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

[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.)