IMDonehere

Bilbo, I am a bit dense and I am unsure as to your position. Sorry.

unclegus

The additional devolved power have been given as a carrot to those undecided.
Why at the last minute has the westinster government done this?, why was more devolved powers not on the ballot paper?.
the Question is "Should Scotland be an independent country" YES or NO.
not YES or No but with more devolved powers. the goalposts have been shifted

PatrickLondon

>>Why at the last minute has the westinster government done this?<<

Panic

>>why was more devolved powers not on the ballot paper?.<<

Ask Bumface. That was his idea. The SNP wanted "devo max" on the ballot paper; he stuck out for the either/or option.

What is now being offered isn't the "devo max" option they wanted (by the sounds of it, their concept of a currency union and the like isn't that far different from "devo max" so that might explain why he didn't want it as an option - but on the other hand, the varying schemes of "devo more" offered at the last minute aren't "devo max" either).

bilboburgler

IMD
The vast majorority of British (not English) colonies were founded after the act of Union.

Of those countries those that progressed fastest were ones where the country was either empty or the European powers slaugthered on enslaved the majority of the inhabitants (just think about it). So US, Canada, Oz, NZ, basically were either ethnically cleansed or relatively empty.

Behaviour in South America also included slaughter but also destruction of institutions etc

zippo

They are offering nothing. Even their own MPs are screaming that they would block it. It had to be brought out at the last minute before the truth became obvious.
The current tactic is to make ludicrous headline-grabbing assertions which there is no time to deny. The BBC is doing it's bit.

lauren_s_kahn

Again, this entire thread has nothing to do with travel to Scotland--which will go on as before no matter what the Scots vote.

flpab

I do care what happens and I live in the USA. It is very interesting and news worthy. I loved being in France during the last election. Very interesting. Best to you all since the bars will be opened all night. Stay safe.

latedaytraveler

Hi FLPAB,

"I do care what happens and I live in the USA. It is very interesting and news worthy."

Thank you for agreeing with my premise when I started this thread. For those on this side of the pond who love both Scotland and England (and let's not forget NI and Wales), this vote is a fascinating event.

Nikki

I don't understand the argument that this has nothing to do with travel to Scotland. When people travel they learn about the history, the culture, and the politics of a country. It is part of the pleasure of travel. Why wouldn't travelers be interested in a monumental decision whether to become an independent nation and the passionate arguments on both sides of the issue that engage the entire population?

How could one travel to Scotland today and not be interested in this referendum and its ramifications?

IMDonehere

I do not love Scotland or England, I like them, but I find this modern manifestation of independence quite interesting. As noted above many countries are geographical fictions or the residue of power struggles. Whether there is independence or not, this is being conducted as of one the most civil of separatist movements.

I do hope if Scotland votes for independence that known and unforeseen issues are resolved with common sense and without acrimony.

What is more natural than a group or someone wanting independence and the parent thinking the other an ingrate.

lauren_s_kahn

My point is that people start these threads to parade their own political biases and not to assist anyone with his trip or because the vote in Scotland will in the least affect anyone's decision to travel there. It will remain a nice place to travel with or without independence (whatever independence means here).

janisj

>>I don't understand the argument that this has nothing to do with travel to Scotland. <<

Me neither. Maybe if someone had worked in the glories of doing home exchanges in Scotland Lauren would have been interested. (I do notice she's managed to post three times to a totally <i>irrelevant</i> thread)

I've purposely stayed off this thread (it may sound weird but I'm nervous about the vote). I plan on watching the results/reports. For some reason the whole issue leaves me very sad - I understand most of the reasons many Scots want to go it alone, but I honestly can't understand how folks can vote to split when there are sooooooo many unresolved issues.

It can't possibly be that Alex Salmond is <i>that</i> persuasive???? From over here he seems a bit of a toad.

And Lauren - market turmoil/uncertainly definitely could/probably will affect tourists.

PatrickLondon

>>It can't possibly be that Alex Salmond is that persuasive????<<

The Conservative and Unionist Party (along with assorted other tin-eared Westminster politicians) has been doing the heavy lifting for him.

Alec

I think the Scots will see sense and vote something like 55-45% for the union.

latedaytraveler

ALEC, I do think you are right, but who knows?

flpab

Sitting here this morning with BCC news on. If you can believe some of the news it seems to be a very turbulent day in Scotland. Lauren, if you are visiting Scotland today I would stay clear of the pubs and maybe take a ride into the country. I have seen a rush on the atms in Scotland, a lot of fear and uncertainty for sure.

Alec

I suspect there is a lot of silent No vote. Even people who have told their friends and relatives they are voting Yes, in the secret of the ballot box they may get cold feet and vote for status quo.

Alec

Bookmakers have now driven the odds for a Note vote down to 1/5, meaning 75% of punters think it's going to be a No.

menachem

The exit polls are showing the same.

Still, it's going to be interesting to see what happens after today. It's obvious now that devolution per se is far from the "settled will" of the Scottish people.

Pepper_von_snoot

Where is Brenda?

Is she in hiding?

She must be a nervous wreck.


Thin