DEVOLUTION & SCOTLAND

19/10/2012

8 Comments

 
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DEVOLUTION  NO! INDEPENDENCE YES!

Scotland’s independence referendum: The Scottish National Party won the last election in Scotland. Now First Minister Alex Salmond and PM David Cameron have signed an agreement for a referendum on independence for Scotland.

Scotland ponders whether independence and separation are the same thing.

Please read the following articles and comment:
http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21564852-scotland-ponders-whether-independence-and-separation-are-same-thing/print

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19942638 
  
8 Comments
Julia Souza
22/10/2012 01:17:16 pm

The Scottish independence has been an issue for a very long time now, but this referendum does shed some light in the tunnel. Even though it will only happen in two years and the result may be to remain the status quo, it will allow for debates to occur and for the citizens to really ponder on what is best for them. The Unionists will defend to remain as a member of the United Kingdom, claiming that David Cameron is ready to give them greater independence within the UK. However, is it devolution that they want or complete independence? If it is independence, the Scottish must know it will have great impact on their culture, military, economy, and other areas. There is an even bigger question if they will be accepted as a new member of the European Union. Personally, I don’t think it is in Scotland’s best interest to completely leave the UK. Being connected to England has the benefits of a stabilized economy, a strong army and even an important ally that is a big foreign power. Independence right now seems more of an ideological illusion that does not seem practical and feasible. Alex Salmond, leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), will try to convince the voters to choose independence by talking about a “social union” between England and a newly independent Scotland. However, it will be hard to have England back up that promise seeing that Cameron will do everything in his power to maintain Scotland in the kingdom.

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Nilo Lisboa
24/10/2012 01:01:42 am

I believe that the Scottish state has a right to be independent, now more than ever. Scotland has very little power when placed in comparison to the UK central government, based in London, England. The resentment felt by Salmond and his allies in the Scottish National Party is most definitely understandable. Considering what the UK new devolutionary promises to convince the Scottish people to remain in the union, it becomes very advantageous for the SNP. These new measures are leading to even greater independence for Scotland. It will restructure the federalist UK government and Scotland will gain more monetary independence. The SNP can use this as an argument to say that the government understands that Scotland needs more freedom, but refuses to relinquish its power. This referendum has been a long time coming. Now, with a 2014-2015 date for the referendum top occur, the SNP hopes that the amount of new, young voters will help boost the separatist cause and surely, the unionists will be creating new obstacles for the SNP in order for the devolution to occur instead of a full independence. Either way, we will be seeing some great changes in the UK’s political structure wwithin the next 2-3 years.

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Andrea
24/10/2012 10:49:28 am

Scotland has always maintained its own laws, education system, and health service. Many of their laws are not applicable in England, and many of England’s laws are not applicable in Scotland. Scotland’s educational system has also been a strong differential between them and the UK; they continue to encourage all round education ensuring core elements. It can also be said that Scotland has maintained higher standards, compared with England, in the level of care, training and research and health service. Even with the dropping of supplies of oil and gas, Scotland can survive with the help of the European community. And, looking back, since 1998 the Scottish Parliament has proven to be capable of running Scottish affairs. Yes, there are also counter arguments that will say that there is no reason to gain independence given that they have a stabilized economy, and that all of the money Scotland has comes from the UK. They do not have a standing army which would be another reason to remain within the UK for overall defense. United Kingdom carries more say in the European and World politics than Scotland by itself.

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Gabriella Goldenstein
24/10/2012 10:07:28 pm

According to John Curtice, a psephologist at Strathclyde University, Scotland is divided into three groups, the first one wants independence, the second one is satisfied with being part of the UK and the third would like to remain part of the UK but also want Scotland to have more power. The leader of the Scottish National Party talks of a “social union” between england and Scotland (if independent). When signing the agreement for a referendum in Scotland, David Cameron called on the Scots who wish for more devolution to vote to remain party of the union. The government of the UK has responsibility over constitutional issues and needs to grant power to the Scottish Parliament to hold this referendum, which is nothing other than fair. The prime minister said: "I always wanted to show respect to the people of Scotland - they voted for a party that wanted to have a referendum, I've made that referendum possible and made sure that it is decisive, it is legal and it is fair. Now we've dealt with the process, we should get on with the real arguments, and I passionately believe Scotland will be better off in the United Kingdom but also, crucially, the United Kingdom will be better off with Scotland." If the Scottish people think they deserve independence, they might as well be granted it, since the UK is, above all, an example of democracy.

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Leonardo
25/10/2012 08:20:37 am

The Scotland independence has been an issue for a long time, and in 2014 it will probably come to a conclusion. The referendum agreed by David Cameron and Alex Salmond will be a mark on Scotland’s history, but its direction is still unknown. The country is divided between those who want independence and those who want the country the way it is. Swing voters also exists, in fact, about thirty percent of the Scottish people would prefer to stay in the union, but claim for more power for Scotland. Until the “big day”, the sides will impose a campaign in order to influence the decision of the population. For example, the SNP (Scottish National Party) will do their best on showing why independence is not that important. Independence sounds much stronger, and calls the nationalism of its citizens. However, considering the size and strength of the country, being part of the union is much safer, and the devolution may be a risk for the Scottish people.

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Liz Costa
25/10/2012 10:16:50 am

Should Scotland be independent or not? David Cameron has signed an agreement to hold a yes or no referendum in 2014. The Scottish are divided into three equally sized groups. The first groups wants independence, the second one wants the status quo and the third would like Scotland to have more power in the Union. This third group is the one that is to be persuade rather to vote against or in favor. The Scottish National Party has already begun their campaign trying to convince them with the idea that voting no would give the Scottish more power. The proposal would be of a social union between Britain and the newly independent Scotland for they like the queen, the currency and BBC. The Unionist are not exited about leaving Britain, they feel the powers would be too much for Scotland to handle, an unnecessary burden. The referendum us actually forcing both sides to come up with agreements and visions that match so to persuade the other third. The question now revolves on issue of identity, citizenship and flag.

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Tiago Fonseca
25/10/2012 10:50:01 am

The issue of Scotland becoming an independenthas been going on for quite some time, but I do not believe it should be an independent state. Sure that some people say that Scotland has the right to be independent, but I believe that they should let their pride aside before it destroys them. Becoming an independent state is not a wise decision, because they will Just become another Kosovo or Greece. It will have a bad economy, and then it will need other countries support to maintain itself. Their Best choice is to take David Cameron`s offer and receive some devolution of power. It is a much safer bet to stay with the union.

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Marina Oliveira
25/10/2012 11:42:30 am

Scotland’s future will be decided in a single yes/no question before the end of 2014. Just recently in the 15th of October the agreement for the referendum was signed by PM David Cameron and Scotland's SNP First Minister Alex Salmond. Scotland was capable of guaranteeing this vote through a mandate and campaigns have already begun. David Cameron has tried to convince the Scottish of remaining in the UK, by stating that he is ready to concede them more independence in the Union. This brings up the question of rather they wish to be independent or if they actually want devolution? The independence is defended by the Scottish National Party that believes in creating a “social union” between an independent Scotland and England. I believe that the even though it seems like a tempting idea to vote for Scottish independence I won't be in their best interest, since Britain has a more influential position in the world, with bigger military and economic stability. I also think that the young voters will give more support to the SNP by voting for independence. Despite the results though, there will be a shift in the relationship between Scotland and the UK, and I believe that the referendum will at least put to a rest to the lasting issue of the Scottish independence.

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