Think of this Mr. Salmond and all those Yes voters

[Ivan Cloherty]

Are we in the UK going mad, this morning Cornish Fishermen are demanding independence from the UK because they want to negotiate their own fishing rights and be independent from the UK and EU, what have these people been drinking, I thought moonshine was banned. You may think this is a joke, but they are deadly serious and have already got UK govt grants to promote the Cornish language, which of course will be essential for global negotiations. Gawd give me strength.

[John Arton]

It is almost impossible to find the true facts and figures regarding Scotlands income from North Sea Oil and its reserves.
Sepending on whether you take so called Official Government statistics that revenue from North Sea Oil accounts for only 20% of Scotland's Income or the statistics quoted in a certain Scottish newspaper that claims that revenue from North Sea Oil would basically cover all of Scotland's required income and still leave an independent Scotland with a surplus.
Scotlands share of the 170 billion national debt is something in the region of 62 billion which mr. Salmond is proposing to walk away from.
Teflon Tony and his Scottish Chancellor of the Exchequer, the good Scot Mr. Brown, managed to alter the sea border between Scotland and England from Berwick upon Tweed to Carnoustie, resulting in some 6000 sq. miles of North Sea being given to the Crown Estates according to one Scottish Newspaper which means that should independence occur then income from any oil fields in those areas will go to England.
The one true fact about North Sea oil, irrespective of its present income, is that revenues from it are declining and despite there being arguments over its reserves, getting to those reserves is getting more and more costly leaving even less income and also, sooner or later, depending upon who you believe, the oil will run out sometime within the next 100 years. So when it does, will an independent Scotland be able to support itself in the manner that which the SNP proposes it to be with its income coming from Scotlands Industrial and personal taxation alone. This income will have to support not only the health, education and social welfare of an independent Scotland but also its border controls, defence, its share of the EU budget should it decide to join the EU along with the myriad costs of running a country such as a civil service, a parliament, a banking system {already in deep doo-doo} etc. etc.
If the yes votes prevail then Scotland may see a short term boost in wealth for its people but further down the line it would most likely decline into a poor nation which regrets ever voting yes. By this time though the economies of the rest of the U.K. will have adjusted their selves to an Independent Scotland and be doing O.K. for themselves. So if Scotland were to ask if they could re-join the Union the answer would be a resounding NO.
Along with the currency question, if as the SNP say they will walk away from their share of the National debt, what sort of government system are they going to have? Are they going to have a Presidency or are they going to ask to join the Commonwealth, are they going to keep the Queen as head of State, are they going to compensate the Queen for taking away from her all the Crown Estates that lie in Scotland and finally.
ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS ETC. AND THE REFEREMDUM IS BEING PUT TO YOU BY POLITICIANS, and who can trust a politician whatever their party, so think very carefully. The old adage of if it isn't broke why fix it, holds good.
I have no strong views either way. A Scotland independent MAY affect me personally in some ways but I can live with that, my problem being that as said, when can you trust a politician to tell you the truth.
rgds
JA

[Keith Tindell]

I could not care less what they vote, independence or union, my observation is if they renege on their debts to the rest of us, i should think that the chances of them being accepted into the EU, or any organisation would be zilch. That would class them as completely untrustworthy, and very hard to do business with worldwide. KT

[gray_marian]

#33, My thoughts entirely Keith. I think very few in the business world would be prepared to deal with a man who is known to renege on a debt. Used to be a handshake was as good as your word.

#31,As for Northern Ireland, Wales [Northeners?] and now Cornwall wishing an Independence I can understand their point of view. Growing up in the 70's I was aware then that England ie London ruled the roost these last 300 years. I have never had a problem with that per se as it's the largest country and to me made sense. However on hindsight there was/is a grumbling discontentment which I feel should have been addressed way back then. I had the impression London really didn't give a fig about the rest of us and their lies/lay their downfall. They of course realise now and have gone some way to make amends. I sincerely hope we have a "NO" result. I would be loath to leave my wee country, I'm lucky I have a choice of where to live, heaven help the rest if stuck with Mr Salmond who I think will be overthrown at the first available opportunity I think that's his main concern. Simplistic view I know but mine all the same

#30, Cappy you can drink what ever your hearts desire but it will be a bottle of Scotlands finest that I'll provide whether Sandy responds or not.

[Ivan Cloherty]

#and now Cornwall wishing an Independence I can understand their point of view.

Marian they would have to sell an awful lot of pasties to have any economy at all, they haven't got much else, but are trying to re-open some tin mines, so the futures looking good!!

[gray_marian]

#35, I did not say how they could fund themselves Ivan!! I merely stated I understood their wish. Something a few it would appear have a problem comprehending.

I would imagine tourism may play a large part now that their fishing industry is gone. Add that to their delicious pasties and re opened tin mines and whatever else they have to try and sustain themselves. Is that why folk down south are panicking about this whole shebang of Independence on the peripheral of the UK that there will be less for middle England....surely not.

[cappy]

#33, My thoughts entirely Keith. I think very few in the business world would be prepared to deal with a man who is known to renege on a debt. Used to be a handshake was as good as your word.

#31,As for Northern Ireland, Wales [Northeners?] and now Cornwall wishing an Independence I can understand their point of view. Growing up in the 70's I was aware then that England ie London ruled the roost these last 300 years. I have never had a problem with that per se as it's the largest country and to me made sense. However on hindsight there was/is a grumbling discontentment which I feel should have been addressed way back then. I had the impression London really didn't give a fig about the rest of us and their lies/lay their downfall. They of course realise now and have gone some way to make amends. I sincerely hope we have a "NO" result. I would be loath to leave my wee country, I'm lucky I have a choice of where to live, heaven help the rest if stuck with Mr Salmond who I think will be overthrown at the first available opportunity I think that's his main concern. Simplistic view I know but mine all the same

#30, Cappy you can drink what ever your hearts desire but it will be a bottle of Scotlands finest that I'll provide whether Sandy responds or not.

.......marion your too kind your offer is too much ....my bet was to ask him to put his money were his mouth is .......your very kind but manners make me say no thank you ...but i hope for your sake scotland stays in the union .....as for myself .....it matters not regards cappy

[Ivan Cloherty]

Nay Lass, tink buuts on't tother foot, without middle England the peripherals would still be ploughin wiv orses and digging wiv shuvels, in't auld days middle england weren't known as black country fer nowt, it's still known as t'black country but fer difrent reasons, but money's still abaat there. I tink them thar periferals will find that wi'out silly buggers in't middle they'll soon be back te orses and plows, and ooh arhs wilt be back to chewin them corn pipes and sad pipes wilt be blowin in't eather

[Captain Kong]

Re: Independence for Cornwall and Scotland,
How about Home Rule for Liverpool,
or The Caliphate of Bolton is tan, to be an independent nation, we have our own language, of the Khyber, our own dress designs, our own shops and businesses, more mo sks than churches,
We are Many, You are Few. so we should be a Slam ic state.
OR
bring back the old independent Kindoms of ancient Britain,
Northumbria. who wants Lothian back into Northumbria, Lothian contains Edinburgh, Lothian was always English until 1122 when the King of England gave it to the Scottish King as a gift.
how about Wessex Essex all independent Kingdoms.
.
Now before the Scots start to whinge, including Wales too.
Just remember that, Scotland and Wales have there own Parliaments.
England does NOT have its own Parliament.
There are No English MPs in the Scottish or Welsh Assemblies.
BUT Many Scots and Welsh in the UK Parliament who vote on English affairs,.
So why are they complaining?????????????????? ANYONE????

Brian

[robpage]

If Cornwall were to drop out of the EU they would lose their PGI Status for Cornish Pasties , and anyone would be able to make them anywhere . that is half their income gone . Also can anyone explain why you can make a pasty in Cornwall with Polish Potatoes , Rumanian Swede and Irish Beef , in pastry made with Danish fats and canadian wheat and call it Cornish Pasty , then make one in Devon with Cornish Potatoes , Cornish Swede , Cornish Beef , cornish wheat and cornish lard and not be allowed to call it a Cornish pasty ?