An Independent Scotland - Is it possible?

[Gavinson]

I don't want to hark on but there is definitley a change happening here, especially since the SNP have gained a majority vote into power. I feel it's time we find out if we can stand on our own, I believe in Scotland and the Scottish people, soon we will have the power to change our wee country forever. Feel free to contribute to this debate but I want to see if there are any Scots here who agree or oppose this.

[mosesg]

My friends sister works for a top ecomomist in London and he said that Scotland could quite easily support itself as a country. I have always been sceptical about an independant Scotland despite my mother being staunch SNP, but my mind is changing.

Also to say we wont be part of the EU anymore, is that really a bad thing, we won't have to admit EU migrants into our country to work !!!!

[david1702198]

In 2005, total Scottish exports (excluding intra-UK trade) were provisionally estimated to be �17.5 billion, of which 70% (�12.2 billion) were attributable to manufacturing.[77] Scotland's primary exports include whisky, electronics and financial services. The United States, The Netherlands, Germany, France and Spain constitute the country's major export markets.[77] In 2006, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Scotland was just over �86 billion, giving a per capita GDP of �16,900.[78][79]

Tourism is widely recognised as a key contributor to the Scottish economy. A briefing published in 2002 by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, (SPICe), for the Scottish Parliament's Enterprise and Life Long Learning Committee, stated that tourism accounted for up to 5% of GDP and 7.5% of employment.[80]

As of November 2007 the unemployment rate in Scotland stood at 4.9%�lower than the UK average and that of the majority of EU countries.[81]

The most recent government figures suggest that Scotland would be in budget surplus to the tune of more than �800m if it received its geographical share of North Sea revenues.[82]. The net fiscal balance, which is the budget balance plus capital investment, reported a deficit of �2.7 billion including Scotland's full geographical share of North Sea revenue, or a �10.2bn deficit if the North Sea share is excluded
TO EDUCATE LOONYTUNES

[david1702198]

big deal we wont be in the eu!!! what does that mean that brussels cant tell us how much fish we can catch !!whoopdeedooo!!!

[cumbrianlad]

If you did get independence ......................would you all promise to go home and STAY THERE.

Get the wall re-built and have your passports stamped at Carlisle on your way out.............................BYE

[RevFunk]

Give them independence and their MP's only sit in the Scottish parliament.

Give them their own tax raising powers

hang on what about the shortfall thats made up by westminster?

Same with the welsh

Give them independence and total independence and get the mp's out of westminster pronto

[JockSporran]

It should be pointed out to some on this site that Scottish independence is NOT anti-English. I myself have family and relatives in England, both English and Scottish. The point of independence is having control over our own affairs, especially economic matters, defence, etc.

[geoff1057]

why do you want to split, you are well looked after by the british government, its us english that are always worse off

[modeller]

I only have a simple question : If a foreign power decided to invade an independant Scotland or impose other economic draconian sanctions what would they do ? If they are going to be truly independant, by definition they should be then be on their own and not expect England or the EU to come and save them.