The Scottish Government

PMK, i can see exactly where you are coming from and your points are true, like the Scotland not fufilling its true potential in the global market place etc. This is true, i do believe that it has been held back.

However i don't see Independence as the way to do it. I agree with your arguements on Scotlands abilities not being tapped but again i don't believe independence is the solution.

What holds Scotland back is an awkward Devolution set-up and a stupid Labour Government. The tories in the 80's did create negatives but in the long term they created the Aberdinian oil industry, edinburgh into a Financial powerhouse (getting there rapidly) etc.

What scotland needs is not independence but a better devolved framework so to fully tap into its potential while still remaining in the Union.

Although the United Kingdom as a whole needs work, desperately.

well said Robbie The Pict
#412

Power of Pictland
when will your like show up again
to give some wisdom
and tell the nation
to tell the London set
to think again.

Ellis Sims - I am reassured you recognise some of the problems I am describing. However, I would have to disagree with your point about the Tory government in the 80s. Much of the North Sea development and exploration pre-dates the Tory victory in 1979; they simply exploited the opportunity presented to them. By the way, at the time the Government continually lied to the Scottish public – deliberately “estimating” their tax-revenue from the North Sea at as low as 1/38th of what actually flowed in to the treasury. This was exposed by the (UK Government commissioned) McCrone Report that pointed out an independent Scotland would “tend toward surplus to an embarrassing degree” and have the hardest currency in Europe (with the possible exception of the Norwegian krone).

Meanwhile, the area in which I live in was decimated at that time, much like the rest of the Central Belt. Gosport is on the Hampshire south coast, is it not? Probably represented by a Tory MP? Presumptuous of me to say so, but probably true! I suspect it would be easier to make such a case there, than in the areas still recovering from the brutal treatment dished out by the Tories in the past.

I am no fan of Labour (partly as they are too much like the Tories they use as the bogeyman to keep Scots in line). Also, the arguments for independence are not wholly economic, I fundamentally believe Scotland is a polity and as such it is best that it should govern itself.

Clearly we are not going to agree; however, as I say, I am reassured that you acknowledge many of the problems faced by modern Scotland.

462. Ellis Sims
I think it's more the oil itself and the oil industry created Aberdeen's oil industry, and Edinburgh - and Glasgow - had a strong financial sector long before the Tories of the 80's. As for getting to Edinburgh, my feeling is that long ago the A1 should have been turned into a full trunk road, and the East coast rail line upgraded. As for airports, with the industrial boom around Inverness as well, being in charge of our own airports for this time may have led to a lot of differences for the better.

Oil in Scotland - we don't have the headquarter jobs we should, nor other scientific, engineering and technical jobs to do with oil exploration and extraction. Had Scotland been independent all these years, I'd guess we'd have had at least the chance to do better with this, as we'd have had our own government talking, plannning, cajoling and wheeler-dealing on our behalf. Tax advantages? Certainly sir/madam! Full relief on investment? How many infrastructure jobs do you plan to give us? OK!

461. Davie - Land of Milk and Honey

Dear Dave

You asked (in a polite & coherent enough way) "Why am I here"?

I'm here because I wish to continue to belong to the United Kingdom of Great Britain, which Scottish independence will destroy.

And even though I won't have a vote on the matter I will speak out against that destruction.

I don't know why you should find that amusing but that is your prerogative.

Just as it is my right to say what I think.

Sorry if that offends anyone but …..

Mike

i am not here to argue with any other person.
i am here to argue solely for Independence.
you have all seen films where you cheered for the underdog.
well i dont believe in underdogs.
i know that Scotland wants freedom.
even if it hasnt grasped it yet.
you can argue Union till you are blue in the face
but freedom is the way forward for the nation
to take her place among EQUALS.
get the message and vote for your own future.
Labour and Tory had time to prove they could prosper the nation.
they failed.
Independence.
Its time.

Dave Eastabrook, what does the idea of a Federal United Kingdom say to you? How do you rate it?

467. Mike KIng - Birmingham

Thank you for your honest reply.

You stated "I'm here because I wish to continue to belong to the United Kingdom of Great Britain, which Scottish independence will destroy". Mike, , , You will still belong to that "United Kingdom". It`s just that I will not!
There will still be a union of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"destroy / destruction" ! (harsh words fella , some might even say melodramatic )Tell me Mike Exactly what would in your view of the union be destroyed ?

Bear in mind, all the people of Scotland are asking for is the right to set and raise their own taxes, keep the revenues raised, spend these revenues as they see fit and make their own decisions regarding immigration / foreign policy / and the like. Undeniable rights your UK Government has deployed troops to protect and defend on behalf of other countries around the world. It`s ok for everyone else just not for Scotland?

Now before you reply, , and I really hope you do. Remember, you can`t play the financial card because everyone and I mean EVERYONE knows that particular labour propaganda was debunked years ago. Neither can you do the "scaremongering" thing because that was just so 1997, which leaves the the old separatist chant we have heard so many times before but, will allow if you can supply written evidence that there will be barbed wire fencing and machine gun turrets along Hadrians Wall together with armed border guards with Alsatian dogs. No?

And finally why did I find it amusing? I`m sorry for that statement I apologise , I should have used the word bemused rather than amused. You see Mike for the first time in hundreds of years the Scottish people are genuinely positive, eager and excited about Scotland and it`s politics along with it`s rightful place in the world. We can`t be bullied or frightened by the Westminster "Monsters" anymore. As they say "That dog won`t hunt"

Yours,
Davie.