Without the oil, Scotland comes out pretty even with the UK average in terms of GDP, incomes, debt, etc. With the oil, they've got about a trillion dollars plus change worth of it left and they're getting about 60% of their own energy from the offshore wind turbines that they started building when it became apparent that the oil wouldn't last forever. The thing that tipped the balance in favor of remaining in the UK at the independence referendum was that they got to stay in the EU. Without that tie to the EU via being part of the UK, they're better off economically becoming independent and joining the EU in their own right. What do they have to offer the EU? A cheeky backdoor to trade with anyone in the rest of the world who wants access to the EU from a common law, educated, English speaking base. Basically like what Ireland is now. The same goes for Northern Ireland. With no EU access via the UK, they're better off reunifying with the rest of Ireland and staying in the EU that way.
"Remember this O.C." Yes, i was only a lad at the time. My Chief at the Bank was a Scot and he HATED the 'Sassenachs' with a passion i have never seen before or since. (Bit worried about the soldier in the first few seconds of the opening scene.) OC
I am proud and happy to live in the Edinburgh of the South , but bugger me if i can understand much of what Scots say. My great grand mother when she was speaking English or Gaelic it all sounded very very harsh to my poor ears. If IF Scotland decide to hold another referendum the results will be exactly the same as last time. Scotland will remain in the UK because you can not erase the history and people prefer familiarity over the unknown.
I'm hesitant to interrupt the baseless assertions/ethnic stereotypes/doomsday fear-mongering. However.....most of Ireland managed to "set forth" as an independant nation mid last century. We're just waiting on the six counties in the North, Scotland and Wales to grow up and do likewise. Like all developing children and nations, they'll get there when they get there - It's just a matter of time. Meanwhile, the "mainland" of England can stew in it's own smug misery as they slowly come to regret the raft of lost opportunities for current and future generations. As this muddle is slowly sorted through over the next two years, my only hope is that the pro-brexit fragments of britain (i.e. england) are treated with the isolation they so clearly want, as they continue to fade the "glories of empire" to a complete lack of relevance on the world stage.
Demographic wars in the media. This is Charmaine, she is a student in London. She doesn't want a bunch of old people making decisions for her future. This is Charmaine, she is a student in London. She wants a bunch of old people to fund her future.
Normally when you post a quote you usually cite the author. Sounds like something from Susan Boyle or Kanye, it has condescension of Kanye and the ignorance of Boyle. Which one is it?
Got me there. It is in fact a direct quote from a socio-economic analysis of the political fragmentation of Europe which can be heard if you listen carefully to the latest Boyle/West single (I dreamed a dream I was a gold digger) played backwards. On slow. With your head in a bucket of custard (only works if the custard is made with english eggs). Alernatively, I chose to share my own opinion. You tell me which it is (note: may require actual thinking)