Sheik Yir Erse wrote:Additional powers have already been devolved during the short lifetime of the Parliament, therefore you could assume that Devo Max could happen without having to go to the hassle of a referendum.
That's an interesting point, I've not really thought about that. I suppopse the main objection to that would be a bit like the situation with the EU, where in the 70's people voted for the Common Market to facilitate better trade throught Europe but now it is something different and without trying to sound like Nigel Farage, no-one voted for that. In the late 90's people voted for a Scottish Parliament with some powers, but not necessarily 'Devo Max'
Sheik Yir Erse wrote:We've led the world for hundreds of years, it's time to decide if we want to lead ourselves.
(I might Copyright that and send it to Alex Salmond!)
If you remove the words 'decide if we want to', he might use it!
weetoonboy wrote:What I dont understand about the Independence referendum is why there is no Brussels question? Seems the nationalists want to give up a central government for for a bigger faceless central government.
You mean whether an Independent Scotland should be in the EU? I can't agree a question on that should be held at the same time as a referendum on Independence. That is a question for post Independence. The SNP are in favour of the EU, but perhaps an anti EU party will emerge in post Independence?
I think you (maybe it wasn't) posted somewhere else about Salmond wanting to 'jump in to bed eith the EU' In case you hadn't noticed, we are already in the EU.
In terms of swaping one government for another, the fundamental difference between the UK and the EU for Scotland is that the latter would at least hand sovereignty back to us.
weetoonboy wrote:Does anyone really understand what they're voting on yet? Other than some Braveheart type romanticism.
I would simply say we are voting on whether or not we want Scotland to be like all other independent countries in the world, which is a perfectly normal and reasonable aspiration.
Independence does not mean we will be in the EU - it means we can decide whether or not we want to be in the EU
It does not mean we will use the Euro, or Sterling, or a new Scottish currency - it means we can decide which currency we use
It does not mean we will retain the monarchy or become a republic - it means we can decide which of the two we want
etc.
In other words, its not an end in itself, its a means to an end.
Going back to the discussion, I’m not totally against Devo Max, so long as it amounted to Full Fiscal Autonomy, rather than just some further powers. I do of course want to see full Independence but if the majority of people want something just a little short of that then perhaps it should be delivered.
Economically I can see problems with the BoE continuing to set interest rates / issue Sterling Government Bonds / increase the money supply at the same time Scotland is pursuing a different fiscal strategy to the other parts of the UK.
My feeling is that if it is an option in the Referendum, then that is what the outcome will be. It’s a bit like the psychology of going in to Starbucks or Costa – most folk go for the medium drink rather than the large or small.
The SNP has achieved a majority in the Parliament and MUST ask a straight Yes or No. The party has campaigned for Independence and to not ask a straight question would seem wrong. A second question could be asked of course assuming the majority in question one were against full Independence. Do the SNP want this? I’m not sure, maybe secretly yes. Do the Unionists want it? I think yes, more and more are suggesting more powers, knowing full well the Status Quo is now only about as popular if not less so than Independence regardless of what the media say.
However, part of me does see Devo Max as a further stepping stone to full Independence so much so that when asked again about full Independence in say 10 years it wouldn’t seem like much of a leap. This gradualist strategy has worked well for nationalists, bit by bit demonstrating that Scotland is just like any other independent country and is perfectly capable of governing itself.
The negative stories will continue from the traditional media but I feel less people are paying attention to it or are at least fed up being told we can’t do this and we can’t do that. The internet has been great for the drive to Independence as it has allowed alternative views to become accessible to many more people, who are capable of making their own mind up about what they want for their country.
The political argument seems to already have been won by the pro Independence camp, as demonstrated by how well Scotland has embraced devolution, firstly electing a minority SNP then majority Government and how Scotland is moving in a different direction politically from the rest of the UK.
The economic argument is being won too and the accusations of us being too poor seem to have subsided lately.
The social aspect is one which needs focus as naturally the Yes campaign will be asking people to remove themselves from all they have ever known. I would say to anyone who regards themself as Scottish and British that you can continue to be just that after Independence. Perhaps not in terms of citizenship, but certainly socially as Scotland will firmly remain part of the British Isles after Independence.