Prince Harry Fighting in Afghanistan?

[Andy Collins]

 

I believe England would be a better country after we(Scotland) vote to break up the United Kingdom.

 

Hmmm we'll see, our strength is in our unity, and a small country such as Scotland must get more benefits from union, than negatives.

[Andy Collins]

Be very careful my English friend, there is something very pernicious and ugly about an Englishman when it comes to discussing other races. You are teetering on the edge of the precipice of racism. Dont jump in feet first, its too deep and the currents are strong.

 

I'd like to remind you all it was an Englishman who invented the term, 'Foreign Muck' to describe people not from these shores.

 

One thing I am not is a racist, nor a seperatist, I do not care what colour, creed any person is. I was speaking in jest of the wall to retain the "invading hordes". I always class those of the British Isles as one unit. I have at no point dragged up the term "foreign muck" that is your doing.

Imo I dont think seperation is going to be as good for Scotland as you think, but again, we'll see.

[Benji MacNab]

our strength is in our unity

 

Dont worry, we'll always help you if you need it. Scotland would never leave England to suffer at the hands of some 'foreign' aggressor. Remember Britain's entire nuclear capability is up here. We'll keep it safe for you.

[Andy Collins]

On behalf of the English population (and all the ethnic minorities) I thank you for your protection. Now can we keep this on a friendly and even keel? Obviously, you managed to ruffle a few feathers with your opinions, but its a free country and would be boring if we all shared the same opinions.

[Benji MacNab]

I always class those of the British Isles as one unit.

 

Face it BigA, its over, the world is moving on, the British Empire is finished, such a cruel and exploitative approach to meddling with other countries and their people was never gonna last.

 

Be positive.

[Benji MacNab]

but its a free country and would be boring if we all shared the same opinions.

 

Ok, thats cool, but England is the smilie with the turquoise bow in her hair -

[Chris Harris]

Face it BigA, its over, the world is moving on, the British Empire is finished, such a cruel and exploitative approach to meddling with other countries and their people was never gonna last.

 

Be positive.

 

[Andy Collins]

[Dagmar]

Hmmm we'll see, our strength is in our unity, and a small country such as Scotland must get more benefits from union, than negatives.

 

Funny thing is that despite all of the whining that comes from the Scots about having been forced into the Union, history tells us different story.

 

On the death of Elizabeth the First in 1603 there was no legitimate heir to the English throne so James the Sixth of Scotland was asked to take it, he did so becoming James the First of England, or rather just King James at the time. This culminates in the act of Union in 1706/07. So it could be argued that the Scottish lent the English their Kings for a hundred or so years, before taking the throne for themselves. Perhaps it is the English that should feel aggrieved?

 

My own opinion of the Union, for what it's worth, was that it worked best when its constituent parts didn't have to speak to each other, thus avoiding unpleasantness - and to my mind it's no coincidence that the advent of organised Scottish nationalism postdated the advent of mass broadcasting by only a very few short years

 

Oil seems to upset everyone in Scotland... On the time-scales of history, over which things like devolution or independence will be judged, the oil is basically irrelevant... it might be useful as a transitional lubricant, but it isn't the fuel for a future resource dependent economy. But the Scots have seen it (oil revenue)come back to them almost from the day it started coming ashore, in the form of investment and employment opportunities both direct and secondary and the ever rising public services bill, to the British Treasury.

 

Annual public spending on schools, hospitals and other public services is around £1,500 a head more in Scotland than in England – all funded by the British Treasury.

 

Scots now enjoy free personal care for the elderly, free bus and train travel for over 60s, free eye and dental checks, pay no university tuition fees, and get range of life-saving drugs on the NHS that are denied to patients in England. Soon that will extend to free prescriptions for all (in Scotland).

 

I guess that we could all build socialist wonderlands if some else picks up the bill, but if the Scots want to go their own way, they should take the responsibility to fund it. In the event they'll simply change from one subsidiser, England, to the EU and continue to ride the handout gravy train – until it hits the buffer anyway.

 

If just one good thing comes out of Scottish independence, it will be that, having become a nation again, the dreadful dirge 'Flower of Scotland' will automatically become redundant and a new anthem will be required.

 

Given the way things are going on the immigration front it's likely to feature bhangra, balalaikas and gypsy violins.

[Dean Lofthouse]

Dagmar for Primeminister!