I guess this isn't seen as a big issue for people South of the Border but I'm kind of surprised no-one has started a thread on something which has the potential to have mega ramifications for all of the UK.

 

To those who have missed it-

 

- The SNP are pledged to bring an Independence Referendum bill to Holyrood in 2010.

- Until this weekend Wendy Alexander and Scottish Labour were fervently opposed to such an idea, vowing to veto such a bill. Combined with the other 2 unionist parties, this would have meant a referendum bill would never have been passed.

- During a Live TV interview at the weekend, Wendy Alexander shocked everyone by doing a total U-Turn, not just supporting an Independence Referendum but wanting a Referendum right away, not waiting till 2010. In this she 'apparently' has the support of her Labour MSPs.

-Unless Scottish Labour do another mega-U Turn, it looks like Scotland is going to have an Independence Referendum in 2011.

- By 2011 there is likely to be a Tory Govt at Westminster. If the Scots are given the choice between Tory rule from Westminster or going it alone.....

 

Latest opinion poll for Holyrood constituency voting intentions-

SNP 45%, Labour 31%, Tories 12%, Lib Dems 11%

The Tories have no support up here. There has been no 'Cameron bounce'. They'll be lucky to get an MP.

 

Anyway, today things got even worse for Scottish Labour. It's looking like Wendy didn't actually discuss her U-Turn with her mentor Gordon. Gordon stood up in the Commons today and denied Wendy had said such a thing. She did. Everybody up here saw the interviews. Scottish Labour are in total meltdown tonight. If Scottish Labour implodes, will they take Gordon down with them?

 

There's a big big storm brewing up here and I don't think many people outwith Scotland realise it!

 

As a post-script, if Scotland does vote to leave the UK, what are England, Wales and N.I. going to call themselves as a country? :P

Yet another headache for Broon, he needs this like a hole in the head. At least one of them could be looking for a new job soon..............................but which one :lol:

Brian did you see Newsnight Scotland tonight? Ian Gray was the unlucky victim trying to defend the indefensible. He was torn to shreds by Gordon Brewer. I nearly felt sorry for him.

 

You can watch it here. It's about 15 minutes in (watch for his eye twitching! :lol: )

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/player/bb_rm_ms_4449133

This "Broon/Alexander" situation hasn't half made me laugh.... :lol: :lol: I just cannot wait to see what the next issue of "Private Eye" has to make of it (they run a rather brilliant regular comic-strip pastiche of "The Broons" with Gordon as 'Pa Broon' :lol: :lol: ).

 

Did you see him at PM's Question Time yesterday...? Utterly bloody clueless.... Cameron absolutely took the p*** out of him... Gordon Broon is a disaster, he makes Boris seem competent and in control by comparison. Nu Labor will lose by a landslide at the next election.....

 

Why the fukk do we tolerate "leaders" who are either incompetent, liars or crooks in this country....? <_< Time for a Revolution methinks....

Scottish First Minister's Questions at High Noon, Salmond and Alexander go head-to-head.....

 

....Time to get the booze and nibbles in..... :lol: :lol:

They could call it the united kingdom of Britian and northern Ireland

If Scotland had an independence referendum in 2010/1 then, would they be guaranteed to become independent from the UK? Or would there have to be some vote like with Serbia & Montenegro?

If Scotland had an independence referendum in 2010/1 then, would they be guaranteed to become independent from the UK? Or would there have to be some vote like with Serbia & Montenegro?

 

the referendum would be the vote. All though there is nothing in UK law to force the UK parliament to implement a referendum result, in a democracy it would be hard to ignore the will of the people if they voted yes to independence

Scotland becoming Independent would be cool. I think they'd be able to cope without the UK. They have the population, the economy and the infrastructure to become a "successful" country.

 

I'm always for Independence. Scotland should get it. A new start. :cheer:

 

(I'm also for NI and the Republic reuniting as one country. But I guess I'll be a long time waiting :P)

If Scotland become independent does that mean Scotland will sent acts to the Eurovision as a separate entry, like Ireland :lol:

If Scotland become independent does that mean Scotland will sent acts to the Eurovision as a separate entry, like Ireland :lol:

Yes, it will.

It might even be a tactical move to push the referendum forward while the nation remains in an undecided state. Personally I'd probably vote no in any case - I've yet to be convinced of the benefits or the drawbacks. I'd keep the status quo until I can be.

 

I don't know if there's a 40% of the electorate stipulation this time like in 1979. If there is then I doubt it'll be passed - turnout numbers have been tiny of late and the cynic in me suggests that not even 40% of the electorate will get off their arse and to the polling station.

If there is then I doubt it'll be passed - turnout numbers have been tiny of late and the cynic in me suggests that not even 40% of the electorate will get off their arse and to the polling station.

 

Oh, I think you might be wrong there... This is a straight vote about the principle of independance, not voting for candidates or whatever.... A lot of people I know of who haven't bothered to vote in the Scottish Parliament elections (not because of apathy, but because they see a 'devolved' Parliament as being a bit of a waste of time and not having any real power ultimately..) almost certainly WILL get out there and vote in an Independance referendum...

 

If Scotland become independent does that mean Scotland will sent acts to the Eurovision as a separate entry, like Ireland :lol:

I don't think it could... unless STV decide to send an act, and ITV aren't usually involved in the Eurovision at all...

 

Talking of TV, what would happen to the BBC and STV and stuff? Would Scotland just carry on paying the license fee and receiving the same stuff as they are now? Or would the BBC and ITV stop providing stuff for them?

If Scotland become independent does that mean Scotland will sent acts to the Eurovision as a separate entry, like Ireland :lol:

 

Excuse me. :o Ireland were independent before Eurovision began! I'll try and forget that you said that... :lol:

 

 

I don't think it could... unless STV decide to send an act, and ITV aren't usually involved in the Eurovision at all...

 

Talking of TV, what would happen to the BBC and STV and stuff? Would Scotland just carry on paying the license fee and receiving the same stuff as they are now? Or would the BBC and ITV stop providing stuff for them?

 

Hmm. Do Scotland have any Channels of their own? BBC Scotland would probably go on as normal until they have an alternative.

 

But the big questions is, what currency will they use? Change to Euro, perhaps? Stay with the pound like Ireland did for all those years?

 

EDIT: I know this may sound weird, but the news of the UK falling apart kinda gets me all excited. New beginnings and stuff. :cheer:

Edited May 11, 200817 yr by Cál

I don't see why Scotland wouldn't continue to use the pound after all our banks already print their own pounds.

 

As for tv channels well STV would propably stay and I'm sure BBC Scotland would be transformed to SBC, as the parliament would full control over broadcasting, and Westminister would no longer have any say, we would get programmes more focused to Scotlands need like Ireland and New Zealand have

To be honest, I doubt that the Eurovision Song Contest would be the first priority of an independent Scotland :lol:

 

 

Anyway, nobody knows if we're getting a referendum now. Wendy seems to have done a U Turn on her U Turn. I doubt Nostradamus could predict what Labour party policy will be in 2010. Or what it will be by this time tomorrow for that matter. :wacko:

To be honest, I doubt that the Eurovision Song Contest would be the first priority of an independent Scotland :lol:

Anyway, nobody knows if we're getting a referendum now. Wendy seems to have done a U Turn on her U Turn. I doubt Nostradamus could predict what Labour party policy will be in 2010. Or what it will be by this time tomorrow for that matter. :wacko:

 

No, it certainly would not be a priority for a newly independent Scotland..... :lol:

 

Wendy Alexander is just a daft bint tbh, she's committed a gaffe that would make Mayor Boris proud.... Scottish Labor is just a bloody laughing stock now, how can anyone take them seriously.... But still not quite as big a laughing stock as Scottish Conservatives..... :lol:

 

Wendy Alexander had hoped to steal Salmond and SNP's thunder with all this referendum talk, but she just shot herself in the foot and made herself look incredibly foolish indeed... I think Gordon Broon has been on the phone from Westminster at some point over the weekend..... :lol:

 

As for tv channels well STV would propably stay and I'm sure BBC Scotland would be transformed to SBC, as the parliament would full control over broadcasting, and Westminister would no longer have any say, we would get programmes more focused to Scotlands need like Ireland and New Zealand have

 

"That's except for viewers in Scotland who have their own programming."

 

Those chilling words uttered by various BBC continuity announcers over the years are enough reason for Scotland to remain part of Britain.

We'll just be like the Irish Republic people. Still merrily watch all the BBC shows. Without having to pay the licence fee. :P