Scottish Independence (the sequel)

Surley they would be employed by Scottish Revenue and Customs when its created

^ yes of course, I didn't think of that, but that doesn't have the same scary ring about it, does it.

(13-09-2014 12:10 )circles_o_o_o Wrote:  ^ yes of course, I didn't think of that, but that doesn't have the same scary ring about it, does it.

They could call them "The Excisemen" - a nod to Rabbie Burns and the bonus of sounding like a Marvel Comic movie... give them a uniform that makes them look like the Agents of the Matrix and watch all the unemployed 16 year olds try to sign up

(Of course with the Equality Act they'd have to call them "The Excisepersons" which would ruin it obviously)

Its getting rediculous the amount of negative information that the no camp are churning out. It seems that big business is being used as a fear weapon to get voters to say no. Is a chairman of a company saying if its a yes vote people in his firm will lose their jobs? Yes or No it seems good old US of A political tactics have crossed the atlantic. On the subject, whether Yes or No, does anyone in their right mind think it was a good idea to send John "two Jags" Prescott up north to try and influence voters. A man most famous for shagging his secretary, and then taking his missus on to Mr and Mrs. rant finished and just wish it was over one way or the other.

Short term economic considerations surely can't be the be-all and end-all of really important questions like this ?

Scotland was still in the doldrums economically for probably 40 or 50 years AFTER the 1707 Act of Union was passed - does this mean it was wrong for it to have been done in the first place ?

Equally, does that mean it would be wrong to go Independent- if it means shaky decades economically at the resumption of its Independence ? Who can predict the longer term ?

Britain was bankrupt after WWII but still set up the Welfare State, cos the public support was there for it.

In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries "big business" was against improving labour conditions/working hours/banning employment of young children in workplaces and factories.

Makes you wonder would these measures get voted for by the public / passed by today's politicians in today's media conditions ?

It took huge social - and religious/moral - and latterly organised trades union pressure in the teeth of opposition of "big business" to get these kind of reforms.

I am no teetotal church-goer but people underestimate just how much religious pressure moderated the extremes of capitalism in the Victorian and Edwardian eras : especially on questions like Abolition of slavery, and the ill-fated Prohibition experiment in the US.

There doesn't seem to be anything like an equivalent "check" with the same amount of broad support, and teeth/clout, on business these days.

At the end of the day big business will adapt to any situation - they're going to be cautious about making rash decisions that lose them money.

thing is the better together have to be negative. because if they were positive about scotlands chances of going it alone they would be voting for independence

and its to counter argument for the scottish nationalists who think if you vote Yes on Thurs come friday they will have a socalist Calephate of Caledonia

The ramifications of a No vote are not being given enough cover in the media as they try to ensure that big business and banks influence the vote. If Scotland does vote no they won't just remain part of the UK as before but will get further powers to largely self govern to an extent through devolution, including full Income Tax rate setting should the Tories win the next election.
This raises the question that those of us living in England should surely get the same equality. The Welsh and those in Northern Ireland have their own assemblies who it is believed hope to have powers increased inline with a Scotland that remains part of the UK. An English Assembly, governed for the benefit of the English is already becoming a popular ideal among English MP's in Parliament who are hoping to force this issue through after the Scotland issue is decided upon. There are several who are calling for a vote similar to that in Scotland, that would exclude anyone not resident in England.
I am not necessarily in favour of this but by trying to end the independence issue once and for all through agreeing to the SNP call, Cameron has done nothing but open a bigger can of worms. Makes you wonder what idiocy they teach privileged toffs at public schools. The only good thing is this issue could be the death knell for his leadership.

Thought the Beeb were supposed to be impartial

As corporal Fraser would say "we're doomed"

This independence would be probably overshadow a Presidential election if there was one. Now that we have this one taking place, will the Eu referendum happen before next year's elections? If Scotland can have a referendum why can't we have a referendum to leave EU now? not only that It won't be long before both Wales and Northern Ireland want their own Referendum too.