As Wee Jimmy was quick to disparage Brexit I thought I would start a thread about Scottish Independence.

1. Should the Scots be allowed another referendum?
Answer: Yes.

In 2015 the Scots were told that remaining in the UK meant also remaining in the EU and many would have voted accordingly. As we have moved the goal posts significantly I do thing they are entitled to another vote for me the question is when not if.

I would say in at least 5 years time by which time people can judge what being out of the EU actually means to them.

2. Scotland Joining the EU. This is the major plank for the SNP but it begs the question does the EU want Scotland?

Politically some countries like Spain and Belgium may fear this as it could encourage independence movements of their own so it may not be plain sailing.

It will also depend on what financial shape the EU is in at the time. Having lost a major contributor will they have the resources to take on another country hoping for a free hand out?

Scotland will probably not even qualify under their rules due to the huge amount of debt the SNP has run up.

Then of course there is a waiting list of 7 countries Wee Jimmy wants to jump the queue but that will upset the 7 who have been waiting for years.

Answer: I suspect the EU would love Scotland to join to stick it to the UK however I don't think they have the wriggle room to do the Scots any favours, so my guess is they will be told to join the queue and wait their turn. If I was Nicola I would get a firm committent from the EU and a joining timetable if she doesn't have this before the vote I think it and the pound will be the key factors.

3. What does independence mean to the average Scot?

At some point they will have to define citizenship and who qualifies. No doubt there will be plenty of plastics in England rushing to get their Scottish passport.

The UK will also need to do this process like the EU settled status scheme. This probably wont impact Scots living in the rest of the UK as they will be grandfathered in. However the UK will draw a line so Scottish passport holders not covered (next generation) will have no more rights to live and work in the UK than a Frenchman or a West Indian.

The SNP will not be happy with this but that is the reality of an independent country the UK will treat them no better or worse than any other country. unskilled Scottish labourers may find it impossible to work in the UK.

Answer: The Scots may find access to employment in their biggest market difficult.

4. Should the Scots be allowed to keep the pound?

Answer: No.

It's not going to happen unless the Scots can guarantee an end date e.g. keep the pound for 1 year then join he Euro. Would you allow your divorced partner to access your bank account credit cards and take out joint loans? Of course not.

They want to join the Euro but I think that will take years and the UK should not put it's economy at risk by letting the Scots continue to use the pound.

The SNP need to come up with a solution for this in between period between independence and joining the EU.

5. Will they vote for indpendence?
Answer: Don't know.

If the vote is in 5 years time and the UK is thriving I suspect it will be close but the Scots will realise they are better off with us, especially if the EU is in a mess.

Edited by Badger11 (02 Jan 2021 12.23pm)

One more point

well, most countries that have their own incomprehensible language wish to have their own independence.

gurnin crebit wee wains.

Eze Peasy at Anfield....

Be interesting to see if Scotland's wish to be independent changes much in the medium/long term - as the referendum and Brexit fade through the effluxion of time.

Tony Blair did the right thing, devolution was inevitable, health matters are devolved and it shows.

If they had any doubt they needed to be still be in the union, then covid19 must have shown them otherwise.

Brexit they didn't want, why have it, but its not the main thing.

Bribery to stay in will be a determining factor as it was when the union started, the scots aristocracy sold their country out.

Sturgeon's popularity now 62% with her handling of covid19.

Johnsons is -43% (minus).

Don’t forget the divorce bill will have to be paid to HM Treasury too and the Barnet Formula will end....maybe not such a good idea to push too hard for independence after all.

hats off to palace, they were always gonna be louder, and hate to say it but they were impressive ALL bouncing and singing.

Let them vote; the minute a leave majority is achieved, kick them straight out of Westminster- especially that anglophobic maggot Blackford.

Or better still, lead him to the Tower in chains.