Scotland YES or NO

If this went through it would mean Scotland's flag being removed from the Union Jack, wouldn't it? What would our flag look like then? Red background with a white cross? I like the Union Jack!
Seriously though I think it would take forever to organise the separation of all that we currently share, - the armed forces, civil service departments,the NHS, the currency, the list goes on.

You've obviously forgotten, Ana, that this country is being run by the Tory party along with the libdems. Labour did not win the last election, so cannot be blamed for Cameron only agreeing to a yes/no vote on the ballot paper.
I note that the news report showed Gordon Brown giving the speech promising the devomax solution to get more votes. It seems strange considering what awful things everyone has said about Brown since he was defeated, but he can obviously be trusted by the Scottish people more than Cameron and Clegg.
However, hopefully the Scots have not forgotten what he promised on the NHS and on tuition fees. Cameron has been known to go back on his word.

Yes, I've been aware of that all the time - DC (and the labour party) didn't want the devomax option because of course most dithering voters would go for that, and a good number of the YES voters too.

It would have been a foregone conclusion, so he took a chance...

Just been reminded on the news that Alex Salmond wanted devomax to be on the ballot paper. Cameron said it had to be a yes/no vote. Now they are being offered devomax by all parties providing they vote no.
Does anyone believe what English parliamentary MPs say any more?

Here is another blog this time, surprisingly, from the Guardian, which seems to me to capture the essence of what is happening.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/04/scottish-independence-5-reasons-yes-winning-polls?CMP=fb_gu

Thanks for the link B. An emotional but not irrational blog that simply flies off the page.

This is already funded by the Scottish Government, rosequartz.

Sorry if I have posted what other people have already pointed out in previous posts re Schengen etc (having problems with catching up and with posting)

Whatever Alex Salmond's actual character may be, he and his party abolished tolls on all bridges (Skye, Forth and Tay). Also gave us free prescriptions, free care for the elderly, and free bus travel anywhere in Scotland.

Somehow this has to be funded, so let's hope that Alex Salmond and his political allies can continue to do so if Scotland becomes independent.
Of course, he will be voted out as soon as he fails to carry on with all the freebies.

mcem Marelli add to your last paragraph the suggestions from MP Rees-Mogg that DC should be looking at an agreement with Farage that would virtually guarantee a right-wing victory in 2015. Boris+Farage+DC et al! Who in their right mind would choose that?

Well, I don't think DC would choose that! Jacob Ree-Mogg is entitled to his opinion but it doesn't make it Tory policy.

DJen re your link to Tesco - that is very amusing. Tesco in our little area of Wales charges more for items and more for fuel than Tesco further down the motorway in a city! The prices they charge vary anyway.

There are border posts between Northern Ireland and Eire so there is no reason why there would not be border posts between England and an Independent Scotland. There is a bit of fuss about this in the paper today but why not people would be crossing between two countries.

Brenda en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Agreement

We may have to have border posts between us and an independent Scotland; as a potential new member of the EU Scotland would be subject to the Schengen Agreement; the rest of the UK and Ireland opted out of this Agreement as I understand it. It is not possible for new members to do so, so Scotland would have 'open borders' whereas the rest of the UK and Ireland do not.

Excellent blog thatbags. Thanks for posting the link.

How yes turned to no, a very good blog about how democracy works and how Scotland actually has more democratic representation than other regions of the UK.

I can't remember if I've posted on this thread before, but we've always had strong ties with Scotland, growing up in Northumberland, and we had a holiday house in the Highlands for many years. Only left in 2001 because of the foot and mouth scare.
Although I would be sad if they left, I can quite understand the political motivation.
Scotland is much more socialist than England and the current Westminster govt..... say no more.
But England will be worse off without our Scottish family - in many ways, including economically.

Beautiful places like Ballater depend a great deal on tourism for their income, suebailey1 so no-one there is going to resent you being there - they will be pleased to see you whichever way the vote goes. All those comments about how the English are going to be vilified and attacked are ridiculous. I have not heard of a single case of anyone being abused.

If you are going to be stopping in or near Edinburgh en rouite, let us know and the "Scottish contingent" will meet up with you.

marelli thank you - I certainly have met some wonderful people who have been very welcoming and you're right its not the individuals although the personal is political as the feminists used to say. I think I will wait a while before taking any action on the booking - I'm feeling a bit unwanted at the moment - everyone seems to dislike the English and I don't want a repeat of the non-welcome in the hillsides.

suebailey1 - please read Elegran's thread of yesterday? Think it was about 10.27am.
Ballater is lovely - come up and holiday in Scotland as you always have done?
This wish to be separate from England is political, not personal.

I haven't been reading this thread - did have a look but it looked complicated to catch up with. Anyhow here's the thing as they say. I'm very English and have always loved Scotland and enjoyed the many holidays I have spent there especially on Skye and Arran in the last few years. I am perturbed that we don't get a vote and its feeling to me like the English aren't welcome in Scotland as they want to be separate. We went to North Wales once and no-one would speak English to us in the shops or pubs- its an experience I never want to repeat. I'm concerned that this will happen so I don't think I will finalise my booking for next year in Ballater which is a shame as I was very much looking forward to it.

A very narrow-minded letter, not sure of the thinking behind it.

If Scotland does say 'Yes', then, as I posted earlier on this thread, I am sure there will be huge repercussions in the future for Wales, Northern Ireland - and I was told by Cornish friends for Cornwall as well.

Lots of political disruption to come, I fear, whichever way the vote goes.

And us in the East Grace? Can we be independent too?!

I suppose, if we chipped away with each area standing on it's own, we could leave London and the South East on their own NfkDumpling

Personally I think Parliament should move to Manchester.

I always thought York was the centre of the UK as it currently exists but anywhere from Birmingham north would be an improvement.

When I first read Ed Millibands piece about border controls I had to admit to having a bit of a laugh. My DH buys a caravanning magazine and this months front cover has an article entitled "Visit Scotland before you need a passport" which started me thinking. If When Scotland becomes independant should England be concerned that illegal immigrants will see it as an easy way in, and without border controls just nip over the border to the holy grail England?

As a business owner should I be worried about doing business in Scotland? Will there be any changes in contractual law? Will I have to adjust how I work my VAT out when we do work for Scotland and treat is as doing work within the EU (or perhaps not)? I have hundreds of similar questions.

We are such a small island in an ever shrinking world. Sorry if it's already been posted here but Bob Geldof speaks sense to me.
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/sir-bob-geldof-backs-no-vote-attacking-nationalism-as-a-very-dangerous-poli.1409820485

Personally I think Parliament should move to Manchester.

And us in the East Grace? Can we be independent too?!

Let's hope the Scots can make a go of it (or accept it if a No vote wins). I fear the mess if they fail.