Happy Anniversary?

[marilyn morning]

Ina,

I couldn't agree more.

Regards
Marilyn

[grannysrock]

Today , for the first time ever since I came to Belgium 15 ? years ago, I picked up a Scottish radio station on my car radio .

And right at that moment , SNP leader Alec Salmond ( part of the 44 percent ) was speaking about the union ...

Is it an omen ? Or is it cos I've got a new car with a better radio than the last one ?

I was spooked anyway .

Happy Birthday Great Britain.

[DavidWW]

Just in case anyone's is wondering about the terminology

The Acts of Union (separate parliaments!) brought into being the United Kingdom of Britain.

Britain being the Kingdoms of Scotland and England plus the Principality of Wales. (Scotland first 'cos oor king took precedence as he inherited the English throne )

1801 [or was it 1800?] saw the creation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, which survived to 1922 when it became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, "Northern Ireland" consisting of 6 of the 9 traditional counties of Ulster, - Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Derry, and Tyrone, - with Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan remaining in the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is defined as a province of the UK.

Phew...........

David

[emanday]

Even if the four nations were to finally break into separate, self governing countries, one thing will never change.

It might stop being the United Kingdom, in that it is ultimately governed from London, but it will ALWAYS be GREAT Britain. I also think think it will remain a UNITED Kingdom as far as external threats are concerned.

Do I think the UK should split? I'd need to be a lot better informed to make that decision and that kind of information is, not surprisingly, biased depending on who is writing/saying it!

I need to know...

1. Could Scotland's income (Exports, Income Tax, etc...) cover her costs (Health Care, Benefits, Infrastructure, etc...)

2. Would the military be split or, more sensibly, a UK force be implemented? (A bit like NATO but UK based and manned)

3. Would Scotland's application for membership to the EU, providing the people want it, be accepted? (Remember, it is the UK that is the current member, so if Scotland separates, she would no longer be part of the UK)

You could ask all sort of questions like that and probably NOT get any sensible answers. Unless there is someone out there who is willing to tell it like it REALLY is!

If you are out there - We are listening!

[DavidWW]

....snipped............
I need to know...

1. Could Scotland's income (Exports, Income Tax, etc...) cover her costs (Health Care, Benefits, Infrastructure, etc...)

Probably yes, as Scotland wouldn't have to fund the Trident replacement (strategic nuclear missile submarines), and the majority of the remaining oil and gas income would be Scottish, as, according to the accepted international conventions on extending land borders out to sea, most of the fields lie in Scottish waters.

....2. Would the military be split or, more sensibly, a UK force be implemented? (A bit like NATO but UK based and manned)

Interesting question and suggestion, but it wouldn't work unless England accepted funding their nuclear deterrent 100% on their own.

But remember that there isn't a NATO army, navy, and air force; just separate national forces which occasionally take part in a joint operation.

....3. Would Scotland's application for membership to the EU, providing the people want it, be accepted? (Remember, it is the UK that is the current member, so if Scotland separates, she would no longer be part of the UK)

There's a whole range of "expert" opinions on this ranging from Scotland having to apply anew, thru to an opinion that no reapplication would be required since Scotland had never left the EU.

....You could ask all sort of questions like that and probably NOT get any sensible answers. Unless there is someone out there who is willing to tell it like it REALLY is!

The only way we'll ever find out is if and when it happens.

David

[Davie]

1. Could Scotland's income (Exports, Income Tax, etc...) cover her costs (Health Care, Benefits, Infrastructure, etc...)

2. Would the military be split or, more sensibly, a UK force be implemented? (A bit like NATO but UK based and manned)

3. Would Scotland's application for membership to the EU, providing the people want it, be accepted? (Remember, it is the UK that is the current member, so if Scotland separates, she would no longer be part of the UK)

Guid questions Mary,
Ah fawr ah'm concerned ah couldnie ker aboot 2 and 3.
However, the answer tae yer first question is:
No a snawba's chance in Hell. (is it awright tae yoose that word oan here?)
If Scotland ever decides tae leave the UK and go it alone, ah will be oan the first train oot o' the Central station and movin' tae York.

Ah might be stoopit' but ah umnie daft.
However, bein' a Barra boay, huv ordered 50 o' the new mintit' £2 coins.
Ah know a wee earner when ah see wan.
Awrabest
Davie

[emanday]

There's a whole range of "expert" opinions on this ranging from Scotland having to apply anew, thru to an opinion that no reapplication would be required since Scotland had never left the EU.

...and some experts have stated that, by leaving the UK, Scotland is effectively leaving the EU.

Others state that, as Scotland's contribution (i.e. As part of the UK's income) was taken into consideration on the UK joining, she must be accepted on that basis.

That question could on forever

[emanday]

If Scotland ever decides tae leave the UK and go it alone, ah will be oan the first train oot o' the Central station and movin' tae York.

That would be a real pity, Davie. It is people like yourself, with a true respect for the Scottish identity, who will be the ones who will help to make it work.

[sheilajim]

Hi All

In the 2000 Election in the U.S. The person who became President lost the popular vote but won the electoral college vote. He won the electoral college vote by winning Florida by just over 500 votes. The Supreme Court stopped any recounts.

We had better not talk about this here anymore ,as there have been great emotions on both sides regarding what might or might not have happened if the other person had become President.

Regards from Liberal me. (My excuse for being a Liberal is that I was born and raised in Quebec Canada)


Sheila

[emanday]

Life is a series of "What ifs"

Isn't the basis of democracy the open discussion of opinion?