Scottish independence

The discussion is no longer academic. Interesting to see how this affects the Independence debate.

From the Guardian

The Queen’s death is a precarious moment for some of Britain’s wider Commonwealth realm, 14 countries of which recognise the monarch as their head of state. In many cases their constitutions state that the Queen, specifically, is the head of state. In these countries, constitutions will need to be amended to refer to her successor. In countries such as Jamaica, where there is a strong republican movement, and Belize, these constitutional changes will also require a referendum, according to Commonwealth experts. This is expected to bring about a moment of political peril for the new monarch, who, after Barbados became a republic in 2021, could face the loss of another prominent part of the Caribbean Commonwealth.

Questions are also likely to arise in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines over whether the new monarch could lawfully appoint a governor general, if the relevant country’s constitution has not been changed to refer to the King, and continues to refer to the Queen as head of state.

I don't know or think if it's Sturgeon, or her party and the people in the party behind her, who want a referendum.

From an economic and financial point of view I would never ever consider an independent Scotland. Also, I would never vote for Yes, because I don't want to give the SNP any "rewards" for their appalling work. The SNP doesn't deserve any rewards.

• Scotland runs a deficit of minus 8 %, and the trend is upwards, not downwards, also way more than England
• SNP is very socially liberal on spending, free universities, free medicines, free menstrual products but doesn't want to consider financing.
• The currency issue is still unresolved, London already stated that they won't allow to use the pound. Any Scottish currency would most likely be weak, and the Scottish majority clearly doesn't want to join the Euro currency, and even if, it won't be seamless as well.
• The question of border checks and how hard the border is
• Over 60% of trade is with the rest of the UK not with the EU. Would businesses like Standard Life or Scottish Widows sill serve their clients for the UK from Scotland? ( In 2014 they already indicated a move to England in the event of a YES vote )
• EU membership will most likely not happen that quickly as the SNP believes or leads their votes to believe, - it will certainly not be seamless and other EU countries like Spain or even Belgium simply won't have it, as they also have fears of their own
• NATO membership might happen quicker ( possibly within a year like Finland or Sweden), but military financing for submarines and other ships, fighter jets won't come cheap. And then there is the SNPs disgust for the submarines in Faslane.
• Scots with a good career in the RAF or Royal Navy or the TA will have some hard choices to make on allegiances and also financial ( I doubt that they would pay more in Scotland )
• I doubt that the funding of the NHS Scotland will be better under independence. It'll probably be something like in Ireland.
• Any referendum decision of 49 - 51% in whatever way will certainly never unite a society and a nation, especially once the economic impact settles in.
• And then there is the question if citizenship or dual citizenship with the UK, driver's licenses and reciprocity, etc...

Sadly populists don't care, are vague on the reality and only paint the picture that anything "bad" goes to England, everything good stays in Scotland. Straight and precise questions are either countered with deviation or with the "don't see it so negative" kind of talk....

There are also a couple of links on that subject: ( of course they are all wrong in the eyes of the SNP and their voters....)

I don't agree with your opinion, and you won't with mine, except with Brexit.

Scottish independence is full or arguments, often toxic, and London as a lot of options as well, from preventing the use of their currency to blocking the referendum altogether from happening.

The submarines also protect the security of Scotland and the whole of the UK, so that people with big bellies and no military experience and guts can sleep soundly at night ( and some can go to left wing protests during the day ) Ever been on a submarine? and know how serving there is like? My respects ! And apparently the SNP doesn't have that as well.

Of course you also have a different opinion on that.

Not even a referendum date, not even a majority for independence, and we already disagree profoundly.

It's sadly not unexpected.

I don't have strong feelings either way on the submarine question. I don't believe it's worth the money that goes towards it but I can't imagine a British government ever taking that view. As such, it offers significant leverage to an independent Scottish government. I can see the benefits to a Scottish government agreeing to its continued use, as long as they get something in return.

I think SNP rule is worse, it's a similar circus, funded and financially backed by Westminster. It would be a worse circus, once the funding stops, even more in times of "cost of living crisis" and Ruskies prowling the waters around Scotland with the "no submarine SNP".

I think there is no point in discussing, as we would never agree. Your positions sound very much like a Brexiteer.

Incidentally defence spending and BAE employs quite a number of people in Scotland, notably in Glasgow. It'll be felt if these jobs are gone.

Also Putin will have a laugh, if Trident leaves Scotland.

I would never give populists a chance, whether it's Trump, Brexiteers or the SNP.