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London offers greater fiscal autonomy as Scotland poll shows pro-independence is tied with NO vote

Monday, September 8th 2014 - 06:23 UTC
Full article 108 comments

The British government on Sunday pledged greater fiscal autonomy for Scotland, after a poll put the pro-independence camp ahead for the first time ahead of the September 18 referendum on separation. Only Scottish residents can vote in the referendum. Read full article

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  • golfcronie

    We should have a referendum in England which should be “ Do you want England to cast off all the parasites that pervade our beautiful country” I think a resounding “ YES ” would be the answer. Give N Ireland , Wales and Scotland autonomy and see how they get on without the economic muscle of England. Do the English have no say in what goes on in the UK?

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 07:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britworker

    Well the last country to leave the EU was Ireland, not an economic success story, infact their prime minister was put in place by Brussels and they have to submit their budgets to Brussels for approval because they cannot be trusted to run their economy. They were also in such a bad way in 2010 that the UK had to lend them 7 billion pounds because they were deemed too risky to lend to by the money markets.

    Welcome to your future Scotland, sensible estimate of North Sea oil is 30 years, with an outside hopeful of 50 years, it will be gone in their lifetimes at any rate and the price will drop as other countries develop their own hydro carbons industries.
    The nationalists have lied through their teeth during this referendum campaign and it seems that it will be independence at any cost.

    Good luck!

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 08:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • EscoSes Doido

    @1
    Brilliant idea.
    If we don't get a YES outcome, then I'm all for you and yours to cast us free.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 08:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Redrow

    I do worry that the warnings (currency, EU conditions of entry, capital flight) that Scots are being given are being misinterpreted as empty threats to be safely ignored. Whichever currency option iScotland chooses i.e. Sterlinigisation or its own currency (because it will NOT be currency union) will require immediate austerity far beyond what they are seeing now (which isn't even literal austerity in cash terms - UK spending is still going up not down).

    I also worry for the Scottish Labour voters who are being missold independence as somehow “progressive”. The SNP economic plan depends on increased productivity, increased immigration and lower Corp Tax relative to rUK. So the working-class Glaswegians being seduced by Salmond will end up having to work harder and for less money (and benefits) than the people currently trying to storm cross-channel ferries or arriving from E.Europe. Meanwhile they will pay VAT on their kids clothes because the UK's EU opt-out won't apply to them - though at least not for the 5-10 years they will be outside of the EU which will have its own repercussions for business. This has to be the worst Labour manifesto in history and yet a third of SLP voters are currently entranced. If even George Galloway is against indepedence then you know it must be bad. The really sad thing is that the more the rest of the UK tries to express its visceral desire for Scotland to stay in the family, the more Salmond will merely sell this as a panicky attempt for the bad old English to hang on to some oil.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 09:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    It is Scotland choice, and Scotland's future

    if they truly believe that the chosen one, the golden child of salmon will lead them the glory, riches , power , then that is their choice,

    as a unionist who wants them to stay,
    I can only caution them ,,,

    1, you can never come back after destroying the union
    2, you are in fact replacing a freely democratic elected government in Westminster, [ liken or not]

    for an undemocratic unelectable EU political union to whom you have no control over.
    please think very carefully,

    as for the argies, not your concern or problem, even without the scots the rest can and will defend the Falkland's..

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 09:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • gordo1

    Much emphasis is being put in papers Monday 8/9/2014 on the fact that there are many non-native residents of Scotland who have been given the ”privilege(?)“ of a vote in the forthcoming referendum and who intend to vote ”yes“. Also, the vote has been given to under 18's.
    Meanwhile, overseas native-born Scots have been denied the right to vote on the future of their homeland. All this smacks of ”gerrymandering” - how on earth can we respect the results of this referendum which clearly has been manipulated by the weird Alex Salmond.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 10:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • golfcronie

    You live in Scotland?

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 10:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Islander1

    6 Gordo - to which can be add the Scottish Forces who happen to be based outside Scotland at the time of qualification - eg the Scots Guards - base in Northern England for 3 years (normal routine deployment) - have all been denied the vote by Salmond.

    Its good to know though that the Shetlanders and Orkney folk have said if Salmon wins then they will want to exercise THEIR right to self determination and have a vote to leave Scotland and join Norway again where they used to be as they do not want to be ruled by Edinburgh! Now that would ever so slightly bugger Salmond,s desires of oil!

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 10:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    It would be sad to see the people conned and lied to dance the yellow brick road to salmons fantasy land ,

    to destroy 350 years together because you don't like conservatives is a lousy way to leave,
    don't run away, change it, whilst you have the power to do so,
    because you will have no power in Europe.

    stay it makes sense

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 10:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Frank

    looks like Osborne is about to play the 'free beer for all' card.

    Always works in Oz... the party that offers the most freebies the day before the election wins...

    If it is a yes win are we going to have re-run of the partition of India with all sorts of murder and mayhem on the border as ethnic scots and english try and get home?

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 10:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brasileiro

    Separate Scotland. Wales wanting more autonomy. I think the Falklands are the lowest of the English problems.

    At other times the world was in turmoil. England really became insignificant to the world.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 10:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    2 Britworker

    When did Ireland leave the EU??

    That's news to me - and probably to every Irishman too.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 10:53 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • golfcronie

    Salmond was asked how he would defend Scotland, he said “The Kings Own Scottish Borderers”, but there is only 500 of them The English replied, no problem Salmond replied, ” when the enemy ( the English ) attack the KOSB's on the command “ lift kilts ” will lift kilts in unison and would be enough to repel the English. Sturgeon was all for it. Could frighten the Argies too in the FALKLANDS. Seriously would be a grave mistake to throw away 300 years just because two people want to see their names in the history books as the two that took Scotland to independence

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 11:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    *12 I think he meant the UK not EU....
    The Pound is taking a beating and nobody has even voted yet!!

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 11:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Islander1

    Hilarious that so many Scots Nationalists say they are fed up with being run by a Cons. Govt they did not vote for - look at last 20 yrs and work out how many years there was a Labour Govt which the majority of Scots DID vote for! Their education system seems to fail on maths a bit.
    Aussie-a bit of financial panic is to be expected from now until the votes are counted, if its a No then the £ will steady and rise again - if Independence then it will continue volatile for a while until England makes it clear that the £ stays with England and the Bank of England. Salmond can of course keep a Scottish £ - but it would have no security and no real “value” as would have no backup behind it - he knows that but prefers not to explain the truth of it. Also that would then mean Scotland could NOT join the EU - as nowadays to join the EU you have to take on the Euro as your currency - again he prefers not to bother to much to point that one out in Scotland either! And that is only IF the EEC decided to accept am membership application which even if they do will take several years to work through - again he prefers not to explain that to his electorate.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 12:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Condorito

    I'm sure there won't be any trouble.
    In modern history other European countries have separated without trouble: Sweden/Norway, Czechs/Slovaks etc.

    What is surprising is the failure of the English to unite the English speaking nations around them. When I meet English, Scot, Irish, Welsh in Chile, it is evident that you are all the same people with the same values.

    The UK without Scotland is a much smaller country. For a country to lose a third of it's land and probably about a half of its EEZ is big deal.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 12:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura2

    16. Does Yugoslavia ring a bell??

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 01:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    *15 I totally agree with what you are saying but he doesn´t have to explain anything to his electorate as I am sure that they already know.What bothers me is if everything is so good for Scotland to remain in the union. why this high YES turnout?? The Scots are not amused !! why??

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 01:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura2

    18.
    Because they have no common national British identity. They are governed by a bunch of PC low carb lawyers and political establishment that dont
    understand how to govern a country anymore. Bend of backwards to fit in the Muslims and if the Scots want to move away just bribe them. They are becoming a Orwellian Super State tring to keep everything together.

    Instead of judging Putin they should lern from him.
    Say what you like about him, but ”The Boss· is there with the minorities of Siberia riding on horseback, fishing, hunting. A country man making sure the peoples of the Federation see him being one of them. Cameron goes on Holiday to Italy or Spain. See the difference? And like that there is many.

    They have completely forgotten the basics of how to govern a country. Along comes a Hollywood movie and regional nationalist talker and exploits some lies here and there and you literally take a country apart.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 01:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • 4n conTroll

    @2

    “seems that it will be independence at any cost.”

    Hmm, that is usually the point and the cost of independence! If you as a nation are not willing to destroy your nation, and even die for freedom from others, then you don't deserve it. The English don't understand the concept of independence anyway.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 01:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Redrow

    @16
    Czech/Slovakia is often quoted as the best instance of dissolution because it was bloodless but the sum of the two states is now less than the whole of the previous unitary state, that is they were mutually diminished. Plus there were numerous intense political disputes over assets that dogged them for a number of years plus their currency union collapsed within a few weeks - hardly something anyone would wish to replicate unless they absolutely HAD to, which the Scots, as I see it, don't.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 01:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    That would be why they sent a task force to the South Atlantic in 82 would it?

    Because they did not understand the concept of independence.

    Seems to me that they did it to regain that independence from an Argentine dictatorship and are continuing to protect that independence from another Argentine dictatorship!

    You haven't got a clue, have you?

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 01:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • paulcedron

    “London offers greater fiscal autonomy as Scotland poll shows pro-independence is tied with NO vote”
    Too little, too late.

    And it is not tied,
    “Cameron, Queen voice concern: 51% of Scottish in favor of independence”.

    It seems the English have a lot of reasons to be so nervous.
    “U.K. Pound Slumps After Scottish Independence Poll
    Sterling Falls to Weakest in Nine Months Against Dollar After Survey Puts 'Yes' Vote Ahead”

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 02:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    *19 spot on!! but
    ( There was a lot of photo shop on those photos of Putin.. :)

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 02:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CaptainSilver

    Trolls at 23 &24. £'s up against the Euro. If Scots vote YES, 11 labour MPs depart from Parliament - bye bye Socialism. Scots will be happy with nothing to whinge about any more. They will probably dump the Monarchy and be similar to the US and French who cant get enough of our Royals. Loads of scroungers in Scotland no longer a drain on the English treasury.

    In other words lots of positives for Scottish Independence for the English - good luck to them!

    Next please.......................?

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 02:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Condorito

    @21 Redrow
    I completely agree. I don't think the break up will do anyone any good, I am just saying if it happens it will be peaceful like the two examples I give. The sensible direction of the English speaking peoples of the British & Irish islands would be to forge a bigger single nation that is greater than the sum of the parts.

    @CD
    “Does Yugoslavia ring a bell??”
    In the context of the UK, no it doesn't. White Christian English speaking England and Scotland have more that unites them than divides them ... worlds apart from the Balkans.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 03:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura2

    26. Yes, and I will add that regions and islands wwithin Archipielagoes share the same interest which by definitiion are naval, so it doesn't make sencee to break them apart, but when a Hollywood 1990s film and a charlatan like Salmond can potencially break up the Union -in a historicall perspective pretty succesful one- you might ask yourself if there is really a common cultural identity or not.

    I think its mostly a lack of leadership and political ingenuity in Westminster that made all this happen. They have forgotten what a country is all about. Salmonds understands this even if his other arguments have being demolished one after the other.

    On the other hand Scotland in a historical sence has only being stable and unified in very short periods of time, perhaps the Union is the longest period of stability they have known..

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 03:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Islander1

    18Aussie - Salmond has simply taken a leaf out of the Kirschener book - Shout a load of tosh but using words the youngsters and masses would like to hear and don't say the bits they would rather not hear - even if true. Shout it loud enough and long enough -through in some violence against those who dare think other wise - and voila! here we are.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 03:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura2

    28.

    But what we conclude from this is that to be a leader and govern a country, a bit of nationalism is OK and needed. Otherwise Westminster would not be in this mess.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 04:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monkeymagic

    This is a win:win for ENGLAND and always has beeen and it is a LOSE:LOSE for the Scot NAts and always has been.

    If Scotland votes Yes then it shows that over 50% of the population are rabid Nationalists, believing in a Socialist Utopia with no fiscal, business or economic policy.

    England is better off without them, and pretty much a guarenteed Tory majority at the next General election

    If Scotland votes No, then Nationalism is dead for a generation. Scotland has proven that over 50% are sensible, non-nationalistic and mature.

    England is better off with them.

    For the Scot Nats, a No vote makes them redundant and confines them to history.

    A yes vote is even worse. England will veto membership of the EU unless Scotland take the Euro.

    Scotland will be LESS Independant than today. Forget comparisons with Scandanavia...think Ireland and Greece...but Ireland without the UK bailout!!!

    Win:win for the RUK, lose:lose for the Nats....

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 04:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    @ 30 Monkeymagic

    I agree.

    The sooner the better, let's get the socialist paradise that is Scotland off on its' own and be done with it.

    No more Blairs or the likes of “The Cunt Brown © Jeremy Clarkson 2010”.

    Does it for me.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 06:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Room101

    Much talk about the “English” as if they are a pure race: many of us have Scots or Irish (or both) ancestry/family connections. Scotland is not an island; whatever happens, it is unavoidably geographically bonded to England. The Independence won't mean a castle in the air. It will have to be economy linked and mere communications won't fill the gap for survival. However, Independence would mean extraordinary changes throughout the Commonwealth.
    Mr Salmond might also make Scotland a nuclear-free country, but it would have no meaning, since an attack on England or Wales would involve Scotland whether he liked or not. He knows this in any case: Scotland would never be put in peril with England and Wales standing by, since we're all in the same boat as far as that is concerned. An island (I may remind us) that is a thousand miles long and eight hundred at its widest point (give take a few miles) isn't likely to ignore bits that are attacked in any way- economically, or militarily.
    Lots of people ignore geography.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 06:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    14 aussiesunshinee

    ....
    The Pound is taking a beating and nobody has even voted yet!!
    ……………………
    Once again you are incorrect,
    Thousands have already voted by post,
    And if you read the shares of today you will find than millions have all ready been whipped of Scottish shares.
    As well as British…

    ,,,,,,

    23 paulcedron
    Wrong as well,,,see above.
    ////////////
    Sadly the Scots people are being lied to, and some are already showing their dislike on here,
    You cannot tell them, you can only hope they wake up before its to late.

    .

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 06:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brit Bob

    @19 CabazaDura

    Putin is a crazy nationalist and has never shaken off his Kremlin credentials. The country is rated down in 136 place in the Global Corruption Index and is even more corrupt than Argentina (106th place). His electorate will ultimately suffer when sanctions start to bite and Russia is already in recession. His first duty is to 'his people' not his ego.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 07:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Chicureo

    Coming from a mixed Anglo-Scots-Catalan “kiltro” heritage (There are quite a lot of mixed heritage ,Scots in Chile) and studying in Santiago at what is considered a British school, later having the privilege of studying briefly in Portsmouth, I would hate to see the UK lose Scotland. I've had the wonderful opportunity of knowing many parts of England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. I've also had the great experience of studying as well in the United States, which ruined my proper speech and grammar, but opened my mind about tradition and independence... In the end, I believe that the residents of Scotland, have the right to determine their destiny. I personally would hope they remain as a part of the United Kingdom, but they have the legal right to separate and perhaps they have good reason to do so...

    I think it was a bit stupid to threaten the Scots with denying the Pound as a currency. Also, there's no reason why Elizabeth II cannot remain the Queen just like Canada and others...

    History is in the making.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 07:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    I wonder at some of the comments being made.
    @1. What you suggest, i.e. casting off Wales and Northern Ireland together with scotland, has some merit. But we shouldn't forget that we are talking about PEOPLE. The Northern Irish have fought and suffered to remain British. And our response is to toss them aside? Much the same is true of the Welsh. Nor should we forget that the Welsh are the original “British”. It's not their fault if the barbarians want to mess things up.
    @3. You seem to be on for “independence” no matter what. Have you researched it? Do you understand how the various facets of the UK interlock?
    @4. I don't worry but I do wonder. Just the reduction in EU contributions and the end of Barnett formula subsidies will net the UK (England) at least £10 billion a year. Not to be sneezed at. And, recently, some scotch have started whittering about their tax contributions being greater. And the 0.5% difference between the contributions of 5 million scotch and that of 50 million English is what?
    @5. Strange, isn't it? Replace one union, that speaks the same language, with another that doesn't. Curious. In fact, Salmond is another Hitler. Shouts louder and says nothing.
    @6. Always best to “fix” the electorate first. Salmond can't speak directly to those overseas. And the fairly young don't have the experience to see when they are being suckered.
    @11. England has NEVER been “insignificant”. But it is possible. When you kill the very last Englishman. Something no latino could manage.
    @15. It is possible that scotchland and latam are two of the few remaining repositories of genetic stupidity.
    @16. There WILL be trouble. Certain of the scotch will believe Salmond and think nothing will change. And when they have no money? When they can't freely travel south?
    @23. England had its own empire. Before the British three.
    @27. But the hairy-arsed scotch don't want stability. There are few opportunities to thieve in a stable society.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 08:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brit Bob

    @35 It is my understanding that they do not have a legal right to separate from the UK but the referendum is taking place by with 'mutual consent.'

    The Scots have been lied to by the likes of the silvery tongued Salmon. The SNP vision is economic madness. The banks such as Standard Life and RBS will move south of the border along with warship building and the Clyde submarine bases. The actual border with England twists northwest so some of the oil field will be 'English'. Welcome to the SNP nightmare.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 08:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    at the end of the day on voting day..I bet anything that Scotland remains in the Union....I do not see a split.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 08:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • toooldtodieyoung

    Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond says..............

    I can see Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond point of view, but he is still full of s**t.

    Me thinks that Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond wants to make a name for himself, and doesn't mind ruining Scotland to do it.

    I hope that the Scottish people can see through him before it really is too late.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 08:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @30. It's difficult to add “more than 50%” to “more than 50%” and get a credible number. The important thing to remember is that England doesn't “need” scotchland.
    @32. Depends on “the threat”. But scotchland could be a battleground. WE do NOT involve ourselves unless there is something in it for us. In 1939 it was important to try to stop Germany at the earliest moment. That's all!
    @35. WE're not paying scotch debts. And Her Majesty is, primarily, the Queen of England.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 08:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Condorito

    @30 MonkeyMagic

    “If Scotland votes Yes then it shows that over 50% of the population are rabid Nationalists”

    Or it could mean that more than 50% value independence more than economic uncertainty. I know I would. If the UK chose to leave the EU to gain greater sovereignty with a down side of economic risk, would you not want to leave?

    If this is a win:win for England, why is the largely English tory government now panicking and throwing incentives to Scotland to stay in the union? The fact that the Uk government are now hurrying to throw greater power to the Scottish parliament is a victory for the moderate nationalists who could end up with exactly what they wanted.

    The UK government knows that separation would be a disaster. It would be like German reunification in reverse. Germany overnight got bigger and more powerful, the UK would shrink overnight.

    CD makes a good point when he says that Westminster has forgotten what makes a country. When I lived in the UK I was often bemused by the fact that there is no celebration of Britishness. As I have said here before, every year you should celebrate Waterloo or Trafalgar with fireworks and partying - who cares if the French and Spanish hate it. Maybe if Britishness had been celebrated shamelessly you would have a greater sense of national unity today.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 09:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Chicureo

    I have friends in Aberdeen who always were complaining about the government in London taking too heavy a share of the North Sea oil revenues and that their agricultural sector was not being supported enough. There was also the constant irritation that Asian born English shopkeepers were always refusing to take Pounds issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

    As the Scots say: “Whale oil beef hooked” (Imagine pronouncing like a drunken Scot rapidly...)

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 11:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    you should not jump the gun,
    we are all in this together, not just any one of us.

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 11:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    Your “friends in Aberdeen” are misinformed....
    The Government in London don't take too heavy a share of North Sea oil revenues....
    They take all the revenue....for the whole of the UK....ALL INCOME TAX and VAT as well....

    Sep 08th, 2014 - 11:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Condorito

    @ Chicureo
    “Whale oil beef hooked”
    lol
    Should have been Bachelet's campaign slogan.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 12:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marcos Alejandro

    “Whenever people look at and consider the issues, it becomes clear to them that Scotland can, should and must become an independent country.”
    Vote YES and say good bye to the English :-)

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 03:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Heisenbergcontext

    @41 Condorito

    “Or it could mean that more than 50% value independence more than economic uncertainty”.

    This is such an obvious truth I'm surprised no-one has else has come to the same conclusion.

    Most of the conversation on this subject has focused, understandably, on the political, economic and diplomatic ramifications of a 'yes' vote without acknowledging the power of symbolic gestures. Whatever is driving the 'yes' vote has to be addressed, whether Scotland stays in the union or not.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 05:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    I like the Scots and hope they don't vote to separate for the simple reason that they will be less well off and weaker. They already get a larger share per capita from the pot and have their own parliament. They are distinctly Scottish and no one is suppressing their right to display their uniqueness.

    Let us not forget that Blair started this as a bid for votes and popularity. It was never really in the interest of the Scottish people. Scotland is a separate country and part of the union that makes them stronger. If they chose to go it alone, all power to them, but they will regret it.

    I would just add that there is a lot of intimidation going on in Scotland by the nationalists. I am not surprised there is a significant number of people unwilling to say how they will vote.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 08:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    If Scotland goes then you will have all the nationalists in Europe trying for independence too.....Catalans...one nation( Australia)...Austrian freeedom party...Basque (in Spain and France...The new Flemish Alliance...parti Quebecois (Canada)...national front (france)....nazi party (germany)...Italian nationalists...Wales nationalists...
    MR CAMERON WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?????

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 01:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Heisenbergcontext

    @49

    To quote Hall & Oates, you're out of touch - there is not a single One Nation sitting member or Senator in any government, state or federal, in the entire nation of Australia. The Party is effectively defunct, which you know if you lived here.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 02:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    oh really!! where are you living..in Disneyland!!!
    www.onenation.com.au

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 02:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    @50
    He is a fool and goading liar. He just stated, on the Gibraltar thread, that no one in Catalonia wants independence.
    Probably best to ignore him.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 02:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    best to ignore you as you are so arrogant and stupidddddddddd!!!!!

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 02:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • paulcedron

    52
    “blabla...that no one in Catalonia wants independence.”
    it is not that some of them don´t want independence, you twit.
    it is that the constitution of spain does not allow it.
    like the constitution of most of the countries in the world.

    that is the difference between a country and a conglomerate of principalities like the uk.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 02:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    @54
    stop jumping in and going off half-cocked. I haven't been saying anything about constitutions. It was your idiot friend contradicting himself. I merely pointed it out.
    Anyway, Constitutions only work if people obey them. Or are you still a Spanish Colony over there in Argentina?

    You are trying to start an argument where there isn't one. Try reading the threads before opening your mouth. I don't even have to try to make you look stupid. You're a natural!
    :-)

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 02:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Heisenbergcontext

    @51

    Yeah, they've got a website. No, they don't have any actual representatives in any parliament in Australia. Like I said: effectively defunct.

    @52

    Agreed. He probably thought no-one would call him on it.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 03:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    @56
    The quality of the trolls has certainly declined in recent months. Now it is all screaming and shouting. Lots of random insults, no actual commentary on articles at all.
    Do you think it is due to the economic climate in Argentina?

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 03:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • EscoSes Doido

    @48,
    Dunno about intimidation, but I as a YES voter (and zero to do with the SNP I might add) had to suffer ridicule from many people.

    Is also like to add that many of said people have now ended up as YES voters!

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 03:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Heisenbergcontext

    @57

    “Aussie” isn't Argentine. He is a Spaniard who at some time lived down under. As to the rest - your guess is as good as mine. I mostly ignore posters who write outrageous stuff. It's usually a waste of energy IMO.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 03:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monkeymagic

    @41

    The Tories are hardly panicking, not one has bothered to visit Scotland in the whole campaign, and Cameron might pop up for the day later in the week.

    As A-Hole says, the UK take the entire revenue from North Sea oil and all their tax revenues...and return a massive great cheque in welfare and services.

    Scotland is screwed with independence because all the risks have been glossed over, and all the benefits exagerated.

    - NO CURRENCY UNION
    -92% of the assets of the BoE no longer propping up the economy
    -Multi-nationals leaving as soon as possible

    (tongue in cheek rant::::)below:

    and most of all...revenge....the English have stomached a gizzard full of Scottish whining, lies, bigotry and anti-English bile for a generation....in the belief that the majority of Scots were decent, honest and were not represented by these rabid fools.

    If that belief is shown to be wrong...revenge will be sweet.

    Forget analogies with Scandanavia
    Forget even Ireland or Greece

    Scotland will become Cuba, as Socialist dogmatic hellhole where their large and powerful neighbour will try everything to stifle their developement.

    Think Argentinas behaviour towards the Falklands, but without the British to help.

    No Scottish flagged ships allowed in English ports
    Zero trade with Scotland
    English veto to keep Scotland out of the Eu
    City of London causing daily runs on the “Scottish pooound”

    You want a war Mr Salmond...go for your life....Westminster will “control” Scotland far far more than today!!!!

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 04:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    9 Days to go,
    another famous odd quote,
    Alex Salmon stated that he would put Scotland first, [ fair enough ]
    And the rUK should share with Scotland???????????

    quote-unquote
    A Scottish government who rightly puts Scotland first
    can fully expect the British government to put Britain first
    which defeats the first quote in the first place..??.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 06:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brit Bob

    @58 I'd weed out those Scottish bank notes because they might not be worth their full weight post independence. Still, some people want to be on a par with Slovakia. But it all must be true - Big Alex has promised.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 06:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    Ho hum...8% of the UK population...with a third of the UK land mass....
    ..more than a third of the UK exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ....
    90% of the Oil....huge fishing area.....100% Energy renewables by 2020...exporting 50% of the electricity it produces by 2020.....
    ....and the technical ingenuity that has risen from Scotland from only 8% of the UK population shows they have been carrying England for the past 300 years....
    ....I think they could do just fine.....
    Save your doom and gloom predictions...this is no Ireland or Greece....

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 07:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Condorito

    @60 Monkeymagic
    The UK government are stuck in quicksand. Any blatant panicking and they will sink deeper. They are panicking via proxy. Dragging in Brown and any other heavy weigh Scots to announce new promises for them.

    Why are you (and most English posters on here) so negative about Scotland's prospects? From a foreigner's view it seems inconceivable that the part of the island that gave us Adam Smith, many great scientist, engineers and even had national hero's left over to lend Chile - would not be able to survive. Just doesn't seem plausible that they won't have the talent to run their own country.

    Will the “massive great cheque” you refer to still not have to be made out to an independent Scotland? Besides the oil & gas, Scotland has surplus water and electricity that it sends to England. Would Scotland not have a healthy trade surplus with England?

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 07:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    64
    Not according to the many posters on here...apparently England is not going to buy oil or gas from the Scots and stop buying the 25% of Electricity produced that it already sells to England...and are to ban whisky..salmon and Tunnocks tea cakes....

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 07:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monkeymagic

    @64

    Nobody doubts that there are many great Scots IN HISTORY, and many of them have come to England or had English partners to assist them. Fleming was at UCH, James Watt, Etc etc...

    All historic...

    What Scotland is now is a Socialist failed state, mass unemployment and those that are employed are in invented public sector jobs, or jobs delivered by the UK government out of pity.

    A hole can bleat on about North Sea oil, as if this is a result of Scottish ingenuity or skill, whereas it is a fluke of geography. What little remains the Socialists will waste...and then Scotland will denigrate into the third world cesspool.

    This is no Ireland or Greece....this is Cuba...

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 08:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    @60
    Cameron, Clegg and Miliband are all of to Scotland. Not sure if it is too little, or too late. Might even backfire.
    Only the 18th will tell us.
    I believe we are better together, but respect that the Scottish have the right to decide.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 08:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monkeymagic

    Cameron, clegg and Milliband are going to Scotland....that should seal it...the sweaties are going ...yay!!!

    No more Labour governments in England
    No Milliband/Balls
    No massive Scottish benefits bill
    No more throwing massively over-ratio government jobs at the ungrateful socialists

    Standard life moves to England
    RBS moves to England
    Rolls Royce moves to England
    Shipbuilding moves to England

    MASSIVE MASSIVE RECESSION in Scotland for a generation.....maybe recovering just in time for North Sea oil to run out.

    Oh dear oh dear...

    But don't worry...the Bank of England will bale them out.....oooooops

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 09:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    I wasn't saying the politicos trip is good or bad. Just stating a fact.
    I'm a bit 'meh' *shrug* about it personally. I do think a lot of British based companies will bail out of Scotland should Independence happen. An uncertain future or one in England that you know and understand?
    Easy answer really.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 10:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    Och ya just jealous....
    ...not even a Brit...a Canadian puppet.....
    ....your words and your bitching are irrelevant...just like you...
    ...you sound like a woman....
    ....nothing to do with you....NO VOTE...NO SAY.....;-))))

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 10:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Condorito

    @68/69
    Companies move to wherever the tax is lowest / skills are best. Do you really think that the Scots don't have the economic sense to set the conditions right?

    Why do you say Scotland is socialist? A vote for independence is neither right nor left. I would assume that with Edinburgh being the 3rd largest financial centre in the EU, there are plenty of capitalists to save the day.

    Sep 09th, 2014 - 11:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Ahh renewable energy, the savior of Spain!
    It takes away 3 jobs for every one it produces and puts out more expensive electricity than traditional o/g.
    What a winner!
    Scotland will have a GDP the size of Pakistan and lose any sort of presence it has on the world stage.

    It is a terrible decision and I still think most undecideds will vote to remain in the UK.

    I guess we'll see in a couple weeks.

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 12:08 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ilsen

    @70
    Are you shouting at me? Or just wailing in the night as usual?
    Your comments are practically incoherent these days.
    Your Care Home should switch off your Internet connection.
    It's for the best. Even you know it makes sense.
    Peace
    :-)

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 12:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura2

    72.
    I would assume that after losing the pound the GDP will shrink even below that as they have almost no assets to back up the new scottish currency??

    Added to the fact that they are a mountain country, world trade will be more restrictive in a few more years, much less capital flowing around in the world and the Scots have no navy in an ageing and collapsing EU.

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 12:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • José Malvinero

    Every time I like the Scottish bendera as Salmond argues that in the photo. Ha ha! English pirates, have reason to be nervous!
    Independent Scotland Live!
    Chau little England. The Malvinas are Argentine, they always have been and always will be.

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 02:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marcos Alejandro

    Cameron, Clegg and Miliband to make emergency visit to Scotland !!!

    Don't Panic Mr. Cameron. Oh.. you already have :-)))

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 03:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Mackie

    I daresay that many voters are just like myself; keeping their heads down and mostly saying nowt. Mostly, if asked, I just go with the flow to avoid the unpleasantness that seems to have taken over the country just lately.

    Here is something to think about. Don't believe all you hear about polls as it seems that many of those being polled are just f*c*ing with their heads. My nephew and a few of his mates participated in some online poll and he told me they had each used 10 different email addresses to say that they would vote Yes when in fact they are all No voters. They seemed to think it was hilarious and I must admit to having a bit of a chuckle myself.

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 03:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    77 Mackie
    Thank you for a light hearted look and cheering us up..
    ,,
    [75][76]
    You fun in the sun is all it is, fun, still you wont get the Falklands, so laugh that off..lol
    ,,,
    8 Days to go,
    another famous odd quote
    Alex salmon supposedly said the following, but later denied it, when the papers/TV got hold of it,
    Mr salmon Boasted =there is little the English can do to make Scotland pay her share of the national debt [ he said] what are they going to do Invade us.
    ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    He also compare the Scots to black people in apartheid era- south Africa, queues forming in Scotland
    Reminds him of them voting for freedom, giving the opinion of slaves fighting back,
    Quote-unquote, but he has denied this……
    ,,,,,
    Meanwhile back in the rest of the uk,
    TRADE GAP,
    Over the last 12 months goods exported to Europe has dropped by 11%
    But exports to the rest of the world rose by 500million,
    Europe is killing us, but mr Cameron has no interest.

    .

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 10:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    73
    ....I shout shit...and you jump on the shovel...tut tut...
    ...the comment was for the Canadian puppet.....that's probably why it mentions a Canadian puppet.....

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 10:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • José Malvinero

    75 “bendera”?:

    I meant “bandera”, flag.

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 11:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Some now say, Alex salmon cannot lose either way
    1, independent =he gets his wish
    2, stay and get home rule=he gets 90% of his wish,
    ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    either way, the fuse is now lit
    by trying to bribe them, Westminster has [far to late] turned the rest of the country against them,
    if they get it==we want it,
    Westminster is not innocent in all this,
    and to rub the insults in the already festering wound, they want 10% pay rise, and fxck the rest of us,

    perhaps it is Westminster that should be dissolved.
    Just my opinion..
    .

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 11:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    74. I know, they'll be nothing without England backing them up militarily and financially.

    I've seen dumber things happen in my life though

    I still think the quiet majority will vote to stay in the union.
    We shall see soon.

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 11:28 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    81
    I did mention in much earlier posts that The UK Govt and Cameron in particular were to blame in their poor strategy....
    It has not been a case of Salmond winning support, it's the rUK losing support....
    Who after all likes to be told what to do, then threatened with dire consequences...
    Would you...if the shoe were on the other foot....?
    To bully their way to a Union was never going to work.
    ...if one wishes one's partner not to leave...what would be the best strategy...?
    Everyone is aware that if the polls had remained plus UK....the UK Govt were not going to offer anything.....
    Transparent idiots.....

    Where is Clyde15 on this......?...where are you Clyde...?

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 11:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monkeymagic

    So, A-Hole if one wishes their partner not to leave then what would they do?

    And Cameron hasn't done that....

    viz-a viz he couldn't give a shit/wants you bunch of lazy Socialist wastrels to piss off so he can win the next General Election hands down...

    Seems like you answered your own question.

    P>S>

    Love the way you think I am Troy tempest...shows how utterly stupid you are...p.s. where is “The Voice” he was excellent...made you look a right turd!

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 05:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    83
    you are correct the government has fxcked up,
    but still no excuse for Scotland to go,
    if you don't like it, change it

    the damage done to great Britain in any and all shape or form will be irreversible and they will never be forgiven,

    we both know you don't ever bribe someone to stay if they don't want to,
    but when the decision is partly aggravated by despicable lies from the SNP then it will be the people that suffer, not the SNP or the government,

    all I will say is, as a unionist, one should think very carefully -your children's children will collect all that you give them in 8 days time,
    if you decide to stay, all good and well, but if you decide to go it alone , then for Christ sake and for evermore don't let us hear you say it was Westminster's fault.
    just my opinion.

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 07:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    Yeah double bluff....I am “The Voice”.....
    ....now who's looking like a turd...?....Troy......;-)))))...ho ho ho...PMSL and LMAO.....
    Stupid monkey puppet!

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 07:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Before I go, and this will have no support or influence whatsoever, but here goes

    all British peoples should have a last and final referendum,
    1, should we all unite and be great Britain [British ] forever

    2, or just break it all up and soddy offy.

    night folks..

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 07:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monkeymagic

    So you made yourself look a turd....nothing new there then.....hahahahahahaha

    Stupid A-hole...freeeeeeedom....until next week anyway

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 08:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    Do you get a vote in the possible demise of the UK...?
    Nope you don't....
    do I...?
    Yep I do.....
    ...that's gotta hurt...;-)))))
    Great Britain...Little Britain...Great Britain...Little Britain....
    I just don't know what to do......;-)

    Sep 10th, 2014 - 10:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marcos Alejandro

    Monkey Magic was an anime series
    Captain Troy Tempest was a puppet
    Is the same idiot from Canada?

    Sep 11th, 2014 - 02:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    NHS
    In what is easily the biggest lie in a war that has been notable for several whoppers, Alex Salmond has decreed that a vote against his plan to break up Britain would mean the increasing privatisation of the NHS in Scotland. More and more health provision would go out to private tender, he claims, whilst what's left would be starved of cash.
    That he and his supporters can repeat this monstrous calumny with a straight face and with no sign that they've got their fingers crossed behind their backs is remarkable for the simple reason that health policy north of the border, along with education and the legal system, has always been the responsibility of Scottish ministers who, since devolution, are answerable only to the Scottish Parliament. This means that the only person who can privatise the NHS in Scotland is Alex Salmond.
    But even though figures have been produced to show that the SNP government has been hiving off operations and even whole departments of the NHS – such as the treatment of obesity in Glasgow to Weight Watchers – to the private health sector.

    THE surgeon fronting the Yes campaign on the NHS is exposed for spreading bogus claims about cancer treatment.
    Dr Philippa Whitford has become the public face of the SNP's campaign to convince voters the NHS is under threat of privatisation.
    But medical staff at one of the UK's top cancer hospitals in Newcastle are furious with her - after she wrongly claimed a privatisation agenda is forcing them to consider cancelling cancer operations.
    The furious boss of the hospital yesterday condemned her claims as “codswallop” and ”a load of crap
    http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland-s-decision-the-scotsman-s-verdict-1-3537857?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:122398eb-975c-4c45-aaf4-9dbdfdc0a774
    .

    Sep 11th, 2014 - 12:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Englander

    Alex the Fish seems to think this vote by people Resident in a Scotland (not necessarily Scots) will, if he wins, give him power over RUK.s borders, currency, immigration policy, EU strategy and tax. Can see this getting awfully messy when RUK starts the separation process and viewing Scotland as a competitor to be beaten rather than indulged and subsidised.

    Sep 11th, 2014 - 02:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • aussiesunshinee

    *87 I totally agree.The whole of the uk should vote on this scottish referundum not only a handful of Scots and the same goes for any other nationalist government worldwide.The nation as one votes not only those who want to break away........

    Sep 11th, 2014 - 02:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Thank you
    /////////////////////////
    Please don’t laugh
    Go to site,
    Scroll down to
    RT @bethshearer_: Alex Salmond's defence plans for an independent Scotland
    Click on picture 4 will show up.
    https://twitter.com/NavyLookout

    Sep 11th, 2014 - 06:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    Here's a better way to link it Briton....
    https://twitter.com/bethshearer_/status/509999327012745216/photo/1
    ...funny....

    Sep 11th, 2014 - 07:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    thank you.

    Sep 11th, 2014 - 07:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monkeymagic

    Demise of the UK....yes in the same way that if New Mexico left the USA it would be the demise of the USA.....significant and catastrophic for New Mexico...hardly anyone else in the States would notice.

    Go for your life A-hole, I want you to go....vote away the jobs and security, vote for rabid tax and spend socialism. It's going to be a right laugh.

    If you are rich like you used to pretend, the socialists will have that off you...if you are poor as we all know you are...you will remain so with no hope of getting out.

    Just a piss stained ranting drunk tramp, sadly like so many of your country folk.

    Never mind.....Freeeedom...we will live with Demise of the UK thanks...you added fuck all to it in the first place.

    PMSL...breaking news the state governor of New Mexico threatens to cede from the Union...promises the demise of the USA.

    What a cretin.

    Sep 11th, 2014 - 07:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    97
    Come on Troy...put the stupid monkey puppet away......
    I know you are desperate to be a Brit....
    ....no need to pretend you are English...be happy with being Commonwealth...;-))))
    BTW...Stupid slip up on the other thread not knowing the second aircraft carrier was already being built at Rosyth....;-)))

    Sep 11th, 2014 - 08:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monkeymagic

    Of course I knew it was being built in Scotland dickhead..hence the post...no more of that in the future...tks tsk

    Sep 11th, 2014 - 09:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    Sure you did.......not...
    Are you pretending Troy's busy doing stuff.....he's not, he's right there....
    ...how many gaffes do you think you can get away with before everyone cottons on..;-)

    Sep 11th, 2014 - 11:18 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    Monkey Magic,

    I notice that while you are quoting relevant facts and making cohesive arguements @ 68, 84, and 97, the 'Troll on the Dole', can only impotently rant and froth at the mouth - he sounds like a looney.

    He's in good company, though - the most stupid of the kneejerk Socialists, is the only one who believes his 'sockusations'.

    ... or... could they be... the same person...... hmm....

    the Trolls nothing of substance to say now - even less after the 18th

    PMSL, as they say :-D

    Sep 12th, 2014 - 08:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    And the carriers will continue to be made in Scotland,

    the question is then,
    where will the combat ships be built.

    Sep 12th, 2014 - 11:52 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    Monkey Magic

    Do you notice that the Troll from Socky Holl Street harasses you about Sockyness when I'm not around, but doesn't say much to me, when I'm alone.

    I'd say it shows that he doesn't really believe what he's saying, but he feels he can still get a reaction from you.

    Frankly, I think life must be rather dull for him when we're not around.
    I can understand it, being cooped up in a Council row house, or bedsit, without the funds to go anywhere past the betting office at the end of the street.

    Sad and pathetic for him.
    Inconsequential for us.

    Have a nice weekend.

    For me, I'm hosting a group of colleagues at a rustic resort on a lake, 250 km in the back country , north of Whistler Ski Resort.

    Loading up the 4runner with food and “supplies” for a great weekend.

    'Bye

    Sep 12th, 2014 - 08:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    You are never alone.....and never not around...
    You simply switch ID's.....
    ...save it puppeteer........the lady doth protest too much methinks.....

    Sep 12th, 2014 - 10:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Funny that Think isn't around, so much to talk about but he always seems to disappear right when everything gets interesting for the corrupted regime in BA.

    Maybe he's too busy voting YES

    Sep 13th, 2014 - 03:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura2

    As I said earlier the Scots will implement the same open door policies that their Scottish Prime Ministers did in England an decade ago in independent Scotland to support the WELFARE STATE AND DECLINING PPL.

    “The SNP government is more pro-immigration than the UK government. That’s partly a factor of demographics, and the fact that Scotland’s elderly population is creating a shortage of working-age people.”

    Azeem Ibrahim, the thinktank’s executive chairman, explains:

    On current trends, the population is expected to increase by 2.5% in the period to 2035, and 90% of that increase is expected to come from net immigration. The SNP and the opposition Scottish Labour and Liberal parties are very welcoming to these newcomers, but on our calculations this represents a sizeable shortfall.

    Just how many immigrants we will need to come to Scotland every year from now till 2035 is a complicated issue with many variables: the calculations are dependent on what happens to North Sea Oil revenues, the overall economic performance of Scotland, and changes to tax and benefits policies, among many others. But assuming all other things remain equal, we will need not a 2.5% but an 8% increase in the population of Scotland in the next two decades, or in other words, we need 20,000 more immigrants per annum than we are currently expecting.

    Can Scotland attract that many? There is nothing to say that this is an impossible task, but it will not be an easy one. Scotland’s yearly net immigration figure in the last decade has been 20,000. The majority have come as part of one-off influxes to the UK coinciding with EU enlargement into Eastern Europe. But there are no other foreseeable waves of enlargement in the current European climate, and ONS projections see net immigration climbing down to around 15,000 per annum in the coming decades. This is the climate in which an independent Scotland would have to double its rate of immigration.

    Sep 13th, 2014 - 04:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    We thinks that Scotland will now stay,
    the scots will reject salmon,
    and that will be the end of it,

    and we can get on with other things,

    p/s
    come 2015, hopefully Cameron will also go.

    Sep 14th, 2014 - 07:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • 4n conTroll

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/11095057/Top-Portuguese-academic-decries-filthy-English.html

    Sep 15th, 2014 - 02:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0

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