Originally Posted by
JamesWales
I’m open minded on it all.
In practice, I think not one of Scotlands problems is caused by Westminster and Scotland has a huge range of powers as it is. They also have considerable tax raising powers, so whilst they don’t control the benefits system, she could raise income tax and halve council tax, or give a payout to all lower income households etc. The SNP know this, but they choose to blame Westminster for nearly everything anyway, rarely with much basis in the truth.
Their record, as I understand it, is mixed, which is fair enough. I am never one to think the Tories, Labour or SNP or anyone else are all bad or all good and there are many competent SNP politicians and councils.
I dislike nationalism on principle, but I think it’s fair enough that if someone feels Scottish only, they may want independence. But equally, many feel Scottish and British and that creates an identity angle to it all that can’t be wished away. That’s the ‘heart’ side of the argument.
I would vote to stay in the UK, mainly because I think Scotland has a good deal. It pays in less than it receives and would have to grapple with a huge budget deficit and lenders would be less inclined to plug that gap than they would with the UK. I think they would enter a period of significant austerity.
That said, it would open opportunities to out compete the UK and Scotland is a significant financial centre in it’s own right. Also, on things like energy it would be a very considerable mass exporter, albeit having had to compensate the UK for their infrastructure first.
On balance I’m pro devotion, but opposed to independence so I hope they vote No.