Does Anyone Really Care if Scotland Leaves the UK?

[@Faultlinevideos]

Hi everyone thanks for checking out this video. We’re interested in exploring more ‘What if’ video like this. Leave your suggestions below on which topic you think we should cover next time.

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Korean unification

[@patmacaleenan]

What if the north separated? I mean there’s a party for Northern Independence that’s pretty adamant it’d be a good move, they have some interesting suggestions

[@hugoponders]

Is Great Britain not the island, not the union of Scotland and England?

[@lachlanmg7762]

Your research regarding the beginnings of the political movement for Scottish independence should have gon much further back. The founding of the SNL was merely the first time that the Scottish independence movement advocates separated themselves from the Labour party apparatus. Until that time, political agitators for Scottish home rule had been members of the Labour or Liberal party largely. Robert Bontine Cunninghame-Graham was one of the founders of the Labour party alongside Kier Hardie, and the first openly socialist Member of Parliament in 1886. He has been systematically written out of Labour party history because of his later association with socialism and Scottish nationalism. After the founding of the SNL in 1923, Graham decided to leave the Labour party to help in the founding of the NPS in 1928 and then the SNP in 1932. He is one of the most overlooked important people in history, having been shunted aside in favour of Kier Hardie, a centrist preacher who fit the bill of a public figure far more neatly.

[@andyf10]

How about 'is there anything actually in the Good Friday Agreement' that prevents a hard border in Northern Ireland. (Clue: no) But we are told that there is. You'd have to read the agreement of course...

[@SoFarSoGoodSoWhat14]

Brexiteers be like "every country deserves the right to self-determination and to be free from parliaments that don't represent them" but not when Scotland wants to do it 😶

[@ToastieBRRRN]

Bit of a generalisation. What about Scottish Brexiteers?

[@OnlyGrafting]

Scotland doesn't want to do it. Over half of voters vote for unionist parties. The polls show more favour for remain constantly. Hell, the devolved government in Holyrood KNEW they couldn't hold a referendum as it wasn't a devolved power and still make a big fuss over it. Democracy is pointless if you strong-arm a vote through illegally with less than half of public support until you've indoctrinated kids that come outta their SNP controlled education and vote at 16 enough to sway it.

[@rodmarker2071]

\Nailed it - bunch of Hypocrites with a capital H

[@calmacmcc6949]

@@rodmarker2071 Scottish Brexiteers are a few right wing nutters that celebrate a British King imported from the Netherlands and still think Catholic people support the pope uneducated bullshit

[@Cygnus888]

@@ToastieBRRRN What about this 49% that voted to stay in EU?

[@heronimousbrapson863]

If England were to get their own subnational government as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland now have, the UK could become a true federation like the US, Canada and Australia. The parliament in Westminster would then become a federal government overseeing only those affairs of national interest.

[@davidlally592]

Long long overdue. A federal UK :5 national (not 4) Nat Parliaments (England has two: Gtr London is one and then the rest of England has a different one). Nat parliaments are not in the main city (the US State capital idea) - separation of powers. So Dungannon for NI, Inverness for Scot, Aberystwyth for Wales and York for England. Gtr London of course is London- as federal capital. Most govt items are devolved to the 5. Only trans UK matters remain with the UK Fed Govt: currency, Crown and succession, Fed income tax (Nat Parliaments could introduce a Nat income tax), immigration, defence, customs. Commons reduced (now only handling Fed UK matters) to about 200 members. House of Lords- acts as 2nd Chamber to both Nat Parls and to(now) reduced UK Fed Commons.Lords reformed to about 240 (with 6 diff groupings- 40 in each). NatParls nominate 1 group, Co councils another, business another, science/education another, arts and humanities another and finally (6th one) by ballot amongst them, the eligible existing hereditary Lords

[@anotherone66]

This was supposed to happen, I can't remember why it was stopped.

[@DJB2]

I’d vote for this if it were on the table, but it’s just not going to happen.

[@mywestsussex5749]

Totally agree the English have never been truly represented as a country

[@berty1422]

Yup, England needs to be controlled by Brussels. Brussels hold the purse strings and limits the growth of the UK, keep England down. Only give it enough for life support, and reap the benefits from its economy. All EU law take precedence over any local English laws. There is NO control over your borders, you do not have a say in how your border is defined. Only Brussels can decide your border policing with their own border force. But most of all, the Isle of Dogs is where all EU nuclear waste is stored.

[@mikethespike7579]

It is illusionary to believe that the border between and independent Scotland and England would remain as open as it is today without border checks and passport controls. As England diverges its economy from the EU while Scotland draws its economy closer, border checks will become unavoidable.

[@Psyk60]

They could probably keep the border open for movement of people. So you can travel across the border without a passport, just as you can between Ireland and Northern Ireland. But yes, goods won't be able to flow freely. There will need to be customs/regulatory checks if Scotland joins the EU and England stays out. Edit - It seems some people have misunderstood me. I'm saying there *will* have to be a hard border, but just for goods. You have to understand that is a separate thing to passport controls. You can have a customs border without passport controls. The EU does not strictly require external borders have passport checks, that's only if the country is part of Schengen. Which several EU members are not, including Ireland.

[@jackdeegan3617]

You should tell the crowd in Westminster about the border, because they think that the border between the EU and Britain should be wide open.

[@rorykeegan1895]

@@Psyk60 But Brexiteers love more paperwork and red tape, they thrive on it, and call it productivity. Brexiteers would just love to put a border around every town in the UK.

[@astrothsknot]

they would have to have a hard border, because that's WTO rules. I see a common travel area thing like with Eire. I'll be interested what they do with Nationality - will all those born before separation be entitles to British passports, or will it only be people with an actual English/Welsh/N Irish parent or grandparent. I will be entitled on both counts - I'm Scots, but have an English father and would claim my UK as well as my Scots passport, because I can. I work in England a lot, so dual nationality would be useful. My son can claim his British passport from his grandad, but has said he won't. he's Scottish and doesn't need to be British. I don't identify as English or British, but if i have the right to something, I'll claim it.

[@baxtardboy]

A common travel area is not a problem unless the Governments on either side decide to make it one. Trade would require a hard border but Scotland has reached the point where this isn't a good enough argument to sway the Yes voters. Scotland will gladly take the hit.

[@cybergrandadgaming]

The thing that almost everyone forgets about this, David Cameron promised Scotland that there would be NO referendum on EU membership if they remained part of the UK.

[@garethbuckeridge6910]

Funny that as David Cameron also said that if the Tories won a majority in the 2015 general election then he would offer the UK a referendum on Europe? Either duel standards or somebody being economical of the truth..... 🤣

[@cybergrandadgaming]

@@garethbuckeridge6910 he's a Tory. Probably just pure bullshit out of him on both occasions, but got forced in to the referendum by the back benchers

[@therealjetlag]

A Tory MP telling a lie?

[@mariannehancock8282]

Did he? Well, he was a liar who also persecuted the vulnerable and disabled, and began to destroy the NHS and public services. Why put any trust in this lazy, arrogant and dishonest man?

[@geroutathat]

The English always forget promises.

[@MrDino1953]

If Scotland leaves the UK, there will be nothing to keep Loch Ness from just being part of the Atlantic Ocean, so the monster will escape. We cannot risk that happening.

[@Big_Gaz_1]

ach we'll just build a mahoosive big net and string it across the loch. that'll keep Nessie in and the Atlantic prowlers oot!

[@nickmonks9563]

I'm pro independence, but if there's any argument that could convince me otherwise, this one is the most logical.

[@Wishmaster787]

Let the Norwegians deal with it

[@tomdoodey4136]

Not but the oil Scottish no English and they can go back EUROPE

[@michaelmclean5088]

Glad u brought that 2 world attention. Nessy would go on a rampage

[@bobbod8069]

What these debates always leave out, is the biggest issue of all. Would an independent Scotland impede the supply of Tunnock's Teacakes south of the boarder?

[@davidlally592]

( mega laughs)

[@NonConsensual]

I think we'd see the rise of cartels illegally smuggling Tunnock's products across the border instead of drugs

[@MrDino1953]

@@davidlally592 - Depends how much rent the boarder is willing to pay.

[@mickpowell8503]

Leaving the Boarder aside, I'm sure he pays a fair rent, there is also the Tunnock's Bar to consider. The teacakes are nice but you cant dip them in your tea..

[@bobbod8069]

@@mickpowell8503 Wow man, slow down. Lets get a deal on the teacakes and then sort out the bars.

[@Chorutowo]

The worst thing too happen if Scotland leaves is the amount of maps we will have to update to reflect the new borders

[@Faultlinevideos]

We'll have to buy a tone of new Atlases I suppose 👀 🗺

[@vatnidd]

Creating jobs for more cartographers 🔥

[@fabriziovignati383]

there is still someone who buy phisical maps?🧐

[@Chorutowo]

@@fabriziovignati383 I do. They're a fun addition to my walls, I add one for every place I go to

[@baikhous]

@@fabriziovignati383 Tell me you were born in the 21st century, without telling me you were born in the 21st century...

[@antonio.paternostro_01]

It's literally incredible how virtually no one in the comments talks about the most important of things regarding nation-building processes: national sentiment. If the Scottish people want to break free from the English bad enough, no economic reason will hold them back. And I'm Italian, the unification of my country happened in the same way.

[@alexpotts6520]

But if 51% of people want to break away and 49% of people don't, is that really "wanting it bad enough" for nation-building to be successful? Because that will be the reality of any independence vote.

[@antonio.paternostro_01]

@@alexpotts6520 that's not wanting it "bad enough" as of now

[@alexpotts6520]

​@@antonio.paternostro_01 So you accept that a narrow independence vote would be a pyrrhic victory marking the beginning of a doomed project? Because a narrow win is the only kind of win the nationalists are going to get for the foreseeable future. (And given that conditions right now are ideal, at the fag end of the worst British government that any of us can remember, I don't see where this comfortable pro-independence majority is going to come from.)

[@leonardogregoratti386]

@@alexpotts6520 for Brexit it was

[@alexpotts6520]

@@leonardogregoratti386 For Brexit it obviously wasn't! It was enough to make it *happen* but not enough to make it happen *successfully.*

[@KnightmareUSA]

Even in England you'll see 'End London Rule'

[@paulwild3676]

That is very worrying.

[@DragnEYE]

That's more american than a lot of americans nowadays. Nice!

[@J14Irish]

Spot on, the North of England is just as disenfranchised as Scotland and Wales!

[@paulwild3676]

@@J14Irish More so. The Scots and Welsh have parliaments. The North has piecemeal devolution instead of regional administrations.

[@J14Irish]

@@paulwild3676 We need to secede!

[@user-mq3um5iu2q]

Why are all the shots of Scotland painting it as a rural, uninhabited land? Constant shots of Eilean Donan, a sprinkling of Skye, a little Glenfinnan with Calton Hill too. We do have cities: it's not just Princes Street, George Square and nothing else.

[@peterkavanagh498]

Less than one tenth the population of England.

[@peterkavanagh498]

If you see pictures of those countries also you are likely to see them looking quite empty too because they are just that. I expect that if Scotland were ever to break away from the UK then it's population would plummet further as those who want to continue living off English taxpayers as well as talented Scots (like East Germans) flee, in this case south of the border.

[@gabsie7224]

@@peterkavanagh498 I don't think anyone would want to live in England now if he wanted to improve his situation.....

[@georgec7899]

@@peterkavanagh498 BS

[@thespanishinquisition4078]

Shhhh, don't let them know there's actual cities in Scotland. That'll be our secret. That way, when they go north and sew buildings they'll think they took the wrong exit on the highway and turn around!

[@MrMickey1987]

I would like to add a big astrix to the open border policy between England and Scotland in a post UK world. Because if a newly independant Scotland joins the EU they cannot have an open border with a non EU member (England). The EU would never accept this, they don't in Ireland either ;-). As EU dogma stipulates that the integrity of the single market needs to be protected at all costs! I'm a Dutch EU citizen and have no fish in this game, but for Scots and Englishmen to keep having an open border? It definetly depends on the status of Scotlands EU membership. You can't have both, so be honest about it, don't lie to the Scots. Don't paint a picture that envisions a future where nothing wil change between them and their neigbours and that they can join the EU, just like that. That's simply not how this is going to work out!

[@saxon-mt5by]

A newly independent Scotland won't be able to join the EU as it will not meet the fiscal requirements in the Copenhagen Criteria; and that's not even considering countries like Spain that have their own problems with break-away states will veto the application anyway.

[@robertbannocks6750]

Very true and well put. Plus do not forget we Englanders will insist on it, if that is the border remains open at all.

[@MDP1702]

@@saxon-mt5by I don't think Spain or so will cause a problem. Scotland would leave a country that left the EU and then just asked to rejoin. This would be completely different to a region seperating from an EU country and trying to get back in. In the former scenario I don't expect too much fuss, in the later the new country would be blocked by several EU members.

[@nickmonks9563]

@@saxon-mt5by No, but it can get there. Other nations have.

[@timseytiger9280]

You can just drive from Ireland to Northern Ireland. There is no border infrastructure, just road signs and mph instead of kmph. You haven't a clue.

[@allanlock4561]

I'm from England I have Scottish heritage i dont care if they leave or stay its Scotlands choice

[@wardenblack9734]

The question is bigger than your brief summary.

[@allanlock4561]

@@wardenblack9734 what ever you say I bet your one of those people who could start a fight in an empty house if the Scottish want to leave they can leave end of story

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

@@wardenblack9734 it really is not that deep it's a fact that most English people truly could not give 2 shits if Scotland left the UK or stayed in it

[@amandarichardson9836]

And we voted NO in 2014 but they still won't shut up

[@juanmanuelsarasa6360]

​@@amandarichardson9836Brexit changed everything

[@simpleasliam657]

As an Englishmen, I don't have an issue, or even care that much. They want to govern themselves, I don't blame them.

[@nomadoma9422]

I couldn't care less either, but as an Englishman living in Scotland I am fucking terrified

[@EagleBill1]

Sturgeon doesn’t want to govern Scotland, she wants to rejoin the eu and let them govern Scotland.

[@2cv693]

@@nomadoma9422 you could immigrate back to england, or stay there and become a scottish citizen

[@J14Irish]

@@nomadoma9422 they arent going to murder you if they get independence 🤣

[@shane6115]

@@J14Irish why not?.William Wallace would 😅

[@jonathanbennet2580]

most scots don't see nukes being kept in their backyard as "a benefit of being in the uk"

[@Scaleyback317]

And the jobs that brings to the area? 8k if this source is to be believed.

[@jeckjeck3119]

@@Scaleyback317 Better with EU. And knowing scots, pissing of Brexiteers is a bonus for them.

[@ATownDown32]

If there aren't nukes in your backyard ,then they're likely to land in your house by another power

[@Scaleyback317]

@@jeckjeck3119 If pissing off people with alternative views is of any great importance over the other problems facing the world in general and the UK in particular then the rest of us are better off without them.

[@Nick-ye5kk]

They love the money though, always have, always will.

[@w.vanherk2946]

Before using the argument that Scotland would be better protected by being part of the UK on account of Trident, it would've been worthwhile to see how this view is perceived in Scotland. Trident is hugely unpopular and every single MSP of every single party in Holyrood (Scottish Parliament) including the Tories bar one voted against having Trident in Scotland. Just imagine how "safe" nearby located city of Glasgow is in the event of nuclear warfare whereby a nuclear base like Trident is a primary target for incoming attacks.

[@martinrye712]

In nuclear warfare it won't matter if Scotland are a independent country as nuclear fallout doesn't stop at borders.if England gets nuked the Scots,Welsh and Irish are toast as well.

[@w.vanherk2946]

@@martinrye712 Yes, it does. Because the first thing Scotland does when it becomes independent is to get rid of Trident. Precisely because it is independent it can do chose to do so. Furthermore, it makes one hell of a difference if the target of a nuclear attack is just besides a big city (Glasgow).

[@martinrye712]

@@w.vanherk2946 are you really that thick,nuclear fallout will be blown everywhere on the wind so I'm afraid you are talking nonsense

[@w.vanherk2946]

@@martinrye712 well, I would rather call it well informed rather than thick. Survival chances are directly linked to one's proximity to the place of impact. You can read up on it if you like to gain a better understanding if this is an issue of concern to you.

[@jackx4311]

Do you really, REALLY think that places like London, Birmingham and Manchester would NOT be primary targets? Get a GRIP, mate!!

[@lamondlense]

Scotland actually opposed Trident and voted against its renewal in 2016 because a lot of the West of Scotland would be in the blast radius of it if something were to go wrong.

[@donaldboughton8686]

Till they realised the loss of jobs that this would result in.

[@_v_r_tt]

@@donaldboughton8686 I struggle to buy that argument. It’s hugely expensive to renew, maintain and operate just these 5 submarines. Funding that could and would (due to NATOs minimum spending requirements) otherwise be diverted towards more quantities of conventional weapons. If it’s job creation your after better to have an bigger and less specialist personnel

[@stevencorns9026]

Scotland didn't. The minority government did.

[@ayoutubechannel7143]

@@donaldboughton8686 Source? Oh yeah that's right you made it up

[@gaycha6589]

@@_v_r_tt costs of Trident is nothing compared to building an entire national structure and infrastructure and services from scratch. I would expect the UK to let them have anything easily, just as EU was with UK on Brexit. Then there is the huge risk and costs of Scottish EU membership - by no means a certainty. Trident would look like small beer up against that lot. I hope they stay together btw. My other half is from there😢😢😢

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

I feel bad how Enric Miralles, the Spanish architect who designed the Scottish Parliament Building, didn't get to see his biggest project completed as he died in 2000 (at the age of 45). Miralles sought to design a parliament that could represent the Scottish national identity. He did so by creating a design that allowed views and blended in with the surrounding rugged scenery, symbolizing the relationship between Scottish nature and the Scottish people. That aside, all these problems with Scottish independence are on top of the problems regarding building the dang parliament. The project went completely overbudget and while I get what he was going for...it doesn't match with the rest of the Edinburgh architecture.

[@fridgemagnet9831]

I would also hide my face forever if I designed something so atrocious.

[@Amelia-vk4jt]

I personally think and you'll find many other Edinburghers agree that Scottish parliament is one of the ugliest building in Edinburgh

[@cammza9989]

Unsurprisingly he died of a brain tumour and it certainly looks like that tumour did most of the design work on that monstrosity

[@paulohagan3309]

Miralles? Is that a Catalan name by any chance?

[@paulohagan3309]

Just looked it up. Whattya know? The guy was from Barcelona ...

[@The-tg5zg]

We (Scots) get talked about a lot like we’re living in the granny flat of the England families house. “How will we survive?”.

[@Garner84]

If UK Gov got rid of Barnett Formula, you'd be toast, if Scotland is independent who will pay for their 12% deficit, not the English I tell you that

[@brendenmcmillan8937]

@@Garner84 barnett formula has been proven to be nonsense numerous times. Take the cost of trident away, the full income from north sea and include all scottish goods which go to the continent as scottish exports and not english and that deficit doesnt look anywhere near as large

[@katherinegilks3880]

You’ll survive better on your own. The English are treating you like a housewife and gaslighting you into believing you have no marketable skills, no job prospects, no sense of how to run a household, etc. Sure, you might have to give up some pretty baubles, but it’s better than being in an abusive relationship.

[@jediknight129]

@Brenden Mcmillan you wouldn't get the North Sea oil income for a start and the barnet formula is the DEFAULT absent 'good reason' for it to be otherwise and there have been some amazing incidents where something only affecting England has led to mo ey being sent to Scotland because of it. the Student Loans lawsuit that forced more funding to go to Scotland because English Students were being charged being an awesome one. As for Trident, are you costing the fact that you will lose the funding and influx of people form the bases? Scotland leaving the UK would benefit England and fuck Scotland.

[@jukeboxgeneral7105]

An independent Scotland, Wales and NI wouldn't have a deficit. Yiu can't be im debt if you can't borrow.

[@Phoenix-ov5gg]

If they want to go let them go, it would be bad for both countries in terms of global influence, military capability etc, but it’s not fair to make them stay if they don’t want.

[@thebombplayer2986]

good thing global polotics doesn't give a shit if it's fair

[@evelynwilson1566]

the problem is that feelings within Scotland are very divided, as was shown by the results of the 2014 referendum. From both sides of the debate what we hear is far more often rhetoric rather than actual facts which would allow voters to make an educated decision. Knowing where to go for reliable, relatively impartial information is increasingly difficult.

[@kityhawk2000]

@evelynwilson1566 I think it would be far worse for Scotland to leave the UK than the EU. Just look at the figures of people and goods coming into Scotland from the EU (pre Brexit) versus people and goods coming to and from the UK. Scotland is it's own country with it's own culture and history and government but in terms of travel and trade and social interaction Scotland, England and Wales have essentially functioned as 1 country for hundreds of years. It would be like Yorkshire or Greater London declaring independence from the UK

[@thebombplayer2986]

@@kityhawk2000 Scotland isn't a country, also leaving the UK would mean an end for scotland, they don't have a chance to join NATO, and they can't join the EU, so they're pretty fucked

[@thomasreed49]

I am a Scott Protestant been living in England for 60 years when I was there they always used to say Home role means Rome. England and Scotland through the centuries have done a lot together and brought a lot to the world don’t take notice of the black Africans. They should never Break up.

[@ClassicGreenery]

It's worth mentioning that ALL UK's oil is in Scotland and that most of UK's hydro power is also in Scotland, furthermore UK's most valuable fishing areas is also in Scotland. I think it's fair to assume that Scotland could emerge much richer as an independent nation after getting though the break up period with England.

[@optimuswarcrimes1178]

@@Mmjk_12 he's not saying we'd be mega rich, he's saying we'd do better than people give us credit for, many act like we'd end up as a third world country that would perish and die without our oh so benevolent English dictators

[@dmraven]

@@Mmjk_12 what he stated didn't say anything about Scotland becoming much richer than England/UK, or even being a "rich" country. He just stated a richer one in the terms than some people think think. Some believe if Scotland got their independence it would turn Scotland into a complete disaster, even a 3rd world country. The fact is there are resources that come from there and the region around it. If Scotland did get it's independence back, it wouldn't be a country like Japan without actual no resources/minerals. That is all, richer than some believe, especially those who think it would be a complete failure.

[@captainbuggernut9565]

Interestingly incorrect. Most of the oil fields are in English national waters by quirk of the way borders are worked out. A mistake often made by nationalists. As for fish they move around my old fruit and nearly all of Scotlands exports go to or through the UK via the channel tunnel. Your also assuming by the way the whole of Scotland wants to leave. Alot of it might choose to stay in the UK.

[@contessa.adella]

A typical pro-Scot misconception. Scotland relies on considerable funding from England for everything from its nhs and education to military support. Scotland could not join the EU independently because it doesn’t have the qualifying GDP.

[@idcgaming518]

Hydro power? Yeah, for about the next year. Did you forget the plans for tidal range power between the north of Wales and the furness peninsula? It looks like they're getting approved. And it would provide immense power, probably more than all Scottish hydro plants combined. Not to mention, most wind and nuclear power is generated in English waters. Oh, and the oil thing? Only partly true. A lot of that oil actually belongs to UK dependencies. Now Scotland, for all its "wealth" wasn't able to handle Nova Scotia, and that provided economic value. Most of these dependencies don't apart from their oil. Those dependencies would almost certainly stay with england and/or a diminished UK, as it would still hold a huge majority of the economic strength needed to provide the necessary aid and protection to those dependencies. As for fish, the only ones there are salmon, and those areas are nearly depleted. And don't forget, the UK provides about 1.5-2 times the amount of money to Scotland from subsidies, as it receives from Scotland in revenue. The Scottish government will be spending all that "oil and fish" money on maintaining the systems they have, and will likely actually only barely break even. I mean, 2-3 times the amount is spent on each scot, than on each englishmen. You enjoy a level of comfort and security unheard of elsewhere in the Union. And you do so because the average English man slaves away to pay for it. So if you want to leave, go ahead. Good riddance. Making us out to be the bad guys when you invaded us just as much and even sieved power for a short while, and did the same colonialism shtick we did, just way less successful than us. Perhaps when you're on your bloody own, you'll learn why a united island is useful.

[@oliversherman2414]

As an Englishman, I hope the UK will stay united, but I respect the Scots' opinions on what they want for their country. It's understandable why some Scots may want to leave, but I really hope our countries don't split and we can stay together as national brothers and sisters 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@weeguy52]

As a scot, i hope we also stay united as England will do to us what europe done to us both after brexit, and we don't have the systems in place to minimise the effects of leaving and it will no doubt cost us even more financially aswell Scotland and England will be a lot weaker, and it's not like we can snap our fingers and everything will be fixed. Coming to agreements with take years and building the infrastructure/systems will take longer For scotland, we would pretty much have a very small military that we would need to rely on nato heavily, even if we can meet nato requirements. We're struggling to fix the current problems we have due to brexit, so adding more would be illogical

[@oliversherman2414]

@@weeguy52 Well said. You make a lot of good points

[@Saffy-yr8vo]

Scotland’s argument is not against the people of England it’s against Westminster.

[@oliversherman2414]

@@Saffy-yr8vo I guess so

[@philiptownsend4026]

No practical reasons then? Only sentiment?

[@roryoneill9444]

The island of Britain in the UK used to be Ireland's largest export market back in the 80's, by the 90's this was usurped by the US market, then in the 00's by Belgium and in the last 4 years Germany, however, Ireland is vendor managed by most companies via the UK for example the German Car Manufacturing company BWM, send car parts to Ireland from UK hubs. So it is very likely that the same would apply to an indepentant Scotland on trade..

[@Grundewalt]

exactly, and the reunification of Ireland would put these two nations of equal foot with England. The old empire has to die.

[@1coleman8]

Not only this, but Ireland is still part of the common travel area with the UK. Even though opponents day that this would not apply to an independent Scotland.

[@roryoneill9444]

@@1coleman8 Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area due to the occupation of the North & so England could continue to have white english speaking cheap workers. If England and Wales wants to punish Scotland for leaving the UK, possibly kicking Scotland out of the Comon Travel Area would be one way. The UK partitioned Ireland as a "punishment" for leaving, this is way the brits talking about the EU Punishing them with border checks and not allowing the uk in the Horizon Project & other such strange comments.

[@hod2116]

@@roryoneill9444 the UK didn't punish Ireland for leaving not all of Ireland wanted to leave which wasn't always the case until the ira went after the orange lodge

[@Guyfaulkes1605]

@@Grundewalt how would ireland afford reunification with a housing crisis and immigration issues , ireland was bankrupt and bailed out by EU mainly Britain and Germany in the 90s, besides do you think Spain would vote for an independent Scotland joining EU when regions like catalonia and basque country want their own independence in Spain 🤔

[@JPJ432]

If Scotland leaves and nobody hears it did they Really leave?

[@alal-yy7jg]

Even if they did, who tf would care? xD

[@Gmabonoski]

It’s an inevitability if you look at demographics - older generations more “no”, younger more “yes” - as the years go by the “yes” proportion creeps up.

[@thor.halsli]

The older you get the more conservative you become

[@johnhawkins5314]

@@thor.halsli A trend that millennials and and gen z (so 42-9 year olds) are breaking. Millenials at young voting ages of 18-25 were more conservative than they are 17 years later

[@dkoda840]

@@thor.halsliThe millennial generation has shown a trend that will buck this tradition.

[@FranzBieberkopf]

"Waiting for the wrinklies to die" isn't much of a political strategy.The proportions pro and anti independence haven't changed in 10 years, so there isn't a flood of younger radical voters.

[@yannischupin7787]

There is an element I hear a lot regarding the benefits of Scotland leaving... Some argue that independence would protect Scotland from wired and toxic policies made in London. And given how ''well'' UK is doing now, well I think they're right. Also Scotland leaving could be just as good for them as it 's been with neighbouring Ireland, who is thriving right now...

[@frosty_soda]

No its not. Ireland is like any other western country. Its far from "thriving". Have you seen the protests and constant troubles with economic crisis and housing, health etc?

[@frazer4123]

Ireland was thrown into decades of economic crises after independence. Post WW2 they were almost totally bankrupt

[@jamesodonnell8290]

Irelands GDP is 10% actual GDP and 90% from being a tax haven.

[@killert41]

@@frosty_soda constant protests? You mean in northern Ireland that was forced to leave eu too and u were forced to make a border with piece of land u own ? Buddy no one believes your lies biggest trade union is better than being sanctioned by your own supposed ally lol 😆

[@porcupineinapettingzoo]

@@frazer4123 Due to brexit like cultural, political and economic isolation and attempts to become self sufficient all the while being tied to the pound the Irish economy stagnated post independence. Once Ireland liberalized its economy and joined the EEC, it went from one of the poorest nations in Europe to one of the most prosperous meanwhile Yorkshire, parts of Scotland, NorthernIreland, parts of Wales are among the poorest areas of Western Europe while London the richest.

[@waddle200x]

I care. The Scottish are a beautiful people. This country will be much worse off without them (and I'm not talking economically). I will be heartbroken to see them go, but I can totally understand why they might have to.

[@comradekenobi6908]

>to see them go I'm pretty sure scotlands not gonna move continent or anything, there just there, minus the Westminster shite

[@Alastair_]

@@comradekenobi6908 Though tbh if you gave us enough shovels we'd give it a go..

[@oshul_]

Well we're worse off being part of the union so i don't know what you want us to do

[@comradekenobi6908]

@@oshul_ yeah unless they have something to offer other than upcoming recession and declining quality of life, eh

[@adamnewman6846]

The United Kingdom is not a country

[@ptonpc]

I honestly believe independence would suck for my generation (70's child) but we owe it to the younger generations to give them a better life than what is possible in the UK.

[@GarryGri]

I agree, I would take the hit for a better tomorrow in Scotland. I am already taking the hit fr what looks like a continually worsening future thanks to BrekShit England.

[@jamestyler12JT]

Would suck for my generation as well, there’s little benefits to it. You don’t owe us anything. We made the correct choice in 2014.

[@thebritishtwat1317]

@@jamestyler12JT there are TONS of reasons independence is a good thing but I'm sure your baiting so

[@jamestyler12JT]

@@thebritishtwat1317 there are admittedly some reasons but the negatives far outweigh the positives

[@scotthendry6298]

I owe the younger generation nothing They don't even know wt gender they are now😂

[@anxiousali3681]

I live on the river Clyde and can promise you NO ONE in this area wants Nuclear base and subs on our doorstep and NO ONE feels safer and protected with them here!

[@isabelstokes4042]

I Grew up in Greenock, and it never bothered me.

[@chinguunerdenebadrakh7022]

One concern for the UK is military. Scotland's geographic location gives London pretty sweet military bases. The British base at HMNB Clyde is the home to British nuclear weapons that are armed on submarines. If Scotland leaves, there's no way in hell they're allowing a British military base, much less one filled to the brim with nukes. And even if Scotland allows it as a condition of leave negotiations, it's kinda shit to have your nuclear insurance in another country. And it could be troublesome to find a replacement, the choice of location at Faslane was not just geographic, but geological as well. The solid hard rock IIRC is a superb location for a secure storage for nuclear weapons and there's hardly a replacement for it on English coasts.

[@maxdavis7722]

He mentioned that in the vid.

[@calmacmcc6949]

As someone living close to Faslane Id prefer if they stuck the nuclear base on the Thames quicker the better if Putin goes ape shit or Biden thinks he's in a movie

[@jbhoycelts1170]

We don't want trident

[@calmacmcc6949]

@Alexei Smirnoff Yeah professor Mark Blyth from Brown university made a similar comment ie rent it out but in a democracy Id put it to a vote if you want nuclear warheads next to yer big cities?

[@calmacmcc6949]

Or you could stick a timer on it and send it to Westminster Mr V

[@brianarbenz1329]

To respond to the UK court ruling that another independence referendum cannot be held by the Scottish parliament, I recommend the parliament write a letter to London that begins with, “When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary…” It worked for the country I’m from. 🇺🇸

[@jdlc903]

No it didn't, your country suppressed secessionists violently

[@brianarbenz1329]

Actually the U.S. suppressed a human trafficking ring seeking to continue an economy of rich freeloaders getting labor without paying for it. I regret that it couldn’t be done without violence, but have no regrets about ending slavery.

[@grzegorzha.]

@@jdlc903 Did those secessionists write a letter to Washington that began with "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary..."?

[@gg-ps1vz]

They would respond by showing you the polling results which consistently show 'No' to the question of independence.

[@brianarbenz1329]

@@gg-ps1vz Of course in 1776, when the U.S. declared independence, only about 1/3 of the colonists favored it.

[@fireblade2681]

Why do content creators always say: "did you know: most people aren't subscribed?" as if we're going to be like: "wow what an interesting and helpful piece of information. Please tell us more about the viewership metrics of your channel."

[@iamthinking2252_]

I think it’s to suggest to the viewer to subscribe, they are watching the video, they presumably like it, please subscribe so you’ll come back for more

[@fundorgon]

Because it works. If you are enjoying a video and have watched a few shorts/full videos from channel already that can make the difference between people subbing and not, essentially because it's a numbers game.

[@fireblade2681]

@@fundorgon Yes I know. The purpose of saying "did you know" is to try to create interest out of nothing. He didn't actually think anyone was interested. He was being 100% fake.

[@johnwilson1321]

Only a matter of time to Scottish independence, as Tony Blair said once lit the flames of nationalism are never extinguished. Politically Scotland and England are increasingly incompatible it’s time to shake hands and go our separate ways as good neighbours. The democratic shows that every age group apart from over 65s are in favour of independence. Scotland will become an independent country ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@johnwilson1321]

@@daemon5583 Brexit put they to rest! Scotland was completely ignored and marginalised. Northern Ireland who votes remain was given all the things Scotland asked for if indeed England decided to force us out. We have never been more divided and forced governments picked by English voters and imposed on Scotland is unsustainable!

[@mariannehancock8282]

I hope Scotland goes independent with all my heart, but it's disconcerting to see the Daily Heil equating Sturgeon's resignation with her 'dreams of independence' lying in 'tatters'. Don't let it be true. Rise and be a nation again.

[@johnwilson1321]

@@daemon5583 your country is governed by a government that your countries voters have rejected since 1955! Your country was forces out of the eu against her will and has policies see utterly rejected imposed upon her! Hardly democratic is it !

[@johnwilson1321]

@@daemon5583 you might disagree with the snp but the majority of Scotland agrees that’s democracy! But I certainly can’t stand having policies from a government elected by another country forces upon my country !

[@johnwilson1321]

@@daemon5583 there is higher spending in Scotland because of its rural nature which requires higher spending. But as a whole Scotland produces more tax than anywhere in the uk apart from the south east of England so we more than pay our way! As for the snp implementation of policies they won the election on a manifesto endorsed by Scottish voters and therefore have every right to implement them!

[@user-mq3um5iu2q]

It's wrong to say NHS Scotland is only 'operated' by ScotGov. The policy directive for NHS Scotland is set out by ScotGov, NOT UKParl, and as for funding, Scotland is given a lump sum of money by the UK Government (Barnett Formula) with which they can decide how to spend the money across all areas - NHS, police, roads etc. You suggest that the money and policy for NHS Scotland is set out by UK Gov but that's just wrong. Edit: To say that, "Scotland's NHS would likely verge away from NHS England" is ridiculous because they are already different. Wages in Scotland, the amalgamation of hospitals, the social care, the mental health service, the ethics committees, EVERYTHING is separate and so they are truly not the same. They are compatible, but they aren't the same.

[@perarduaadastra873]

I have to travel from Scotland for cancer treatment in London because NHS Scotland has No Money for the correct treatment. 👀

[@user-mq3um5iu2q]

​@@perarduaadastra873 I'm sorry to hear that, NHS Scotland is far from brilliant. I once had a dentist torturously apply so much pressure when trying to remove my tooth that he split it into four and the NHS refused to remove the shards of tooth from my gum within a year, so I had to go private. It's far from great and they don't always give you what you need.

[@arianbyw3819]

Plus: the Barnett formula? Even it's creator admitted it's not fit for purpose. Scotland is underpaid.

[@doreenhollywood7459]

@@perarduaadastra873 It must be very specialised care as Scotland's NHS is better funded than england. It is also higher performing.

[@perarduaadastra873]

@@doreenhollywood7459 Scotland only has Radical Treatments for Prostate Cancer. Radical treatments cause needless harm when used at an early stage of detection where “Focal Treatments” are the best and correct treatment. I am surprised NHS Scotland does not have a Class Action Lawsuit from all the men needlessly harmed by radical treatment.

[@alexanderroberts730]

I really don't want them to go but I can understand why they want to the union hasn't been a fair one

[@tenniskinsella7768]

Alexandra Roberts why are y saying that

[@DavidWildgoose]

It's not been fair to England, I agree. Time for English Independence!

[@annemitchell6144]

@@DavidWildgoose Then why don't you, oh right your government won't allow it because they need the votes from unionists to stay in power don't they and labour wouldn't seek it either for the same reason because at the end of the day labour are no different than the tories in that respect it's all about having power and lording it over everybody else so you are stuck with Scotland forever weather you like it or not unless the English people chose to do some thing about it they have already said no to Scotland so If you want your Independence from Scotland I suggest you get properly motivated there are more people in England than in Scotland balls in your court as it were otherwise tough luck cause neither the tories or labour want it as it's not in their best Interests to do so same with PR that's not in their Interest either good luck your gong to need it.

[@Its-Just-Gizmo]

That was a good video, it was respectful too, which is rare. My only criticism however is the title. It's very provocative, clickbait almost? The quality of the video is so much higher than what the title suggests there will be.. but again, awesome video. Was nice to not see us in Scotland be ridiculed further....

[@huaiwei]

In fact the video does not sufficiently deal with the question in the video title.

[@Its-Just-Gizmo]

@@huaiwei this I'd agree with. But I feel the video is more informative than the question, which sounds a little ignorant and entitled.

[@huaiwei]

@@Its-Just-Gizmo true too. There is just a degree of disconnect between the title and the video, although I think it is probably just clickbait.

[@paulinecoburn181]

The word he’s looking for is eligible not illegible 🙄

[@piscesDRB]

I am both amazed and impressed that you can make such detailed presentation whilst knowing so little about Scotland and the SNP Leadership, that couldn't run a whelk stall!

[@04nbod]

Just because Nicola Sturgeon says she doesn't want the border to close doesn't mean that will happen. If they want to join the EU they have the NI Protocol issue. How do you keep an open border while checking migration and customs checks? Why would England want that open border if a person can travel from Macedonia to Scotland just walk into England? You also didn't mention the currency.

[@Enderwiggan1]

Just imagine the EU told the English they're not allowed vote on independence until they said so? It would be DEFCON 1

[@04nbod]

That was the law that was agreed as part of the creation of the Scottish Parliament. It must be by mutual consent. In the case of Europe we agreed to the Lisbon treaty that outlined those rules.

[@Enderwiggan1]

@@04nbod Doesn't sound very good for the Scots. Their consent is nor required, nor wanted for anything important. the English wouldn't stand for this system for a day.

[@averagejoe8358]

The EU is a collective of countries looking out for others interests, not a kingdom.

[@fearlessbot9695]

i wish the eu told england they're not allowed to vote on leaving the eu

[@arfermo853]

You obviously hate the english and are an immature loud mouth who knows nothing about history, we english are happy for the scots to go if that is what they want ,good luck to them

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Meanwhile, we're still hoping to achieve peaceful reunification with the South. My grandpa nearly got the job done, but of course the Americans intervened, though thankful China stepped in. No peace treaty has ever been signed which means the war is still going on, the people can't visit each other because we only recognize each other as governments and not nations, and families have been torn apart because of the DMZ. The Korean language in the DPRK and ROK have evolved so differently, that they could be considered two languages at this point. The reunified system we propose is not one where there's only one sole government, but a model where both maintain their governments.

[@franknwogu4911]

So true

[@Justin-ui5ti]

Yes. Your Grampa wanted Reunification through invasion right? Then the Americans and the UN intervened and pushed your gramps back.

[@Myanmartiger921]

@@Justin-ui5tiagree. Poor usa could not help pakistan commit genocide in Bangladesh. Soviet union stoped them.

[@Myanmartiger921]

@@Justin-ui5tidon’t be sad you still got to implement Jim crow long enough and also bomb laos.

[@Justin-ui5ti]

@@Myanmartiger921 What the heck are you even talking about? Are we going into crazy talk? All right. My turn. Are you drunk on bloody Russian rum fermented with Putin’s bloody boot?

[@sam.victor470]

The very recently crowned monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, (the Royal connection having had James VI of Scotland become James I of England is significant); and of course the Westminister Parliament's predominantly English politicians obviously all do care very much that Scotland remains part of the Union. England, Wales and Scotland are on the same island in northern Europe. Tradition says Scotland is a different country. The Scottish nationalists say it is culturally and politically capable of total self-government. It has a small population (5.4 million), so managing it's own affairs is relatively simple. Many other nearby small nations like Andorra, Iceland, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Ireland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Lichtenstein, Slovenia, San Remo, Monaco, Vatican, Malta, Cyprus, Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bulgaria etc., etc. are responsible for themselves. Scotland would be in good company. Most ordinary English folk are pretty indifferent to Scotland leaving the Union. The latterly allegedly corrupt and law breaking English ministers who rule, are at odds with that English 'San Ferry Ann' attitude as it would reduce the geographic power base If the numbers are to be believed, most Scottish voters in the last referendum on Scotland's independence, were fairly borderline ambivalent against change . . .until subsequently, the more populous and xenophobic England voted to leave the European Union (much to Scottish chagrin), and arrogantly dragged Scots out of Europe against their ballot-box will.

[@oliverschmidt1988]

Me, feeling more European than German, I would very much welcome Scotland !

[@Cl0ckcl0ck]

Norway and the rest of the EFTA would accept them in a second. Then they can start the membership application.

[@jeckjeck3119]

@@Cl0ckcl0ck And it would piss off Brexiteers, that alone is enough of a reason to accept Scotland.

[@Tobi-ln9xr]

"mE, fEeLiNg MoRe EuRoPeAn zÄn tScHöRmAn" Ach du Scheiße...

[@oliverschmidt1988]

@@Tobi-ln9xr na was für ein Glück das ich nicht so rede du Holzkopf 🙂

[@TheWarboss7]

@@teutonicheart2532 it's so sad and cringeworthy to see Germans being embarrassed of who they are despite not even being around during WW2

[@LargeTimothy]

Love Scotland man and I wish them well with whatever they decide to do 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Alba gu bràth!

[@lovelybitofbugle219]

Fook that. They're traitors to Britain.

[@salientsolution5436]

Wish we were allowed to decide for ourselves

[@John1873--]

@@salientsolution5436 in my adult life, I've had two votes of independence.

[@salientsolution5436]

@@John1873-- if nothing has changed for you since 2014, then I congratulate you on your immense privilege. The rest of us have a cost of living crisis and the ramifications of brexit to deal with.

[@John1873--]

@@salientsolution5436 right, you might like to create narratives to suit your agenda.... But I'm done caring for that sort of behaviour.

[@baronvonjo1929]

What would be the drawbacks for Scotland if they left? Wouldn't they have to then support themselves with military and just basic needs? How hard will it be for Scotland to replace all this? Would prices increase or lower? How self sufficient is Scotland? Edit: Well that blew up

[@maxdavis7722]

Scotland does like 60% of its trade with the rest of the UK, the Scottish economy is quite intertwined with the UK economy.

[@michaelwalters4249]

According to data from the Scottish government, they have a spending deficit of 12.3%, meaning they spend almost £24 billion more each year than they take in tax.

[@КурочкаКрашена]

@@AmisThysia My understanding is that Scotland would have to adopt the Euro as a condition of its joining the EU (assuming it was approved - Spain particularly would see what that would mean for its own National integrity with Catalonia). This would create added problems to trade with the remaining parts of the UK. It's not an easy solution at all but it's offered a strange inverse of Brexit: Brexiters, on the whole, are against independence for Scotland but they can't articulate "don't go independent, look what a divisive disaster Brexit was" and for those remainers among the supporters of independence, it's difficult to make the argument that huge economic prices are worth it for a principle when they've seen such carnage from Brexit. I suspect that Independence is quite a way off for the foreseeable future.

[@trevordaviesable]

It's the principle dear boy! Even if the Scots are worse off in the short term, they will rejoin the EU and beat the English financially.

[@doreenhollywood7459]

@@trevordaviesable True, we have all the resources we need to be a successful country. We have plenty of fresh water, unlike england, we have windpower generating electricity, some of which we supply to england, we have oil and gas. England trades some of our products to the rest of the world under uk. We will be INDEPENDENT

[@kathyanderson4342]

Necessarily brief romp through the background of the debate. And as a History teacher, somewhat specialising in Scottish and British history, I could wax lyrical on the slights, betrayals; real, imagined and conjured: on both sides. But when I vote for an independent Scotland it will be on the basis of the future, not the past, which can never be diminished or taken away, for good or ill. And I absolutely want to live in a country that embraces all who visit or want to stay. I want to live in a country where a person's actions define who they are, rather than what is assumed because of their race, gender, religion, football team (!) or any other, arbitrary designation. Thirty years ago, that equality was at least aspired to in Great Britain. I'm sad to say I don't see it now. Am I hopelessly idealistic or naive? Maybe. Probably. But I will take that everyday over the divisiveness that the majority of the UK media seemingly indulges in. And if it means, ironically, dividing the UK to pursue such basic tenets as valuing all in society? I'll walk that path. Frankly, the evidence in favour of independence for Scotland since 2016 (and even before) is pretty compelling, but even if it wasn't, decisions based on fear are unsustainable. I look forward to the day that the Saltire flies alongside every other UN member, with all the privileges and responsibilities that acknowledged nationhood brings.

[@thecaledonian7643]

Excellent comment honestly

[@addermoth]

"I look forward to the day that the Saltire flies alongside every other UN member, with all the privileges and responsibilities that acknowledged nationhood brings." Well said. I look forward to that day to.

[@Saffy-yr8vo]

You’re not naive, it’s the future. If we don’t keep voting for the main Independence party we will be subsumed by the extreme right wing policies of Farage and Co. It’s happening already. Whether or not back into EU for Scotland, we have to break from the UK. The tories have stamped on their own and a revolution from the pro brexit duped underclass might be all England has to save its own neck.

[@moribundmurdoch]

If the SNP is in charge of Scotland as an independent country - Scotland would probably slowly become Cuba. But, yes Scotland should become an independent country.

[@anthonyscarborough3813]

The SNP are not communists. To infer they are feeds into the same bullshit right wing lies aimed at people like Bernie Sanders.

[@moribundmurdoch]

@@anthonyscarborough3813 With central banks and top-down currency planning, social democrats (whether in the form of a conservative, or progressive) vitiate economies & societies. Their fatal conceit is to think they can legislate morality and economic policies for all competing psychographic groups.

[@moribundmurdoch]

Through central bank control and currency planning from above, social democrats (whether conservatives or progressives) vitiate economies and societies. A fatal flaw in their thinking is the belief that they can legislate morality and economic policies for all the competing psychographic groups.

[@ryancasey7577]

Us English are also mis represented by those in Westminster.... Every single one of those in Westminster care only for themselves and how to bulk up their pockets. England, Wales, Scotland and NI need a change. We need a complete reshuffle and people who actually represent us all

[@4Usuality]

Not even 52% of Scots wanted representation??? and that was NOT EVEN A THIRD of all voting able Scots? Wow This that is new info to me, good information mate.

[@sgtbrett1974]

He explained why - The referendum required a supermajority.

[@NewPaulActs17]

representation? you mean independence?

[@andreasbredahl1736]

It was almost 2 thirds…

[@raymondporter2094]

Scotland already has representation in the Westminster Parliament and has more Members of Parlaiment than, strictly, its population would suggest is appropriate - some of the constituencies have really tiny populations yet they still have one Westminster MP. Scotland also has its own Parliament which sits in Edinburgh, and control over education, health and transport issues. So, to that extent, it has representation. The population of Scotland is about the same at that of Yorkshire, is less than Lancashire and massively less than London (London also voted to Remain in the EU, like Scotland but, because it is part of the UK, it is stuck with the result voted for by the majority in the country as a whole). There might be a number of issues if Scottish independence were to happen. 1. What if areas like the Orkneys or Shetland were to want to stay within the UK? Shetland, in particular, with its oil and fishing areas, might possibly prefer to have a navy to protect it. 2. Areas like the lowlands (Berwickshire, towns like Kelso, Peeebles, Galashiels, Hawick, Annan etc) have economies veery closely linked to England which lies directly to their south; people living near Berwick are likely to do major shopping expeditions in Newccastle and Gateshead on Tyneside rather than go up to Edinburgh, just as people near Annan, Dumfries etc are likely to do similar large shops in Carlisle at least as much as going up to Glasgow/Clydeside. 3. If Scotland were to be independent from the rest of the UK, I imagine it would be impossible for rUK to have its navy ships built in Scotland (I imagine contracts will be awarded to Barrow in Furness or to Portsmouth, as no Defence Minister or local MP could be expected to export jobs to the detriment of the people who might vote in rUK elections). There would be a loss of skilled jobs to Scotland and a loss of the ancillary jobs tied to them, therefore damaging the local economy. 4. If Scotland were to rejoin the EU: - There would inevitably have to be a "hard border" at Berwick/Carlisle. - As a percentage of its economy Scotland does a much higher percentage of its trade with the rest of the UK than rUK ever did of its eceonomy with the EU. England alone (being more than 10 times the population of Scotland and even more than that in terms of the size of its economy) is the biggest export destination and importer of Scottish goods. - If Scotland were independent there would be a massive exodus of companies, especially financial businesses. By way of example, when the Royal Bank of Scotland came to the brink of collapse in 2008, the Scottish economy could not possibly have saved it (the Bank of England and the UK Treasury came to its rescue) as the RBS liabilities dwarfed the total Scottish economy. - What currency would a newly-independent Scotland use before it was able to join the EU and embrace the Euro? Who would "back" that currency? What about people who already hold mortgages in pounds Sterling? If they used the £, Scotland would be in the position of using a currency without having any say in financial decisions that might effect the value of that currency because, of course, those decisions would be taken in London. - If they were to join the EU, what conditions would the EU make for that rejoining? The size of Scottish Budget deficits? Contributions to the EU budgets? - How big a voice would Scotland have in the EU? Obviously in the recent past we have a Scots Prime Minister (Gordon Brown), a Scots educated PM (Tony Blair) and many high-ranking UK cabinet ministers and holders of the significant UK Offices of State. I suspect there will be a long wait before any such senior positions in Brussels are held by Scots. Does this represent the view of a bitter Englishman? NO, surprisingly, though I do hear many voices saying that "if they want to go, let's just get shot of them and save money!" I was born and live in Yorkshire yet my family were all born in Wales. My wife, and all or her family were born in Scotland and she is the only one whose permanent home is outside Scotland. We visit regularly her sister and brother in law in the North West Highlands (twice so far this year and it would be more than than that, but for health reasons). I love Scotland as part of the UK and where I visit, people find Edinburgh as remote and "out of touch" as Westminster is. Maybe SOME influential people in the Central Belt think that Independence would be the answer to all their problems but that would be the start of so many other problems and issues. The UK has been the most successful political and economic union the world has seen so far, and has lasted centuries so concern that a decade or two of problems is only the blink of an eye. When it's broken, you won't be able to repair it.... so leave it be. -

[@atthesink]

@@redred7289 was that the one they counted the dead as votes against?

[@peasy1874]

Decent video mate👍🏼Alwsys a bit trepidation watching these as you fear they’ll be really one sided. Nice and balanced 👍🏼

[@jacquijensen9948]

Well might be well balanced but not well evidenced. No consideration fir the well of energy resources in Scotland, the exponential grown in off shore wi d farm technology, hydro plants. Currently Scotland supplies sizeable amounts of English energy, England is short of water and is keen to get it from Scotland and wales, this would be at a price. The nuclear ports and trident in Scotland, may require a 10 year rental period from Scotland. This won’t be inexpensive either. I can see why English parliaments don’t want it, it will be hugely financially impactful. Rejoining EU may be expensive but all the above funding will assist, there is a €20bn accession fund, some of it could help us; but the pay off for Scot’s will be huge, we are surrounded by EU countries and we have strong historic trading links with Nordic countries. So gaps in the film I would say

[@Saffy-yr8vo]

No, it’s not. But then again, I’m Scottish.

When i was growing up i thought the world is coming closer together. But now as a grownup i come to realize the world is more getting dividend. I also see globally thought of countryizm that isn't beneficial to all of us. Thus the conclusion is mankind isn't grownup enough (if ever).

[@addermoth]

We were united when in the EU, now us Scots have been forced out of that by the English. Many of us would rather have a union with Europe as opposed to England. Scots are generally a progressive bunch and we seek to leave the UK, not to flag wave and look inwards, but to determine our own future and build relationships with friends who respect us. We are not respected by Westminster. We wish the power to look outwards and rejoin and as you say 'come together' with old friends.

[@tenniskinsella7768]

But Scotland is part of great Britain it's a bit different from other countries wantingvto be independent we are one island. Indontbagreevwith independence for Scotland at all

[@tenniskinsella7768]

@@addermoth don't mind UK.governmemt giving y money though we are great Britain and should stay that way

[@shashimenon1000]

Well researched. Maybe a couple of misses (NHS?). But so much food for thought. England pretending to be a 'benevolent dictator' is unfortunately today, in a rut of its own. Only a general election can create a new and possibly consistant point of view that matches UK's current reality and global status. All the best.

[@HunterPanoch]

I've spent 4 months studying this pretty extensively IN Scotland so this was an interesting addition to my reccomendations

[@Leo-hwru]

It feels like the EU was the duck tape holding the UK together. But the uk Conservative Party government also looks like they need to be kicked out for causing all of this mess.

[@didierlemoine6771]

Ireland does it very well so will Scotland :)

[@PS-ru2ov]

no they will not

[@lordbonney9779]

Ireland has a good economy, Scotland has the largest deficit economy in Europe. If Scotland was apart of the EU then the union would have to fund the Scots entirely… something they don’t want to do 😢

[@scotthendry6298]

​@lordbonney9779 your talking pish and your no bonney😂😂

[@Dryhten1801]

Alexa pull up Dublin House prices

[@Abra-rf5yt]

The pro-socialist body politic in Scotland make it impossible to see a success there the way it happened in Ireland. Oil in the North Sea is not enough to compensate because the oil era is coming to an end.

[@jimwalker5412]

I'm English, if the Scots want to leave, good luck to them, either way we can't go wrong.

[@franciscruickshank8794]

AND REMOVE YOUR 4 NUCLEAR SUBS ,ONLY ONE ON PATROL AS OTHER 3 ON MANTENANCE ,ALSO YOUR STOCKS OF NUCLEAR WARHEADS AND NUCLEAR WASTE BEING DUMPED IN SCOTLAND ! ALBA GU BRATH

[@vkgraphics]

Can someone explain to me, why rUK would suddenly stop trading with an independent Scotland. If they want our goods, they will still buy them, as the alternative is to go further afield, pay more, wait longer, and get a lesser product.

[@amandarichardson9836]

What is rUK?

[@pastlesandfish]

As an independence-supporting Scot, I only care about convincing people who live here. People in England can have opinions all they want but ultimately, it doesn't concern them. It concerns people who live here in Scotland, regardless of where they originally came from.

[@updistant]

Yawn, well please ensure the door is closed firmly behind you when you go. Whilst wishing you well 'afore ye go', have to admit I can't wait to watch the Circus unfold once you have to fund for your own social services and economy. Come on Nicola rouse those moronic England haters to swap the freedom from the UK for the freedom of Brussels.

[@pastlesandfish]

@@updistant Aww there's always a bitter wee southerner like you isn't there? It's cute. Just wait until you don't have access to Scotland's tax revenues, oil, clean water, electricity, exports and other natural and strategic military resources. Thanks for the well wishes!

[@pcvn214]

That's rubbish both parliaments had a say in the union both parliaments should have a say in breaking it. Since we vote for MPs in parliament then it is our business

[@pastlesandfish]

@@pcvn214 Why should it be any of your business if you live in England? It has nothing to do with you except you wanting to lord it over everyone else. The empire is over, mate. Get with the programme.

[@pcvn214]

@@pastlesandfish because it was both that decided to join it should be both decide if they break. Personally I don't give a toss I just find it interesting that it has turn the Scottish into a bunch of whiners

[@veemcg3682]

Not a bit. I'm in Northern Ireland and I don't give a toss if we stay as part of the union or join eire or fly solo as long as everybody can live in harmony and peace.

[@johnathanx]

People will never live in harmony and peace. Never have, never will.

[@familiecole]

Anyone struggling to comprehend the border between England and Scotland need look no further than the urban area surrounding the city of Basel, Switzeland where the border with Europe is a rather seamless series of criss-crossing roads, verges and grass banks etc. Whereever there is a political will, there is a political way...

[@colinyoungs2610]

That's because Switzerland is in Schengen, the passage of people is unrestricted.

[@DFMSelfprotection]

WRONG! A hard border would be put in place... this has been pointed out ad nauseam.

[@familiecole]

@@DFMSelfprotection The Romans were the last to try and build a hard border between Scotland and England. Irish independence from England led to the Common Travel Arrangement (CTA) and Scottish independence will lead to the same arrangement. The idea that England and Scotland will spend millions on a border when the alternative of a CTA is staring them in the face is ridiculous.

[@PGHEngineer]

​​@@familiecoleAre you sure about that? The CTA only benefitted Ireland and has been of no benefit to the English at all. I don't think England will make that mistake again. And where would the border be? At Scotlands traditional boundary or north of the pro-Union border counties? Scottish independence is dependent on the idea that the English hate the Scots, but somehow the English will blow smoke up your backsides when you leave, and that furthermore we will continue to do so for generations.

[@jakkuwolfinsomnia8058]

I prefer to see the end of the UK knowing we gave Scotland their wish than this chaotic disagreement we have now

[@RobGordon35]

Scotland should leave the Uk. I think theyre tired of being ignored and lied to. They also havent voted Conservative in Scotland since 1956.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

If a momentum builds behind Scotland and/or Northern Ireland leaving the UK, that momentum would cause the whole of the UK to gravitate towards Britain joining the EU. Timeline? 10-15 years.

[@paulwild3676]

Which would only serve England, as it has a 2 and a half trillion pound economy. London, The South East and The North West, all have bigger economies than Scotland.

[@NotoriousEKB]

@@paulwild3676 How's that economy going to function without all the resources? Your 'natural' only industry is banking.

[@paulwild3676]

@@NotoriousEKB You have a point.

[@tonyves]

In your dreams. We are sovereign, it's in our dna.

[@MattB-st6ky]

It'd be nice to just get a final answer to the never-ending question. If Scotland lost another vote (which is unlikely) would it be the final nail in the coffin for independance or would the SNP just continue pushing with a different argument?

[@kyzantia8884]

Obviously the SNP would keep pushing, they just want the power

[@MDP1702]

Currently the argument is that brexit completely changed the field considering a lot of Scotts might have voted no in 2014 to remain in the EU. If the vote would lose again now, the chance for another referendum within the next 15-20 years after is unlikely, unless there again is such a sudden shift in the landscape, which seems pretty unlikely.

[@NewPaulActs17]

it's an age old question going back to the roman era. answered for a century or 3 one way, then the tide turns for another century

[@alexpotts6520]

It will never stop. The independence debate is officially going on forever. It will never be finally decided who has won the independence debate.

[@sambryce321]

As long as people vote for a party who’s manifesto states they will peruse independence, there will be movements from the Scottish government to become independent.

[@jordan-kj1bh]

If Scotland left the uk I’d move to Scotland

[@doreenhollywood7459]

You will be very welcome. We have many neighbours who have moved here from england for a better life

[@nmdale78]

I'm leaving Scotland next year. An independent Scotland would become a scary place. Totally dominated by a sociopolitical groupthink that doesn't brook disagreement well. I have a team here of Engineers. All bar two are working exclusively on English jobs, including HS2. No British market no jobs, bye bye team.

[@doreenhollywood7459]

@@nmdale78 If we don't get INDEPENDENCE, I will be leaving too and going to live in France Germany or Spain. I am at heart, Scottish European, but never british

[@nmdale78]

@@doreenhollywood7459 the independence mindset is weird. You ARE a child of Britain. Your ancestors presumably have been here for hundreds of years and helped create Britain. Yet you somehow identify with a culture (as tho there's only one) that we've only been tangentially related to for 40years and usually only when visiting for holidays, that presumably your parents had little to no input in forming and which you personally, presumably, have had no intimate experience of or responsibility for funding and shaping. What does it even mean to be Scottish and European and not British...it is a practical impossibility. Many of the democratic institutions of the EU were pushed for by Britain as well as the declaration of human rights etc. and GB was a key balance in the EU for four decades. Anyone who is Scottish is intrinsically British, it is not as though most Scots (and the stats prove this) have a significantly different perspective or value system from the wider UK. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Shetland have been particular beneficiaries of being members of GB and have shaped the union in a disproportionate way. Like Scots generally, who've had disproportionate influence on the politics and direction of the UK...how many Yorkshire folk can you name who were PM or educated in Yorkshire, tho it has a similar population size? I was in a pub in Edinburgh at the weekend a bunch of guys from the Netherlands were there having been on a golfing holiday. They were enjoying some food and watching the F1 and having a great time. One came over to me and my kids and said how they loved the place, loved Edinburgh and how this was a distinctively British thing...the best place in the world he said (I think referring to Edinburgh) I thought it a little OTT but maybe, he was just happy and had a few. His experience tho was of a holiday environment. In those times the grass is always very green on the other side. I get the instinct for greater democratic accountability and local decision making and I would like to see a more federalised system here...but that is directly in contradiction with the centralising urge of the SNP and to some extent the other two. Politically France is far more centralised than the UK and power resides almost exclusively in Paris, surely this is a democratic system you'd be appalled by? And an independent Scotland in the EU would have significantly less influence with such a small population than it does in the wider UK. Scotland would have to accept the Euro on joining (there are no opt outs now) losing nearly all say in monetary policy. In terms of influence and sovereignty I don't see how Scotland can improve on the influential position it already enjoys. Economically I don't see how creating a border with the wider UK would benefit especially since the EU has always been a smallish fraction of Scottish trade. Socially Scots already have more in common with the wider UK than people admit and more than say.. Bavaria or Pomarania. This is why I find it weird. If people argued from a purist, position noting a loss of influence but greater autonomy ok. But arguments like I'm Scottish and European just don't make sense to me because it seems like a complete fiction based on a grass is always greener on the other side mentality. You obviously have the right to believe this and agitate for it..but do you think other EU countries would be as accommodating of such an indepdence movement as the wider UK, I think we can see the answer to that in current affairs and history. So, you want to embrace a system that is far less disposed to the political landscape you want than the one you already reside in? When was the last time the EU devolved powers...it can't. A responsibility once ceded to the EU cannot be returned. So how does this compare to a political system which devolved governmental responsibilities and tax raising powers to Scotland and would certainly give more if pressed.... Just asking. As I say I get the urge for greater autonomy just not the independence movement as it's portrayed, which seems to me inherently self contradictory and grounded in the fiction of Brave heart more than reality.

[@MinkieWinkle]

No you would not, if you wanted to leave. you would have done so already. while you are free to live anywhere in the UK, why wait for them to leave? why not now?? huh? as trying trying to move to Scotland after they leave will be harder, as you lose your right to live there which is defaulted to you are a UK citizen, Scotland leaves that right is then ONLY for the remaining UK not Scotland as well you know full well you would not leave.

[@robertheywood2553]

As an English man I am fully in support of Scotland going their own way. I don't see it as Scotland leaving the UK. I see it as England getting her freedom. The English would never be given the opportunity of a referendum on this matter

[@lexibroadbent1467]

As an English person, I want independence never mind Scotland we don’t need them .

[@scotthendry6298]

Are you sure 😂😂 who's oil money you gonna steal who's natural resources you going to use

[@lexibroadbent1467]

@@scotthendry6298 funny how you couldn’t decide to phrase this as “England steals from Scotland England is bad Rawr” or “please don’t leave us to economic turmoil 🥺”

[@ekohfashis2962]

Scotland will let you have independence in a heartbeat dear England.

[@lexibroadbent1467]

@@ekohfashis2962 it’s not me, it’s you

[@CliveAdlam-yn8uz]

Not so, didn't you have a vote. Im up for it.British Government will save millions in dole money .​@@ekohfashis2962

[@eddyrapide]

Good video! As to the economic prospects of an independent Scotland, however, I would seek out more opinions than a single paper by the Centre for Economic Performance. On the CEP's website they mention their various funders, and the list includes departments of the UK government (and even the US government). I'm not saying that the CEP is hopelessly biased or that its conclusions are wrong, but it does appear to be pretty much an organism of the British establishment. Here, I would look for information from various sources including some more independent economists.

[@VisualiseTheFun]

My jaw dropped when I found out that the turd that is the Scottish parliament building cost nearly HALF A BILLION POUNDS

[@williampatterson3683]

And I remember when Donald Dewar ( the father of the parliament) said it would only cost £20 million - a bit like the ferry fiasco and many, many more SNP financial disasters.

[@SteamboatWilley]

It was big news at the time.

[@weaponizedknight7316]

It makes sense for one island to be a country, being broken up after 300 years is strange

[@ruairidhlloyd282]

The most interesting part of the video was last part looking at the effects of independence. You could also look at how the popularity of devolution and independence varies within each part of Scotland Highland Vs Lowland Vs Isles as well as the ethnic support for Independence between Scots and Gaels.

[@DKA10]

i believe that a Federal UK is the solution. all four nations to have their own government with the federal gov controlling defence, international relations, etc. it will give every country the max amount of devolution while also maintaining the relationship between them all.

[@ruairidhlloyd282]

@@DKA10 That is an interesting proposal but honestly I don't think that would solve the underlying cause of Scottish nationalism which is malaise in my opinion.

[@terryhoath1983]

The big problem for the SNP is what I call "The West Virginia Question". The American Civil War was sparked by the State Government of Virginia, frightened that the Northern states may vote to abolish slavery for everyone, seceded from the Union. Leaders of many counties in the North and West of Virginia called an impromptu congress, declared the "State of West Virginia" and promptly rejoined the Union. A vote for an independent Scotland could result in parts of Scotland doing a West Virginia or something similar. If the SNP claim the right to secede from the UK, they can hardly complain when bits of it secede from Scotland. I give you Dumfries and Galloway and the old "Borders" region which may vote to stay within RumpUK. The people of the Shetlands and Orkneys may do the same, (inducements could be offered by Westminster that Edinburgh could not match) or Shetland may see its' destiny with Norway ..... or both of them may declare themselves independent becoming little Dubais in their own right. For the SNP, Orkney and Shetland are their biggest headache. "Where has all the oil gone brothers ?"

[@oscarosullivan4513]

Refusing to recognise that Northern Ireland will most likely want Reunification with the Republic of Ireland.

[@ruairidhlloyd282]

@@terryhoath1983 it's a good point you make only issue is that Virginia wasn't the first state to secede from the union and therefore didn't 'spark' the American civil war. I agree that while Dumfries and Galloway and the borders don't want independence, I think they also aren't passionate about the union enough to also secede from Scotland. If one looks at the percentage of people in the UK who would fight for their country it's less comparatively than citizens of Ireland and Romania. Even if Scotland voted for independence if the UK gov cared enough to refuse (like in Spain with Catalonia) Scottish people wouldn't rise up to fight for independence. Life currently is too comfortable to risk dying for independence. If the people were radicalised in the coming months then they might do it but if the UK gov just says no then nothing will happen.

[@yoyohehe2034]

I hope you understand that if Scotland leaves it will trigger a domino effecf and N. Ireland will evenutually merge with R. Ireland, which would most likely force Wales to seek independence as well. Perhaps not immediatelly but in the long term complete breakup of UK would be inevitable.

[@DorchaEagla]

Here as someone from northern ireland and most my friends and family identify irish as oppose British even they don't want to join with Republic. Plus you know to vote to hold a referendum the politicians of Stormont would have to get their fingers out their hole and turn on the lights and assemble

[@technomad9071]

That's what this English boy is afraid of

[@Purwapada]

@@technomad9071 no it would be a blessing to be rid of these money sucking celtic countries. Good bloody riddance

[@mew11two]

I doubt Wales would ever become independent from the UK/England. Northern Ireland leaving the UK, however, is probably an inevitability with or without Scottish independence, Scottish independence would just kickstart it sooner.

[@robertryan6782]

'I hope you understand that if Scotland leaves it will trigger a domino effecf and N. Ireland will evenutually merge with R. Ireland, which would most likely force Wales to seek independence as well. Perhaps not immediatelly but in the long term complete breakup of UK would be inevitable.' - England would deserve it for ignoring and disrespecting the rest of the UK for so long.

[@craigmacdonald8003]

The UK was able to leave the EU on it's own, without permission from Brussels. Yet, there is no way for Scotland to leave the UK unless England allows. Can't blame the Scots for being frustrated.

[@Azog150]

It's not "If England allows", because there is no body representing England. England was completely subsumed by the Union as a political entity. So was Scotland, up until it was granted it's own Parliament in 1997. There is no English Parliament. There is no leader of England. There is only the British Parliament and the British Prime Minister.

[@JustTheDabster]

You can't say that Scotland will be less well defended as an independent nation. While this may be a potential risk, you don't know what arrangements (eg alliances) will be put in place once Scotland becomes independent.

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

Scotland would have to join NATO, it can't realistically fund their own military on the level they currently have. They would either have to be neutral like Ireland or join NATO and be aligned with England. A possible solution would be leaving England in charge of the military of Scotland so everything stays the same, they just pay their share of the budget although i can't see that happening

[@sykessaul123]

@@mrcaboosevg6089 NATO would definitely be the way to go. No REAL change in who manages it until a plan was put forward on who would keep what and who (There are already Scottish army regiments separate to rUK regiments but generally RAF and RN aren't split that cleanly.) Until the point where that was negotiated, it would essentially function exactly the same. Only difference would be if the UK tried to enter into an offensive war (i.e. Afghan, Iraq, Iran, etc.), at that point there would have to be either a split or a very tactful deployment of troops.

[@jono_cc2258]

@@mrcaboosevg6089 I think one of the counter points would be that if Scotland was to join NATO it would be spending more than 12 current NATO members so whilst not a huge amount of money (~£3.8Bil) it would be more than enough for a military which could make a focused contribution as is done by many smaller members of the alliance. For some context spending would be similar to that of Portugal or the Czech Republic, the wonders of pooling resources and not having every piece of equipment being bespoke goes a long way.

[@thisismyhandel]

​@@sykessaul123if England funds virtually everything and Scotland is the one who wants to leave then surely it isn't a question of who gets what?

[@TheSulzer27]

@@mrcaboosevg6089 Scotland would not need to join NATO, a country cannot be forced to join. As for defence spending, the level of spending would be for the elected Government to decide but as a disproportionately smaller amount of the current UK defence budget is spent in Scotland compared to the revenue taken from Scotland it is in fact possible for Scotland to set a lower defence budget but benefit more with independence. Basically all of your armed forced would be based at home and therefore the tax (income from wages and VAT from spending) would come to Scotland rather than London. In the white paper ahead of the 2014 referendum the figures were very roughly £1bn less in defence spending (as allocated by the UK against Scotland) would see similar levels of actual spending (but within the nation rather than across the UK) and subsequently increase the tax revenue.

[@macflod]

As someone from Scotland i can say this is probably the best most un biased video on the subject i have seen. Laid out the history and motivations behind independence movement well. Mentions a point, the issues and possible solutions and what that could mean. Not many videos like this on the topic and definitely not like this in the media.

[@lizardkid666]

And to this i

[@davidjennings1256]

I disagree…also living in Scotland. The reason for the Union of parliaments in the 18th century is of vital importance. The EU was not the main reason people voted ’No’ last time - that is just one further example of SNP propaganda in this video. The 2014 vote was so divisive…going through that again should only be a once in a generation event. We need stability…the exact opposite of what the SNP want!

[@macflod]

@@davidjennings1256 🤷

[@gabrieldomocos7570]

What everyone forgets is that King James also said "No take-backsies" when he united the crowns sooooo...

[@LordOfLight]

Sooooo.....what?

[@matteodotdpsatgmaildotcom2451]

Like some words from a long dead royal fart have any relevance today

[@shig4238]

I think that London centric parliament benefits only London, totally understand why the Scots want independence. Parliament should be broken up and distributed around the country

[@ewandmunro]

Irrelevant.

[@ewandmunro]

@@shig4238 Nope. If the UK is to survive, parliament needs to be relocated to Thurso.

[@Liendoelcm]

Frank, honest and to the point. Well presented.

[@seanmcilvenie9097]

As a Scotsman living in Wales (better than SNP) Scotland would never do well outside Britain.

[@alynwillams4297]

You mean the uk? And yes they would

[@seanmcilvenie9097]

@@alynwillams4297 with a good Welsh name like that.

[@paulpiacentini]

Excellent presentation. Well condensed to the bone and marrow of the gripe. Personally, I lean towards independence - with England, Wales and all of Ireland as our absolute best friends! I have no time for anti-English antagonism. They're our friends and closest neighbours. My independence has a warm feeling of cooperation and sharing. Where we get to make our own perochial errors and celebrate our wee triumphs - but come together for the big things. Simples.

[@nickmonks9563]

This. Leaving the Union does not have to mean the end of good relations. It just means self-determination. Yes, there are a lot of complicated legal issues to deal with, but just like any two nations, accords can be reached. Look at what has mostly been a very positive relationship between the U.S. and Canada for their modern history.

[@80PercentScottish]

It will end good relations though. You can view it through rose tinted glasses all you want but just look at the relationship the EU has with the UK as an example of how it will turn out.

[@nickmonks9563]

@@80PercentScottish Pah. Look at it through pragmatic glasses. Forget the emotional side of it. Economically and culturally it's a benefit to both nations to keep things cordial and functional.

[@80PercentScottish]

@@nickmonks9563 good luck with that.

[@yellowbelly2855]

I wish all independence supporters had this mind set mate, but unfortunately most of it is based on hate. I've seen one comment on here that someone wishes London and the south to be nuked and the amount of likes its got is staggering.

[@lolzlolz69]

They can break away if they want. So long as they understand they will have to fund everything themselves.

[@brendenmcmillan8937]

Happily

[@syki939]

You mentioned Trident but didn't mention that a lot of Scots don't actually support nuclear weapons and have been opposed to the program for years

[@mickd5895]

They would never move the Nuclear base on the Clyde as they don't want to move it anywhere in England and Wales is still too close to London.

[@leonrussell9607]

Why? Nukes are handy

[@mentalhazr]

@@mickd5895 Yeah not like we build our sub reactors in Barrow, have plenty of nuclear power stations or silos around England. No we want them next to Glasgow. The safest, most regulated form of energy, with our biggest deterrent which would be heavily defended is better off next to Glasgow. Fuck having anything Nuclear next to London with all its regulation and security. I want coal so I can get irradiated with the black stuff, not good old clean uranium that sits in a boat surrounded by the best shielding on offer that is water. That would be stupid.

[@conscienceaginBlackadder]

it's all left wing peer pressure, and carries an awful lot less weight after Ukraine happened

[@FozzQuaker]

What I don't get, Scottish MPs can vote on English matters in Westminster, but English MPs can't vote on Scottish Matters, not sure of it is the same for Wales and Northern Ireland though. Sturgeon and her merry band of Nationalists go on about Fairness, Where's the fairness when it comes to MPs votes. It doesn't matter with Sturgeon, she will keep banging on and wanting a referendum till she gets what she wants, what part of once in a lifetime did she struggle to comprehend in 2014

[@tnickknight]

Time for Freedom, and Scotland to rejoin it's fellow Northern Europeean countries 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@technomad9071]

Yes

[@tenniskinsella7768]

Nick I don't understand y. We are great Britain the UK. Whybdo y think y will be better independent don't believe all the SNP tell y

[@technomad9071]

@@tenniskinsella7768 you voted to leave now be alone

[@tnickknight]

@@tenniskinsella7768 No it's a dictatorship, and Scotland will do far better not attached to a vile neighbour. Go make England great again on your own. bye

[@viqq7934]

With the SNP so heavily focused on trying to get a second referedum which has been declined by the SC, Nicola is going for a de-facto approach in the next general election, I'm all for an Independant Scotland however there are other issues which would need to be discussed before a referendum takes place, will Scotland have the proper measures in place to mint a new currency if it's no longer able to use the pound, will there be enough funding for NHS Scotland to stay afloat, the recieved debt from leaving the UK etc.

[@viqq7934]

There are hundreds of issues that need to be taken care of before it decides on being independant.

[@Pyxlean]

The de-facto approach isn't gonna work either. Even if the SNP wins only on the issue of independence, that doesn't mean independence for Scotland. It will be a political fiasco between Westminster and Holyrood. If the people of Scotland want independence, they need to protest or even revolt. There's simply no other way.

[@ryandavid8247]

If only each Scottish constituency stood 2 candidates at the next election; 1 candidate that's pro-independance (SNP) and another that is unionist (labour, Tories, lib dems). Let's see how many seats the SNP would win then, since for the last few elections, the combined unionist vote has been the majority for nearly all constituencies.

[@lindabastable3021]

The answers to all your questions is 'Yes'. We are as prepared as 6 years of refining our strategies can make us. I say 6 years, because brexit supercharged efforts. The moment the result was announced is the moment the disUnited Kingdom was born. From that moment on we were leaving the 'union'.

[@Vialli100.]

@@lindabastable3021 Brexit was a vote for the UK as a whole, not individual parts of the UK... Everyone knew that, just some can't seem to understand.. If England had voted out and the rest in, and it had tipped for in the EU the result would have stood, and nutter Sturgeon would still be spouting the same rubbish..

[@amyhhughes5584]

Regardless of how anyone perceives it, it would be in Scotland's own best interests to do so, in the long run.

[@zig_ziggy]

I have both Scottish and English DNA, as many in England and Scotland. The calls for independence cite supposed economic advantages, but few recognise that Scotland relies on billions of £ support from London. Further, as Scotland's largest trading partner, the EU, if Scotland were accepted as member, which is unlikely, would enforce a hard border and EU tariffs on Scottish products going out and UK products arriving. Additionally, the closure of UK military and manufacturing bases would leave tens of thousands of Scots unemployed. It's fine to be all emotional and fuzzy about independence, but that ignore the bleak future it offers.

[@BrunoRegno]

If I was a Scottsman i'd say: "bochd is tràill, no bochd agus saor? neo-eisimeileachd a-nis!" 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@LS0135]

Sin e dìreach!

[@Big_Gaz_1]

If you were a "Scottsman"???? whit's that then????

[@rue2229]

Fuckin wild lad man I forgot Gaelic is still used

[@BrunoRegno]

@@rue2229 my point exactly.

[@tonyves]

Or: if I were a Scotsman I'd Google "Scots Gaelic" so I could pretend to a history I don't have.

[@cambs0181]

So now that we are out of the EU, crossing borders has become more complicated, both as a tourist and in trade. However, with an independent Scotland we won't need to even have a passport to cross the border and they will re-join the EU. So why is the rule going to be different for Scotland?

[@geroutathat]

Because the EU can make exceptions. Like northern irish can move back and forth, and even people from the republic can get to England with no custom checks really. It would likely be checks put on Scotland, like passport check (they would have to do that anyway like Ireland does) and declaration forms for goods. So a plane from Scotland would land, and the scottish people would get their passport out and pass through the EU channel, any English on it would have to go over to the non Eu channel, and declaration forms would be checked on the goods, but they wouldnt have to search them too much.

[@jerseygryphon]

The Common Travel area has always included non-EU areas (even when the UK was in the EU, the three Crown Dependencies were not), but only applies to people, not to goods. The SNP assume that that sea borders will remain unchanged (they will be redrawn in accordance with International rules, not internal administrative ones), they are not guaranteed to remain in the sterling area (administered by the Bank of England in London), that they can rejoin the EU the day after (Spain is likely to make it difficult as they have their own secessionists and new members). If the SNP felt that independence was a certainty, they could probably hold a referendum: 1. Should Scotland leave the UK as a completely independent country with a custom border with the UK, its own currency and outside the EU for the foreseeable future? 2. Should an independent Scotland seek to join the EU, subject to the EU's requirement that they join the Euro (once they have met its requirements) and Schengen (leaving the Common Travel Area) which applies to all new members?

[@blackoak4978]

The UK should really try to learn something from the Canadian system of government. While it wouldn't fit perfectly without modification, the way the different levels of government work would alleviate a lot of issues. In the UK the national government takes on the responsibilities that in Canada are divided between the federal and provincial governments. With the federal government dealing with national issues and provincial governments responsible for issue specific to their province. Given the nature of the United Kingdoms, it seems that each Kingdom should have it's own autonomous government for internal matters, while a smaller council of representatives from each should be responsible for national issues

[@nicholascuevas7447]

This is what happens in Scotland they have their own parliament along with wales and Northern Ireland

[@d.ag.b1135]

Almost like a...United States of Britain?

[@Futurus_YT]

@@d.ag.b1135 😂

[@davidioanhedges]

Except Canada does not have one province that is 10x more populous than all the others, if it did that would run Canada ...

[@markavons8834]

Basically because a significant number of people in southern England want as few politicians and as small a government as possible.Remember Maggie thatchers speech about rolling back the frontiers of state. And in England at least the majority of the electorate (apart from London and the NW) oppose regional government

[@terryjacob8169]

There a lot to be said in favour of Scotland being independent from an English viewpoint, mainly that the English would no longer be lumbered with subsidising Scottish government spending under the Barnett Formula.

[@taintabird23]

Yes, but the English lack the confidence to stand on their own two feet, admit they are nation and leave the right union.

[@kethughes8266]

@@taintabird23 Pure speculation however we know the Scots lacked the confidence now they are being offered a choice between two unions uniref anyone.

[@mappingshaman5280]

The thing is Scottish people should really take everything nicola sturgeon says on what an independent Scotland would look like with a grain of salt. Of course she'll say that there'll still be free movement because she knows nobody in Scotland does not want free movement, but the reality is that that requires the agreement of Westminster whom particularly may disapprove if Scotland is successful in rejoining the EU.

[@anglebars6084]

That’s the issue with most, there’s forecasts and such but it’s impossible to say as the uk government won’t comment on such things. People often forget to mention that if scotland received a share of the debt then they receive a share of the military alongside other assets. This is often bypassed by many people.

[@angussoutter7824]

You need the nuke subs more than we do

[@trevordaviesable]

That's your opinion and only that. The fact is that majority in Scotland want indépendance and if denied by the duplicitous English then they should stop doffing to the laird and fight the bastards

[@chriswarr3676]

@@angussoutter7824 it wouldn't matter, even if England gets nuked, Scotland would be fucked too. People forget that nukes are hundreds of times more powerful than what was dropped on Japan. And hydrogen bombs are even worse. So either way, Scotland would be caught in the cross hairs.

[@noelpucarua2843]

There is no salt left. All the salt was taken when Scotland was promised it could stay in the EU if it remained in the UK.

[@mrtuber3491]

Scotland chose to United with England when they were heavily in debt.

[@Big_Gaz_1]

and look where it got Scotland.....Even deeper in debt!

[@ewandmunro]

Wrong. Scottish nobles (i.e. the tories of the times) were skint and sold the entire country for some cash and some land. The people were not offered any say and showed their displeasure with a series of riots at the time. The nation of Scotland was solvent even though the nobility were broke.

[@bobbygardiner6840]

Scotland cannot borrow. Therefore Scotland has no debt.

[@tomjayel6390]

And, let's not forget, under a naval blockade by england to prevent it trading with its traditional partners. Aberdeen was part of the Hanseatic league; along the moray coast where I live there are so called 'smuggler's' houses that belonged to the blockade runners.

[@atari947]

Yeah, back when the nation state wasn't really a thing

[@louiemead6493]

suggestions below on which topic you think we should cover next time. 162 can canzuk still work and would nato change to 30 members to 34 members if Scotland independent

[@andrewrobinson2565]

The UK has military bases in Cyprus, so why couldn't a truncated UK have a submarine base in Scotland?

[@duke0102]

I believe they should allow a vote to leave BUT if they leave then they leave the pound sterling and all benefits the UK provides. All or nothing.

[@zoe-janesutherland4359]

Well, given that being associated with UK is clearly detrimental to Scotland, I'll quite happily use the Euro if we rejoin the EU.

[@thatonelocalauthority2809]

@@zoe-janesutherland4359 except you won’t be able to, and that’s as of now, let alone if you left the Union.

[@thatonelocalauthority2809]

Nevertheless I agree with the OP, if Scotland want independence, sure, but they should leave permanently, and have all UK benefits dropped immediately. I think NI might try the same thing, or wales. Oh well I guess, back just just being English.

[@theconqueringram5295]

So, Scotland is kind of between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, there is a huge asymmetry when it comes to voting. The England's population vastly outnumbers Scotland's, so if England wants something Scotland will have to accept it. On the other hand, there are real benefits with being in union with England (and Wales and Northern Ireland), so if they leave they'll experience a different set of difficult issues.

[@mappingshaman5280]

"If England wants something Scotland will have to accept it." Thats really only true for A: international policy B: domestic policy that only directly affects England and C: national elections. England can't vote away Scotlands tax payer funded university tuitions. If English mps wanted a vote on tax payer funded universities, Scottish mps could vote for it and play a part in imposing that policy on England and Wales, but the reverse is impossible.

[@theuglykwan]

We have devolution so we control a lot already. Scotland is not a monolith so why say "Scotland" wants x? There's going to be people in Scotland on both sides of an issue. One thing that could help would be electoral reform so the UK government isn't a plurality of the popular vote.

[@bam-skater]

@@mappingshaman5280 No they can't, 'English vote for English Laws' stopped that in 2015......and the SNP had a policy of not voting on England only matters anyway....do keep up!

[@Psyk60]

@@bam-skater EVEL was abandoned last year. Plus even when it was being used, non-English MPs still got to vote on English-only legislation in the final stages. English MPs could essentially veto legislation, but if they approved it, it would go to the whole house to be voted on.

[@paulc9139]

The question is , could we get independence from Scotland and or Wales

[@FuneFox]

I wonder what people said about Irish independence at the time. Before independence most of Ireland's trade was with the UK, which is an argument I hear against Scotland leaving too.

[@alynwillams4297]

Ironically before Irish independence the mostly likely country to go independent at the time was actually Wales. As the Unions were very powerful and wales had a lot of resources like Coal, Steel,slate etc unfortunately nothing ever came of it as WW1 broke out.

[@weebanny]

Ask the average Scot if they feel safer and "protected" by having nuclear submarines in their waters. I would be very surprised to hear a yes

[@briangrogan2553]

Independence from England is celebrated 65 times around the globe each year. Let's make it 66!

[@octavianpopescu4776]

In a way... there are more than 65. My country (Romania) proclaimed its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1877. You know who objected to it, besides the Ottomans? London. In fact London said we were part of the Ottoman Empire and they could cross the Danube as they saw fit. We were never part of the Ottoman Empire (we were vassals of the Ottomans and were under their suzerainty, but we were never under direct Ottoman administration)... but tell that to London. I'm sure there are other cases of countries where London objected to their independence even if they weren't a part of the British Empire.

[@technomad9071]

Yea

[@04nbod]

Independence from Britain. Lots of Scots made a lot of money in the Empire

[@briangrogan2553]

@@04nbod England still runs the show. Wales are their little bitches. Scottish supporters of the crown are collaborators no different than the Black and Tans.

[@thebombplayer2986]

Yeah no, scotland leaving the uk, would mean nothing to england, it'd just be bad for scotland, they lose everything and gain little, they lose a UNSC veto, nuclear sheild, not apart of NATO, economy would be so weak it'd be smaller than hong kongs, no armed forces, no legal system, no head of state (unless they keep the monarch, in which case, making them independent does nothing)

[@Tay12345]

Let’s all remember the reason the Union happened in the first place, Scotland was struggling after financial ruin and loss of life in panama after a failed colonial empire. In 1707 this was a good decision for them to take.

[@robertharrison1058]

Scotland was sold out by its nobles your full of crap it's was the upper class all to save themselves they sold Scotland to England and the people never got a say on the matter Edinburgh almost got burnt to the ground in 1707 because of the upper class so the English better wacth out for there lot as they are ripping England to pieces no wonder it's a shithole heavy in debt and dragging everyone else down with them Scotland has a choice go down with dead England or take a chance solo.