Can of worms: Scottish Independence

[MrBehemoth]

In less than a fortnight Scotland is going to vote on whether it wants to remain part of the United Kingdom or break off and become an independent country. Here, this is a really big deal.

There are a mass of complex arguments and risks on both the "yes" (pro-independence) and "no" (pro-union) sides. To put it in context for Americans or anyone not familiar with the debate, it's like as if a major US state announced "We've had enough of this country. We're going to start our own one. Screw you Washington!" ...just replace Washington with Westminster.

I opt for postal votes, so I've already voted, but the constant debate has risen and risen in intensity of late. My friends, family and colleagues talk/argue about little else. As with any impassioned political cause, there are a lot of spurious opinions flying around about economy, especially North Sea oil and currency, healthcare, military and armaments, admittance to the European Union and so on, not to mention the simple question of whether breaking up is the right thing to do in a world where unity is lacking, and that both the Scottish Nationalist Party and the UK government stand to gain a lot by coming out on top. Whatever we vote, things will never be the same.

I find it hard to judge whether people are talking/voting with their heart or with their head. It would be good to hear some new opinions, especially of people who aren't directly involved. Thoughts?

[Romulator]

Wait... Scotland is becoming independent? Since when!? :o

(Seriously, I had no idea this was happening).

[MrWhitticus]

Apparently it's been going on since the 17th of December 2013

All I'd heard about this was a photo of some english celebrities holding a sign saying "Don't become independent, stay with us" or something.
Because at the moment, I'm sure all the scots want is the english telling them what to do

[MrBehemoth]

Apparently it's been going on since the 17th of December 2013

The law that makes the referendum legal came into being in Dec 2013, but the debate has been going much, much longer. I suppose you could trace it back decades or hundred of years, but the Scottish Government was devolved back in 1999 and independence has been a bargaining point in negotiations over powers and resources since then.

Wait... Scotland is becoming independent? Since when!? :o

(Seriously, I had no idea this was happening).

I'd have thought this would be bigger news, internationally. Anyone else around the world not know this was happening?

[Wooderson]

I've tried following this HUGE vote but the truth is, that the campaign has been a shambles in terms of letting people know what will actually happen if they do get Independence. If it was Wales going for Independence then I would personally vote NO because I wouldn't like to take the risk of leaving the UK as things could really go shits up if things aren't properly sorted.

In general, more devolution is a safer option.

[MrBehemoth]

I've tried following this HUGE vote but the truth is, that the campaign has been a shambles in terms of letting people know what will actually happen if they do get Independence. If it was Wales going for Independence then I would personally vote NO because I wouldn't like to take the risk of leaving the UK as things could really go shits up if things aren't properly sorted.

In general, more devolution is a safer option.

I was going to keep my own opinion out of it, but you've hit the nail on the head. That's exactly why I've already voted "no".

[Prelauncher]

I've heard about it but it hasn't made the news big time here in Sweden. I heard a few months ago that Scotland was actually considering the possibility of joining us in the nordic council, a great co-operation between the nordic countries: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. But there's no interest in the north for making Scotland a part of it, I'm guessing that's because if we let them in we have to let everybody else in and there's no need or interest for that kind of expansion.
But only recently did I find out that there's still a vote. I don't think it's a good idea for Scotland to become independent from the UK, they've been a part of it for so long. I can't see any benefits to it apart from the patriotic one which I don't think is good enough.

[Wooderson]

I can't see any benefits to it apart from the patriotic one which I don't think is good enough.

Patriotism is extremely dangerous in a situation like this. I like to think of it like if Wales was going for Independence... My silly patriotic heart would want Independence because my silly patriotic heart feels fed up of being in England's shadow. One thing that annoys me a lot is how Welsh people are represented by God Save the Queen during events where a Welsh person is representing the UK.

Despite all that, it would be absolute insanity to vote yes on Independence for patriotic reasons and I don't have enough faith in people to use their head rather than their heart in a vote like this.

[MrBehemoth]

Scotland was actually considering the possibility of joining us in the nordic council ..... But there's no interest in the north for making Scotland a part of it, I'm guessing that's because if we let them in we have to let everybody else in

Geologically, Scotland is a part of Scandinavia that slipped down a bit. True story.

Just thought I'd point out that, currently, the poll on this thread is mirroring the real life pre-vote opinion polls. Not that those mean jack.

[Wooderson]

This happened, pretty funny.