2141 replies to this topic

[theotherjonnymac]

How does population size have a bearing on things ?

Because Govt depends on people paying taxes to fund most things and on this basis Scotland would not have enough cash to operate apparently.

[LY_Scott]

Newsnight Scotland doing an Independence debate special on Burns' night (Next Wednesday). The same day the SNP reveal their referendum consultation...

[LY_Scott]

How does population size have a bearing on things ?

Because Govt depends on people paying taxes to fund most things and on this basis Scotland would not have enough cash to operate apparently.

I think you're trying to argue we receive more than we pay out at the moment?

[LazyDonkey]

How does population size have a bearing on things ?

Because Govt depends on people paying taxes to fund most things and on this basis Scotland would not have enough cash to operate apparently.

But the amount paid out isn't fixed - it too depends on the size of the population. Unemployment rates are 1% point apart between Scotland and England so my guess is that the economics would work out. Unless you know differently?

As i've said earlier i'm not necessarily pro-independence but I'm not comfortable with someone making broad brush statements without an y evidence to back it up.

Edited by LazyDonkey, 19 January 2012 - 09:38 AM.

[techieboy]

I have to confess I've paid absolutely no attention to the whole thing. It would be a shame if you decided to break up the Union but can't say I'll lose any sleep either before or after the vote. But, what was all the fuss last week or the week before when Cameron said the whole referendum thing should be sped up? Salmond seemed to go off on one but I'm not sure why. P.S. You're welcome to take RBS and it's toxic debts back on your books, when you go.

[LY_Scott]

It suits the SNP to do it later, generally the economy should have settled down a bit and it gives them another 2.5 years to make a case for it. Also the Scotland Act is going through the UK parliment at the moment and the SNP are pushing for more powers, the to-ing and fro-ing wil score more brownie points for Salmond depending on what is refused. In light of that it suits Cameron to push for it sooner. He also knows it won't happen but it makes the SNP look weak and scared when they say no, which to be fair to them they are just sticking by what they promised initally. Its all just political posturing. It will happen in 2014 and I hope we have an intelligent debate based on facts leading up to it. And yes we'll keep RBS if we can gift you back the debtridden NatWest part of it?

[techieboy]

And yes we'll keep RBS if we can gift you back the debtridden NatWest part of it?

No, no, it doesn't work like that. Your boys thought they were being clever and bought it. If they didn't do their due diligence properly, then that's your problem.

[LY_Scott]

[LY_Scott]

Some hard facts. Cutting through westminster spin that discussion of independence is harming investment in Scotland.

http://blogs.channel...reign-investors

[Craig S]

Some hard facts. Cutting through westminster spin that discussion of independence is harming investment in Scotland.

http://blogs.channel...reign-investors

Very interesting read

[theotherjonnymac]

How does population size have a bearing on things ?

Because Govt depends on people paying taxes to fund most things and on this basis Scotland would not have enough cash to operate apparently.

I think you're trying to argue we receive more than we pay out at the moment?

I don't really have an opinion but yes that seems to be what the economists are saying

[LY_Scott]

Fair bit of action today on this. Scottish Government have released their consultation on independence document. Fair bit of hooha, speech in parliament with debate etc. WIll on on your tellybox tonight. Please try and ignore Johann Lamont, she is embarrassing to Ed Milliband levels.

Also Independence debate tonight on BBC2 Scotland 2235 from Glasgow. Will be available in other areas of the UK on Sky.

www.bbc.co.uk/scotlandsfuture new bbc page also has a fair bit of info.

Cheers.

[Craig S]

Some more info.

http://stephennoon.b...-boomerang.html

[LY_Scott]

From last night:

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otlands_Future/

[bunsenburner]

As I think has been mentioned above I wish the BBC or whoever would stop pissing about talking about when is best to have a referendum and actually tell everyone what implications it will have, in a nice neat bulled pointed list. Pros, cons. Make your choice.

How the politicians run referendums is disgraceful. They put out half truths and miss out important information. The vast majority of voters will make a decision without most of the facts, with a significant number driven mostly by a degree xenophobia.

I do however think that reducing the size of this already small country is a bad idea. Why is America so influential in the world? It's certainly not because they're cleverer than the rest of us.

[slindborg]

Surely the rest of the UK should be able to vote on a country leaving or not... as its in 'our' interest/disinterest too. If you lot want this independence lark, MTFU and do it by the end of the year, dont fanny about as the longer its left the longer people can sway one way or the other and ultimately the idea gets canned making you all look like a bunch of spineless pussies

[G-Bob]

Surely the rest of the UK should be able to vote on a country leaving or not... as its in 'our' interest/disinterest too.

I'm sure the rest of the UK would have something to say if we went "See you later guys and we're taking our oil&gas with us"

[LY_Scott]

Consultation paper and ways to respond here:

http://www.scotrefer...m/consultation/

[fiveoclock]

Surely the rest of the UK should be able to vote on a country leaving or not... as its in 'our' interest/disinterest too.

Then the SNP would get what they want without doubt.

[ghand]

Surely the rest of the UK should be able to vote on a country leaving or not... as its in 'our' interest/disinterest too.

I'm sure the rest of the UK would have something to say if we went "See you later guys and we're taking our oil&gas with us"

We have oil and gas

I can see a frigging big rig out to see at southport,

Any way I told you bob most of the stuff belongs to the Orkeneys and Shetland and when they go it alone your left will FA

I wonder how the rest of England would vote