Why Would Scottish Independence Be A Bad Thing For England?

[dave50]

Think of the savings on the money we pay them every year. Don't know how they would survive on their own considering oil revenues are collapsing.

[ToraToraTora]

I think it would be great for England, save a fortune for a start. Then we wouldn't have to listen to the constant whining. Unfortunately they don't want independence they want to be subjugated by the EUSSR. Sadly I don't think they'd even get in but if they did the strings attached would be immense. Forget the McPoond they'd have to join the Euro, then of course they'll have to build a border. It would be an absolute disaster for Scotland, a huge price to pay because the wee un hates the English.

[Jackdaw33]

I don't know what the general consensus of opinion is in England but for my part I couldn't give a monkey's whether they stay or go. Either way it will not be to England's disadvantage. One of the reasons Scotland joined the Union in the first place was that they were boracic.

[Bobbisox1]

Like JD, I couldn't care less but it makes me smile when you think the wee one wants to sever ties with England but wants to re enter the EU??

[piggynose]

Now lets hear wot the scottish abers have to say.

[jim360]

Scottish independence is a bad thing for England for the same reason it's a bad thing for Scotland. It's fundamentally mistaken for countries to create more divisions between themselves (especially in this case, almost literally, by creating a likely border on our island). Economic considerations are neither here nor there.

[rowanwitch]

For most of England I am sure there are more important things to think about, I suspect it's the same in Scotland.

[GenuineclAss]

"Economic considerations are neither here nor there"

Really? Then why do Scotland and indeed Wales, get free prescriptions?
Because England pays extortionate amounts of money that many can't afford, for them!

[emmie]

let them go if they want.

[royfromaus]

You wouldn't notice any perceived saving, would you?

It wasn't ever Scotland's oil.

They had a vote and voted to stay part of the union...too soon for another.

[emmie]

No Scots on here today perhaps to give us their views on why they want to split.

[jim360]

There are regional variations in England too. The most expensive region to maintain, currently, is actually the North West, and indeed only London, the South East and East of England regions are in surplus.

As I said, there are other considerations. Not being able to call ourselves the UK on the world stage would be frankly embarrassing.

[Old_Geezer]

Because there is strength in numbers. And one don't like seeing family members walk out of the family. An island nation should contain all the islands. Besides who wants border controls within the island ?

[emmie]

i don't want the split, feel its the wrong thing to do for the country as a whole. But if Nicola and the SNP get their way then who knows

[ToraToraTora]

can I ask our Scottish posters on here, are they for or against leaving the UK? I won't call it independence because it's anything but that.

[webbo3]

On the 18th of September 2014 Nicola Sturgeon voted to leave the EU, the single market and the customs union.

On the 31st Dec 2020 she will get her wish.

[emmie]

I only know Minty who posts early on doesn't want it, but other Scots on here do
't

[KARL]

Webbo, You left something out: In 2014 Scotland was threatened with ending up outside the EU if they decided to leave the UK. They voted to stay in the UK and thus, due to the numbers (some refer to it as a Scottish democracy deficit) left it to the rest of the UK to decide their fate. After that, yes, the direct consequences of the 2014 outcome.....(insert your post).

[royfromaus]

Threatened?
THREATENED?

LOL LOL.

Who threatened?

[shoota]

As an aside, I read the other day that The Shetland Isles want independence from Scotland - and Nicola won't allow it...

[KARL]

If you believe Scots are sponging incompetents, then it would not be bad, in fact at least in theory good, for England. If you think they are inherently as capable as the people of Monaco, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium and Netherlands then they would be certain to survive, probably quite well, on their own. If they are as capable as the average of the above then losing them from a UK beset with socio-economic crises would not be good news, if you assume maintaining the UK's existence is desirable. As for how they would survive, all they need do is copy the plentiful examples of ways to do better than the UK.

If Shetland really wants independence then it should, and I believe will (in time), get it, just as Scotland will if it wants it. The evidence of a determined will in that direction is what counts.

My opinion (which I realise does not count) is that independence would be good for both Scotland and England, including in ways never discussed in the presence of the emotional porridge that usually dominates.