Scottish Independence referendum

[aka Dus]

I don't think there has been too much attention on here about it, so obviously interest is low. We may not have many Scottish forumites. But it is a fascinating question IMO.

 

What do the rest of the Brits amongst us think?

 

If you had a vote, how would you vote and why?

Edited September 1, 2014 by aka Dus

[Falconhoof]

I strongly believe in devolved powers and anything that gets some regional power out of Westminster is a positive step.

It will be good for Scottish people, they can become nuclear weapon free, they can become free of Tory government, they can save their public services.

If I had a vote for an independent 'North of england' I would vote yes.

[Sion]

I would definitely vote yes if in their situation.

 

But I really hope they don't

[RBM]

If the vote is no, what does that mean for the SNP?

[Gilps]

I would vote yes. I selfishly hope they don't.

 

I think they'll narrowly vote no anyway

[Rimbeux]

If I had a vote it would be no. I think Scotland and the rUK would be better of in terms of finances, infrastructure, practicalities etc if not emotionally within the union

[Swan Red]

I'd guess I'd vote in favour and like others am seriously concerned for Labour's prospects if Scotland cedes.

[Gilps]

If they vote yes, independence will happen in March 2016. So a UK general election next year would return Scottish MPs who would leave just under a year into The term. There'd have to be another UK election, wouldn't there? Especially (as seems likely) if you had Labour forming a government, alone or in coalition, based upon a majority that wasn't there 10 months later.

[charlie clown]

A bit torn on this one. I'm half Scottish and really proud of my Scottish roots. If I had a vote I would vote Yes - I think it is the sensible thing for all democracies/nations to be independent and in charge of their own destiny. But as a resident of the wider UK, and with my half-English and British heads on, I'll be very sorry to see the breakup of the Union as I think there is more stability and opportunity within the larger framework of the UK.

 

Also, as a socialist it worries me the effect it will have on democracy in England - an England that is dominated by the right will be almost certain result - the tories may not have a majority but a coalition of the right will prevent Labour or a coalition of the left from ever making genuine inroads into progressive change.

[Swan Red]

Labour will know if it wins what number of Scottish MP's it will lose, it seems its best bet is hoping UKIP make big enough inroads into Tory support that it can muster a large enough coalition to not have to go back to the polls but I'm not sure how plausible it is.

[Rimbeux]

There will be a fair bit of electoral shuffling about and institutional stuff to sort through no doubt, but the politics of parties would take care of itself in the medium to long term. Labour didn't need Scottish votes to win under Blair for example, also depending on the electoral system an independent Scotland adopts, 15% or more voting Tory could hold a balance of power.

[cymrococh]

I'd vote yes.

 

I don't think Wales could support itself independently but I'd fully support Scotland's attempt to do so.

[Gilps]

It's true that Labour would have won in England, Wales & NI in all 3 of Blair's wins. That may just show that to win without Scotland, the Labour party wouldn't be in a place that is where most of it's supporters on here would want it to be politically.

[Des]

If you were living in Scotland, you'd need to be either mental or a Tory not to vote Yes.

[Falconhoof]

I'd vote yes.

 

I don't think Wales could support itself independently but I'd fully support Scotland's attempt to do so.

 

Cut London/South East free as a city state with Farage and Boris ruling in tandem.

 

Wales and the midlands and rest of England could support itself as a state.

[Cunny]

My wife is Scottish but she has no vote as she lives in Liverpool.

she'd vote yes if she had the chance.

I'd vote yes if I was them.

 

A chance to be free of Cameron (with Boris waiting in the wings) and a shambles of a Labour Party.

[Swan Red]

It's true that Labour would have won in England, Wales & NI in all 3 of Blair's wins. That may just show that to win without Scotland, the Labour party wouldn't be in a place that is where most of it's supporters on here would want it to be politically.

 

There are currently 41 Scottish Labour MP's of 59 in total 1 Tory 11 Liberals. Losing Scotland makes a Labout government much less likely irrespective of the elections Blair won. I'll be surprised if the MP's returned from Scotland, given how I expect next year to go, aren't decisive if Labour can muster a majority.

[RP]

 

A chance to be free of Cameron (with Boris waiting in the wings) and a shambles of a Labour Party.

 

 

It's one of the few scenarios that make the prospect of Alex Salmond palatable.

[Gilps]

There are currently 41 Scottish Labour MP's of 59 in total 1 Tory 11 Liberals. Losing Scotland makes a Labout government much less likely irrespective of the elections Blair won. I'll be surprised if the MP's returned from Scotland, given how I expect next year to go, aren't decisive if Labour can muster a majority.

 

Yeah, it's less likely but not impossible. That's long term prospects though. In next year's election they'd be crucial to any chance of of Labour being the largest party. I think a second election in 2016 would be inevitable and any Labour led government in the meantime would risk looking like a lame duck.

 

Still think it will be a narrow no vote though.

[Rimbeux]

It's true that Labour would have won in England, Wales & NI in all 3 of Blair's wins. That may just show that to win without Scotland, the Labour party wouldn't be in a place that is where most of it's supporters on here would want it to be politically.

 

 

That may be true, my point is that this decision is beyond the balance of political power and short term gains or losses, electorates here have a tendency to avoid one party states and the parties and voters will adapt to each other to make that so. Take your point that the remaining political centre of gravity may not be to your tastes, but it won't stay that way forever.

 

I feel similarly to the EU, there has to be advantage overall in the numbers, but I'm not voting for or against it because I agree or not with the slant of the legislation that currently comes out of it.

[Gunga Din]

if i lived in Scotland i'd vote yes. I hope they vote no though, from a selfish point of view, because a yes vote would condemn the rest of us to an almost permanent Tory government

[5InIstanbul]

Take the politics out of it. How would you vote then?

[Gunga Din]

Take the politics out of it. How would you vote then?

 

 

if you took the politics out of it there would be no point in voting at all

[johngibo YPC]

I'm going to skit Scotland forever when they vote no

[5InIstanbul]

if you took the politics out of it there would be no point in voting at all

I meant the tory angle.