if Scotland became Independent, Brydo, what on Earth makes anyone think , I wonder , that anything much would change ?
Scotland, even though independent would still require huge support from the hated Westminster for many years to come, especially during the transition period when any disputes are heard and settled,
Just from one item alone, ‘the matter of security to the UK, ‘ it is very likely that UK territorial waters ( which include Scotland’s ) will remain as they are now, in any Withdrawal agreement between Scotland and the U.K., until that is ‘Scotland’ is able to undertake maritime protection and security duties alone, which could be many years down the road, indeed, if at all?
The U.K. Government will not allow these islands , including Scotland & Scottish islands, independent or not, be put at risk by Scotland not being able to provide the assurance of security to the UK!
Believe me, there are huge Security implications for both an Independent Scotland and the UK which have been ignored by the SNP in the drive for Independence, especially the huge huge costs of equipment both on the water and in the air, not forgetting ground operations and ongoing running costs!
These costs alone could potentially bring an Independent Scotland to it’s knees very quickly!
Taxation from a working population of less than 2.4 million ( Less those relocating to the UK working in Banking & FServices which are likely to transfer services South of the border, plus the MOD personnel, from the closure of The Trident Base, plus forced and voluntary relocation of other defence bases and personnel.) is just not going to be large enough to cover the requirements of Running the country, so the current debt levels will pale into insignificance compared to whats to come !
The SNP say that the People living in a country are best placed to run it- well that’s a pretty puerile argument, as they want the EU to rule in Scotland, and especially as conversely they claim , that ‘the people in the UK are not best placed to run it’ , making their thinking “ Scots are ok to run their economy, but English are not ok to run the whole economy “.
Then we have the Barnett Formula –
From Barnett himself , and I quote –
“I have become more troubled by the so-called ‘Barnett Formula’ with every passing year. It is clear that what was then a short-term political fix has no place in deciding long-term government spending. It is grossly unfair tha Scotland should receive more money than the regions of England or Wales when that decision is not based on actual need.
At the moment, Scotland is given around £1,600 a head in annual central government grants more than England. That is manifestly unjust and allows the Scottish parliament to provide all sorts of things, such as free prescription charges and university education, that the English can only dream of. “
Unquote.
The removal of this funding alone Brydo, will hit Scotland where it really hurts ?
The Scottish economy is not in such a good state , nowhere near in as good a state , as the SNP like everybody to think, and accordingly, taxes are rising etc etc, and after independence, who knows to what dizzy heights !
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Some argue that INDY is not based on Oil ‘for a lot of Scots’, but unfortunately planned future budgeting & therefore expenditure etc is based on the assumption of rising oil prices.
Hoping that oil prices will rise and that Scotland will keep all the revenues and be able to instantly rejoin the EU and regain the subsidies ,is nonsense of course, because, if Scotland is eventually granted membership of the EU, and if as the SNP want everyone to believe, “Scotland’s GDP rises”, then EU subsidies will decrease and ‘ on top of this additional cost, membership fees ‘ will also increase, both facts, however, the SNP have consistently failed to mention this to the electorate!
Just a couple of points out of hundreds in the argument over independence Brydo, but enough to highlight the fact that it is not true Independence that the SNP dream of , just Independence from the hated Westminster , and that Independence will not gain anything for the people, in fact it is more than likely to reduce incomes, and public spending.
But, I still say that if Turkeys vote for Christmas , then so be it!
..Enjoy the evening , I’m just out to the Rugby Club!