The people's republic of Scotland

[howa243]

One thing will be shale gas extraction, which I believe is going through tender in England at the minute although there is a lot of resistance against 'fracking' for obvious reasons. It has however boosted oil company profits by 10% where they are 'fracking' elsewhere in world so think of the tax generated.

It is certainly responsible for manufacturing re-homing in the states and has contributed significantly to there recent economic performance. So yes, fracking has the potential to make huge difference to the debate if the reserves are as hoped for. Add the fact that we appear to be using less of it (http://www.cnbc.com/id/101991177?doc=101991177&.tsrc=sun) and maybe the oil factor is less important than we think.

 

[howa243]

My plan is to reopen the coal mines of South Wales and run my car and house via steam power. The local mine that my Dadcu worked in used to produce 472,000 tons of grade one anthracite a year.
When the mine was surveyed before Thatcher proclamed it unproductive and it was estimated that there was roughly 200 years worth of coal down there.

Thats my plan, hell we might as well go independant as well asnd sell it to England and Scotland.

A good plan. Especially as we are importing biomass fuels from Canada and the Southern states of America.

 

[berg]

Well I hope that it all gose well for you lot up there ,I can't help but think that the maths don't add up ,was it six hundred billion you need to secure your own currency ,I wonder why the banks are pulling out shares are dropping like lead , could this be the biggest duck up since funkirk ,but hey ho think off all the millions we will save unemployment and benefits ,Will the lights go out in Scotland I hope not

 

[User00035]

Why are you all so desperate to keep us together if there is nothing we can offer?
If you think it's going to be that bad for us and there is nothing here for you then let us go.

You have given us no other reason to stay - apart from it's going to be bad for us!!!

We're not desperate for you to stay. That's just the politicians. I'd bet good money that if England had the vote as well you'd be home and dry with a huge majority.
But if you're going to have independence some of us would like to see some grown up realism so that it works, is absolute and permanent. It will be difficult enough if its done right though potentially ultimately worthwhile - for all of us. But it must be done right and with the good will of all Scotland's neighbours in the Union. But unfortunately it is depressingly clear that that is not what's going to happen and I don't want my country sucked into a mess created by a bunch of deluded and politically immature idealists.

 

[Shabz]

But that's the thing if oil runs out for us it runs out for all of us if we are part of the UK.
If they say it runs out in 15 years for Britain then it should last a bit longer for us.
I asked earlier what happens when oil runs out for all?
Why will it be any different when it runs out for all

Is that not precisely why we should remain part of Britain? Because when it runs out the shortfall is divided between 65million tax payers and not just 5million?

 

[LuckyEddie]

They are completely against trident etc which is fine however have not even got a grasp of defence budgeting, for instance, they may not like nuclear weapons however; if our nation is to be part of NATO and get the protection that being a member of the group affords, nuclear or not, we have to spend 2% of our GDP on defence - fact.

Where is the budget for this?

If the nation wants to be part of the EU and are not automatically accepted farming subsidies, forestry subsidies etc are gone till we are unless the EU states decide to use a fund in place for such occurences, not so good for rural areas.

Where will the shortfall be got from, the good old taxpayer, unfortunately it won't affect the families who have been on the brew for generations and will never work even if they can as the free lunch is great, unless your the one paying it.

How much taxation is raised through oil for the UK government - this could easily be invested in defence, farming etc. It's about time that we started buying local produce and supporting our farmers.

If we vote for independence then that is when negotiations really start and the SNP are the interim government.

As for the EU how much Scottish fish gets sent to Spain via the EU fishing rights.
If Spanish or EU boats want to fish in Scots waters they will have to pay and if they want to fly a Scots flag of convienence then they pay appropriate taxes.
I would do away with Road Tax and put the tax onto fuel prices that way EU drivers will have to pay their fare share.

Defence why would we need aircraft carriers or Trident? Small fighter craft both planes and ships for defence.
We don't need to attack anyone.
If NATO want use our seas and islands for testing missiles or war games then fine but it comes at a price.

 

[wivenhoe65]

Why are you all so desperate to keep us together if there is nothing we can offer?
If you think it's going to be that bad for us and there is nothing here for you then let us go.

You have given us no other reason to stay - apart from it's going to be bad for us!!!

Rewind a few pages and re-read some of the posts , its the politicians who are desperate for you to stay - not the public , and we know the reasons why the politicians are desperate - and its all about their own skins .
Me ,well , i see so many lies being passed off as facts by politicians on both sides it winds me up , that people are being asked to make such a huge decision that will affect their future based on such a pack of lies makes my blood boil .
But without question the biggest liar i have heard is Salmond ,by far , and i would dearly love to see him fail . simple as that .

 

[LuckyEddie]

Is that not precisely why we should remain part of Britain? Because when it runs out the shortfall is divided between 65million tax payers and not just 5million?

So are you saying that if there are 5million barrels of oil left it's better to be shared by 65million rather than 5million.
If the revenue is used and saved wisely then we will have pennies to spend long after others are scraping the dirt
As for any fuel brought in who then gets it?
Is it shared out evenly among 65million or would it get diverted to those down south.

What are the figures 0.7% of Britain are millionaires but 78% of Westminster politicians are millionaires says it all

 

[Gazza]

This is the most important stroke of a pen most of us will ever make.

Dunno if any of u have found the website september18.com .
Basically Sir Tom Hunter set it up and paid a load of experts to be impartial and just put the facts in front of people. with no political agenda so we can make up our own minds
Something the political parties should of done a long time ago.
Only had a bit of a read throu, but it is exactly wot is needed as he is honest enough to say he will never say which he he will vote so he is not going to influence anyone (wish some on here would try that too).
Going to try and work throu it all afore the big day

As far as i can see the No campigners are pretty much right in a lot that they say, about border control/costs ammount of uncertainty and many other things but the fact u keep banging on about them does not help ur argument. And most of ur set it stome 'facts' are not just as set in stone as u think, a lot of things could change

In fact given the Yes campign is pretty much based on pipe dreams and wishes how bad must the No campign have been, or how unhappy are people with the current set up?
If polls are to be believed still pretty much 50/50 with possibly 20% undecied. Thats mental considering how many massive very important ho;es are in the Yes campign.

Even the westminster muppets coming up here and flying a flag from downing street it just makes them look pathetic, if it was still 60/40 they would not be dirtying there shoes coming north of the border. It really does make them look desperate and wil only help the Yes vote
Same with all the very strong No arguments on here (esp so if coming from down south) if u ken anything of scottish physce?/mentality being told how u should vote or that u cannae do it or being talked down too, will only put our backs up (even if u are right).

Most on here a stalking site will not be a big SNP supporters due to the way they treat the countryside, so treating us all as some face painted braveheart numpties does not
help matters

I have every reason to tick the No box but just cannae do it, bottom line no matter wot happens and wot i read and there is many flaws unknowns (but there is also a hell of a lot of sh**e to wade throu on both sides), is i truely believe scotland should be independent and honestly can't see why we can't thrive.
The biggest problem will be Salmond and the SNP/left wing policies, but u never ken the new non english tory party may be revived in scotland

Big+1

 

[mark s]

The UK wanting Scotland to stay part of the union has nothing to do with oil, oil revenue in the great scheme of things is negligible, and who says its scottish anyway? Its in the north sea!
The reason we want you to vote no, is because for 307 years we have been secure, prosperous and free! We went from a group of separate tribes to a great unified nation! Why on earth change it? But, if you are draft enough to vote yes? It should be immediate! And I for one will never visit ain, I dont do foreign

 

[LuckyEddie]

The UK wanting Scotland to stay part of the union has nothing to do with oil, oil revenue in the great scheme of things is negligible, and who says its scottish anyway? Its in the north sea!

But it is about oil - the Westminster government cannot survive without the £1.7billion income from oil.

ps you hae tae change yer wee flaggie!

 

[Taff]

As the total government spend is 713 billion and the spend on Scotland is 53 billion , you can have your 1.7 billion, and we will keep the change.
or did Alex not tell you that bit, and to spend it all you have to do is double the amount of benefits and it's nearly all gone.
When you consider 21% of the people work for the Scottish government and 21.4 % are economically inactive it's not a lot of money.

 

[murrayb]

But it is about oil - the Westminster government cannot survive without the £1.7billion income from oil.

ps you hae tae change yer wee flaggie!

Have you any idea how much the UK Gov GIVE away on international aid? The oil tax revenue is nothing...

 

[Shabz]

So are you saying that if there are 5million barrels of oil left it's better to be shared by 65million rather than 5million.
If the revenue is used and saved wisely then we will have pennies to spend long after others are scraping the dirt
As for any fuel brought in who then gets it?
Is it shared out evenly among 65million or would it get diverted to those down south.

What are the figures 0.7% of Britain are millionaires but 78% of Westminster politicians are millionaires says it all

You asked what will Britain do when the oil runs out.

This is why I'm a no voter. The oil revenue (15% of it's value, let's remember we only get the tax from it) is spent on floating our economy, paying for the NHS and our defence, paying for our children's education whilst also putting it all into an oil fund! Just how many times can we spend the same pound?

Even more concerning is the fact that the 'wonder pound' that we've spent three or four times already is only worth 50p because we've ruined the economies of four countries by breaking them up. All because of some folk with a chip on their shoulders about being 'ruled and oppressed by the English'. I'm sorry but it's just not worth the effort. How do you see your life in an independent Scotland? Will you be so much better off that it's worth the hassle? It's not like you're gonna see any of those wonder pounds yourself are you?

 

[Shabz]

But it is about oil - the Westminster government cannot survive without the £1.7billion income from oil.

ps you hae tae change yer wee flaggie!

OUR national debt goes up by £1.7bn every three and a half days. Twice a week we spend £1.7bn on interest.

 

[murrayb]

OUR national debt goes up by £1.7bn every three and a half days. Twice a week we spend £1.7bn on interest.

Sh!t ... That's depressing... I was going to say something pithy about that debt being run up by a labour government led by Scottish MP's with a Scottish PM. But I just cannot be bothered...

 

[6pointer]

Shabz were is your fighting spirit do you think Englanders would put up with being second best not a chance. Your a wimp mate and should be ashamed to call your self Scottish (If you are) Vote Yes and stop dancing to the Westminster tune.
Murray that so called Scottish MP is back on your side England's and guess what the no voters are parading him about as if he is a hero. The debt hopefully will be much less come Friday when the votes are counted for Scotland.
Come on lads stiff upper lip old chap this just isn't cricket !!!

 

[Taff]

When Alex recreates heaven on earth, I think I may move back from NZ and live in this Utopia, with its streets paved with benefits , free fuel for all, no NHS waiting lists , it's secret barrier that will keep it free from nuclear fall out and the rest of the worlds ails.

 

[private fraser]

But that's the thing if oil runs out for us it runs out for all of us if we are part of the UK.
If they say it runs out in 15 years for Britain then it should last a bit longer for us.
I asked earlier what happens when oil runs out for all?
Why will it be any different when it runs out for all

IF the oil runs out?.....Hellooo...?

WHEN the oil runs out we will All need shoulders to lean on.
The clue is in the name...
Better Together

ps... WHEN rough times come I'd rather have 3 friends than 3 enemies.
England ... Wales ... N.Ireland

 

[Pointer]

I haven't wanted Scotland to leave the union, but with so much negative attitude towards the English I now hope the 'yes' vote wins. I will write to my MP the following day to demand that he does everything he can to ensure that every single job (ship builders, DWP, finance etc) is relocated back to England, Wales & N Ireland. Once the party is over and all the hype and excitement has calmed down and the Scottish people are being run by a bunch of lying idiots with false promises, the remainder of the UK will be better off. I wouldn't want to bring my family up in an independent Scotland run by the SNP!