Scottish Independence Referendum 2014

[Filuwaúrdjan]

It would cause a significant degree of consternation in certain parts of Ulster, yes, but no more than that. Or, anyway, no more than it would have an impact on Wales.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Not quite sure what you mean. Devolution is a political reality in Wales as much as it is in Northern Ireland; serious administrative devolution started in the 1960s and we have had our own regional government since 1999. Obviously Scottish Independence would change the relationship between Whitehall and Cathays Park.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Northern Ireland was created form Ireland; which was a dominion of sorts. Wales had no devo and rejected the idea in it's first referendum on the idea. They can not be compared. NI is unique, not just in the UK but in the world; it's one of a kind.

Again, I'm not quite sure if I understand your point. The origins of Northern Ireland won't have any bearing on how its relationship with Whitehall will alter if Scotland leaves the Union. And devolution is certainly no more of a reality in Northern Ireland than in Wales; if anything it is less of one, as it has been established that political devolution can be immediately withdrawn if Westminster deems such an act necessary, and as the government in Northern Ireland must be formed in a way that pleases Westminster.

Also, your history is a little dodgy, but I'll let that pass.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Read something (well, scan read) that said that the LibDems were going to proposed 'Home Rule' (whatever that means) for Scotland, maybe. Insert one of Dennis Potter's favourite jokes here.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Functionally there wouldn't be that much of a difference between full fiscal autonomy (with all that that implies) and independence. Which is probably why hardly anyone has been advocating it up until now.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The SNP would settle for it though; that is perhaps their long game.

Oh, it's easy to see why the SNP would settle for it (long term, even). It's slightly harder to see what any shade of unionist would though. Except, maybe, for the tartan-shortbread-and-the-Queen variety, but they all vote Nat these days anyway.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

There is no other shade of Unionist. There are people who would oppose independence, but most of them would not identify as "Unionist". Unless it's in an Ulster context perhaps - and even those are not a majority of opponents of Scottish independence (and some of them are probably for, anyways. How else does the SNP poll reasonably well in the proddy parts of Glasgow?)

Little 'u'

Though you could always import the Canadian term 'federalist', I guess.

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Oh, that was just a sneer

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Reg Empty is an idiot, even by the standards of ex-Vanguard dunderheads that led the UUP to its electoral grave.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I think it's more likely that a post-independence SNP would very quickly slide into being a Party of Business with all that that tends to imply.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

It sort of has already, though it's political suicide to openly boast about it (Labour too keep quiet)

Yeah, but it would become much more apparent in the event of independence (and possibly even further devolution, though I'm less sure about that). Which would have some impact on the structure of the party system, though Lord knows what.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Random:



(actually it's not random at all, but, whateversky)