Scotland

[trapezeartist]

Bell went to America to "invent" the telephone. Baird came to England to "invent" the television. Reith can to England to found the BBC. I can't think of any Scottish inventors, businessmen or sportsmen who have reached their achievements solely in Scotland (though there may be some). Generally they needed the support of England or some other country to make it work.

PS. I think the GBR curling team was 100% Scottish. That will be a terrible loss to the United Kingdom.

 

[Trop Cher]

Meanwhile we will be free of Scottish politicians in Westminster, Scottish presenters on BBC, Scottish wingeing, Scottish accents ......

B..... ... to the lounge.

 

[JumbleDuck]

That's Salmond's plan, but has he asked the Queen?

Why would he? It's not as if he's planning to change anything, monarch-wise.

It will be interesting to see how they get on, with no currency, no EU membership, no international or trade alliances, no army, no navy, no airforce, no coastguard, no ...., no ....., etc.

Many countries don't have their own currency or use one pegged to another country's. Of course we'd have EU membership, and we'd have our share of the armed services if we wanted them, though a small country like Scotland might be a bit less bothered about fighting dubious overseas wars.

Add: no landline or mobile phone network, no BBC or other broadcasting, maybe no power or gas either.

Do you think the RUK would nationalise the assets of British Telecom (a private company), Vodafone, O2 and the rest (private companies), STV (a private company), British Gas (a private company) and Scottish Power (a private company)?

 

[rogerthebodger]

If / when Scotland leaves the union does that mean the the union flag (jack) will have to change as it currently includes the cross of St Andrew. Also does it mean that all the navy ensign's and flags like of countries like Australia, New Zealand and others will have to change to remove the Scottish flag.

 

[Gwylan]

The Scottish Nationalist's have successfully promulgated the term "independence" for their plans, but Scotland is not a colony so that's not the right word. Scotland is currently a part of a political union, and what they are planning is "secession".

Terminology apart, I do hope they go. Indeed, I believe the rest of the United Kingdom should also be allowed to vote, and then we could be fairly sure of getting rid of them.

It will be interesting to see how they get on, with no currency, no EU membership, no international or trade alliances, no army, no navy, no airforce, no coastguard, no ...., no ....., etc.

Meanwhile we will be free of Scottish politicians in Westminster, Scottish presenters on BBC, Scottish wingeing, Scottish accents ......

The idea gets better all the time!

 

[Dave-Shafa]

If / when Scotland leaves the union does that mean the the union flag (jack) will have to change as it currently includes the cross of St Andrew. Also does it mean that all the navy ensign's and flags like of countries like Australia, New Zealand and others will have to change to remove the Scottish flag.

Yes.

 

[JumbleDuck]

If / when Scotland leaves the union does that mean the the union flag (jack) will have to change as it currently includes the cross of St Andrew. Also does it mean that all the navy ensign's and flags like of countries like Australia, New Zealand and others will have to change to remove the Scottish flag.

If the RUK wants to change its flag then of course it can. If it decides not to change then it doesn't have to. There is no international law to say that national flags have to reflect current political alignments. Do you know whose flag this is?

 

[trapezeartist]

If the RUK wants to change its flag then of course it can. If it decides not to change then it doesn't have to. There is no international law to say that national flags have to reflect current political alignments. Do you know whose flag this is?

No, I have no idea. But I do agree that Scottish secession does not oblige the UK to change it's flag. Given the number of other countries that incorporate the Union Flag into their own, this is even more important than it would be otherwise.

 

[rjp]

Hawaii

 

[Euphonyx]

Clearly not. Ireland left almost 100 years ago and still St Patrick's cross is in the 'Jack.

 

[Resolution]

Why would he? It's not as if he's planning to change anything, monarch-wise.

Assuming the Queen would be prepared to go along with Mr Salmond's grand plan (and she does have a little holiday home up there), I wonder if Mr S will be willing to pop down to Buck House each week for a cup of tea and a little chat?

 

[JumbleDuck]

Assuming the Queen would be prepared to go along with Mr Salmond's grand plan (and she does have a little holiday home up there), I wonder if Mr S will be willing to pop down to Buck House each week for a cup of tea and a little chat?

As do the Prime Ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahama, Barbados, Grenada, Belize, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, St Vincent & the Grenadines and Papua New Guinea?

 

[Resolution]

As do the Prime Ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahama, Barbados, Grenada, Belize, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, St Vincent & the Grenadines and Papua New Guinea?

Not the same at all. All these countries had been colonies or dependant territories of the UK which won independence but remain members of the Commonwealth. I don't think any of them uses sterling as their currency. Scotland is currently a part of the UK and as far as I can see Mr S is aspiring to a more senior status than just a member of the Commonwealth.
Frankly, there are so many unresolved uncertainties that the whole proposal is more puff than fact.

 

[gordmac]

From what I can see the only people looking for a border control are the better together ones.

 

[NormanS]

......as far as I can see Mr S is aspiring to a more senior status than just a member of the Commonwealth.

Please explain what you mean. I don't think he is intending World domination.

 

[ianj99]

Next James Bond villain; nukes along the border to separate Scotland physically from England, cyanide gas injected into North Sea gas pipes to England...
Its all possible with the 'barking' egomaniac Salmand.

Which actor should play his role? Matt Lucas, Kenny Ireland (Benidorm) or Robbie Coltrane. With Kathy Burke as as deputy first minister?

 

[mrangry]

The Scottish Nationalist's have successfully promulgated the term "independence" for their plans, but Scotland is not a colony so that's not the right word. Scotland is currently a part of a political union, and what they are planning is "secession".

Terminology apart, I do hope they go. Indeed, I believe the rest of the United Kingdom should also be allowed to vote, and then we could be fairly sure of getting rid of them.

It will be interesting to see how they get on, with no currency, no EU membership, no international or trade alliances, no army, no navy, no airforce, no coastguard, no ...., no ....., etc.

Meanwhile we will be free of Scottish politicians in Westminster, Scottish presenters on BBC, Scottish wingeing, Scottish accents ......

Why would you even think that you should be entitled to a vote on the affairs of another country.....beggars belief!

 

[trapezeartist]

Why would you even think that you should be entitled to a vote on the affairs of another country.....beggars belief!

Because the United Kingdom is THIS country. But don't you worry Mr Angry, I would be voting to dump Scotland. (Actually, if I could I'd be voting to tow it out into the Atlantic and sink it.

That's enough Jock-baiting for now. I shall now withdraw from this thread.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Because the United Kingdom is THIS country.

I think this reflects a very fundamental difference in perception between Scotland and England. To most English people, the UK is one country comprising bits which used to be England, Wales, Scotland and a bit of Ireland. To most Scots Scotland is a country, joined with England and the rest in a political alliance but still a distinct entity; the UK of GB and NI is not seen as a country but as a union of countries. Even the most die-hard of unionists would see the union as a sensible way of running the country of Scotland, not as a successor to or replacement for the country of Scotland.

That's perhaps the inevitable result of the disparity in size, but it is the reality and it explains why attempts by Westminster politicians - particularly Tories - to order Scotland around are taken so badly here. If Mr Cameron wants to go down in history as the man who ensured a Tory majority in Westminster for a hundred years, he should send George Osborne up ona weekly basis to put us right about things. "yes" goes up by 5% every time an old Etonian or old Harrovian opens his mouth.

TLDR; The United Kingdom may well be THAT country, but it's not THIS country.

 

[NormanS]

(Actually, if I could I'd be voting to tow it out into the Atlantic and sink it.

What a strange attitude. Is it reasoned hatred, or just unreasoned envy. Either way, you can probably get pills for it.