The West Lothian Question

I wish the Scots all the best of luck with independance, but it is their decision. It is surely a position which needs clarifying with a Referendum in Scotland so that it does not overshadow more important issues, but it is not an English and Welsh affair. The "West Lothian Question" is fascinating and a considerable cause of annoyance to those south of the border, and with a a devolved Pariament [with not complete autonomy] in Edinburgh it requires a solution. Essentially if Scottish politics diverge to a large degree from the politics England and Wales, then full independance for Scotland will become increasingly desirable.

But the actual decision is a completely Scottish affair, in my view.

ATB from Fredrik

Fredrik

You make it sound like the rest of the UK would be well shot of a problem. I'd like to see the next "rest of UK budget" without Scottish Oil tax revenues....and I say that as an "undecided" voter who worries about the leadership qualities of our elected politicians (of whatever persuasion) once you get past the very thin layer of Tier 1 protagonists like Salmond etc...

Cheers

Jim

Dear Jim,

I am all for self-determination. All for representation of a majority of voters in any administration. I am very keen to see Proportional Representation in use in UK as fast as it could be introduced properly.

But I don't think it would cripple Scotland or the rest of the UK if she regained full autonomy - not for one minute. I think we can all have doubts about the Political elite in UK, north or south of the border!

So please do not think I am in the camp of an English man [actually more Welsh than English and half Norwegian, hence the lack of a sense of humour!] wanting to part from Scotland. The West Lothian Question will build up anti-Scots feeling as I sugggested, especially as it is just about the only racism that the Red-top Boulevard Press will be able to use in the future, and a certain sector of English/Welsh [no one ever consults the NI population on this do they] opinion will be affected by it I am sure.

My view is that Scots independance is a completely Scottish question, but the West Lothian Question is certainly something to be debated thoughout the whole of the UK. If the politics converge there is no problem, but when they diverge the problem grows.

Kindest regards from Fredrik

Oh dear what a conundrum. The West Lothian question is a red herring as far as I can see. Scot's SHOULD NOT vote on English law. Dont like the Barnett formula, fine, lets find another way! This has been used successfully by the political elite as a rod to beat "the rebbelious Scots" (British national anthem verse 3) The Scottish parliament was always going to create a desire for greater self determination. My problem is that I dont believe that there are enough 'quality' parliamentarians in Scotland to sustain a progressive government through independance. Salmond beats on about his version of utopia just waiting round the corner with independance. As (or perhaps because) a Scot my initial assesement is one of sceptisism. My feeling is that Salmond is playing a rather insidious game of belitteling the English with comments like " We hope that the English will enjoy their independance" Do like the idea of getting trident and it's next generation of cash black hole out of Scotland. By the way Frederick I was speaking to Norwegian on Saturday evening. Extremely amusing lady. So I guess if a Norwegian can be humorous then Scotland should be able to govern itself. (just dont expect me to vote for it though). I just dont see the point. Instead of breaking away we should all be taking the B#%*!%)s to task over WAR, NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION, PENSION THEFT etc.

quote:

But the actual decision is a completely Scottish affair, in my view.

The West Lothian question itself demonstrates clearly that this is not the case. A parallel can be drawn with the separation of the Czecho-Slovak federation back in 1993. The Czechs wanted to be rid of their smaller and economically weaker sibling more so than the nationalist movement within Slovakia itself.

!4 years on and both countries seem to be doing fine as members of the enlarged EU. If Scotland on its own emerges as a basket case it will receive more funding from the EU as a whole and not just the English taxpayer.

As for oil reserves they should be divided up in accordance with the level of investment that went into the infrastructure and not simply where the pipelines reach the shore.

quote:

PENSION THEFT

Don't blame the English for that one. The blame surely lies with a dour Scot called Gordon.

I hope Scotland gets independence as I know a chap who swears he has the best claim on the Scottish crown and if he becomes the Scottish Monarch then HM will me make a Lord! Sadly I suspect he is a tad delusional.

Steve

quote:

As for oil reserves they should be divided up in accordance with the level of investment that went into the infrastructure and not simply where the pipelines reach the shore.

I think you need to think this through a bit....based on your suggestion how much of the revenue should go to Holland (Royal Dutch Shell), US (Mobil, Hess, Marathon, Conoco etc)....not too mention the multipicity of foreign owned companies who own part shares in the production fields.

BTW, it's not based on where the pipelines come ashore, it's based on the country that owns the seabed in those blocks.

Cheers

Jim

Dear Steve,

I wondered if anyone one would bring up the Czecho-Slovak example. But what that separation does indicate is how successful a division can be. I personally think it would be a good thing for both Scotland and the rest of UK to divide in a similar fashion, but that is as much to do with wanting Scotland's best interest as anything else on my part.

I hope that this is thoroughly and nicely publically debated in reality, without recourse to the baser elements of "Scots bashing" which appeals to "certain parts" of the Press and "some parts" of English Pubilc opinion. I have never come across a view from the Welsh or NI residents on this.

Kindest regards from Fredrik

Given that at the last General Election a majority of English votes went to the Tories, I would be quite happy for Scotland to declare independence and remove her MPs from Westminster. Scotland can then have a very happy life under Mr Salmond or Mr Brown.............Enjoy!

My point about divergent politics in a nutshell. I hinteds this above!

Thanks for making a point so clearly, I would probably have been attacked for!

ATB from Fredrik

I would much prefer the UK to stay intact, but if the Scots want to depart, it would serve Labour right for messing our constitution in many areas (House of Lords, devolution) if the result was to consign them to permanent opposition.

quote:

Originally posted by Jo Sharp:
I would much prefer the UK to stay intact, but if the Scots want to depart, it would serve Labour right for messing our constitution in many areas (House of Lords, devolution) if the result was to consign them to permanent opposition.

Talking of the House of Lords, can you imagine the state we would be in were it not for those gallant Ladies & Gentlemen consistantly rejecting the crass proposed legislation pumped out by this disgrace of a government we've had these past ten years ?

quote:

Don't blame the English for that one. The blame surely lies with a dour Scot called Gordon

Indeed I don't blame the English Steve. When I used the word WE earlier in the sentance I was talking the collective WE (British) and not being a small nation Scot. Now I'm off to vote