The Scottish Government

As you made a point about Ireland. The reason they were able to increase interest from foreign investors was because of EU subsidy- which they no longer give. The point every one of the pro- Independence (yes thats how it is spelt)supporters is how much economic damage is it going to cause and is it viable to rely on a commodity like oil to take Scotland forward. In Britain the nation has the best chance of achieving a safe future that is not weighed down by petty Nationalist whinging.

641. Neil Anderson - Glasgow

"But more importantly the SNP government has also largely ignored these issues."

Actually, you have offeneded me here. The reason that the SNP have not completed their manifesto promises in certain parts of the country is because the EXTRA money they gave the councils were spent improving others areas instead of completing the manifesto promises.

The SNP told the councils that they could spend the money as they saw fit and didn't expect all the councils to follow the same line.

Show some respect for them.

641. Neil Anderson - Glasgow

"How can Scotland become an independent nation if it's biggest and most important city does not support it?"

Glasgow is not as great as it once was. (no offence) Can you provide evidence to support your view? The reason I support Independence is because I belive that Glasgow mainly can actually acheive better if we have control of our own money.

For instance is Scottish Independence going to -
1. Reduce the shocking levels of Crime in the City which currently has a higher rate of crime compared to New York.

It depends. More resources are needed but does Westminister give Glasgow enough? Despite reports showing Scotland sends a surplus of approx 4 billion per year to the Treasury?

2. Will indedendence change the living and consumption patterns of many Glaswegian's who choose to live unhealthy lifestyle's ?

Again. More resources are needed.

3. Will Scottish indepedence reduce inequality in the city of Glasgow by creating more employment in the city?

Inequality exists everywhere. Scotland can reduces taxes to attract new investments however. Similar to Ireland.

4. Will increasingly unequal society if Scotland became independent solve many of Glasgow's Social and Economic problems including racism and sectarianism ?

Some but not all and deffinetly not overnight.

5. Will a more powerful capital city of Edinburgh do anything to transform Glasgow into a better place ?

Of course. When your Government relies on your success for their own well being why would they neglect you?

In response to my previous postings, in relation to the city of Glasgow most people in Scotland's largest city do no support the notion of indepedence so how can Scotland become an independent nation if it's biggest and most important city does not support it ?

Going against the will of the people in Scotland's largest city would not be a wise move for any government in power.

However I do admit that I'm not fully oppossed to Scottish Independence yet I am still not convinced by it.

For instance is Scottish Independence going to -
1. Reduce the shocking levels of Crime in the City which currently has a higher rate of crime compared to New York.

2. Will indedendence change the living and consumption patterns of many Glaswegian's who choose to live unhealthy lifestyle's ?

3. Will Scottish indepedence reduce inequality in the city of Glasgow by creating more employment in the city ?

4. Will increasingly unequal society if Scotland became independent solve many of Glasgow's Social and Economic problems including racism and sectarianism ?

5. Will a more powerful capital city of Edinburgh do anything to transform Glasgow into a better place ?

The answer to all these questions is NO !!!

Now I'm not going to argue for the Unionist's I'm simply arguing the real issues that affect Scotland's largest city in which scottish independence would not solve in reality.

However I would agree with nationalist's that both the previous Holyrood administrations and British Government have systematically failed to tackle these critical issues. But more importantly the SNP government has also largely ignored these issues.

It is clear that Scotland in the status quo or even independent is not going to effective deal with these problems. Therefore a devolved parliament or even independent parliament for the city of Glasgow would effectively deal with these socio-economic issues.

But if this means seperating Glasgow from the rest of the Union or Scotland then I would fully support it.

632. Stars and Stripes - Welcome Home - Fife

That's a rude posting, no need for it just because you disagree with the posting. Which is in English, bar the postscipt. I hope you're not in the tourism business - or in any business with foreign customers.

Hasta La Vista!

It is undoubtedly a clever argument to try and break up Scotland, rather than treat it as a naturally whole (which, unlike the UK: it is) and make it decide. However, the argument about economic competition is largely nonsense - look at Northern Ireland's economic performance alongside that of the Republic's.

The North-South divide idea is frankly out of date, areas such as mine, in Ayrshire, saw a 46% showing for pro-independence candidates (and let us remember that was when the SNP was only seeking election - not pushing independence - but the Labour Party and others were attacking the idea rather than the party).

[637] Perhaps when Scotland gains Independence you and those of the same conviction can campaign for further devolution within Scotland, but I suspect there will then be more interest in discussing the merits of Scotland continuing in the European Union. In the meantime, except for those desperate to stop Independence in the face of changing public opinion, there seems little merit in pursuing an idea which is unlikely to win the support of any of the major political parties at this time.

In response to my previous posting about Scottish indepednence I am more convinced by the argument that Scotland would be better being split up because of the strong divide within public opinion.

It is also clear that there is the North-South Divide in Scotland where a significant majority in the North support independence whereas those in some areas of the south are in favour of remaining in the union (like me).

Therefore it is only fair that that Scotland should be split up into seperate administrative regions and they should have seperate referendums to decide if they would like to be part of an indendepent Scotland or remain within the union. Even though this suggestion sounds crazy, breaking up Britain according to others is crazy so why not go the whole way and split up Scotland. It is the only fair way to tackle the argument for independence because there will always be a split in public opinion where those who want independence can have it and those who want to remain within Britain can do so. After all it might be a good thing that Scotland is split up therefore increasing economic competition and stimualating further growth.

I've often wondered Glasgow with it's own devolved parliament would perform much better in tackling it's own social and economic problems than those bureaucrats in Edinburgh and London.

Jimmy Nelson
It's good to see support from outside Scotland. It's also very important to have that support as well. Home is where the heart lies and if you feel an affinity through ancestry then fantastic. You are welcome here anytime.

I believe Scotland will be an independent nation and I believe that situation isn't far away.

I think the strength of the Scottish people will make it so and that strength make it work. It will be a challenge. That challenge will be with us always. It's up to us to rise to the challenge and prove our worth by becoming a successful nation.

I for one am just waiting to see the flag fly on independence day.

Forum is for people with a view Jackie Baillie just so you know.Unionist theology was tried in Scotland for 50 years.It failed to equalise the nations which are in the UK resulting in the people in Sciotland giving the snp an opportunity to prove that the nation can create its own future.People know now that unionist truth is not the only choice.