Scottish independence, English me would like to understand

UG, after Independence the Scottish people will be able to vote in any party.
They won't have to have the SNP forever and it may well cease to exist, as its main purpose will have been achieved.

I t never occurred to them to question how if we were so stupid ...

Goodness paddyann my stepfather never denigrates his people. He is rightly proud of all of Scotland’s many achievements and takes pride in them. He is a clever man himself, speaks Gaelic too. As does his 95y old brother, born in the same village but who now lives in the Midlands. In his time as a young man he served as an officer in the Royal Navy during the war involved in the North Atlantic crossings with supplies. He has some tales to tell as I’m sure can be appreciated.

But as you say, my stepfather is a Unionist and as such isn’t impressed by the SNP’s record at all. To each his own.

At the last referendum for Scottish independence he wasn’t allowed to vote as, although he owned a house up there, he no longer lived in the village. Fair’s fair I suppose. Bit like Brexit really - ex-pats who had lived abroad for more than 15 years weren’t allowed a vote in that referendum. As these votes affect the people who actually live in the country I dare say it’s the right call.

paddyanne I have to call you out again. The Scots did NOT ‘literally invent the modern world’!

Good point FarNorth.

Da iawn LadyHonoriaDedlock
Mine's a Welsh wine please ?

Still learning.

Yes, I’ve heard of the book, here’s the summary in case not everybody has:
‘How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World & Everything in It (or The Scottish Enlightenment: The Scots invention of the Modern World) is a non-fiction book written by American historian Arthur Herman. The book examines the origins of the Scottish Enlightenment and what impact it had on the modern world. Herman focuses principally on individuals, presenting their biographies in the context of their individual fields and also in terms of the theme of Scottish contributions to the world.’
I’m not decrying the contribution Scots have made, as per my previous post to the last OTT statement about this, but the statement is plainly ridiculous in the context it was used. Many (most?) nations have made contributions to getting the world to where it is now (not that all contributions are things to be proud of). To me it just weakens any argument when people make over the top claims, why not just have a sensible and reasoned discussion without the hyperbole?

The wink was to indicate it was lighthearted....

Bad idea, obviously.

Alegrias1

They certainly named everywhere!
Except for New South Wales

Sorry - the original comment had wound me up more than it should have done, I missed your wink!

Mind you Nicola Sturgeon seems to be in a spot of bother right now over dates in her diary ...
Has she misled Parliament?

Casdon

paddyanne I have to call you out again. The Scots did NOT ‘literally invent the modern world’!

You have to acknowledge that they were great Imperialists though.

Alegrias1

The wink was to indicate it was lighthearted....

Bad idea, obviously.

Oh I know what that's like! Been there myself!

That was meant for "Casdon* ?