their big hits, Avalon, Virginia Plain. Jealous Guy. More than this, Love is the Drug, Angel eyes, Dance away et al.

Thanks (0)
Replying to lionofludesch:
Avatar
By I'msorryIhaven'taclue
19th Sep 2014 00:30

My Heart And I?

Old Greying Accountant wrote:

Johnny Gustafson, from the wonders of Google was a member of Roxy Music, I never knew that, and was involved with most of their big hits, Avalon, Virginia Plain. Jealous Guy. More than this, Love is the Drug, Angel eyes, Dance away et al.

The Merseybeats were so much better for his bass and vocals - their greatest year was 1964, when Johnny was on board (albeit briefly). Gustafson was also an original and principle member of The Big Three, another Epstein band whose best hits came in '63 (again when JG was on board).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXnmHNemsyY

I once read a piece by his daughter, who professed her astoundment that her Dad, having been a poppermost, had subsequently spent time sleeping on a park bench. Ahh, the Ups and Downs of Showbiz! Not dissimilar, one imagines, to national referendums.

btw, is "Mr Toad" Boris? Surely not!

Thanks (0)
Replying to lionofludesch:
paddle steamer
By DJKL
19th Sep 2014 00:53

Berkshire

My Grandfather was born in Berkshire, Vernhams Dean, however the family were from Aldourne, Wiltshire and then he cast up in Edinburgh in the 1930s after my Father had been born. 

I am banking on my one set of English Grandparents and my English Father to get green cards for myself and my family to come south in the event of a YES vote, if required.

I have visited Surrey, Horley, and had a pleasant week visiting rural pubs in the surrounding area in the late 1970s. I am afraid the one that stands out in my memory was the Spotted Dog near Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Glad to hear we are only tainted but not persona non grata.

Thanks (0)
Avatar
By I'msorryIhaven'taclue
19th Sep 2014 00:32

My potty-training reading has moved on recently from Bill Bryson's travels (do read him - for an American he is astoundingly witty and pithy) to "Denis Compton's Annual 1954". I have no idea how Denns found the time to combine playing cricket for Middlesex and football for Arsenal - let alone bang out an "Annual") but central to his entire book is his love of "Lord's" - was that formerly in the county of Middlesex, I wonder?

Come to that, are do you remain a Middlesex supporter or a Surrey convert?

I shouldn't worry about Berwick Rangers - they have a lucrative future booze and tobacco running on the Edingburgh to Newcastle line. Come to think of it, I shall look forward to the booze runs to Scotland - so much better than bobbin' about between Dover and Calais! 

 

Thanks (0)
avatar
By cparker87
19th Sep 2014 00:33

Conclusive Poll
I have just conducted a poll in Lancashire with a Scot barman. There was support for a 100% No vote.

Who needs YouGov?

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
19th Sep 2014 00:45

I'm a Middlesaxon ...

... through and through, Lords is my ground, in well heeled St Johns Wood, not like the Oval, lurking among the South London concrete jungle.

Coincidently Middlesex play many matches in the Mike Gatting ground in Uxbridge, my boyhood hero, saw him flash the bat many a time, he made me proud to be stout.

Middles sex covered most of what is now Greater London, except a few boroughs like Spelthorne that opted to join Surrey and condemned us to a twenty minute walk to Feltham to go down a fare stage and reduce the bus fare down from sixpence to thruppence, even though it did mean waiting for it outside the borstal  (that childhood threatened destination for when we were becoming unruly)

What goes around comes around, for years my son thought Eton was the naughty boys school (it does look the part) and we often used to drive past to put the fear of God up him - lol. 

Thanks (1)
avatar
By User deleted
19th Sep 2014 01:08

You only get a green card ...

... if you can prove you voted no :o) otherwise the borders is closed.

I have a fondness for the Black Boys Inn in Black Boys, near Uckfield, just the other side of Crowborough from TW - partly because of the risque name in these PC times (apparently it was to do with the charcoal trade and not African natives, it is where the charcoal wagons used to stop over on their way to London.) but mainly because it is a proper English country inn good food and good company, we used to stop in on the way back from gun dog training.

Thanks (0)
paddle steamer
By DJKL
19th Sep 2014 01:33

Clackmannanshire- We Win

Clackmannanshire  goes NO- YES Thought this was theirs, looking okay, next stop Orkney.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
19th Sep 2014 01:40

So, first one in ...

... 46% yes, which is only actually 40% of total as turnout was 87%!

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
19th Sep 2014 02:10

Orkney...

... 67% No

 

Weird thing is, just after first result in we had the mother of all thunder storms, with retina burning lightning flashes - still going on, and the torrential rain was of epic Archers proportions, think our garden will look worse than Lynda Snell's come sun up!

Thanks (0)
Replying to SXGuy:
paddle steamer
By DJKL
19th Sep 2014 02:40

God has obviously cast his vote

Old Greying Accountant wrote:

... 67% No

 

Weird thing is, just after first result in we had the mother of all thunder storms, with retina burning lightning flashes - still going on, and the torrential rain was of epic Archers proportions, think our garden will look worse than Lynda Snell's come sun up!

Well there is the thought that God is English.

Interesting rumours re Aberdeenshire of 60% No, Wee Eck's stronghold is up there. The problem may have been letting old Uncle Jim out of the cupboard, reminds me of Doctor Strangelove's involuntary arm movement- BP to be nationalized, repercussions etc. Sure BP comment went down well in Aberdeen.

Wee Eck was going to be at Aberdeenshire count but is now believed to be going straight to Edinburgh, don't think he is popping in to Balmoral to see Her Majesty.

Low Glasgow turnout and similar in Dundee is making me slightly more comfortable.

Another Bruichladdich beckons.

 

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
19th Sep 2014 02:55

The Islands ...

.... obviously don't want Salmond getting his grubby paws on the oil!

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
19th Sep 2014 03:42

Not even the Western ones ...

.... I think I have seen enough, the way it is going I wouldn't be surprised at nearer 56/44 to the no vote

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
19th Sep 2014 05:16

Where do the BBC get them ...

... just watching a sikh in a kilt with a received english accent banging on about how disappointed he is the yes seem to have lost! - priceless

Thanks (0)
paddle steamer
By DJKL
19th Sep 2014 07:22

Game Over but just starting

Well we are over the line and a large sigh of relief. There will be changes now, both with regard to the relationship amongst the parts of the UK and here in Scotland between the electorate and their elected representatives.

Irrespective of Alex Salmond's continuance or otherwise as leader of the SNP and First Minister, the 2016 Holyrood elections will I think see even more parties  and I expect a reduction in support for the SNP, I doubt any party will have a majority.

The promised devolution settlement will not be easy but will need to be delivered in accord with the promised timetable, and whilst I am not attuned to UK voters' wishes outwith Scotland,  I suspect will likely need to be delivered with UK wide constitutional changes to follow. The referendum has shown a desire for a changed relationship with our elected representatives and I expect large sections of UK voters will seek devolution within the other parts of the UK to allow  for greater local accountability, that is off course for them to decide not for us in Scotland to decide.

With UK elections next year the referendum will possibly galvanise turnout in Scotland and may inspire similar in the rest of the UK. All parties will need to recognise this new reality and adapt their outlook to serve it; they are the servants of the peoples of the UK, not their masters.

In Scotland  we now need to pressure those parties who do send MPs to Westminster to show willing for such a future arrangement by agreeing, on a voluntary basis initially until legislation is enacted, to abstain from voting on any Westminster matters that are solely domestic to other parts of the UK. The West Lothian question needs addressed now.

Whilst what Scotland has inflicted on  the UK  as a whole with this referendum has been to the detriment of the other parts, if a future better constitutional settlement arises from our process then it was maybe worth the stress to everyone and will go some way to repairing Scotland's relationship with all of the UK. 

Anyway having pulled the first all nighter for quite a few years  I will leave you all to your post mortem and go and get some sleep.

 

 

 

 

Thanks (1)
Locutus of Borg
By Locutus
19th Sep 2014 07:20

Well done Scotland
I'm relieved that you decided to stay. Hopefully in the rest of the UK, we won't need to see that irritating Mr Salmond much now.

Please, please NO MORE independence referendums in the rest of my lifetime.

Thanks (4)
Replying to Constantly Confused:
By mrme89
19th Sep 2014 09:17

EU

Locutus wrote:
I'm relieved that you decided to stay. Hopefully in the rest of the UK, we won't need to see that irritating Mr Salmond much now. Please, please NO MORE independence referendums in the rest of my lifetime.

 

I'd very much like to see a referendum on whether or not to stay in the EU!

Thanks (1)
By JCresswellTax
19th Sep 2014 09:20

Great to be a part of

Biggest thing in my lifetime for sure, was great to be a part of it and felt good putting a cross in that box!

Correct decision in my eyes.

Doesn't make me any less of a proud scot!

Thanks (3)
Replying to leshoward:
avatar
By User deleted
19th Sep 2014 11:03

Quite right ...

JCresswellTax wrote:

Biggest thing in my lifetime for sure, was great to be a part of it and felt good putting a cross in that box!

Correct decision in my eyes.

Doesn't make me any less of a proud scot!

... never got that, I am proud to be English, but still wanted Scotland to stay - the two are not mutually exclusive!

Didn't know you were a Scot though JCresswell, explains a lot - I will take that into account before reponding to future posts of yours ;oP

Thanks (0)
Replying to Wilson Philips:
By JCresswellTax
19th Sep 2014 11:11

Ha ha

Old Greying Accountant wrote:

JCresswellTax wrote:

Biggest thing in my lifetime for sure, was great to be a part of it and felt good putting a cross in that box!

Correct decision in my eyes.

Doesn't make me any less of a proud scot!

... never got that, I am proud to be English, but still wanted Scotland to stay - the two are not mutually exclusive!

Didn't know you were a Scot though JCresswell, explains a lot - I will take that into account before reponding to future posts of yours ;oP

Why thank you :)

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Lancaster
19th Sep 2014 10:05

Alex Salmond has damaged the entire UK.

Scotland is now a divided country with 45% resenting the other 55%. Britain is also a divided island with the English resenting Scotland's greed as embodied by Alex Salmond. For perhaps the first time ordinary people throughout England now realize just how much Scotland is subsidized by the rest of the UK, and they resent it. 

Thanks (2)
Replying to lionofludesch:
avatar
By macaulay147
19th Sep 2014 16:22

Not divided

Lancaster wrote:

Scotland is now a divided country with 45% resenting the other 55%. Britain is also a divided island with the English resenting Scotland's greed as embodied by Alex Salmond. For perhaps the first time ordinary people throughout England now realize just how much Scotland is subsidized by the rest of the UK, and they resent it. 

 

A few things to pick up here.

1. As one of the 45% I don't resent the other 55%. I am hopeful this result will provide the option I wanted of more devolved powers.  Unfortunately this is what the majority of the country would have wanted but didn't get offered until the polls got a bit too close for Westminster's liking. I am however a bit disgruntled that we are getting something which wasn't actually voted for and if I was from rUK I would be pretty annoyed about the fact Scotland will be granted more powers without any mandate to do so. Luckily Mr Cameron has come out and said other parts of the UK will be given localised powers. But again has anyone voted for that?

However if the additional powers are not given or they are not deemed sufficient by the Scottish people then I think there could be a mandate for another vote within 10-15 years.

2. So based on the above I am not sure the rest of England will resent Scotland if they get more localised powers out of this referendum. Are the rUK (should maybe stop using that term now) happy with David Cameron's speech?

3. On the one hand you say Scotland's greed from wanting to go independent yet you also say Scotland are subsidised, how does that work? Greedy for wanting more of a deficit?

4. You may say I am biased but based on the info I have read (mainly govt figures) Scotland is not subsidised by the rest of the UK. Show me your figures and sources and prove me wrong.

Thanks (0)
Replying to stevennoonan:
By johngroganjga
19th Sep 2014 17:31

Subsidy

macaulay147 wrote:

You may say I am biased but based on the info I have read (mainly govt figures) Scotland is not subsidised by the rest of the UK. Show me your figures and sources and prove me wrong.

The question is not about who's subsidising who it's about fair sharing.  If Wales for example were a poor benighted country that couldn't finance its own public services it jolly well should get a subsidy from more prosperous parts of the country, including Scotland as I am sure you would agree,  so that its citizens could enjoy the same level of pubic services. That's fair-sharing of the national wealth.

The strong suspicion that Scotland takes more than its fair share of the national wealth arises from the fact that it alone within the UK is able to afford free university education and prescriptions.  In this thread alone you will see that the obvious question has been asked more than once but received no answer: what public services does Scotland spend less on to enable it to spend more per head on university education and prescriptions.  Until someone answers that one some of us will believe that the answer is "nothing" and therefore those of in the rest of the UK are paying for most of Scotland's free university places (denied to our own children even of they go to the same Scottish universities) and prescriptions. 

That's not fair.  

Thanks (2)
avatar
By PracticePartner
19th Sep 2014 10:28

Thank Gord its over

Right, the votes in, put up and shut up! I In my dreams, I look forward to a 12 month moratorium on any discussions involving Scotland (outside of Scotland that is).

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
19th Sep 2014 10:54

THANK YOU SCOTLAND

Now we need to make good our promises, overhaul the entire UK political system and show the EU how a federal system should be run - for the people, not as a gravy train for the Europrats!

Thanks (0)
By Ruddles
19th Sep 2014 16:54

Who is subsidising who?

If the SNP were to be believed (and I'm not saying that they were) Scotland received £1,200 per head (in 2012 I think, but memory very poor today - I wonder why) but in the same year contributed £1,700 per head more in tax than the rest of the UK.

Thanks (0)
Avatar
By I'msorryIhaven'taclue
19th Sep 2014 17:01

For the "Yes" Camp in Glasgow....

... here's Bill Bryson's favourite Glasgow joke ("It's not a very good one, but I like it"):

A policeman collars a thief at the corner of Sauchiehall and Dalhousie, then drags him by the hair for a hundred yards to Rose Street to book him.

"Oi, why'd ye do tha'?" asks the aggrieved culprit, rubbing his head.

"Because I can spell Rose Street, ye theiving c**t," says the policeman.

Thanks (0)
pic
By jndavs
19th Sep 2014 17:12

Subsidies

@macaulay147

Ok, you can find the official stats here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fil...

 

Chapter 9 gives the regional data.

The average English tax payer pays the most tax.

Northern Ireland received the most in subsidies per person, closely followed by Scotland. This is of course before the 11th hour bribe offered by Mr Brown and endorsed by the dream team.

 

Thanks (0)
pic
By jndavs
19th Sep 2014 17:36

Public spending

johngroganjga - is this what you are after?

Thanks (0)
By ShirleyM
19th Sep 2014 17:39

Not only that, John

Had there been a vote by English MPs only on tuition fees in January 2004, the government would have lost because of a rebellion on their own benches.[9] Students at English universities are required to pay top-up fees, but students from Scotland attending Scottish universities are not. The legislation imposing top-up fees on students in England passed by a small majority of 316 to 311. At the time, the shadow education secretary Tim Yeo argued that this low majority made the passing of the law "completely wrong" due to Scottish MPs voting to introduce tuition fees that Scottish students attending university in Scotland would not have to pay.[10][11] A small part of the bill did relate directly to Scotland.[12]

The above is an extract from Wikipedia.

Scottish MP's swung the vote for the English to pay tuition fees.

Thanks (1)
By johngroganjga
19th Sep 2014 17:43

Not really.  I want to know

Not really.  I want to know if there is anything I would have to pay for myself if  lived in Scotland that in England is provided at public expense.  The answer is a list of the public services provided in England that are not provided in Scotland. 

Thanks (0)

Pages