We need some hard facts on Scottsh Independence

[Alastair]

We've been having a conversation about whether we should join the EU and if we should have our own currency. It's been pointed out that none of that is relevant right now as before decisons can be made about any of this we first need to gain independence.

What I'd like to know from the SNP is if we will have a say on joining the EU and having our own currency or will they just make the decisions for us? When I ask any SNP folk they simply won't respond to that question. In some ways I think the SNP are acting as a dictator in all this. They are very good at all singing from the same hymn sheet as it were so if one won't answer a question then none of them will.

You can't help but wonder if the SNP are anti Scottish and just in it for their own ego's and their own gain. I think a lot more transparency is needed to enable the Scottish people to make an informed decision on their own future.

Now that's a fairly brutal statement to make but I have to say that if we did gain our own independence... and I think we should... I'm not so sure the SNP have the quality of knowledge to make these key decisions that will affect an Independent Scotland.

Let us not forget that while everyone loved CHurchil the people voted his party out of power after the war was over.

So what we really need are FACTS! But where will we get them without a political spin being put on them?

Like yes we should benefit from North Sea Oil but how long will it take us to negotiate our Independence. If it took 10 years that's 10 years of no benefit from the Oil. And even then if we are going to seperate there are surely many issues that England would fight tooth and nail to protect. None of that is going to be easy.

So let's see if we can pick out some of the facts and explore them here so we can make an informaed decision. I'll certainly try to get them as I'm very interested in this whole process.

Alastair

Alastair

[1938 Observer]

Re: We need some hard facts on Scottsh Independence

The "Struggle/Fight/Wish/Desire" or however it may be described when discussing 'Independence' sometimes reminds me of the oft used phrases; "Be Prepared", "Hasten Slowly" and "Forewarned-Forearmed".
The "Wish List" of what 'will be achieved' and that which will take years, perhaps decades to resolve is something which needs to be promulgated fully and frankly to avoid the electors of Scotland being led by a "Pied Piper" [be it individual or organisation] into a situation which is difficult to manage and may not result in the desired outcome.

[sandyc]

Re: We need some hard facts on Scottsh Independence

No politician is actually going to make absolute statements about any of the so-called facts and so far the man "who would be king" is sticking to that mantra.
When is politician lying? When his/her lips are moving. Despite what Alex tells us he the majority of people in Scotland did not vote for the SNP. The majority of people did NOT vote at all... The SNP did get a majority of those who voted and I would lay a huge bet that most of those votes were cast because the SNP promised not to raise local property taxes. Add onto that the total disillusionment with the Labour Party and 'bingo' they got the votes.
Now Alex wants 16 and 17 year olds to be able to vote in a referendum - along with European Nationals who live in Scot \ cland.
A tinpot despot is what we have got and let's hope that at we all wake up and deliver a proverbial boot up the ... whenever we get the chance.
I won't even start on his screwpot ideas about windfarms and global warming.
I am surprised has not yet painted himself in blue woad, a la Mel Gibson and Braveheart, and lifted his kilt to the 'enemy', whoever they are.
Thank goodness I have dual citizenship... I may need it yet!
Sandy

[Glesgalass]

Re: We need some hard facts on Scottsh Independence

My Dad always equated the SNP to the German Nazi party. I want to know what they would do if they did gain a majority of the seats in an independent Scottish government. Would they then ban all other political parties? I have asked this question several times of SNP politicians and have never received any kind of reply.

Elda

[sandyc]

Re: We need some hard facts on Scottsh Independence

They are real masters of wriggle and squirm tactics. No answers, just lots of words...
Sandy

[FriedaKateM]

Re: We need some hard facts on Scottsh Independence

BBC PRESENTER Neil Oliver has waded into the debate over the future of the Union, expressing fears about Scots “sleepwalking” into independence.


The presenter of A History of Scotland and Coast told a BBC interview of concerns about Scots making a “knee-jerk” referendum decision based on something that happened “last year or five years ago, or ten years ago.”

He said people needed to have a “historical grasp” of Britain in order to make an informed decision on the best interests of Scotland in the poll, which is expected to be held in 2014.

Oliver’s comments on Radio Five Live, while promoting his latest TV show, have come in the wake of mounting concerns about the impartiality of the BBC from the SNP. However, last night the Nationalists said they welcomed his intervention.

Oliver, a historian, archaeologist, author and broadcaster, said he felt support for independence had grown to the extent that the result of the referendum was now on “a knife-edge”.

“There are very strong feelings. You stop one person and they are strongly in favour of Scottish independence and you talk to the next person and they are strongly in favour of the Union continuing as it has done for the last 300 years.

“It would be the biggest constitutional decision facing Britain certainly in the last 300 years, since the parliaments were brought together as one.

“I think everyone should be absolutely aware of how big a deal it is,” the historian said. “Heaven forbid that anyone, or any part of the nation, should sleepwalk into a decision.

“It is hoped that through history – not just of Scotland, but a history of the whole of the British Isles – that people have to understand how the status quo came about in order to make a proper decision about what, if anything should happen in the future.

“You certainly would not want people making knee-jerk reactions based on something that happened last year, or five years ago, or ten years ago.

“You have to see the big picture. The story of the people of the British Isles has been unfolding for hundreds and thousands of years.

“The more historical grasp you have, then the better and able you are to make an informed decision on the best interests of everyone living here.

Another leading historian, Professor Tom Devine, of Edinburgh University, said: “If Neil Oliver is arguing that one of the important aspects of the independence debate is that people should have a knowledge of the historical context, I would agree with him. That is absolutely vital.

“We need to have a sense of how the Union has developed over the last three centuries, but it is also important to look at how Scotland existed before the Union, although I don’t see any need to go back thousands of years.”

A spokesman for the SNP said: “Neil Oliver is a talented and celebrated historian and it is encouraging that he recognises that the referendum in 2014 is the biggest and most important decision that the nation will have ever had to make.

“We are confident that the momentum for independence will continue and that the people of Scotland will back a vote Yes at the referendum.”

I thought that Neil Oliver had a good point in the above article. Likely some of you might already have seen & read this, but maybe not. Thanks, Joan

[Hugh]

Re: We need some hard facts on Scottsh Independence

It would be interesting to find out what the Scottish natives want/expect from the so called independance and how much of it was purely emotional and not neccessarily beneficial.

Cheers,

Hugh

[COScotsman]

Re: We need some hard facts on Scottsh Independence

I would think that any hasty moment that would "force" the issue of independence/separation on any people would be very risky. When a people rush in on ideals and good feelings, partially or wholly based on mythos, without thinking every issue through as much as they can, it can turn out much different than the intended goal. This is always a danger when seeking independence. We see that here as well. With each four yrs, our government slips more toward socialism because some looked at the emotional charged myth and not the short-term and long-term facts.

[Rick]

Re: We need some hard facts on Scottsh Independence

Yes, "Cuimhnich air na daoine o'n d'thaining thu" Remember the men from whom you are descended.

But "Lean gu dluth ri lui do shnnsear"! Follow closely the fame of your ancestors, but not too closely.