Scottish Independence Vote

On the face of it, this is a subject we should have no concern over, but Plaid Cymru are supporting independence for Scotland on the basis that it'll mean more money from Westminster to Wales and it would bolster an independence debate for Wales.

My one question, really, is what do Scotland want independence from? They've already said they'll keep the pound and have interest rates and monetary policy decided by the Bank of England, so how is that independence?

They already have an independent legal system and have many businesses based in Scotland.

So, again, what do they want to be independent from?

As far as I can see, they want an independent country with its own law making powers (which they have), right to set taxes (which they have), an independent legal system (which they have) but have their financial policies set by England.

.....and Plaid want independence?

Ok, disagree.

If Scotland do vote for and get independance then as far as I am concerned that's it off you go. No financial ties no tenuous links be it through Sterling, Bank of England etc. The removal of all military installations should be immediate, The sub fleet is not wanted anyway as they are nuclear and Alex Salmon is against that (also the location for them now is irrelevant as  satelite technology can can inform the powers that be when they turn anything on and track to point).

OwainLlanedi wrote: scarletabroad wrote: If Scotland do vote for and get independance then as far as I am concerned that's it off you go. No financial ties no tenuous links be it through Sterling, Bank of England etc. The removal of all military installations should be immediate, The sub fleet is not wanted anyway as they are nuclear and Alex Salmon is against that (also the location for them now is irrelevant as  satelite technology can can inform the powers that be when they turn anything on and track to point). The Naval contracts should be brought back to Plymouth as wel as al lthe Tax offices, Home office departments etc.    The BBC should also throw the switch and off they go (they can keep Alba though)   I don't really want the Scots  to go to be honest, I think we are all stronger together, but if they go then all ties should be cut. The voice of a UKIP voter.

That's my whole point, though. They want to keep sterling and allow the BoE to set interest rates. As they already have their own judiciary and parliament with tax raising powers, what exactly are they becoming independent of? Independence means setting your own rules and limits. The BoE will only, in future, look to what is best for the UK economy and this could damage an independent Scotland. Anyone with half a mind will see the damage done to Ireland where monetary policy was set in another country.

As far as I can see, the only area that would differ with independence is with security, and even that would be dictated by Europe in the future.

The reason I'm watching with interest is to see what Wales and Plaid will do if the vote is YES in Scotland. Plaid's aim for Welsh independence is the one thing stopping me supporting them wholeheartedly (admittedly, a major stumbling block!!). There is absolutely no way an independent Wales could survive - we just don't have the finances to self-support. Just look at Rhondda Cynon Taff Authority where they're basically bankrupt; closing libraries, leisure centres, arts centres and making teachers redundant - mainly because the majority of the income they get from council tax, the highest in Wales I may add, goes out on social benefits etc.



Edited by Abbey - 19 July 2014 at 4:22pm

I have no clue about defence and have no interest in it either. I presume that's what you mean with regard to Naval contracts - I can't see what tangible effect that will have on independence, considering the fact that an independent Scotland would rely on the rest of the UK for its defence through some form of pact.

What are the arguments against a sterling union? Surely the pound would weaken should a population the size of Scotland deviate to some Salmond Dollar or whatever. It's in their interest, it's in the UK gov'ts interest to retain that union.

Why would the BBC "flip the switch" ? Cross-border media is no new development, though I'd grant a tax funded media platform may pose some challenges.

Everything you've listed as things that should be withheld are symbolic only and would simply be detrimental to the so-called "Union" that remains.

What do the Scots get out of independence? Superficially - the feeling that they are represented by government that they as Scots voted for, without being beholden to a government they didn't vote for. Specifically? A greater range of tax raising power. Greater say over how that tax yield is utilized for the benefits of Scotland (i.e a totally new fiscal policy).

They want to forge their own way in the world, and my god are they more prepared to do so than us. They have an independent judiciary, a stronger independent press, greater infrastructure to become a state and a far stronger populist national party. These reasons though are ultimately trumped by their far stronger economy.

Good luck to them I say.

http://www.yesscotland.net/answers/what-are-benefits-scotland-being-independent

Edited by OwainLlanedi - 19 July 2014 at 4:56pm

Sosban bach wrote: They could keep the Scottish pound and we can make their notes in the mint for them? . I'd love us to be I dependant but don't think its possible, unless we sold our water to England everytime they get drought problems and no dole just open up the mines again. Sorted

Not wishing to be pedantic, but the mint produces coins only. Notes are printed in a by De La Rue in Hampshire.

Sosban bach wrote: They could keep the Scottish pound and we can make their notes in the mint for them? . I'd love us to be I dependant but don't think its possible, unless we sold our water to England everytime they get drought problems and no dole just open up the mines again. Sorted

What do you honestly think then would be the outcome of a referendum if Wales was given the choice. Forget all of the reasoned points mentioned by everyone so far, do you think Wales would vote for independance from England.........???

scarletabroad wrote: What do you honestly think then would be the outcome of a referendum if Wales was given the choice. Forget all of the reasoned points mentioned by everyone so far, do you think Wales would vote for independance from England.........???

No.

The one problem with the above is the Londoncentric nature of the United Kingdom. I suppose that this is changing slowly - the BBC has decamped to Manchester, for example.