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Andy Monaghan
Zeihan on Geopolitics
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Comments by "Andy Monaghan" (@229andymon) on "Zeihan on Geopolitics" channel.

@kethughes8266 "Had our chance? What - we only get one? Who made those rules? Let me guess.............
8
But you never wonder if being in the unequal, unfair, undemocratic and involuntary Brit union, run by a government we never vote for might actually be the cause of the problems rather than the solution? You dismiss the prospect of Scots running Scotland better than the current Tory Govt in London doing so "on our behalf"..? Really...?
7
@kethughes8266 If we "independently" choose to join the EU that is a proof of our independence, not proof of it's absence. If you want proof of it's absence look no further than the Brit union, where we are denied that choice. Now that is an independence void. As for representation - in 2015 Scotland returned all but 3 indy supporting MPs to Westminster. Did it get us independence? Nope. Did it get us anything Westminster didn't agree with - Nope. Pride - eh?
7
Scotland will be welcomed with open arms. Spain will not prevent that, as their Foreign minister made clear. Madrid's position is that Scotland has nothing to do with Spain. I just wish it had nothing to do with London, either.
5
@StarzzRio Sorry bud, but she wrecked the Scottish economy too - I remember, I was there.
5
@thelastcrow I support Scottish independence and want it scrapped too. So does the SNP. Are you aware the only people that support it are those that created it - British unionists?
4
@tonycrayford3893 I don't remember - maybe because that was over 3 centuries ago. I think we've done our time, don't you? 300 years being ruled by London - who were we in a past life - Genghiz Khan?
4
@kethughes8266 If a political party makes it known that a vote for it means a vote for one of their central policies, and assuming they encounter no substantial opposition to that policy, then it’s fair that they don’t require a separate vote on it. The only exception to that has been about Indy itself, which I agree with. It’s just a pity Westminster is denying democracy by blocking that referendum because they fear the decision of the Scottish people. So I don’t need to decide since I’m in accord and don’t agree with your view of a “domineering Brussels”. Compared to London it’ll be a breath of spring. But if enough people do demand a ref on it, then depending on the level of that we should possibly have one. Let’s face it, Brexit is about as popular as Athlete’s Foot up here, so who cares. Your “concern” for us is touching, if not convincing.
4
@limitlessLtd Really? Words every Soviet leader would agree with. I’m educated enough to have read history and found it replete with unions, federations and empires that are now in the dust where they belong. Unlamented by humanity for the most part. Britain has been fragmenting, diminishing and declining for generations, us leaving will be the last in a long line that have served marching order on London.
4
But is being in the Brit union making that better -or worse? Who should Scots trust to take their health seriously - an Edinburgh government or a London one? I'll take Edinburgh every time.
4
I have news for you. Once we achieve independence, which has absolutely FA to do with "Braveheart soundbites" and is instead a considered, serious political choice to leave the unfair, unequal, undemocratic and involuntary Brit union, Scotland will still be located exactly where it is now. If you love to go to Scotland, come to our new, revitalised and invigorated independent country after we cast off the dead hand of Westminster rule. Scotland will still welcome English tourists, believe me.
3
@dl4350 If that happened it would make absolutely zero difference to Scotland, same as if they doubled the present number. It’s a stone cold fact that UK politics is 100% determined by what England decides. Always has been.
3
@chrisgoblin4857 I agree. So what do you intend to do about it? It's for you living there to decide, not us Scots, same as what should happen in Scotland should be for us to decide, not the English, but my advice is to take the matter up with the people that are 100% to blame. Incidentally, they don't live north of you...!!
3
Appears you're about as clued up as Zeihan then....
3
@kethughes8266 I’m happy to let the EU decide who gets to join or not, and let’s see what Scotland’s position is post-UK. You don’t get to decide, that is clear. In any case, EU, EFTA, Single Market only etc, all beat the crap UK union hands down. Not your “ concern”, that’s all you need to think about.
3
@limitlessLtd Yes, you can. We will choose to join the EU (something we’re prevented from doing in the unequal and unfair UK union). We will be able to leave it if we choose. Choices - that’ll be a change for us up here. The membership conditions between the 2 union can’t fairly be compared. In the Brit union, Scotland can ban air rifles, in the EU we can ban nuclear weapons. You’re trying to compare apples with bicycles.
3
@wodens-hitman1552 Well if that happened we'd be the first of over 60 nations that have told Westminster to FO and never looked back. "let them have"...... Brit arrogance on stilts.
3
@Alfred5555 OK, but why should Scotland accept that we can't decide if we want another referendum or not? Why must we accept that Westminster can just say No? Who makes those rules - not us anyway...! Answer this question honestly - do you think it fair that Scots have to go through all of this palaver to make our own choices, and get them refused at Westminster's whim, when if it was England in the same situation, it would just do as it pleases, whenever it likes and for whatever reason it likes, without having to ask or consider anyone else? Is that fair?
2
This is a heap of tired, uber-biased, insulting, incorrect, unionist Brit propaganda spouted by a boring, non-intellectual American nationalist who’s inevitable viewpoint is 100% determined by what he thinks is best for America. I hope any sensible person, especially Scots, treat it as such and dismiss it as such. Since when does “common sense” tell you that it makes any sense whatsoever to outsource the running of Scotland to a bunch of Tory clowns in Westminster that couldn’t run a whelk stall (and that we last voted for in 1955) rather than have Scottish governance in Scotland, for Scotland and by Scots?
2
@sixfootbear And what, we only get one? Who says? The democratically elected Scottish government were mandated by the people of Scotland, through the democratic process, to tell the UK government we intend having another. The Brits refused. And we know why they refused too. In 2014 they went into Indyref1 70/30 up. Those are odds big brave Dave Cameron and Westminster could live with. But today it’s closer to 50/50. The Westminster cowards aren’t so keen on those odds.
2
The problem is Scotland can’t say bye bye coz it’s being prevented from doing so by Westminster. Why don’t you take your frustration out on them?
2
@CrusaderSports250 Note to self - write to the President of Denmark and urge him to ask the German President if Denmark can become a province of Germany ASAP. Also do the same for the Norwegians who made the crazy decision to leave their union with Sweden. The fact that these 2 countries are among the richest and most successful in the world, and far, far better off than us in "Sick man Britain" is obviously illusionary.
2
@noodlyappendage6729 Aye, that's why we're always voting for the Tories... (last time 1955). Scotland was a Labour fiefdom for generations before the centre-left SNP took over. But yeah, we're just like the Tory-worshipping English....
2
Scots creating and running Scotland in Scotland and for Scotland has no logic…? But leaving that instead with others to run our country for us does? On planet Zanussi perhaps? Well, we can look south to Westminster today and judge how that’s going I think…… That shower of clueless eegits couldn’t run a whelk stall my friend, if you reckon we couldn’t run our own country better than that you have a piss poor opinion of your fellow Scots.
2
@debbiegilmour6171 As importantly, the UK has already assumed responsibility for all of UK debt. Nice wee bargaining asset, eh?
2
@debbiegilmour6171 Yes, they had to if they want successor state status. Which means they can't just "assign" us a figure and expect us to blindly accept. For me the Scottish team need to open negotiations on a premise of we take no debt. Firstly, as should be patently obvious, any amount of Brit liabilities we take would have to matched by a similar undertaking on Brit assets as well. Let's insist the Brits get everything that can be counted in that regard on the table - in full display (the Brits will love that prospect). Then after agreeing what we're due in that regard we could perhaps offer stuff like; access to our fishing grounds, favourable renewable energy and fossil fuel deals, access to Brit military forces inc access to our Atlantic seaways etc etc. Let's also not forget that Scotland currently is one of rUKs biggest and best markets - we buy more from England than sell to it, so market hungry Brexit UK won't be so stupid as to want to P off a (very) good client.
2
@chrisy6707 Well, that and the Labour Party were desperate to try to hold back the rising support for independence. Labour have never been seriously interested in devolution, and still aren’t, unionism is as ingrained in them as it is for the Tories, albeit for slightly different reasons. At the time (I know, I was there) Labour didn’t seriously foresee an SNP Scotland, so were content to imagine Holyrood would continue being the glorified “Parish Council” dominated by Labour that Blair said he considered it to be. During Labour’s utterly mediocre 7 years in charge of Holyrood, their biggest boast was bringing in a smoking ban a year or so before the rest of UK. They never, at any time, considered any kind of challenge to Westminster, whether ruled by their own party - or the Tories. In other words, useless.
2
@chrisy6707 Donald Dewar was the most overrated politician in Scottish history. He was just a lucky Labour apparatchik that happened to be in the right place at the right time. What do you think would’ve happened if his bosses in London had told him they’d changed their mind about devo and wanted to reverse the Holyrood decision? Do you think he would’ve challenged them? Not a chance. He would’ve sold us down the river like all Labour people would. I pass his statue at the top of Buchanan St and feel sadness and frustration that he is honoured while a true Glasgow working class hero, John McLean, gets hardly a mention.
2
@chrisy6707 No I didn’t and I was even living in Edinburgh at the time. I have to confess at the time I considered it a bit of a “gesture” and didn’t rate it that much. I know better now and consider those that did the vigil to be worthy of huge respect. They did more for Scotland than any Labour deadhead ever did.
2
I stopped listening à while ago to this ignorant plonker pontificate his garbage about how the rest of the world apart from US and their puppets are on a highway to Hell. Now he’s an “expert” on my country. His Brit propaganda is so full of holes I could spit peas through it. Scotland is in a bad state because we’re in a dysfunctional, unfair, undemocratic and involuntary union with a right wing England run by Tories we last voted for in 1955. Scotland will “never get into the EU”….. what utter shite, we’ll be welcomed with open arms. This is something I’d never say about a people I normally admire apart from on a very few occasions - Yankee go home…!
2
Surrounded by fog - sort of sums this joker up.
2
@andrewwotherspoona5722 True - once you understand Zeihan's "line" on everything and anything (basically blindly pro-US) you don't need to listen to his rubbish. It's always just variations on the same theme. I only listened to this one coz he was trotting out his usual guff about my country. Basically he didn't fail to confirm my opinion of him with a tirade of tired Brit propaganda and his own highly biased and unfounded opinions,
2
@kethughes8266 And again, who, apart from Hollywood and you, decides how Scottish democracy will operate? Not us, apparently. Sorry, buddy, but WE decide what happens in Scotland. Fair - no?
2
@mitchsvideos True. There are huge differences between the 2 unions and the ramifications for each country to Scotland leaving the UK union. I'm often surprised by the abject ignorance of those that suggest there is no difference when even a cursory study would prove that to be nonsense.
2
Sure buddy, that would work. Think about it - Scotland votes to leave and and England says NO. So - given the fairness void that is the Brit union where it doesn't matter one iota what Scotland, Wales or N Ireland think - we are forced against our will to stay in the "United Kingdom". Yeah, there's sensible...! You didn't think that through, did you?
2
Nope, letting people unfit to run a bath that we last voted for in 1955 run our country for us is ridiculous.
2
Are you seriously unaware of the differences in the 2 unions as well as the ramifications of Brexit vs Scexit? Even a cursory study of them will reveal what nonsense you've just posted. You "love" Scotland - aye - a Scotland that knows it's place - shackled in this unfair, unequal, undemocratic and involuntary Brit union - whether we like that or not. We don't want "love" - we want the power to make our own decisions - that include whether we get to choose again whether we want to remain in this awful union. Who are you to tell us we can't do that?
2
@Kaiserbill99 "Expensive renewables" are now the cheapest form of energy on the planet. They're also pretty much the only form of energy the developed world are turning to to solve roasting us all to death. You appear to be a couple of decades or so off in your knowledge. Scotland will be able to develop our already very impressive green energy industry further, in fact we have around as much green energy in planning and construction as we have now with much more to come. England on the other hand, due to overcrowding, doesn't have the same opportunities and will be hungry for green energy suppliers. As for your nonsense on Scottish finances - Scotland isn't independent - yet, so the scenario you're describing reflects Scotland's position as an integral part of the UK economy which is run from London, not Edinburgh. So if you're seeing failure, it's Brit failure, not Scottish. Where are you getting your facts around what an independent Scottish government's finances will look like? I hope not from the GERS report, which does not provide that.
2
Well said. The irony is, if you can put up with listening to his tripe, you’ll find he’s just a right wing American zealot who’s far more “nationalist” than the vast majority of Scottish independence supporters. His ignorance of Scotland is only mirrored by his ignorance of UK politics.
2
That was my thought too, and I wouldn’t write it off. But it does follow his blinkered, right wing, US nationalist POV. He likes UK the (intact) UK poodle it is.
1
It was junk. This idiot doesn't understand my country at all.
1
@Bob-ts2tu Well, why don't we just agree to go our separate ways and you leave us to our white sausage and we leave you to your jellied eels? Why is Westminster forcing you to eat indescribable Scottish shite by blocking us having Indyref2? Why are they inflicting that misery on you poor English - well apart from bottling out of a contest they know they'll get their arses kicked, that is.... I feel for you - but there is a solution, buddy.....
1
@Bob-ts2tu And you don't think the same happens on the unionist side? That Scotland is often (in the hopelessly biased Brit media) portrayed as some kind of economic basket case full of druggies and benefits cheats happy to leach off an unaccountably generous and ever-patient England? I routinely see unionist propaganda that frankly is utter trash and I see it from social media right up to the BBC. I not only see propaganda trashing Scotland, but also propaganda praising Brit performance that is either BS or highly biased. In my view the UK economy is performing very poorly, mainly due to catastrophic Tory policies (Tories that Scots last voted for in 1955). However, there are stone cold facts we cannot help but concede. 1. Scottish economic performance is mostly determined by UK decisions not Scottish. The main levers of economic power controlling all of UK are in Westminster, not Holyrood. So it's ironic that Brit failure is somehow labelled as Scottish. Scotland performs badly in UK therefore Scotland will perform even worse outside (where we will make decisions that suit our own economy). Yeah, that's logical - Not. 2. Brexit is a complete disaster, and is ruining not just Scotland, but also UK. We did not choose that course - but, as usual, our votes were cancelled in the unfair, unequal Brit union. This is normal. In 2015 Scotland returned all but 3 MPs as independence supporting. Did that get us independence - No. What did it get us - absolutely nothing that Westminster didn't want to give. That is what being Scotland in the UK union means. All we want is a chance to decide, in the light of the changed circumstances we are in since 2014 (out the EU against our will) whether we want to remain in the union. Once we get that and vote to leave (as I'm confident we will) then we cease to become any issue or problem of yours. All we will ask for is good political relations and the best trading arrangement to suit both countries. It's just a pity Westminster is choosing to block democracy because they know they will lose that referendum. if you truly like Scotland, then try to like what's best for us, even if that is considered not good for UK.
1
@brianfoley4328 What a load of patronising Brit crap. Scotland will never look back once we cast off the dead hand of Westminster rule. I look south at the witless, corrupt, hopeless chimps tea party you call a Brit govt and genuinely cannot see how, even if we tried our hardest, we couldn’t run our country better than that. Have a look on the web (I can show you if you like) at the performance figures for UK over the last, say, 50 years. Look up global GDP per capita. You will find a picture of failure and decline. It’s now a matter of time before the ex-Soviet states start overtaking UK. We have no need of failed Brits running our country on our behalf.
1
I only read this because I noted he was pontificating about my country. He's a right-wing US nationalist and apologist. All that I could forgive - if his content was credible. But it isn't, all it is is a predictable and boring regurgitation of skewed and dodgy stats and opinion pieces that equal US and it's allies good, everyone else - bad. He's a typical right wing zealot with US tunnel vision - nothing worth bothering over.
1
Load of Brit propaganda bollocks and waaaay off the mark. Go do some real research, Peter - from Glasgow.
1
UK should pay Ireland to take N Ireland (following such a decision). After all, it was them that caused the shit in the first place. A schedule of declining subsidies over perhaps a 20 year period should be paid to Ireland as reparations for the damage caused to that poor island by Brit bullying and imperialism.
1
@Joanna-il2ur Tell Sinn Fein that (largest party north and south of the border) And who's fault is it if it is a basket case? Not the Irish people's for sure. Ireland will take NI, especially if reparations are given. It is their land after all.
1
@TheThundertaker So when can we expect the North Koreans to be marching up Grafton Street? Ask yourself which country is most likely to invade Ireland, if you want to play pub politics and assume such an insane thing that is.... The answer is UK, coz if there ever was a serious threat of an invasion of Ireland, such an event would trigger the UK invades first. The same is true for Scotland. But that's just crazy nonsense of course borne out of a Brit military adventurist mindset.
1
And have you never questioned whether the continuing failure that Scotland is represented as by this clown might actually be caused by the shit union we Scots endure? Did we decide to Brexit? We have no proof of the effect of indy, but we do have proof of the effect of London rule. To me that spells a need for radical change. Look my friend - I don't see in you a "Scotland downer" like many unionists, but let me assure you I am very confident Scots will run our country far, far better than London ever will. We are a competent people and we have a good, sound economy backed by natural resources and a skilled workforce. Let's face it, beating UK rule is hardly a high bar, is it?
1
I’ve been watching the Indy debate, as an Indy supporter, unfold for decades. Let me give you a small cast iron fact about that debate. Anytime you see that movie mentioned, it’s a Brit unionist that started it. You lot are obsessed with it.
1
Scotland is the same size as Denmark. I don’t see the rich, clever Danes wanting to be run by their huge neighbour (bigger and richer than UK) to their south anytime soon, do you? Small nations are usually better off than big ones in Europe. In fact none of the 60 odd nations that have booted the Brits out have any interest whatsoever in rejoining the embrace of Mother England. I wonder why, what with all these “advantages”, eh?
1
@noodlyappendage6729 That’s one way to put it. Another way is that Brave Dave Cameron fancied his chances going into the Indyref1 campaign with a 70/30% lead in the polls. He almost blew it as the independence vote increased by 50% Today, up against a more even fight, the craven Brits are preferring to run away instead, hiding behind pathetic excuses and political chicanery to disguise their fear of the decision of the Scottish people. We’re ready for indyref2 anytime the Brits decide to grow a pair.
1
@noodlyappendage6729 The Scots are being given no choice as to whether they're Brits or not - coz your undemocratic, cowardly Brit govt is pathetically running away from Indyref2. I dare you to answer this question - directly, honestly and completely, with no attempts to dodge or change the subject or otherwise avoid answering.... Here we go... Highly unlikely as it is (since they have no need of one) if an English independence party found itself with the same level of support/MPs in England that the SNP has in Scotland, nothing whatsoever could stop that party just establishing an independent England, whenever it likes, for whatever reason it likes. Scotland on the other hand is faced with all this Brit BS to even get a referendum. Is that fair?
1
We want your nuke WMDs out..! As for the rest of the Brit sweeties tossed to us - are you aware we buy more from England than it buys from us? I expect market hungry Brexit UK will be very keen to keep a good client. Those declining export figures aren’t going to fix themselves, eh?
1
Yeah? Well, in 2015 Scotland returned all but 3 MPs supporting Scottish independence. The 3 unionist parties were left with ONE each. In a functioning democracy you just don’t get a bigger majority. Did this wonderful Westminster representation you are so impressed about get us independence? No, let me tell you what it got us - sweet FA, buddy. That’s what being Scotland in the shit Brit union really means.
1
You are obviously a stranger to the independence debate. All unionists ever do is tell us what an economic basket case we would be without handouts from the south of England. Oddly, they never question whether the union might actually be the cause of the problem. It rests on us Scots basically being incapable of running our own country successfully. Compelling, eh? Especially when we look south and watch the Tory Westminster chimps tea party run UK into the ground.
1
If Scotland is wrecked, who is to blame? The Parliament that has the most power, or that with the least? Here’s a wee suggestion - maybe it’s those idiotic Tory crooks that clearly couldn’t run a whelk stall in Westminster busy running my country into the gutter? Oh and incidentally - Tories we last voted for in 1955 (another of those “union dividends”)
1
Translation - as bad a heap of shit as his heaps of shit get....
1
@Scotttyist Firstly, I don't accept Zeihan's biased, overly negative and incorrect account of my country and our economy. His is the same BS we see from Brit unionists. In his case though his motivation is to see the USs Brit puppet stay united. So - far from being considered "undesirable" by the EU, I think they will welcome us with open arms and try to ensure our entry is as easy and quick as possible - why wouldn't they? Secondly, it's not a question of people, it's a question of politics. The Scots and English people get along fine, it's only in politics and the nature of what it means for Scotland to be in the crap Brit union that is the issue. The reality of UK politics is that England utterly dominates UK to the point where it outvotes the rest of us several times over. Thus in 2015 when all but 3 Scottish MPs were SNP, that incredible majority and support enabled us to get exactly nothing that Westminster didn't want to give. Another example came with Brexit - 62% of Scots wanted to stay and were completely cancelled by 51% of (mainly) English that wanted to leave, result - we left. Yet another - Scots last voted Tory in 1955, yet we get inflicted with Tory governments time and time again coz the English love them. But - my personal favourite is in the situation where, while we are being forcibly prevented from even getting a new choice on whether we want to remain in their union, if an English independence party were to get anything like the same support as the SNP has - it could simply take England out the union without even having to ask anyone. We are a capable, resourceful people with a sound economy and well able to run our country, for our people, and I believe far, far better than any Westminster govt (we never vote for) will ever do "on our behalf". I truly believe Scotland will never look back once we cast off the dead hand of Westminster rule.
1
UK is enduring a tsunami of scandals, sleaze, sex, rank corruption, incompetence, lying, cheating, stealing, infighting etc etc etc. So the union is a busted flush for sure then eh?
1
You don’t maybe think being in the unfair, unequal, undemocratic and involuntary Brit union being misrun by a bunch of incompetent Tory clowns we never vote for may have a tad to do with that? You’re ruling out Scots running our own country might, you know, improve things? I mean looking south right now doesn’t make you think “ where do I sign”, does it?
1
No, because it has an ethos of inclusivity and would welcome a pro—European nation with the richest fishing grounds in Europe, the EUs largest oil and gas reserves, an abundance of renewable energy and a massive North Atlantic coast ( to name but a few reasons). Try to not think Brit.
1
@sixfootbear Nope, wrong again. The Spanish foreign minister said so a while ago. The Spanish view is that Scottish independence has nothing to do with Spain. Which is completely correct. Don’t let what you want to be true overrule what is true.
1
@ginojaco I don't need to "keep telling myself" anything. I study what's going on around me, I suggest you try the same. I believe Scotland's economics and demographics will fare better in an independent state, especially once we're back in Europe where we belong. It puzzles me why unionists like you never wonder if it's the crap Brit union that might be causing the issues you mention. As for Scotland to be ever greener, eh.. yes, I do believe it will be. Why? - don't you? I don't need politicians (who all lie) to tell me what I can see with my own eyes. If you use yours and reckon Scotland is doing well being run from London, then all I can say is you should open them wider.
1
@ginojaco Yes, greener and facing the (current) reality we still live in a world that needs oil and gas, what’s wrong with that logic? Apart from you won’t have any, that is. And if the Brits are so confident people like me are a minority, why are they bottling Indyref2 and instead coming up with BS “reasons” to block democracy? - Couldn’t be they’re scared to test that theory, could it?
1
@ginojaco Yes, I genuinely believe Brexit was the worst economic decision in UK history, because it’s effects are both serious and (mostly) all negative with very few positives to balance. Now you’re going to tell me my wish for us to join the EU is therefore illogical. But that’s because you’ll be illogically equating the 2 unions and membership conditions and ramifications pertaining. In fact it’s completely logical given the differences. As for not discussing Indy finances, I rarely do that, not because (as you’ll assume) our argument is weak, but because it’s a highly complex subject which unionists like you base entirely on UK propaganda. In fact the “evidence” unionists pose is evidence from Scotland - as in integral part of the UK economy. What is actually important is what they will be when we change Scotland for the better once away from the grip of the dead hand of Westminster control.
1
@ginojaco I don't care what you think of me or my views. I'm an SNP voter in the Brit elections and SNP and Green in the Scottish. I'm first and foremost an Indy supporter and consider parties as mere vehicles to get us there. Well, you'll of course be referring to the (in)famous GERS, which is the report (drawn from Brit stats) that unionist love to brandish at us as "proof" we are incapable of running our own country, as opposed to the wonderful job the Tories are presently making of the the UK economy. GERS is a report of how Scotland is doing as an integral part of the UK economy*. It is *not a report on or description of Indy Scottish finances nor does it purport to be. Unionists like you tend to equate present failure in the UK with future failure outside it.
1
@ginojaco Regarding your questions around EU/Scot/UK trade. You’re going to point out to me what I already know - that Scottish trade with rUK greatly exceeds that with the EU. You’ll probably tell me the dangers to UK/Scottish trade will be so great that Scotland joining the EU will be a mistake. You’ll say it’s the same outcome for Scotland/UK as for UK/EU. You’ll be wrong. Again you’ll be comparing apples with oranges. The outcomes will not be the same.
1
@ginojaco That’s rich coming from someone that’s just dodged the Brexit argument. England’s decision (yes, England) to leave Europe is a total disaster, and thankfully more and more people in UK are coming to accept that. I have already mentioned that, regarding finances, the unionist case is falsely predicated on information (whether you accept that info or not) based on economic data taken from Scotland as an integral part of the UK economy We simply don’t know what Indy finances will look like, even from day 1, but we can safely assume a Scottish govt will not want the same model. For me, for example, I think the Scottish govt should go into negotiations with UKG on the basis of we take no UK debt in return for other concessions etc. As I mentioned, economy is the most complex part of the debate, and the one unionists are least informed about, preferring instead to swallow the UKG propaganda on it hook, line and sinker.
1
It’s not. He’s a useless, incompetent “analyst”.
1
@SirBenjiful Not just unfair and undemocratic, but also unequal and involuntary. Scottish MPs can indeed vote on English matters - via a system created by and only supported by who? British unionists, that’s who. As it happen the SNP policy is not to do so. Don’t like the arrangement - Blame the Brit Labour Party. Scotland has a Parliament, with powers decided by who - British unionists. They’re pathetic, while the real powers to run Scotland lie in Westminster. Scotland can’t even classify movies. During the Smith Commission process to establish what powers it should have the SNP (largest party in Scotland) submitted a list - none of which were agreed on. Are you expecting me to be impressed with this patronising shite? The funding system between Holyrood and Westminster was created by and is (only) supported by who - British unionists. Indy supporters don’t want it, in fact we want nothing from Westminster apart from an end to the undemocratic diktat preventing Indyref2 so that we can Foxtrot Oscar out the crap Brit union. A diktat fuelled by fear of the voice of the Scottish people. We don’t want what British unionists decide they’re happy giving us, we want to make our own decisions, including the opportunity to decide again whether want to remain in this awful union.
1
@CrusaderSports250 Sentiments any Soviet leader would 100% agree with. Also not borne out by reality. Fact is being big is no guarantee of wealth, as India highlights, in fact most evidence points to smaller nations in the EU (and elsewhere) outperforming large ones. Have a look for example at UK GDP and see where it sits globally, then look at GDP per capita and watch it head south like swallows in winter.
1
@CrusaderSports250 As for your unionist admiration for the unionist created Barnett system (that even Barnett has disowned) that's nice, but against you stands the democratically elected Scottish Govt - who neither admire it or want it. Yes, we did vote in 2014 - but why should we accept that Westminster therefore gets to decide whether we can choose again, as our democratically elected Govt want and as per the mandate we gave them? And why does their craven, cowardly refusal (coz they know they'll lose) not constitute proof that the UK union is involuntary? A "United Kingdom" - yes, but united by Westminster diktat..! "nothing to do with politics" - Sure, and I'm the Czar of all the Russias.
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BreatheScotland I'm an indy supporter, and I reckon I have a fair grasp of basic economics. Enough for me to know the UK economy is highly Londoncentric and in very bad shape. Brexit has made the UK economy even more fragile. I mean imagine voluntarily cutting yourself from your best export market by a country mile, eh? Only to replace it with... well, nothing. Unionist economics has Scotland failing - as an integral part of the UK economy controlled from London. Unionist economics also has the solution to that as being to keep what is causing that intact. I'm for change, Breathe. Enough of failed Brit politics and unsustainable unionist economics. You lot had your chance, time to move over.
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@thomas1404 No, they wouldn't, nice try but no cigar. Madrid's position is that Scotland is nothing to do with Spain. Pity the same's not true for London....
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@punkrocker6431 Actually, given Scotland has now rejected all the UK unionist parties, that means it’s likely we’ll never get the UK Govt we vote for.
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@sixfootbear Nope, wrong. And that’s not even taking Scottish oil into account.
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Maybe Zeihan should have a wee look at American guts before he slags ours off, eh? Perhaps start with “Fat land, how Americans became the fattest people in the world”. In the National Library of Medicine. I’ve nothing against fat people but I do have a problem with this idiot insulting my country for a “sin” his beloved USA is more guilty of. As for the rest of his puerile trash, he’s just adding Brit ill-informed nationalism to his already rampant US nationalism.
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That's a matter for the Quebecoise, same as it should be up to us Scots what kind of Scotland we want. Not Zeihan and not Westminster either.
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Actually, biased crap.
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If the "United Kingdom" can only keep itself together employing the tricks and legalities you list - is it a union worth saving? Who the Hell wants to live in that? As for your blessing that we "go ahead", well, I wish we could, but your Westminster govt is busy thwarting that by any and every means it can. So not much fun, eh?
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@kityhawk2000 You make a mistake equating Brexit with “Scexit”. The 2 unions are not the same and ensuing events will have different outcomes. As for us getting into the EU, I believe the EU will make every effort to get us in, since it accords with everything they stand for (no “Spanish objection” nonsense please). In any case, many Indy supporters (me included) are relaxed about how we enter the Single Market, with EFTA/EEA being another route. I personally don’t care whether it’s EFTA or EU, since either are light years better for us than the Brit union.
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Explain how we’re “tribal”. Is that because we’d like to leave the unfair, unequal, undemocratic and involuntary Brit union that patently isn’t delivering us the Scotland we want, perhaps? Calling us names is far easier than accepting we just don’t want the crap Brit union, eh.
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@semtexstu3686 Yay...!
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@Swiss6Made Aye, that's right. We're so stupid we'll conflate the independence cause with a couple of people in a political party. I mean - you don't get much worse by way of political disasters and charlatans than Bojo or Truss - so should we conclude from that the Brit union is XXXXed then? Get real... Incidentally - no one's been exposed (or even formally accused) of being thieves or anything else - put your pitchfork away. What is it to you, anyway? Another Zeihan trying to protect us Scots from ourselves?
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@Swiss6Made You can borrow the campervan, but you'd need America's truck fleet to take all the pile of corruptly obtained useless PPE the corrupt Tories managed to swindle us out of to the nearest tip to the benefit of their friends and donors. Could buy a few campervans with £15,000,000,000. eh?
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@andrewdouglas1963 The normal strawman argument that relies on a negation of Scotland as a political, cultural and economic entity to be true. Sorry but you can't wish the country called Scotland away to be drowned in English votes. Being Scotland in the UK union is like 10 wolves and 1 sheep getting an equal say in what's for dinner.
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@andrewdouglas1963 What are the “main differences” between the Slovaks and the Czechs? The Norwegians and the Swedes, the Irish and the Brits, I could go on…. I’m sure the leaders of the Soviet Union would’ve agreed 100% with your view, according to them the USSR was one big, similar, happy family. Firstly, there doesn’t have to be differences for a nation to want independence and the right to self determination, nor should there be. After we leave the UK Union I expect, and hope, there will be many differences that will emerge, Chris stated one of them by way of the kind of politics Scotland favours vis a vis England for example, but I’m just as sure there will also remain many similarities. If we decide we want our country to be independent, that’s perfectly sufficient. We don’t owe anyone else an explanation why.
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It was a pile of Brit propaganda shit from a guy that couldn't tell Scotland from Scunthorpe.
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@sblack48 Why not, who said shit wasn't recyclable?
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All of Zeihan's idiotic "perspectives" are American. He has star spangled tunnel vision.
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What about the civil service jobs that would move *north*? You’re obviously unaware that’s mooted by the SNP as a bonus point for independence. Clue - there’s more of them. As for your nuke WMDs - they’re yours with pleasure, hurry up and take them. Again another SNP (and Scottish Labour, incidentally) policy. Would we have a military? Yes. Would we have to join in Brit military adventurism and illegal wars etc? No - again you’re welcome to them.
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Being more than the sum of it's parts doesn't need to mean that's good. History is replete with "sums" that were frankly awful and it was better that the parts went their own way, including the 60odd countries that have already left the UK embrace. I hope Scotland leaves the Brit union and I hope it does so soon. I won't miss it.
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Yeah, maybe to our EU partners once we’re back in. While rest of UK (aka England) stays Johnny no mates.
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@TheBruvleigh Really? OK then, give me one example of where this wonderful "weight" got us anything Westminster didn't want to give....... Our parliament has a list of powers 100% decided upon by Brit unionists, powers incidentally that could be taken back by Westminster at it's whim. Tell you what - you have a look at them and then the list of powers retained by Westminster and then come back and tell me where real power lies in UK. In 2015 for example, all but 3 Scottish MPs were SNP, so what did this incredible majority backing independence get? Did it get independence - Nope. Did it get, well, anything - Nope. That. my friend is what being Scotland in the crap Brit union means - like 10 wolves and 1 sheep getting an equal say on what's for dinner. We will gladly hand back, with ribbons on, this fantastic arrangement we have in UK when we leave. In actuality, the Brit union is unfair, undemocratic, unequal and involuntary. No thanks..!
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Yeah, the US and UK illegally invaded Iraq. Not just Olympic level dumb, but a moral outrage and a war crime. Zeihan's eyes never look that way, he's a fraud and a charlatan.
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What credibility? Listen to more of his right wing junk, if you can be arsed that is, and judge that again. He passes himself off as some kind of influencer, he couldn’t influence me to leave a burning building. The guy is a fraud.
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No, that’s complete crap. We don’t imagine independence will be anything like that. And if you’re so desperate to get shot of us, why not take your frustration out on your Westminster shitshow that’s busy preventing us doing exactly that?
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He couldn't find his arse with a mirror and a stick. The guy's a fraud.
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@kityhawk2000 I watched it all. It was standard Brit anti-independence propaganda available from many unionist sources. Absolutely nothing new, clever or original and also, as always with Zeihan, completely predictable. His “line” is invariably that what he considers best for USA (he’s far more of a US nationalist than most Scottish ones) is valid and anything else invalid. This approach extends to US supporters as well, he obviously views Scottish independence as a threat to US interests, I actually doubt he gives a damn otherwise. It’s not like he cares about Scotland, I don’t buy that for one minute. He is routinely highly subjective, highly biased, utterly predictable and frankly boring.
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It's already happening. Look at the growth of support for independence over the past 50 years or so. In my lifetime it's gone from the SNP celebrating holding a deposit to being the dominant force in Scottish politics. Unionists love to delude themselves that there's some kind of "magical barrier" (usually around 45%) over which support can't rise. Whatever gets you through the night, I suppose.
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So Westminster is forcibly keeping us to save us from ourselves? How noble. Why not let us Scots worry about Scotland, eh?
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@billjackson2329 So, on that logic Denmark should ask to be governed by Germany. Big sometimes equals bad, eh? UK is over-centralised in London. Since when is that good, unless you live in London, that is. Zeihan is a right-wing US nationalist blowhard who's simplistic, boring content and skewed, dodgy stats invariably boils down to US and it's puppets equals good and anything else is bad. It's sloppy, lazy, hopelessly biased and useless rubbish.
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@austinbux I have news for you that will rock your world. Scottish independence isn't about England. It's about Scotland. Not everything is.... - You'll probably take that as being "unbelievably bitter" too.... Look - it's got bugger all to do with English people and everything to do with Scotland being in the crap Brit union. Let's end the cause of the problem by ending the union and start getting on as friendly neighbours instead. It's politics, buddy, not people, Scots have nothing against the English. Don't let The Express tell you different.
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@Joanna-il2ur And each is allowed to start divorce proceedings. In this case Scotland is being told we're staying in the dysfunctional marriage whether we like it or not. Medieval, eh?
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@generaladvance5812 No, but we Scots would if the UK Govt would give us the chance.
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@generaladvance5812 I sleep fine thanks. So, if you're right why is the UK Govt bottling Indyref2 and preferring to avoid it with BS excuses rather than fight it?
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@generaladvance5812 Jeez, we should actually be so grateful for being prevented from leaving, eh? What a load of typically patronising Brit arrogance and ignorance. The Scottish people democratically mandated our government to arrange that we choose again whether we want to remain in the unequal, unfair, undemocratic and involuntary UK union. The Brit Govt has decided to ignore that and use the same BS excuses you list to instead block democracy. The real reason being of course coz they know they'll lose. As for your "fantastic deal" - you keep your imaginary handouts and spend them in the same shop the NHS is currently spending their £350m a week they're getting from Brexit. They come from the same place after all.
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@bjkarana I know, so was my response. It was aimed at the idiot Zeihan.
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No - we definitely won't "be told" - and neither are we akin to children, as your patronising Brit comment indicates. Anyhow as the saying goes "Look not for the mote in God's eye, but the beam in thy own". Have a look at UK economic performance over the last say 30-50 years. Google "GDP by capita per country" and you'll find several sources that will show you what a shitshow the UK economy is. It's decline is obvious and alarming. Its a place to get the hell out of. We Scots will run our own country far better than the incompetent, Londoncentric jokers in Westminster ever could. And I really can't be fairly accused of arrogance in that remark, since that's a really low bar.
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@mf_rat I'll take that. Will you take the Olympic level Brit stuff up that was the eye-wateringly corrupt PPE scandal, where anything up to £20 billion worth of useless PPE was made by Tory friends and donors? That would buy a few late ferries, eh? I could also throw in the damage to the Brit economy and to people's (including mine) pensions wreaked by the idiot Truss. How has the late ferries in Scotland affected you, bud?
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It’s NOT emotional. It’s a well considered political cause that is far superior to Brexit or Toryism. Unionists like to portray us as self-deluded, blue faced people going around shouting freedom. The truth is more difficult for them to accept. We just don’t want their crap union anymore.
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Why rant at Scots? Why not rant at the people preventing us from doing exactly what you suggest..? That would be the chimps tea party you call a UK government, incidentally. Run by Tories we last voted for in 1955 (who gives a continental what Scots want, eh?). I wouldn’t know where to start correcting your mistakes but let me start with 2. 1. Holyrood controls far less of Scotland than Westminster does, and it has made sure it retains the important powers. don’t believe me? - look it up. 2. There is very little comparison between the membership conditions of the UK union and the EU. Again look it up - in the Brit union Scotland can ban air rifles (a power, like all “granted” to Holyrood) that can be taken away anytime Westminster wants. In the EU we can ban nuclear weapons. If you’re going to rant, at least get your facts right.
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I would have expected a Pole to better value what independence means, frankly. Not just politically, but economically. Poland has never looked back from the Soviet times, being in a union that wasn’t in your best interests. Same as Scotland. It’s not about history, it’s about the future - OUR future, not one determined by Westminster.
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@ivanjednobiegowiec7656 It IS a fair comparison in the manner I made it. I was referring to Poland being in a union that didn't work for it and out of which it soon prospered. No one mentioned tanks until you did. I believe that is the same situation Scotland is in right now. Unionists like you seem to just accept that this beggar status you assign to us is the best we can do and that we should be relaxed about it. Sorry, no can do - on either count.
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He's a numpty that spews out highly biased right-wing bilge via a torrent of dodgy stats. He's a US nationalist who's views never vary from the inevitable, useless and boring theme of - US and it's acolytes good - everyone else bad. Boring. predictable rubbish easily refuted by good, objective analysis. BTW I'm Scottish living in Scotland
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@zi326 Not all unions are the same..! The UN is a union, for example and Scotland will restart it's journey as an independent state by joining many unions, including hopefully, the EU. 2 reasons why you can't compare membership conditions of both unions. 1. It is voluntary - we would choose to join, which is a privilege denied us in the unequal Brit union. Although leaving the EU would be difficult, it would be our right nonetheless to choose to do so. 2. The powers we would have (by right) in the EU cannot be compared with the paltry rubbish we have "granted to us" by the Brit union. In the UK union we can ban air guns, in the EU we can ban nuclear weapons. Scotland can't even classify movies.. As opposed to the EU, in the UK union even these powers can be withdrawn any time Westminster likes - and there's nothing Scotland can do to stop it. So - that's why you should have NO difficulty understanding why we want the one good union and rid of the bad one. As for why we don't vote Tory - because we don't like them or what they stand for. We never have - why do the English seem to like such a nasty, incompetent bunch more like...
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@andrewwotherspoona5722 Yes
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@andrewwotherspoona5722 I also expect we will at least do better than in the union, but it will probably be tough at first. I don’t believe UK will try to deliberately put a spoke in our wheels, but neither will they be helpful either. Which is fine, we can’t expect otherwise. For me it’s not primarily about money, it’s about being able to create the kind of Scotland we want, which will I’m sure have real differences to RUK (aka England). Small at first, but growing with time. If RUK doesn’t repair the Brexit disaster and stays out of Europe, those differences will be bigger, with a “more European” Scotland to UKs isolationism, US orientation and xenophobia. We will also, as you point out, start heading toward a Scandinavian style society (hopefully) that will be far more equitable, humane and fair than the right wing, US style, corporate oriented hell that England is becoming. I don’t like the way UKs going generally, it’s direction is depressing and worrying.
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@elektrotehnik94 I'm for independence, but I objectively believe federalism will never work in UK. It's just not structured for it. I reckon the attraction to it is from people who realise change is coming (and possible desirable) but they just don't want to see the end of the UK. It sounds like all things to all men - but it isn't.
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@curiositycloset2359 Geez, thanks curiousity. We love you too. UK doing so well these days kinda proves your point, eh? Get real, pal - UK about to be overtaken before too long by the ex-Soviet countries of Europe. It is a failing busted flush. I doubt any Scottish government could ever run our country as badly as London does.
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@quinkana1 Apart from throw a few street parties you mean..? The Brit monarchy will get their marching orders from an independent Scotland, but I reckon we'll have more important things to sort out (like getting back into Europe) before we get round to dumping that bollocks.
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@kethughes8266 Says who..? Who makes these rules you keep telling me we Scots have to obey. Why don’t you just say it - it’s London gets to decide what happens in Scotland. Or is there some other mysterious agency I’m missing?
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@kityhawk2000 Eh, no the EU does not require a referendum, dunno where you’re getting that rubbish from - the same place the £350m a week for the NHS perhaps? And neither does Scotland need one, unless (we decide) there is clear evidence of enough demand for one. Given your Brexit disaster is as popular as Athlete’s Foot up here, you can rely on that support just won’t be coming. Yes, your Brexit idiocy has resulted in the prospect of a trade barrier between Scotland and rUK (aka England). Your fault. But why would that stop it continuing to buy stuff from Scotland? We buy more from rUK than sell to it, you don’t reckon market hungry Johnny No Mates Brexit UK will want to keep a good export market roughly the size of Germany? Think again.
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@limitlessLtd Oh and being Scotland in the unfair, unequal, undemocratic and involuntary Brit union is akin to 10 wolves and 1 sheep having an equal say on what’s for dinner. We wanted to stay, our views were cancelled. You can try to polish that Brit turd all you like, it’ll still be a turd.
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@chrisdechristophe Yes. If we decide - a luxury denied us in the undemocratic UK union. Are you deluding yourself all unions are the same?
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@chrisdechristophe … so why should someone else tell us what we can decide or not?
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@SirBenjiful UK funding mechanism (Barnett) created by the UK Labour Party and only now supported by unionist parties (even Barnett has disowned it btw) and is predicated on English spending patterns. Love it when unionists foist their crap on Scotland and then blame us for how it works….
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@cs7th OK, here’s the solution. You let us decide about Scotland and we Foxtrot Oscar, like the 60 odd nations that have already done the same though history, and you get to keep all that money. What’s not to like? Think about it, billions from us leaving, billions from Brexit (£350m a week, wasn’t it?) - what will you do with it all…? Everyone a winner…!
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Why did you ask such an idiotic question? While you’re there can you tell me why, since UK is a total poodle of the USA, England doesn’t just apply to be a US state?
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@fiveninenowNOW I’d be interested to hear how you’ve arrived at that conclusion, given every iota of evidence points to the opposite. Westminster decided to give us the first referendum, because they knew they would win (at the time) and wanted to shoot the Scottish fox. Now that we want another chance to decide, and the odds are far more even, Westminster finds it doesn’t have the stomach for it. Where am I finding this “we decide” you’re on about?
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@fiveninenowNOW where did I come out with that rubbish? Those are your words, not mine. Tell you what, answer me just ONE question about the “fairness” of the Brit union. Us Scots are having to go through all this Brit BS to just get another chance to put Indy to our people again. Not Indy itself, just another chance to choose..! But England, if the position was reversed, would just do it, whenever it liked, for whatever reason it liked. Now you tell me that’s fair.
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@fiveninenowNOW So FN what if (Westminster decided) we should have a parliament with a pathetic basket of powers we didn’t agree to and that leaves the main levers of power, both political and economic , in Westminster? Scotland can’t even classify movies.. and we certainly can’t decide whether we are to have another referendum or not. All real power lies in Westminster and even the rubbish Holyrood has been “granted” could be taken back at Westminster’s whim. Does this sound remotely OK to you? Anyway, I’m still waiting for your answer to my previous question - or are you maybe having a bit of difficulty explaining the fairness in that scenario? What is your answer?
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@fiveninenowNOW Technically yes, Scottish MPs can vote on English affairs and not vice versa. But again - who’s to blame for that arrangement? British unionists, that’s who..! Not us, we don’t want to be in Westminster at all..! As it happens the SNP has a voluntary code of not going so, given we believe the English should decide English matters. We don’t want scraps from Westminster’s table, we don’t want English people’s money or anything else. All we want is the chance (yes, to choose again, - democracy didn’t stop in 2014) whether we want to be in your unequal union. As you appear to be acknowledging - the very right English people have at their disposal and always have had. You can fix Westminster if you like, good luck to you, but no fixing will let Scots choose what kind of economy, society and politics we want. Keep your unequal, unfair union, and all that comes with it.
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@davidhicks5645 Are you aware the UK has already assumed responsibility for all UK debt? So I know who looks more likely to be looking at bankruptcy after Scotland leaves, and it ain’t us. But, at least you won’t have to worry about your NHS, before too long you won’t have one. Those Tories you all love so much south of the border will be removing that before too long. Scotland needs Westminster like we need more rain….
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@Kaiserbill99 No, I don’t, I understand that completely. I also understand what you refer to as “Scotland’s deficit” is related to the performance of Scotland- as an integral part of the UK economy, whereby a huge part of Scotland’s spending is directly in the hands of Westminster and where the main levers of economic power (for all UK) lie with Westminster. Westminster is also, of course, responsible for setting the block grant, which relates to spending outwith Scotland. So you point to “Scottish” performance - in such an environment- and then infer Scottish failure, where what you are actually seeing is British failure. You also fail to note that these figures will not and cannot represent the finances of an independent Scotland, which must and will be different. As for UK debt, I’m assuming you aren’t contesting that this is and will remain entirely the responsibility of UK. Meaning UK will have to go into the secession negotiations needing us to accept responsibility for some of it. My own position would be that we should start by assuming no such responsibility, albeit willing to engage in a debate around the whole issue of Brit debt vs assets and advantageous trade relations.
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@Kaiserbill99 Took you a while to find? I’ve been around the fringes of the Indy movement for many years, I don’t see this utopia cult you unionists love to cite. It doesn’t exist. Indeed a big criticism of the SNPs approach to finances by a large portion of the movement is that they have been too conservative and negative, as with Andrew Wilson’s work for example. Most sensible Indy’s fully realise we will have a big task unravelling generations of Brit failure, but none believe it’s not worth doing. Anyway you slice or dice the question, Scots running Scotland from Scotland and for Scotland beats it being run on our behalf by people we never elect running not for our best interests and usually atrociously. Incidentally, nothing you have said contradicts what I said. Current performance reflects Brit failure, not Scottish, and the Indy Scottish economy will not be like the failed Brit model. Why else do you think we Indys want independence, for things to remain the same, to continue the failed Brit model? There are other voices of course regarding Scotland’s finances, FoA is not the only one. But I can understand how their comments will appeal to those desperately seeking negativity around Scottish independence. That you are one is fairly obvious, but may I ask why you are so inclined? Are you Scottish for example?
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Can you provide any evidence that the Scottish independence cause is fuelled more by "feelings than pocketbooks". Or are you just going with what they tell you in The Express? You do realise Denmark is a very similar size to Scotland, is a small nation, bordered by a large neighbour on the fringes of Norther Europe and sharing much by way of economy and resource base? Where we differ is that the (independent) Danes are far better off than us. I wonder what the difference could be?
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@stephanledford9792 My comment was around Denmark and it’s similarity to Scotland, apart from being able to run their own country and being rich. I don’t know anything about Greenland. I appreciate you mean well, but you say you “actually” think Scotland capable of doing what every other small nation that became independent can do, and usually prospered doing. As if such a thought is somehow radical or illogical. Of course we will be able to run a successful nation, and I refuse to contemplate that we won’t run Scotland better from Edinburgh than outsourcing the running of it to Westminster unionist politicians that do not have our best interests at heart, but instead those of UK. “They’re the same” unionists will say in response. No they’re not. Taking us out the EU against our will being a good recent example. It’s difficult to swim against the tide of unionist propaganda pumped relentlessly at us via the biased Brit media, including the BBC. My attitude to the question of how well an independent Scotland will fare is to ask just that - how well will we do, not how *badly*. We are a capable and resourceful people with a good, sound economy. Have a look at analyses of how crap the UK has been wrt economic performance over the past, say, 50 years. It’s terrible. Look up GDP per capita and look at Brit decline - to the point now where it’s a matter of time before the ex Soviet states start overtaking it. Im not saying that to slag it off, I’m saying why on earth should I accept we can’t do better than that?
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Dunces cap for a pile of biased, tired, dumb, regurgitated Brit unionist propaganda. - Must do better..!
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@johnrodgers2018 Thanks buddy. I agree with you.
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Yes, I can see your Brit logic. The EU won’t make a decision, you know - for itself and about itself. It will all be down to something to do with UK. After all everything is, eh? Try to understand this - Scottish independence is about Scotland, you don’t get a voice. Once free of Westminster rule, we will choose to join the EU, again - bugger all to do with you.
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Scots really love it when English people act like they're our "parents" and we're stupid children. It's one reason independence support has grown steadily and impressively over the last 50 years or so to the point now where it terrifies Westminster. We'll be the latest (but not last - the N Irish "kids" will follow us) of the Brits "children" to tell Mammy Westminster to Foxtrot Oscar. She's been a bit of a girl, since she's had over 60 kiddies leave her loving embrace. None wanting to come back, not one.... If you must insult us - try at least to do so a bit more intelligently.
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@kethughes8266 Why would anyone ask such a daft question. There is absolutely no discussion about such a crazy notion in Indy circles. Back into the EU, yes of course, why on earth would we choose to hang about declining Brexit UK? But Norway? Unionists don’t half come up with some crap….
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“Someone” suggested that…. Give me strength……. Aye, sure. Let’s focus on the “someone” you reckon come up with that shite and totally ignore our real (stated) intention of joining the EU. You know, the Europe English Bravehearts dragged Scots out of against our will. Or of course, hang around the pub long enough that yon same geezer comes back to educate you again.
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@davidchristie696 Yes, and from Norway's sector they've had a far more impressive experience and results from their industry than the Brits have running ours. Not surprising since the hopeless Brit Govt couldn't run a whelk stall far less a successful modern oil and gas industry.
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@davidchristie696 You can add overcentralistion in London to that mix. Successive UKGs of whatever party have made only token efforts to dilute this, more I suspect for political reasons than economic. When all roads lead to Rome, Rome gets rich.
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David Cameron agreed to Indyref1 when UK went into the campaign 70/30 up,and even than he almost blew it. He did NOT like indy, then or now, same as any Tory. Ask them how keen they are now on Indyref2, given they will now have a real fight on their hands….
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