Scotland?

[oolon]

I was wondering what other people think of Scotland, personally I find it rather sad to think the Union might break up in my lifetime. I find it particularly upsetting passing of laws to specifically target other members of the Union. Personally I get the impression that the UK government is having its buttons pressed so if they snap then the SNP can show how they have been wronged. Anyway that is probably just me being biased.

Question of my mind are:

a) Does all the North sea oil money belong to Scotland? Ie the nasty English are ripping them off.
b) Are Scots unfairly paid more money than the rest of the UK?
c) Were the banks that failed a Scottish problem?
d) Why do Scottish MPs get to vote on matters that have been devolved?
e) Is the remaining time left with the oil enough to ensure scotlands future? After all the "Arc or Prosperity" of Iceland, Ireland and Scotland isn't looking so good.

If we broke up
1) Should be have customs and a border?
2) Should we share a currency?
3) Should we share a military?
4) What happens to the UN security council seat
5) Does Scotland get the right to enter Europe?
6) Does the rest of the UK keep the right to say in Europe?
7) Should it be a clean break, unlike Ireland were they still have rights to Support in the UK, like job seekers allowance.
This are particularly and issue if Europe has problems with the Split.
8) What happens to non scotish breed "UK Citizens" who live in Scotland? (Like my Aunt, Uncle ).
9) What happens to "Scottish" Citizens living in the Rest of the UK

[peterb]

a) I would say no, it is a UK asset, but if Scotland did go independent, they would (try) to clain territorial rights over part of the North Sea.

b) Scotland is subsidised by the UK taxpayer. The Scots argue that it is small recompense for the oil revenues that benefit all UK. However Scotland does (or has done) q=uite well out of the oil industry.

c) Not entirely - the problems affected all of the UK - however had Scotland been independent, maybe it would have been Scotland's problem, but perhaps there would have been fewer English assets there, particularly if Scotlanfd decided to use its own currency.

d) Because the last labour government could not have guranteed a parliamentary majority in the house of commons without them. (And Gordon Brown would have been disbarred from voting on the policies his Government was proposing - which some might think would have been a good thing!)

e. Difficult to say - probably yes in the short term, long term depends on how wisely they invested any income.

1. Yes - rebuild Hadrian's wall! (Edit tongue in cheek)

2. Depends if Scotland wanted to control its own economy or not. See Q/A c above

3. Depends on the nature of independence. There are UK and military assets based in Scotland. They provide employment round Helensburgh and Rosyth. But if Scotkland wanted full independence, it could be argued they should be responsible for their own defence, but the effectiveness of that defence would affect the security of England.

4. Good question and extremely well presented.

5. As an independant nation state, I would say yes. It could join the Euro.

6. Yes

7. Ireland isn't fully independent, but does have a high degree of autonomy in some areas. However it doesn't have tax raising powers (IIRC - I may be wrong on this - or indeed any of the others)

8. They become foreigners, but if Scotland entered the EU they would have the same rights as other EU nationals.

9. They become aliens and could be deported (tongue in cheek) - unless Scotland joined the EU - see 8.

If only it were that simple

[blueball]

What paper do you read? The Daily mail? Jeezus!