Should Scotland be an independent country?

So is there much truth to the idea that if Scotland gains independence, us poor saps left in the rUK will have lost a large number of primarily labour seats and we will therefore have a never-ending Tory majority from now on. It sounds like more scaremongering, but the logic is fairly sound.

It would appear that way... Fuck the English...

nope - 1997 Labour didn't need the Scottish vote for a majority, nor 2001 or 2005

It would be harder, but not impossible

how much " influence " do politicians have over the pollsters ?
could the larger than expected yes vote be a ploy to create a bit of apathy amongst the seperationsists and cause a few not to vote ?

do heads of the pollsters usually go on to get top honours once they've retired ?

Overall voting majority or majority of seats? If the sweaties leave us in a Tory ghetto forever, I'm going to withdraw my staunch support of the Talisker distillery. Don't underestimate the economic impact this will have.

the recent YouGov poll that showed Yes ahead - Murdoch all over it - that's a shrewd move, he knows what he is doing

and look at the results, damage limitation, offers of new powers to be rushed through, voter registrations extended.

Regardless of how the results tally up its clear that in Scotland at least there is widespread disenchantment with Westminster politics.

So you're crediting Murdoch with the poll results rather than Labour/Lib/Tory failure to present any kind of argument about why the Union works for Scotland, or an SNP campaign that's been relentlessly effective from day one? Murdoch might be stirring the pot now but it's only because it sells papers and he rejoices in embarrassing the establishment.

Cameron can't even show his face north of the border because he's that toxic, and Milliband/Clegg are cut from the same cloth so they roll out Gordon Brown, who himself is tainted by being Blair's stooge for the duration of a period that ratified Thatcherism and thought that a token Scottish parliament would cement their legacy of influence in Scotland.

This article by Irvine Welsh is a really thoughtful and considered account of why the traditional Labour voters are turning their backs on the party and voting Yes, I'm sure the folk who are content to make lazy jibes about the 'sweaties' won't read it but if you care about what's going on it will be interesting.

The solution for the English would be to organise themselves to stop voting for the fucking Tories, or am I missing something?

^^that's a good read - still not sure if I can bring myself to vote yes though

I hope Scotland votes Yes.

Me too, exciting times... #sweatyspring

ha!

Regardless of how the results tally up its clear that in Scotland at least there is widespread disenchantment with Westminster politics.

Yep, the rest of the Union are absolutely loving how things work in Westminster.

This article by Irvine Welsh is a really thoughtful and considered account of why the traditional Labour voters are turning their backs on the party and voting Yes, I'm sure the folk who are content to make lazy jibes about the 'sweaties' won't read it but if you care about what's going on it will be interesting.

I meant to link that article yesterday, thanks for beating me to it. A welcome intrusion on the debate. Stick it, Rowling.

Could have answered my own question by reading this:
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/09/-sp-if-scotland-votes-for-independence-key-questions

Probably leaves out some issues but seems like a fairly sensible article.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0flxQCmb5oY&feature=youtu.be

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/politics/independent-scotland-to-blame-cats-2013020658754

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/andrewlilico/100028052/scots-hear-me-britain-is-great/

'Britain has historically been at the forefront of protecting others from oppression or promoting prosperity where there is want and ignorance, and continues that tradition today.'

More inclined to heed Tariq Ali tbh

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/13/scots-undo-union-of-rogues-independence-1707-honour

"The notion that an independent Scotland will be parochial is risible. The "internationalism" of New Labour and its coalition lookalikes essentially means subordinating the entire British state to the interests of the US. They have made Britain a vassal state: on Iraq, on Afghanistan, on the gathering of intelligence. An independent Scotland could be far more internationalist and would benefit a great deal from links to both Scandinavia and states in other continents"

I love these comparisons I keep reading between Scotland and Scandinavian countries. The Swedes and Norwegians do seem to have very admirable levels of social spending, which an independent Scotland would do itself proud by emulating.

I'm just curious if anyone in the yes camp has considered how they fund this?

How about 25% VAT?

12-15% on food? (currently zero in the UK, ignoring arguments over what constitutes biscuits and cakes)

Can't find a specific value for tax on booze, but I can appreciate how well the typical Scandinavian model would go down.

VAT is bullshit, hopefully they'll implement a proper income tax that actually helps redistribute wealth.

Sorry to burst your bubble but Scotland's a fixed land mass

o rly?

VAT is bullshit, hopefully they'll implement a proper income tax that actually helps redistribute wealth.