Cross border posting

[Lady Campanula]

As the 'West Lothian Question', a problem created by MPs for their whips' convenience, is again in the news, and the prospect of a Scottish Independence Referendum grows, can we consider the plight of the poor Englishman marooned north of the border? Will expatriate Englishmen, almost but not entirely assimilated into a Hielan' community, find their neighbours switching to Gaelic in the shops and pubs when they pass by?

W
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Will the likes of Webby - that expat English ex-shopkeeper - still be permitted to post on here from a foreign field that is darkest Argyllshire, or will they be required to 'naturalise' or repatriate...? Is this the new 'West Lothian Question'....?

 

[Norman_E]

Don't worry about it. If the Scots Nats thought they had a cat in hell's chance of winning a referendum, they would hold it now. They know that the Scots generally have too much sense to risk it, and if they hold the referendum they will lose. After losing it the party will also have lost the entire point of its existence, and will be a laughing stock for the remainder of the term of the Scottish Parliament. That is why they are leaving the referendum to the end of their term in office.

P.S. Why isn't this in the Lounge?

 

[webcraft]

.
Nationalist policy is that anyone resident in Scotland at the time will be eligible for Scottish citizenship. It is a non-issue, and your comments about Gaelic show you have little of no understanding of the current situation in Scotland linguistically or politically.

As for Norman's comment - Alex Salmond's wish is to hold the referendum in 2014. Every opinion poll shows support for inedpendence growing, and there is a good chance of it reaching critical mass by then. Of course, if Westminster try to force an early referendum this could simply drive more voters into the independence camp - or result in it being boycotted.

Shouldn't this be in the Lounge? I don't care to discuss politics on Scuttlebutt with provocative feckers.

- W

 

[awol]

Will the likes of Webby - that expat English ex-shopkeeper - still be permitted to post on here from a foreign field that is darkest Argyllshire, or will they be required to 'naturalise' or repatriate...? Is this the new 'West Lothian Question'....?

I doubt it will make an iota of difference. Posts on here come from all sorts of expats, furriners and even those whose communication skills are sadly lacking. Cogent and reasoned arguments by the likes of Webcraft are necessary to dilute the ravings of the many intellectual minnows who have not yet been banned.

As for after the referendum - I'd be in favour of doing to any English boats resident in Alba the same as was done to German boats after the 39-45 war - i.e. take them in reparation. God knows we deserve some payback for the years of English domination.

 

[trapezeartist]

Will the English be allowed to vote on this important matter for the Union? I for one would vote to get rid of them.

 

[webcraft]

Will the English be allowed to vote on this important matter?

Of course the English won't be 'allowed to vote'. What a strange question.

What exactly do you know about Scotland at the end of 2011?

- W

 

[awol]

Will the English be allowed to vote on this important matter for the Union? I for one would vote to get rid of them.

I'm confused - I thought the vote was going to be to get rid of the English?

 

[DaveS]

To return to the OP's original point, the West Lothian question would be resolved by the creation of an English parliament in charge of domestic English legislation.

And yes, this should be in the lounge!

 

[ProDave]

As an Englishman, now firmly rooted in the Highlands, your questions show little understanding of life up here.

There is no resentment towards incommers, and they don't all speak Gaelic as soon as you enter the room.

I have no concerns about an independant Scotland. You don't need to live here for long before you realise Westminster politics has very very little to do with normal life up here.

And yes anyone resident in Scotland will get to vote regardless of where they were born. Contrary to what some believe, the SNP is not a racist party.

The SNP is all about Scotland being governed from within Scotland.

 

[reginaldon]

At least we will no longer be ruled by Scottish MPs.

 

[webcraft]

At least we will no longer be ruled by Scottish MPs.

Another strange perception. In what way is the UK currently ruled by Scottish MPs?

- W

 

[DaveS]

At least we will no longer be ruled by Scottish MPs.

By "we" I take it you mean the English?

For as long as England doesn't have its own parliament its affairs will be decided by the UK parliament which includes MPs from Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish constituencies, and MPs of any nationality who represent English constituencies. The latter would, of course, continue to apply under EC freedom of employment legislation, so even if Scotland votes for independence you may find you still have some Scottish MPs.

 

[wadget]

Another strange perception. In what way is the UK currently ruled by Scottish MPs?

Well would have tuition fees gone through without Scottish MP's votes? No

And do the scottish pay tuition fees? No

That certainly one thing the Scottish have ruled over England.

The SNP is all about Scotland being governed from within Scotland.

Then let them have their independence and let England be governed with in England.

 

[Beadle]

"I have no concerns about an independant Scotland. You don't need to live here for long before you realise Westminster politics has very very little to do with normal life up here."

Its very little to do with anyone outside the M25

 

[Fascadale]

At least we will no longer be ruled by Scottish MPs.

You are not ruled by Scottish MPs but by the British Parliament, currently managed by a coterie of Anglo millionaire types.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

As a half Scotsman with homes in both countries, can I vote twice?

 

[onesea]

Of course the English won't be 'allowed to vote'. What a strange question.

What exactly do you know about Scotland at the end of 2011?

- W

That's just the funny thing, your average English man knows little about Scotland.

In fact I find it funny that your average African "girl" knows more about the England Scotland divide than most English

As they come to sell there wares they would rather start with "You are Scottish?", Having been abused (verbally) by one to many Scots for asking "Are you English?" Poor girls can hardly speak English how are they to know?

Yet your average English man does not know that the average Scotsman is still fighting for independence. Your just the quaint people from the Northern Colonies.

Fire proof suit ready and waiting

 

[ffiill]

I have voted for the SNP since Tony Blair came to power;I speak a little Gaelic;ask people where they stay(where do they live /come from).
By the old rules I can play cricket for Yorkshire(born in the west riding) and consider myself a Yorkshireman living in Scotland.

I have been up here since 1995 and find England to be an alien country!
I live in a world of free higher education;free prescriptions;and some sense of democracy yet governed ultimately by a Londocentric politic who doesnt have a clue!
I miss English pubs and simple English fish and chips though the pubsI remember all probably have sports TVs in them!

 

[chubby]

There was an article recently saying that if independant the scots have more in common with nordic countries and should join a nordic alliance, on that basis the welsh, cornish and bretons can join ireland to form a celtic block and england south of the M4 could rejoin Normandy with the isles anglo normande and HM resume the title of Duke of Normandy. What of the bit left? The rest of england could join belgium to form an enlarged benlux group, only thing is they would have to change the colour of diesel on the service stations on the north side of the M4 otherwise I cant see any problem with it? I have always felt more at home in Cherbourg than say Birmingham.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I think we should go the American way.

Let Scotland be independent. When it happens the Scots can call it Independence Day and the English can call it Thanksgiving

P.S. if you want the oil and gas we will be happy to rent you some oil rigs and pipelines.