Being internationally nosy

[dbskyler]

Hello flist! Question for you -- what are your thoughts on the upcoming Scottish referendum on independence? Just curious.

I'm especially interested in hearing from those of you in the UK, but others are welcome to chime in if you like.

Comments

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

If they choose to go, they choose to go - nothing the rest of us can do about it.

Personally, I am wondering why they didn't just go for a devolved assembly as the Welsh did a few years ago. Then again, the Scots have been agin us as much as for us during the last several centuries, so if they want to throw away the Union that was finally negotiated 307 years ago, it's their decision...

(I do get pissed off, though, when idiot news presenters or commentators call it an "Unprecedented move" - hello? Have you LOOKED at British history? Bloody ignoramuses!)

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Interesting, thanks! And yes, I know some British history, so I know what you mean about the ignoramuses.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

I asked a Scottish acquaintance about the Devolution thing - and it turns out that it's down to Idiot Features the PM (aka David Cameron) who refused to give them the option - because he knew they'd vote for it. I presume he thinks they'd be too scared to go for full independence. But I've a strong feeling he's misjudged just how pissed off the Scots are with the Parliament in London!

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

he's misjudged just how pissed off the Scots are with the Parliament in London!

Yes, it sure seems that way, even from way over here.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

*nods*

I'll be more surprised if they vote No, than if they vote Yes.

[aralias.livejournal.com]

i would be quite sad if they left - and i am a bit scared about the whole idea of what will become of 'great britain' without that bit at the top, particularly the bit that seems to vote liberal...

as massive as it seems though, and therefore in a way unimaginable, i sort of feel they may well do it. i dont think it's necessarily the wrong decision for scotland, though they'll be quite poor for a bit. but anyway - they may. and then where will we be?

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

i am a bit scared about the whole idea of what will become of 'great britain' without that bit at the top, particularly the bit that seems to vote liberal...

Yes, I can see how that would be scary. Is the balance of power likely to shift more to the Conservatives if Scotland leaves the UK? Is the Conservative party actually in favor of Scottish independence? (Here in the US, I can think of a lot of conservative politicians who would love to see certain liberal-voting states secede from the union.)

[aralias.livejournal.com]

i dont know enough to say really, but i think... they ARENT in favour of it. there was talk about when the election was scheduled, and cameron putting this off etc...

it probably would make things considerably easier in parliament, but suddenly they're only in charge of a small country and they would have to sort out all the business of scotland no longer being around, etc.

but that is just the opinion of someone who doesn't really kow what's going on.

[john_amend_all]

Its full name is the Conservative and Unionist party, so no, it isn't in favour of bits of the union being detached.

People have done the arithmetic and most elections in the last 40 years would have returned the same ruling party without Scotland. But separation could well mean that the 'centre ground' of politics ends up in different places on either side of the border.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks! Of course, if Scotland's votes didn't make a difference in Westminster, I can see how they're frustrated. (Well, assuming that they voted for a different party than the one that ended up winning.)

[john_amend_all]

I think it'll be a pity if they do decide to go, but there's nothing I can do about it.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Aw, great icon. : ) And yes, what about Doctor Who, with its Scottish showrunner and Scottish lead actor, working for the BBC? Let's talk about what's really important! ; )

I see how it would be a sad thing to experience if they vote yes. It's a very weird thing to contemplate, even from this side of the pond.

[john_amend_all]

Generally, when I see articles about it on American news sites, they're all in favour of it. [I suspect they're culturally disposed to favour declaring independence from the UK, for some trifling reason or other :-) ].

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Actually, I've seen hardly anything about it on American news. Our media is too busy talking about Joan Rivers. (Sadly, that is not a joke.)

I'm glad I have British friends on LJ that I can ask!

[primsong.livejournal.com]

It would be a bit sad, but at the same time there are a lot of things shifting and changing in the world right now, maybe it's time for a change here as well. I just hope it turns out better and not worse than people think it will.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Actually, in the grand scheme of things, it's amazing that a change this big could be so peaceful and democratic. That's kind of hopeful. I too hope it turns out well for everyone, no matter which way the vote goes.

[clocketpatch]

Sitting on the other side of the pond, I find the whole situation slightly unreal and weird - and this is despite the fact that I grew up along the Quebec border in the 90s.

Whatever happens, I wish everyone over there best of luck.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

A lot of parallels to Quebec. Well, except Quebec can't claim that they have no voice in national politics. It feels like that's a big driving factor here, perhaps even a bigger factor than Scottish nationalism.

[thisbluespirit]

I think, as aralias says, I don't have strong feelings about it - Scotland will make its choice and it'll be sad if it does go, but if it wants to, that's fair enough, I suppose, even if at this point, it seem rather silly in some ways. The scary thing is how much harder it will be for the remainder of the UK to get a non-Tory government back in power again afterwards. With the gov't we've got right now, that's genuinely frightening, so selfishly I really hope they vote no.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the information! The possible political effect on the rest of the UK does sound scary.