Devolution in the UK?

Question

As a British person, I am a little concerned at the possible break up of the Union.

I completely understand the feelings of the Scottish electorate and appreciate that the Union was something that was forced on them and, therefore, welcome the chance for them to actually vote on this matter. I hope they will vote to stay in the UK, but would prefer a simple YES/NO vote rather than 'cherry picking' from the so called, devo-max option.

It is worth mentioning that this is simply not just a matter between Scotland and England, but will affect the people of Wales, Northern Ireland and England too. Perhaps they should also have a democratic chance to vote on this momentous matter and express their own views.

The history of The Union is long and varied and the Northern Irish, perhaps more so, than the Scottish, should be offered the chance of f reunification with The Republic, remaining in The Union or becoming independent? After all the vast majority of the protestants in Northern Ireland are of Scottish descent. If Alex Salmond is successful in creating an independent Scotland he will be divorcing himself from the Scottish Irish too.
This would leave Britain in the unenviable position of managing an area of of the UK who's fractious people are neither Welsh nor English, but who are biologically mainly Irish and Scottish!

Answer 1

First of all, it is perfectly reasonable to have a "simple YES/NO vote" and then have a second question. This was the format of the devolution referendum. If a large portion of the population favour more powers within a devolved set up, they should be allowed a chance to put that view across in a second question.



I certainly can't agree with your suggestion of puting the question of Scottish independence to the entire U.K. electorate. This completey goes against previous independence settlements. Do you realise that the Scots are outnumbered 10 to 1?

Answer 2

I think it should be a yes or no vote as well, but Salmond is a canny politician. I believe he will put three options on the ballot paper to try and get independence through by having the one with the highest percentage as the winner. Now let's say 40% of Scottish people want independence, they will all vote for Independence, the other 60% will either vote for the status quo or devo max, if that vote goes if either of these get between 30% and 39% of the votes then Scotland will end up with independence. I personally feel we are better as a United Kingdom, but I've about had enough of the Scots moaning and think it's about time we had our own referendum on whether we want them as part of the UK, a recent poll says that 70% of the English would like to split from Scotland, this evidently came as quite a shock to many of the Scots. So lets have a referendum in 2013 with a yes or no for keeping Scotland as part of the UK, this will save the Scots the trouble of having one themselves.

Answer 3

Northern Ireland is part of the Union as the rump of the former Kingdom of Ireland. They should be able to decide for themselves whether or not to hold their own referendum, just like the Welsh, or the Cornish, or the for that matter English.



I would much prefer a federation of equal nations in the British Isles, Northern Ireland, or perhaps a reunited Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands, rather than the centralist government in Westminster that we currently have.

Answer 4

This talk of a split is just about Scottish politicians getting themselves more power and money.The Scottish people are too canny to vote for Independence.The SNP only got power through a protest vote.

Answer 5

As an outsider, I find it odd that the same people who insist that Northern Ireland should be forced to become part of Ireland, seem to also insist that Scotland should be allowed to not be part of Britain.



As if reasoning based upon one island= one nation would be true for one, but not the other.

Answer 6

People like salmond just like stirring people up because it makes them look good.



The reality of the fact is that Scotland is already independant and it suits his interests for people to believe otherwise.

Answer 7

YAAY!! its about fookin time :L

Answer 8

as a white british citizen, you should be concerned with the disembowlment of the UK by muslims and your sh*tty parliament