Scotland seeking independence from UK

In 2 years time, Scotland will be seeking independence from the United Kingdom.

The referendum will be open to 16 and 17 year olds and up.  The question posed is likely to be "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?"

If the Scots agree to Scotland being an independent country, they would no longer be part of the United Kingdom. 

It would certainly be strange to see Scotland "split off" from the UK.

I don't know what the long term effects of this move would be but I'm sure there will be lots of discussion about North Sea Oil!

Do you think this is a strange move by Scotland?

I am surprised that it took this long to gain their independence because i think any country would want it. Ireland is confusing enough with part of it belonging to the UK and the other part of the country totally independent from it.

But from a political point of view it will definitely have repercussions and it all boils down to one thing in any nation - £¥€$. 

Lips

So true Lips.  It is all about the wonga.

Their govt have 2 years to "sell it" but at the end of the day, it is down to the people who live there.

Either way, it is the most beautiful part of the UK and if anyone is thinking about taking a trip to Scotland, it is definitely worth the effort.

blue

I always wondered they never split before. It should be very interesting to see what happens.

I heard that it's gorgeous too and have met people that lived there and loved it. Nice fun loving culture.

The economic ties between Scotland and Great Britain will remain more or less the same, regardless of the independence referendum outcome. If that's what the Scottish people want, then so be it, but I doubt their lives will change  .

Posted almost 2 years ago, the day is finally arriving!

On 18th September voters will be asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"  Apparently the polls are neck and neck and every vote will count.

Check out this clever video from Sky News

=

omg haha that video is hilarious

I believe it is the right way to do this. People should be able to vote for this. There won't be any differences looking from the economic aspect.

Excellent video!

I've thought about it and I don't see any real benefit for the Scottish people if they gain independence, the only "benefit" is some sort of national pride but that doesn't make the economy work better. I'm very curious to see the outcome of this.

Funny video. I can't wait to see the results of the referendum; I'm very curious.

As a Scottish person currently living in Scotland this is absolutely a massive vote for the future of
how our country is going to be run. To those  thinking that this won't really change our lives i can
assure you that if we vote for independence this will affect us greatly and i hope it is for the good.
I will be voting Yes as i feel we can govern ourselves and make the big decisions ourselves. We will
no longer be the guinea pigs for westminster and i am old enough to remember the poll tax when it was
brought in and it was Scotland who were the guinea pigs and had to suffer before any other country
in the UK did.

I'm guessing the Scots will end up voting to go their own way because they are a seriously patriotic bunch, and there just seems to be a great resentment towards the english amongst them, particularly the young. England and Scotland have different banknotes, but both are perfectly legal on either side of the border, yet actually trying to spend the 'other' currency gets you suspicious looks anyway, and indeed, some shops will refuse to accept the money altogether perhaps claiming they cannot be sure it is genuine.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think a YES vote could turn out badly for the Scots

yes it's true we are a patriotic bunch. I disagree about there being a great resentment towards the english
though. I work away in England probably about half of the year and Scotland the other half. We get on
really well with the English , i think maybe in the past that would be true but now i think it's down
to football that the Scottish get it in the neck from the English media about how bad our game is and how
England going to win the World Cup every 4 years and bringing 1966 up at every chance they get.
Your point is true about us having different notes and not everywhere will accept them pretty crazy.

I for one would be sad to see Scotland independent from the UK - I love Scotland and I love the Scots but I can see why they would want to be independant. 

As for the poll tax - I remember that disgraceful regime.  That was nothing and still is (as a Council tax), a money making con to save the Govt giving money to Councils.

Yeah without wanting to sidetrack the thread, the council tax is an outrageous burden on most people in this country but it raises such an enormous amount of money that its never going away now. Hard to imagine how the country was ever funded without it infact, seeing as it is now almost exclusively by far the highest single household bill for everyone in country.

Will be very interesting to see the outcome. I am surprised the votes are so close. I would think any country would want their independence hands down whether it is a matter of pride or not.  At the same time i can see how it can make you feel a bit sad Blue as a resident from the UK.

Lips

not taking any sides here, but this video is hilarious 


Willie's Views On Scottish Independence | THE SIMPSONS

Very clever video. 

Apparently this is the current position:

No 52%
Yes 48%

Just 2 days to go.  It's extremely close.

Betfair are pretty sure it will be a "no", they have already started to pay out those who have chosen to bet on this option.

They have announced it on Twitter yesterday: "We are paying out on all Sportsbook bets on no in the Scottish independence referendum. Thanks to the accuracy of the data available on our exchange, we've decided that no is the most likely outcome in three days time."

I hope UK will stay united. The two countries are stronger together 

Voting is over and the counting has begun.  Results will be announced throughout the night for each council area.  First results expected in just over an hour.

SCOTLAND VOTES NO

    No 1,914,187
    Yes 1,539,920

After 31 of 32 counts

Now the UK Govt must stick to their pledge in the event of a "no" vote and grant more powers to Scottish Parliament.

That was really close. I agree Blue, now the UK Government has to keep the word.

Yeah but lets see how long it actually takes to get there eh Blueday - I hope they do keep to this promise, and do it quickly too, or there will be calls for another referendum before we know it, and if the Scots feel they got conned this time around, they wont make the same mistake again.

I'm really very pleased the union has remained, and am actually really quite surprised they voted this way contrary to what I said earlier in this thread... very pleased to be wrong!

I have no doubt the Govt. will drag their heels over the reforms. 

I'm really glad it didn't happen too.

I think that one is inevitable. I mean, it will just be a question of when.