Scottish Independence referendum, 2014

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

That and because my default position is always anti-nationalism. And I hate the SNP.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

To be fair, a lot of No supporters are rejecting the Yes campaign as silly nationalism; while simultaneously being equally mawkish and sentimental over the Union.

I much prefer introducing myself as "British" rather than "English" (which sounds gross), which is literally the strongest personal reason I have for supporting No.

[Deus Naturae]

To be fair, a lot of No supporters are rejecting the Yes campaign as silly nationalism; while simultaneously being equally mawkish and sentimental over the Union.

I much prefer introducing myself as "British" rather than "English" (which sounds gross), which is literally the strongest personal reason I have for supporting No.

Wouldn't Wales remaining in the Union allow you to continue referring to yourself as British? Or is the term "British" rooted in the union between England and Scotland?

[afleitch]

That and because my default position is always anti-nationalism. And I hate the SNP.

British nationalism is okay of course?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

That and because my default position is always anti-nationalism. And I hate the SNP.

British nationalism is okay of course?

Of course not. I never said the Better Together people weren't generally irritating as well. I just don't see the point in giving a bunch of people I find insufferable what they want. Similar to my view of Quebec separatists, though granted Scottish nationalists aren't quite as bad due to that they aren't mostly Gaelic speakers who want to pass anti-English laws and discriminate against Anglophnes, but still a bunch I don't approve of. Also the SNP sucks and I don't want them to control a country for a generation while the Tories are greatly strengthened.

And as far as the North Sea oil goes, it really doesn't matter if it's almost depleted come to think of it, since the economic and technological progress in energy sources is obvious and oil isn't going to be the main source in 20 year. The Saudis and all the other Middle Eastern oligarchs might manage to make due since they can put their large fortunes into investments that'll keep funding them for a couple generations, but an independent Scotland isn't going to be quite on that level. What's it going to do once the oil doesn't matter anymore?

[bore]

To be fair, a lot of No supporters are rejecting the Yes campaign as silly nationalism; while simultaneously being equally mawkish and sentimental over the Union.

I much prefer introducing myself as "British" rather than "English" (which sounds gross), which is literally the strongest personal reason I have for supporting No.

Wouldn't Wales remaining in the Union allow you to continue referring to yourself as British? Or is the term "British" rooted in the union between England and Scotland?

This picture should help make things much clearer:

[Antonio the Sixth]

The Isle of Man and Channel Islands are not part of the United Kingdom? Does that mean their status is analogous to Commonwealth countries, or is it even more complicated?

[politicus]

The Isle of Man and Channel Islands are not part of the United Kingdom? Does that mean their status is analogous to Commonwealth countries, or is it even more complicated?

Not tehcnically, no. But in reality British laws apply in  many aspects.

[politicus]

They are crown dependencies - self governing possesions of the crown.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_dependencies

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

More comparable to Bermuda or the Falklands than the Commonwealth.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

They are basically tax havens.

[traininthedistance]

Krugman is not a fan of Scottish independence, or at least not the Scottish "independence" that would seek to keep the pound and thereby have no say in its monetary policy:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Yeah, yeah, NYT paywall.  These two grafs say most of what needs to be said.

[patrick1]

I'm conflicted.  As an American I worry what independence means for the military capability of our most steadfast ally.  I frankly think the rest of the Union would be strengthened economically without Scotland.  On the other hand, I fully support self determination, devolution and question the legitimacy of the Union in the first place.  Were I a Scot, I would support a Republic.

Voted yes in the poll.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Krugman is not a fan of Scottish independence, or at least not the Scottish "independence" that would seek to keep the pound and thereby have no say in its monetary policy:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Yeah, yeah, NYT paywall.  These two grafs say most of what needs to be said.

Who cares what he thinks?

[Velasco]

Who cares what he thinks?

You are right. This debate is much more significant...

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=198462.new;boardseen#new

... and Scots are expecting anxiously the outcome.

[ingemann]

Krugman is not a fan of Scottish independence, or at least not the Scottish "independence" that would seek to keep the pound and thereby have no say in its monetary policy:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Yeah, yeah, NYT paywall.  These two grafs say most of what needs to be said.

Scotland are going to be have a significant surplus on the BOP, so I don't see why this will be a major problem for them. These things tend to be a problem if you have BOP deficit.

[ingemann]

I'm conflicted.  As an American I worry what independence means for the military capability of our most steadfast ally.  I frankly think the rest of the Union would be strengthened economically without Scotland.  On the other hand, I fully support self determination, devolution and question the legitimacy of the Union in the first place.  Were I a Scot, I would support a Republic.

Voted yes in the poll.

Yes clearly (sarcasm).

Scotland are right now a major reason the British BOP doesn't look worse than it does, so no the British economy will be weaken by losing Scotland.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

I think we in London should declare independence, rename ourselves "Boristan" and then annexe the Home Counties to build gigantic airports.

[politicus]

I think we in London should declare independence, rename ourselves "Boristan" and then annexe the Home Counties to build gigantic airports.

I am sure the rest of England would be delighted to get rid of you.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I know UK polling is generally derided by the Brits here, but have there been any polls done that indicate where unionist and separatist sentiments are strongest?  Any chance that just as Ireland split, there could be a Scottish split, if those in the two camps were both far more strongly insistent upon their positions?

[Fritz]

Is it possible that Scotland might adopt the euro as its currency?

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Is it possible that Scotland might adopt the euro as its currency?

It is possible that if Scotland has to reapply for EU membership, the EU will not give them opt-outs for things like Eurozone membership.

[patrick1]

I'm conflicted.  As an American I worry what independence means for the military capability of our most steadfast ally.  I frankly think the rest of the Union would be strengthened economically without Scotland.  On the other hand, I fully support self determination, devolution and question the legitimacy of the Union in the first place.  Were I a Scot, I would support a Republic.

Voted yes in the poll.

Yes clearly (sarcasm).

Scotland are right now a major reason the British BOP doesn't look worse than it does, so no the British economy will be weaken by losing Scotland.

A lot of social spending has been subsidized from England over the decades as I understand it. If Scotland has full control over their finances, they will have to make difficult decisions that the SNP was able to blame Westminster for.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

I'm conflicted.  As an American I worry what independence means for the military capability of our most steadfast ally.  I frankly think the rest of the Union would be strengthened economically without Scotland. On the other hand, I fully support self determination, devolution and question the legitimacy of the Union in the first place.  Were I a Scot, I would support a Republic.

Voted yes in the poll.

Yes clearly (sarcasm).

Scotland are right now a major reason the British BOP doesn't look worse than it does, so no the British economy will be weaken by losing Scotland.

Somewhat surprising given that median earnings are quite a bit lower in Scotland than in England (something like 20 vs 25 K).

[7,052,770]

If "Yes" wins, how does this affect other independence movements? A shot in the arm, I assume?

Would Catalonia and Basque be next?