Views on Independence.

[BiggestNizzy]

Interesting point by Barroso, Scotland would probably have to renegotiate with Europe and get everyone's agreement. Spain will do us over to protect her own interests and what's left of the uk will have their toys out the pram. This could make it difficult.

Yesterday he also had a go at the current UK government on their plans to renegotiate / leave the UK.

[Rusty]

I love how the better together lot are now using the "You won't get into the EU" as more of their scaremongering tactics,
yet doesn't Mr Cameron have a referendum planned after our one to say "Do you want to be part of the EU?" as they want out!

Yes there is potentially a lot of risk but that's the same with most things in life,

Having a child, there are LOTS of potential complications and problems that could arise but people still do it because if they don't arise, its meant to be magical,
if issues do arise, they find a way to get on and make the most of it. Like my youngest Niece, she was given 1 week to live when she was 3 weeks old, she turned 4 in January. She still only now has a life expectancy of 14 but you know what, every minute we spend with her, we make the most of it! Lot of you have children, so I'm guessing the risk was worth it?

Learning to drive, the risks of crashing, stalling, speeding etc are all potential risks, but all of us are still driving and enjoying it after that first lesson where you probably stalled and got negative feelings about it!

Yeah there are things that come up that make me cringe about Independence but I'd prefer the chance to make a difference and work through the potential problems and come out better.

[j2 lot]

Opting out of the EU is up to the country or countries choosing that option.

Entry in requires agreement from all member states so is not a given, and is alsmost certain to involve adopting the Euro as a condition of membership

It isnt the 'better together lot ' that are saying they wont get in its the Spanish president.

[BiggestNizzy]

It isnt the 'better together lot ' that are saying they wont get in its the Spanish president.

Who is fighting to keep the Catalans as part of Spain

Having read up a little on the Uk currency thing it's worth point out that the Treasury and the BoE have stated that you can't have a currency union with oposing economic policy's i.e. if the what's left goverment kept along their current policy of reigning in borrowing but the Scottish goverment went a bit mental and started splashing the cash that would hurt both countries in the same way as Greece has effected Germany. You have political threats that they won't do it but it's a negotiation and both sides will be playing hardball.

Also worth noting that every country who has gained independance has been told they will fail.

[Lazydonkey]

It isnt the 'better together lot ' that are saying they wont get in its the Spanish president.

Who is fighting to keep the Catalans as part of Spain

It doens't really matter what his motivation is, the fact is he wouldn't vote for it.

[BiggestNizzy]

It isnt the 'better together lot ' that are saying they wont get in its the Spanish president.

Who is fighting to keep the Catalans as part of Spain

It doens't really matter what his motivation is, the fact is he wouldn't vote for it.

True, I wonder how that will sit with spanish the fishing industry.

[LY055SCO]

It isnt the 'better together lot ' that are saying they wont get in its the Spanish president.

Who is fighting to keep the Catalans as part of Spain

It doens't really matter what his motivation is, the fact is he wouldn't vote for it.

I'm pretty sure he's never actually said that.

Also the UK government have been nudging the Spanish along on this in the background. But its a choice for the people of Scotland, right?

[GraemeLotus]

It isnt the 'better together lot ' that are saying they wont get in its the Spanish president.

I'm pretty sure he's never actually said that.

Also the UK government have been nudging the Spanish along on this in the background. But its a choice for the people of Scotland, right?

No, whether we can join the EU as a separate state is up to the other members of the EU. They probably wouldn't vote for it as there will be no net increase in revenue (we already contribute as part of the UK); plus, as has been stated, Spain and other countries are looking to quell separatist sentiment (Basques, Catalans) at home. But the statement was not made by the "Spanish President", rather made by Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission - who happens to be Spanish.....so he was speaking on behalf of the EU, not Spain, who will keep very quiet for now for the nationalist-quelling reasons stated

[robin]

No, whether we can join the EU

What's this "we" - you might be Scottish, but if you're south of the border then you won't be able to come back as Scotland will be out of the EU and related treaties - thus no freedom of movement applies - you will have Scottish nationality but no Scottish passport and will be exiled to England "for ev a". Meanwhile I'll be in the same boat, albeit on the other side of Hadrian's wall

Meanwhile you won't be able to vote in the rUK elections as a foreigner - you'll need to get a visa, which won't be available, etc., etc.

It's all madness - our two countries are heavily intertwined and I don't much fancy the effort required to disentangle them pretty much "for the sake of it".

However, if we do have to do it, I would hope that pretty much everything will carry on as before because it's just too much hassle to change it.

Cheers,
Robin

[tut]

The EU President says there is virtually no chance of Scotland joining the EU.
The leaders of the three UK parties say that Scotland will not get the pound.

Salmond imitates an ostrich and states that neither of the above will happen. That is what I needed to hear Alex, I feel much more confident now.

tut

[tut]

It's all madness - our two countries are heavily intertwined and I don't much fancy the effort required to disentangle them pretty much "for the sake of it".

Cheers,
Robin

My sentiments also..........

tut

[LY055SCO]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... us-remarks

Pay particular heed to the Spanish foreign minister's words...

[tut]

"The idea that the Scottish people could be ejected or indefinitely suspended from the EU for opting for national independence is laughable."

No it isn't.

As has been pointed out it only takes one EU state from the total of twenty eight to blackball an application.

tut

[BiggestNizzy]

On the plus side we might just be outside the EU with the rest of the UK, if the Tories get in again they will have a referendum on it. Because better together only works when Westminster is in charge

Also channel 4's fact checker sets out all the relevant points. Salmond is technically correct in what he says but the Spanish could be utter pricks about it. Like they are with Gibraltar.

[H8OAG]

interesting take from Mr Robertson
The EU would lose out on £6BN per annum revenue if they denied Scotland entry .
Current contribution is about £1000 per person per annum in the UK
One would assume that they would lower " The Kingdom's " ( see what I did there) contribution after a yes vote?
I'm waiting on Fife to declare unilateral independence and it would save us the cost of another bridge