Is this the beginning of the end for the United Kingdom?

I don't know what the legal position is with regard to the granting of another referendum. However, as appears to be the case, if a very large number of people want to have that vote, I think it may be very unwise to refuse it. When you look at other countries that have denied a vote on independence it has caused terrible ill feeling - and sometimes worse - on both sides of the argument. There is no point retaining any sort of partnership if one party does not wish to remain in it and their stance angers the other parties.

I would be very sorry if Scotland were to become independent. I see it as an important and loved part of Britain. However, I do understand many Scottish peoples' frustration and anger, and their wish to break away from a union that they feel does not represent the majority's wishes.

Yes, so that earlier this morning - point brilliantly made.
Geese and ganders come to mind.

I don’t know if it makes an irrefutable point - more that it draws upon the similarities between Brexit/Tories and Independence/SNP. Was that really the intention of the (completely unbiased ) National?!

Ultimately, Sturgeon has a difficult road ahead. She doesn’t have a majority share and while she had more votes and seats than the last election she’s not back to 2015 levels. In Scotland, 1,018,322 voted to leave the EU and 1,617,989 voted to leave the UK so there’s a huge number of Scots who don’t want to be part of the EU - and logic dictates that a large percentage of them will be Yes voters. However, if she wants to persuade people like me to vote for independence to give her the majority she needs then she’ll need to give us clear details of how we stay in or rejoin the EU and on what terms I want a cast iron guarantee that EU membership will happen in the immediate aftermath of the Indy ref if they win - not a vague ‘vote yes and then we’ll see what we can do about it’. In turn though, she could(would?) lose the pro Brexit/pro Indy vote.

What good for the goose???
I've always said I'd vote for Bernard Ponsonby. Fair, consise and level headed.
Thanks for that link granny.

www.thenational.scot/news/18100632.bernard-ponsonby-destroys-scottish-torys-argument-indyref2/

Don't know if the link will work, but I hope it does as it makes an irrefutable point.

People unhappy with the way things are will take a desperate gamble on change (any change) to, at least, have hope that there will be improvement!

Exactly that Calendar - plus years of uncertainty, and for what?

I don’t pretend to understand the ins and outs of Scottish Independence, but listening to different opinions of the people before the election, as news teams travelled round the country, it seemed as in our own Brexit referendum, still hugely divided views. Some desperately wanting to break away, some equally desperate not to.
More division, more anger, more heartache.

As with Brexit and all the uncertainty and unknowns that comes with that Daisy (which don't seem to faze the Tory voters) there’s obviously a lot of discussions and negotiations ahead.

I think that Scotland should have independence if that's what the majority want. However it must be fully independent, which includes fiscal responsibility. Can they afford it, will the EU want an independent Scotland who may not be a net contributor? What about their currency? If they want to row their own boat then why not? But like all things there will be a cost.

Jabberwok, I think you need to go a little bit further back than 1921 ?

I think this may well be the beginning of the end of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, ironically brought about by the so-called Conservative and Unionist party who have put a border in the Irish Sea, so NI is quite likely to vote for Irish Unification,. After all the majority in NI want to Remain in the EU.

As a Scot living in England it would break my heart to have to produce a passport at Carlisle and be treated like a foreigner in my own country. I firmly believe we are better together, in the UK and in the EU but I fear the forces of division and separatism my prevail.

GrannyGravy
They would be transferred to the North & the Belfast ship yards.

If Scotland wants independence, why not let them have it?
Just as long as the North of England can also have a referendum. We’re a foreign country as far as London is concerned and vice versa.

MerylStreep Maybe those jobs could be transferred to the North of England which could certainly do with them?

Trisher -I don't think so. I don't mind Scotland having independence provided English Tax payers don't get the bill.

For those who support Scottish independence, think on this.
Uk defence spends £1.64bn per year supporting 10,000 private sector jobs.
These defence projects can not be awarded to a foreign power, which Scotland will be if they vote to leave the uk.

I think it's certainly on the cards. I certainly hope so.

I'm not saying that I would like Scotland to leave SirChenjin, you are our friends and we have a lot of love for Scotland and Scottish people.
We have been through a lot together and stood shoulder to shoulder. I would be sad if Scotland left us and I hope that they don't but I wouldn't want Scotland to stay if it didn't want to do. ?

There’s certainly a lot to consider

Go for what you like SC, it won't be anything to do with Westminster once Scotland is independent!

Perhaps we should just go for for a hard Scexit - apparently it’s a wonderful idea

Will the EU accept an independent Scotland as a member overnight?! Might be better to have a deal in place before leaving the UK!

I think what I'm actually trying to say is that if the majority of Scottish people want Independence, then I think that they should be allowed to have it.
Why not?

Alexa, who says we'll want to be members again?[ confused] If today is anything to go by, I would think it's unlikely in the near future!