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Scottish Independence
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michael


Posts: 3,260
Joined: Mar 2005
Post: #1
02-09-2014 02:17 PM

What do people in SE23 think of Scottish Independence referendum?

I used to think it would be bad for the UK, but I'm not sure any longer. I'm not really bothered about whether it is good or bad for Scotland, after all people living in Scotland are the only people who get a vote, so they can look out for themselves. My question is what is best for English people, and particularly those in SE23.

I guess there are concerns about the loss of oil taxes from UK government government income, but we should regard the oil revenue as a 'bonus' (isn't that what Darling said). Overall it is debatable whether Scotland contributes more than their fair share to UK economy.

More importantly the West Lothian question will be answered, with education and health policy south of the border no longer determined by Scottish MPs. There are concerns about the possibility of a one-party state in England, but that could be solved by an improved electoral system, and I suspect that political parties will realign after possible Scottish independence.

UK will keep their EU rebate, Scotland won't get it.
UK will keep control of the £, and Scotland will have no say over our economic policy.
UK will be able to change our time zone in line with the rest of Western Europe.
UK will get more jobs in the defence industry and possibly in finance.

And I think for English students studying in Scotland the fees might need to be waived, as they have to do for other EU nationals. As a former student in Edinburgh, I think this would be great for English students, however, Scottish students may find all their university places taken by English fee dodgers.

All this leads me to believe that the loss of 5.3m people from the UK (about 7%) would at most have a negligible impact on the UK economy. We should be daring them to vote to leave the union, and we should be clear that if they vote to stay in then the West Lothian question will need to be sorted out to give greater democracy to England.

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Messages In This Topic
Scottish Independence - michael - 02-09-2014 02:17 PM
RE: Scottish Independence - Sherwood - 03-09-2014, 10:13 AM
RE: Scottish Independence - mcbain23 - 03-09-2014, 11:54 AM
RE: Scottish Independence - Sherwood - 03-09-2014, 02:03 PM
RE: Scottish Independence - blushingsnail - 05-09-2014, 11:50 AM
RE: Scottish Independence - Sherwood - 06-09-2014, 09:13 AM
RE: Scottish Independence - MightyMouse - 06-09-2014, 10:07 AM
RE: Scottish Independence - rshdunlop - 06-09-2014, 12:36 PM
RE: Scottish Independence - MightyMouse - 06-09-2014, 04:29 PM
RE: Scottish Independence - Sherwood - 07-09-2014, 11:11 AM
RE: Scottish Independence - michael - 08-09-2014, 09:57 AM
RE: Scottish Independence - lacb - 08-09-2014, 10:58 AM
RE: Scottish Independence - michael - 08-09-2014, 11:30 AM
RE: Scottish Independence - michael - 08-09-2014, 11:57 AM
RE: Scottish Independence - robin orton - 15-09-2014, 10:36 AM
RE: Scottish Independence - michael - 15-09-2014, 11:14 AM