The UK political thread (formerly independence thread)

[Jim]

We have large political conglomerates giving their weight to things collectively. The combined power and influence of the whole makes the intricacies and leverage of the smaller nations out there moot. Particularly within the EU, the member nations are becoming more and more integrated. It will not take long for countries to have the same relevance that cities have now. It is better to be within larger unions in the world these days.

It only works to a certain point. Look at the USA.

[one rode to asa bay]

With the vote now only 2 months away, the Yes and No camps are neck and neck

If you genuinely believe that, I'd get yourself down to a bookies ASAP. They have the No campaign as a firm favourite, so you'll get a very attractive price on a Yes outcome. Personally, I tend to trust the bookies on this.

Yeah, I swear I've seen nothing to suggest the Yes vote being anywhere near tied with the No vote? Like every poll I've seen has No with a reasonably comfy lead.

[CrappyMike]

i think staying part of the UK but getting more power is best. Although, the SNP have made some truly shocking decisions with the power they have so maybe not...

[Metalchemyst]

If Scotland does become independent, I can definitely see Wales trying to follow suit. But we would be terrible on our own. I think we'd have a better chance becoming a part of Scotland, and I think many people would pick that over being British.

Under the Romans, all the people south of Hadrian's Wall were Britons so there is a precedent for it.

Talking about England becoming Tory-dominated if Scotland leaves, it could lead to this:


http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/maps/nsdivide/

More likely, there will be significant devolution to the English regions. But I think that is going to happen anyway.

[Turbo]

I looked at the maps before I read the text. Panicked thinking Solihull was going to be a border town. Luckily on the correct side of the border.

[Metalchemyst]

^ Yeah, it was John Prescott's big thing. I was against it at the time but if our central government continues to suck so much then I'll have some devolution. It would even things up with Wales as well.

[Korthkor]

You very much underestimate how hated the English are in Wales. At least in my experience.

In my experience, there's stagnant thinking on both sides of the border. As a Welshman with 0% Welsh accent, I've experienced the bigotry that an outsider would experience, and in truth it's no different to the sheep-shagger jabs I get in the pubs in Chester - provided that they actual find out that I'm Welsh. Personally, I don't see a reason for hating the English, seeing as 90% of my friends are English and generally decent folk, though I can drink them all under the table. That's literally the one superpower we get from being Celt, and it is awesome.

[Metalchemyst]

^ If it were not for the different accents there would be virtually none of that inter-regional abuse. Tribalism seems to be a basic human feature and it's just that some have to be aggressive about it.


Back on the main subject:

How would the UK fare without Scotland? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28192293

[Smerphy]

http://www.undecidedscottishvoter.com/

[Jobdone]

That sure seems unbiased

[Smerphy]

Yeah reading through it now it's pretty Yes-focused.

Don't really give a toss though since I'm voting Yes.

[Womble]

I also like the way they keep wanting to be like "The Scandinavian Model". They complained when they wanted to have a minimum price for alcohol. What will they be like when it's £10 a pint?

Restaurant tax =/= Minimum pricing. Norway's ridiculous (hence the moonshine), but in Sweden the cost for beer £5-6 a pint is reasonable for the wages.

[Jim]

I also like the way they keep wanting to be like "The Scandinavian Model". They complained when they wanted to have a minimum price for alcohol. What will they be like when it's £10 a pint?

Restaurant tax =/= Minimum pricing. Norway's ridiculous (hence the moonshine), but in Sweden the cost for beer £5-6 a pint is reasonable for the wages.

I've yet to see a European city cleaner than Oslo, to be fair. Despite the £38 whisky & steak I had...

[Turbo]

I hope Scotland goes the other way really. I hope it becomes the Czech Republic of northern Europe. Cross the border and break the suspension on the car with all this dirt cheap beer.

[Smerphy]

Yeah reading through it now it's pretty Yes-focused.

Don't really give a toss though since I'm voting Yes.

And my cousin who is voting No because she doesn't want to see Alex Salmond's face on TV is totally in the right?