Scotland: Yes or No?

[Five_X]

So, in a week, the world will learn if Scotland will become an independent country. What repercussions this will have for Scotland, England, and the rest of the world will remain to be seen, but as it stands, the number of "Yes" voters is growing. It's likely that this will come to an extremely close vote: 51/49 either way, but that small difference will mean a lot.

I made this thread because I happen to be in the strange position of having been in two countries with independence referendums: in 1995, the province of Quebec in Canada voted to secede from Canada. In the end, the vote was roughly 51% no, 49% yes. Since then, a number of laws have been enacted giving Quebec a lot of special freedoms, and it's become one of the richest, fastest-growing parts of the country. In the present day, even the largest national part in Quebec, the Bloc Quebecois - whose political influence in Quebec alone was great enough to make them the third-biggest political party in the country even just a couple elections ago - can barely get seats in Parliament.

Now I'm in the UK, and what happens shortly before I come here? The beginning of a movement to assert Scottish independence! Well, I never thought that this would be important to me, but since I live here now, it kind of is. I've never been to Scotland, but I'd like to potentially go there without having to enter a wholly new country in the process.

So. What's everyone's opinions on the Yes/No debate?

[RacingeR]

Can Scotland even afford becoming its own country? Is what I wonder, at least.

[Kat]

I don't mind either, if Scots want to secede, then I wish them best. If they stay, it's their own decision.

[Riven]

Can Scotland even afford becoming its own country? Is what I wonder, at least.

Scotland has pretty near full control over its own internal policies anyways, and has hand them for a long time. Despite their previous history of warfare, Scotland and England were joined by a Royal Union, not conquest. Furthermore, Scotland has had a pretty robust economy of late, and it's not like independence is going to cause them to sever all ties with England. They'd keep most of their old relationship, just on a more level playing field. They'd also make some new friendships elsewhere, probably in Scandinavia.

[SeiKeo]

Can Scotland even afford becoming its own country? Is what I wonder, at least.

Scotland, population-wise, is the size of Denmark and would have the advantage of substantial oil reserves, so it's completely a viable country in an objective sense. Bigger problem is they're totally fucked on currency: the Yes campaign is saying they want to have a currency union with the UK after independence, which the UK has already said they're going to respond to with "fuck off" because if you wanted the Pound you should have stayed in. The plan B after that is to just use the Pound anyways without an official agreement, but to put a long argument short, the Euro should have shown everyone that a monetary union without fiscal union is a really bad deal for the smaller parties, and if you have a fiscal union the entire point of Scots independence is basically null.

[Five_X]

Scotland, population-wise, is the size of Denmark and would have the advantage of substantial oil reserves, so it's completely a viable country in an objective sense. Bigger problem is they're totally fucked on currency: the Yes campaign is saying they want to have a currency union with the UK after independence, which the UK has already said they're going to respond to with "fuck off" because if you wanted the Pound you should have stayed in. The plan B after that is to just use the Pound anyways without an official agreement, but to put a long argument short, the Euro should have shown everyone that a monetary union without fiscal union is a really bad deal for the smaller parties, and if you have a fiscal union the entire point of Scots independence is basically null.

So is that a Yes or a No.

[SeiKeo]

So is that a Yes or a No.

I think that if the SNP and the Yes crew was honest about the fact that Scotland would need a new currency they would have no chance in hell of winning.

[Korburss]

Huh, I hadn't heard of this before this thread.

Well, of late I have only heard talk of seceding from crackpots and idiot's whom don't understand economy but that just the good ol' U.S.A for ya. As Leo said, they would be in the position to either continue using the pound but be at a disadvantage or forming a new Currency. I just don't see the risk being worth any possible rewards of independence.

[deviatesfish]

I vote for FiveX!

[Fingolfin]

I would like to see Scotland become the new Australia but even deadlier and full of mutated super men in kilts.

[Kirby]

Do we get to fight the mutated kilt-men?

[ZidanReign]

Well this is a surprise. Didn't expect see this be a thing.

But from the information I've quickly read up on, I don't see why they should. If you have a good thing going on, why break what works fine unless the decision you plan on doing will benefit you greatly in the long run. That's my opinion.

I guess if they want to do it, let the scots live with whatever they choose to vote on.

[Fingolfin]

Do we get to fight the mutated kilt-men?

If there is a WWIII, yes.



Kind of like the Scotsman.

[2Bad]

No, the whole thing is fucking stupid.

[Five_X]

I wonder if TheSpy is going to reappear out of nowhere to come in here and spout crazy talk.

[Petrikow]

Probably not.

There's not much of a reason to.

[SeiKeo]

Is this weird EU Merkel imperialism or something

[Zenieth]

They better not considering they'll be fucked to all corners trade wise.

Aint a chance in hell that EU's letting them in. Not any time soon at the least.

[SeiKeo]

Actually yes.

Fuck off, weird nursing home, we're not gonna give you dad.

[Thedoctor]

It sounds like Scotland would be fucked economically.