Re: Scotland's Opportunity Is Ireland's Opportunity

[AberdeenFC]

The poll you refer to I assume is the original devolution bill in the late seventies - The Scotland Act 1977.

The Westminster Gov't did change the rules. However, this was not a referendum on independence. Twenty, years later the gov't couldn't change the rules other than insisting on a 'yes/yes' vote for devolution to occur. An overwhelming majority voted 'Yes/Yes'. It has been with us ever since, with no going back.

The SNP leadership are too canny to allow a Westminster Gov't to hi jack a straight question referendum on independence. At the moment they are out foxing the Westminster Gov't at every turn.

I believe even if there was a No vote (I believe the yes vote will carry but who knows) in 2010 if the referendum occurs, Scotland will still achieve independence in the long term as demographic changes occur and relevance of the British state diminishes still further.

[L.O. Dublin S.C.]

The poll you refer to I assume is the original devolution bill in the late seventies - The Scotland Act 1977.

The Westminster Gov't did change the rules. However, this was not a referendum on independence. Twenty, years later the gov't couldn't change the rules other than insisting on a 'yes/yes' vote for devolution to occur. An overwhelming majority voted 'Yes/Yes'. It has been with us ever since, with no going back.

The SNP leadership are too canny to allow a Westminster Gov't to hi jack a straight question referendum on independence. At the moment they are out foxing the Westminster Gov't at every turn.

I believe even if there was a No vote (I believe the yes vote will carry but who knows) in 2010 if the referendum occurs, Scotland will still achieve independence in the long term as demographic changes occur and relevance of the British state diminishes still further.

What happends to the armed forces in this case and would they be part of NATO?

[AngusOg]

SNP policy is currently to have Scotland part of NATO and EU.

The armed forces would become a Scottish Defence force and fisheries/oil protection i.e. made up of proportion of RAF, Royal Navy and Scottish Regiments.

All this will have to be negotiated during the cessation process.

[AngusOg]

SNP policy states that Scotland would be part of NATO as well as EU.

Armed forces would be divied up out of proportinate parts of current British Armed forces as a Scottish Defence Force. i.e. Scottish Regiments of current British Army will become Scottish Army, and proportionate parts of Navy and RAF become fisheries and irg protection.

The subs will probably be sold to England/Wales/NI considering the non-nuclear leanings of SNP. I personally think Scotland should keep hold of them and lease lend them to England/Wales/NI.