The Scottish Government

Another posting from Fife there completely ignoring the polls and claiming "a majority" are against independence. When, in fact, the more recent polls put independence neck and neck with the status quo or slightly ahead. In the words of one Wendy Alexander: "Bring it on ... [we] don't fear the judgement of the Scottish people". (Incidentally, she should). If the unionist side is so filled with misplaced confidence, back the independence referendum bill waiting to be tabled.

At least the tone has changed to those contributing from outside Scotland. Like many, I remember the earlier greeting recieved by some along the lines of "not another one" or "what are you doing here"; frankly "welcome home" is a marked improvement! Clearly all are welcome to contribute here - although the contributions of those current living in Scotland will doubtless carry more weight than those of interested "outsiders".

* Scotland is currently running a budget surplus of between £4.4 and £6.2 billion. This would allow income tax to be cut by 5% across the board, corporation tax to be cut from 28 to 12.5% and leave somewhere between £2 to £4 billion to be invested in an oil fund every year to make the country's wealth last. After saving for less than a decade, the interest alone would generate an additional £1-1.5 billion a year.

I support Alex Salmond and the SNP in its stance over the iniquitous fuel levies (taxes) now being siphoned off the poor motorist in Scotland by the Westminster govt, esp in the more remote and rural areas where diesel is now approaching 150p per ltr. The knock-on effect in many spheres of life and within the business and public services communities is incalculable. Only by returning (restoring) power to Scotland, as a nation, with complete independence over the management of its own fiscal affairs will we be able to control and respond more sympathetically to the needs of all of our people. Well done to Angus Brendan MacNeil MP for raising this in Westminster and to Alasdair Allan for pleading the cause of fuel poverty in the Western Isles, in Holyrood. The people of Scotland are now ready for independence and wish to have more direct control over their own destiny ... confidently and proudly we will surely move forward and again achieve greatness.

#631 Jimmy Nelson

Nice to hear from you Jimmy and I hope you are prospering in your homeland. I note you have either researched the Gaelic or have it as a heritage. More than can be said for the current population of Scotland where less than 1 in 100 speak it. If your ancestors had the Gaelic that would suggest your ancestors came from the islands or more probably the highlands, in which case they were given the boot by the laird to make way for sheep! Many of the others of Scots descent could make the same claim, or were deported as an option to jail! However your return to the home of your ancestors will be more than welcome if you care to visit, however I would expect you to give our laws and the same respect that you would require of me visiting your country.

I would expect that you are in fact an American, as the others you list are Canadian, Australian, etc, and as such have no more say in our destiny than you have. As it happens, a majority of those of us, who stayed and worked here, don't have the same opinion as you, fortunately. I won't respond in that vein known to a minority in your ancestral home, as it never has been the language of the mainland. Try Scots or Doric the next time.

Sadly, I've never been to Scotland, or anywhere in Europe. I'm very proud of my Scottish heritage. I've only been following Scottish politics just this past week and, have learned quite a bit in such a short period of time. Yet, there is SO much more I need to learn (about the Country as a whole: politics, culture, history, etc.).

I really don't know what to say, other than I am in favor of an Independent Scotland. However, I agree with allot of the comments, could an Independent Scotland be self-supporting? I know that, in the beginning, it will be tough (as with any new Country emerging). America did it. It took Scots to help make it so. Still, 200 years later, we’re making mistakes.

As you all know, to talk of independence is one thing, but to actually put it into practice is something different. If it meant to bring home the Scottish Diaspora to support the Country, then I'll be there. There is an estimated 30-40 million people around the globe of Scottish descent/ethnicity (Scotland has just over 5 million; the USA has an estimated 11 million; England and Wales has an estimated 700,000; Canada has an estimated 4.1 million; Australia has an estimated 500,000). It will take allot of dedication and willingness to ensure the success of an Independent Scotland. And not from just those living in Scotland, it will require the support from the Scottish Diaspora.

Even though, my family emigrated from Scotland in the late 1600’s, early 1700’s, my heart has always been and will always be . . Scotland.

Alba gu Bràth!

627
Whilst I understand that a proportion of West of Scotland folk would like to be English and a proportion would like to be Irish,I believe the vast majority are Scots and therefore will want to live in an independent Scotland.However,post independence,If people in any area of Scotland want to become part of England again,or for that matter Ireland,then they will have to garner enough votes in a referendum to leave Scotland.Ireland and England wont want you without the oil!

627. Neil Anderson - Glasgow

A terrible idea.

Splitting up Scotland will never work or be fair.

An area where a great majority who support the Union will still have people who support Independence.

Kicking them out of an Independent Scotland to remain in a Scotland who still supports the Union is asking for trouble.

Then the Scottish Parliament. The Scotland that still supports the Union will have to have their own Parliament by legal rights.

It would never work.

Unionist thinking has never prospered Scotland.Independence is the future.Oil money kept the Union in money for years.Time for Scotland to look to the welfare of people here.

It is clear that there is a strong divide in terms of public opinion over the issue of Scottish indepedence.

The vast majority who use this system support the notion of Scotland becoming indepedent whereas others like me want Scotland remain within the union.

However has the SNP government considered seperating Scotland into different administrative regions where those who want indepedence can have indepedence and those who want to remain within the union can do so ?

Because it is clear that the only way this issue is going to be effectively tackled is if Scotland is indeed split up and seperated. It makes sense for the reason that there is such a strong divide within public opinion where those living in the North of Scotland want indepedence more compared to other regions of Scotland.

It would divide up Scotland as a nation but it would be exactly like Ireland where there is an indepedent republic in the south and unionist province in Ulster.

ALthough this suggestion sounds crazy it does make sense for the reason that no matter if Scotland decides to become indepedent or not there always going to be this division within society.

Above all by spliting up Scotland both sides are happy where those who want indepedence have it and others who want to remain within the union can still be British.

This is my first posting on this message board. I would first of all like to say how great an idea it is. However in a note to the webmaster, it is extremely difficult to navigate and nearly put me off registering. Secondly the format of the message board is terrible, if you contact me I will be able to point you to a couple of other examples of better quality. In addition, the thread I have decided to comment on is far to long - both in time and space. I hold a very active interest in this topic, as you will probably see by my next post, and I find it disapointing - yet not surprising - that this message board has not garnered the interest that was so desired when the site launched.

comment on comment 625 - Pevenger from Greece:
I strongly agree with your comment, we are a very different people than the british. We have to over come the british media & the control they have on us.
I also admire your country (Kavala) & amazing history.
Freedom.