The Edinburgh Agreement

[Walter swanston]

Well thats the referendum aqreed.Will we go for it or will we be " FEART AGAIN "

[billt]

I was thinking about this today, If a yes vote I presume we will no longer be the U.K. and I guess the Scottish flag will disappear from the Union Flag , I've always thought it is the best looking flag in the world by a mile but would look odd without a blue background

[bibendium]

Im Scots and proud to be so, my heart says Yes but my head tells me there is a lot to consider yet.

[sapper756]

I am really looking forward to listening to both sides, over the next year or sohttp://forum.pigeonbasics.org/public/style_emoticons/default/emoticon-0138-thinking.gif

[billt]

Strange old thing this voting on major decisions, I remember here in Wales when we first voted on devolution it was a No years later we had the same again and a narrow Yes, how strange that appears to be final, who is it that decides whether to have a re-vote, it doesn't seem to be grass roots

[bibendium]

Strange old thing this voting on major decisions, I remember here in Wales when we first voted on devolution it was a No years later we had the same again and a narrow Yes, how strange that appears to be final, who is it that decides whether to have a re-vote, it doesn't seem to be grass roots

 

Think the agreement states that both sides will accept how the vote goes. will it either be the breakup of the union as we know it or the demise of the SNP.

[mushroom]

What benefits will independence bring to the next generation, that must be the priority.

[Delboy]

ARGUMENTS FOR:

Britishness is dying. Scotland has its own parliament, its own laws and legal system. National feeling and self-confidence are high. It is time to take the next step.

Semi-independence is unsatisfactory. Fiscal powers and economic control remain at Westminster. Independence will allow Scotland to cut business taxes (like Ireland) to promote economic growth.

Other small countries like Norway and the Republic of Ireland are more successful and more dynamic. An independent Scotland will have the tools to match them.

Independence would give Scotland clout where it matters: a seat at the UN and in the EU Council of Ministers. Scottish interests, eg. fisheries and agriculture, are poorly served in Brussels by UK ministers.

Relations between Scots and English are deteriorating. Independence would free Scotland from dependency and England from resentment. An amicable no-faults divorce is better than a bickering marriage.

 

ARGUMENTS AGAINST:

The Union has served both countries well for 300 years. Devolution is a young experiment, and it is too soon to judge it.

There is a gap between public spending in Scotland (£40bn) and revenue raised there (£27bn). A Scottish government would have to choose between higher taxes and cuts in public services.

Scotland has more influence in Brussels as part of the UK than it could have as an independent state.

The integrated British economy is more capable than an independent Scotland would be of meeting the challenges of globalisation. Likewise, having independent defence and security structures would overstrain Scotland's resources.

Scots should recognise that devolution has put England at a disadvantage, and should press for reforms to the way Westminster works. Satisfying English grievances would put the marriage back on an even keel. Divorce is unnecessary and would be painful.

[geordie1234]

Really hope we stay in the UK I can't see why we will be any better out of it

[bibendium]

ARGUMENTS FOR:

Britishness is dying. Scotland has its own parliament, its own laws and legal system. National feeling and self-confidence are high. It is time to take the next step.

Semi-independence is unsatisfactory. Fiscal powers and economic control remain at Westminster. Independence will allow Scotland to cut business taxes (like Ireland) to promote economic growth.

Other small countries like Norway and the Republic of Ireland are more successful and more dynamic. An independent Scotland will have the tools to match them.

Independence would give Scotland clout where it matters: a seat at the UN and in the EU Council of Ministers. Scottish interests, eg. fisheries and agriculture, are poorly served in Brussels by UK ministers.

Relations between Scots and English are deteriorating. Independence would free Scotland from dependency and England from resentment. An amicable no-faults divorce is better than a bickering marriage.

 

ARGUMENTS AGAINST:

The Union has served both countries well for 300 years. Devolution is a young experiment, and it is too soon to judge it.

There is a gap between public spending in Scotland (£40bn) and revenue raised there (£27bn). A Scottish government would have to choose between higher taxes and cuts in public services.

Scotland has more influence in Brussels as part of the UK than it could have as an independent state.

The integrated British economy is more capable than an independent Scotland would be of meeting the challenges of globalisation. Likewise, having independent defence and security structures would overstrain Scotland's resources.

Scots should recognise that devolution has put England at a disadvantage, and should press for reforms to the way Westminster works. Satisfying English grievances would put the marriage back on an even keel. Divorce is unnecessary and would be painful.

WOW im impressed lol. seriously these are only a few of the hard facts and details to be thrashed out before I decide my vote

[billt]

Really hope we stay in the UK I can't see why we will be any better out of it

 

You are right George, This is all about Alex Salmond

[geordie1234]

You are right George, This is all about Alex Salmond

Exactly he probably knows they wont be independant just wants to make the headlines

[Walter swanston]

All that Alex Salmond and the SNP want is for us to run our own country, whats wrong with that?

[yeboah]

All that Alex Salmond and the SNP want is for us to run our own country, whats wrong with that?

Got to be 100% better than the effort the tories are doing at present once again they have brought the building industry to its knee's ,remember years ago when i had just finished building a house for me and the wife Good (Dont mean that) Old Maggie Thatcher increased the mortgage rate to 18/5 percent so if it means no tories in scotland lets go for it never have they been in touch with the working class and never will .

[JADE]

You are right George, This is all about Alex Salmond

 

Does anyone else think he looks more like Fred Flintstone every day. YABADABBADOOO!!!

[billt]

Does anyone else think he looks more like Fred Flintstone every day. YABADABBADOOO!!!

 

[Walter swanston]

Okay, have a go at Alex think of the perfect looks of Toryboy Cameron, Johann Lamont and Ruthie Davidson

[billt]

Would I be right in thinking this is a vote of Scotland v England rather than Scotland v U.K.

[geordie1234]

Okay, have a go at Alex think of the perfect looks of Toryboy Cameron, Johann Lamont and Ruthie Davidson

Just because we don't want independance doesnt mean we like cameron and his lot they wont be around forever independance will be

[Walter swanston]

Would I be right in thinking this is a vote of Scotland v England rather than Scotland v U.K.

 

Absolutely not I have nothing at all against the English people, or the Welsh or anyone else on these islands or any other nationality for that matter.I have family in Denmark,England, Australia and Malaysia all I want is independence for my native country and you are right George that will be forever.

[Whats it called Cumbernauld]

Well thats the referendum aqreed.Will we go for it or will we be " FEART AGAIN "

 

 

It wil come walter.We in Scotland traditionally have low turn outs. on the rare occasion this goes into about 70%. Alex knows if he can capture 35% it may well be enough.Indeed unless we change our voting patterns drastically, less than 35% will be enough to secure Independence.

 

Vote not rigged this time

[billt]

Just because we don't want independance doesnt mean we like cameron and his lot they wont be around forever independance will be

 

If you didn't have Cameron you would have Professor Ed Miliband, ex. Harvard, USA, lecturer, I know we have to have them but they are all the same, Blair, Brown they never went to my school

[walterbmasson]

Scotland on its own and in the eu derick where is the fishing ars na boats left ? And fa are we gan ta get the billions for the imf, in top up the germans ECB the vote is for scotland on its own not being run by the germans are ye for real its the kilt man:partick-thistle-Crest:

[JADE]

Scotland on its own and in the eu derick where is the fishing ars na boats left ? And fa are we gan ta get the billions for the imf, in top up the germans ECB the vote is for scotland on its own not being run by the germans are ye for real its the kilt man:partick-thistle-Crest:

 

Could someone translate please (and Im Scottish) lol

[billt]

Could someone translate please (and Im Scottish) lol

 

Yes, more expense could be another translator needed in Brussels