There is to be a referendum about Scotland seperating from the U.K. I don't think it will happen but the Scots National Party is growing every year. Of course when Tony Blair resigns as British P.M. , Scotsman Gordon Brown will be succeeding Blair. Lets hope that Gordon Brown won't kiss Dubya's ass unlike Tony Blair.

a Scotsman kissing anyone's ass?

NEVER!

I don't think they'll separate either

The election that they had yesterday was for the regional houses, i.e. Scotland and Wales, as well as all of the regional councils. The National elections aren't until 2008.

THe head of the SNP has promised a referendum on independance in 2009, but is promising that if Scotland does separate, and it doesn't work, that the independance would be "reversable".

A lot of people in Scotland this time are voting SNP this time more as an anti labour vote (notice the CORRECT spelling of Labour) , but do not want independance.

Also, in spite of what the SNP says, they get billions more in revenue than the North Sea Oil fields pay the Exchequer. In effect, the south, (England) subsidizes the north (Scotland). It's much the same as Canada/Quebec. To cover the shortfall in revenues, there would have to be a huge increase in taxes, or a vast curtailement of services, or both, should Scotland separate, because Blair and labour, as well as the conservative party, have made it clear that it's a 1 way street, and if the ties are broken, they are broken completely.

But I don't see them separating. At least not in this generation.


But I want to hear Rob's opinion after he talks with his Scottish hubby.

But then would Queen Elizabeth no longer be Queen of Scotland since it would no longer be part of the United Kingdom? Wasn't it the case that James I, the first Stuart, united the kingdoms, and then when James II was ousted by William of Orange and Mary, they retained royal prerogative and domain over Scotland as part of a unified kingdom, which has continued until today? If Scotland splits away, would it still be part of the Commonwealth, or would it be a republic, and if it's the latter, would it then have a president, or would somoene of the Stuart lineage preside as Queen or King?

I wonder if Brown will reenergize Labour, or if he'll hold power for just a short time before the next general election with the Conservatives under Cameron taking over. I know so little about him, but he seems strikingly different in persona and temperament, and even to a degree in ideology (more to the left) than Blair.

I'll go back and rule

I think I have some minor Scottish noble blood

Actually we have talked about this, like Lksimcoe said it is more of an anti labour vote than anything else.

The truth is that the Scots long ago decided they couldn't beat the English on the battlefield, so they moved south to rule them through the Board Rooms.

Although independence is discussed occassionally, it is seen as more of the position of a few extreme malcontents; not the general populace.

It would take something very MAJOR to actually turn enough conservative Scots into real independence firebrands.

Iain says he just doesn't see it happening in our lifetime unless there is some huge galvanizing catalytic event or change that litterally destroyed peoples sense of safety, prosperity, or political stability.

We think Quebec independence would be far more likely.

R

I have a special affinity with the Scots as I fortunate to live just north of Edinburgh (hiddem gem of Europe) for three years. The Scots are hands down the warmest, most hospitable ,engaging, and enteraining . They suffer from an inferiority complex stemming from almost 1000 years of having the English culture tforced down their throats during the times when England contorloed alot of Scotland and then times when the underdog Scots took the fight many times deep into the heart of England. Those Scots fought for surivival. This created an enormous amount of pride as it was rare for all tribes and clans to merge. The one exception was the English. Many Scots were subjected to intentional horrendous acts during the the first English invasions that enslaved and killed many innocent children and women. meant to teach brought the rival clans and tiribes as a formidable defense and swift counter punch that chased the English back into Middle and Southern England many times Interestingly enough the the Scots enjoy "Scots against the world" underdog role. It's all they know as no matter the competition the Scots have a chance in every game. . Also, the Scots never lose a game in any sport fairly as the game was fixed especially if its England.

SNLwas still working through changing from from a loud abrasive party that was a joke before the the mid 1990's using unfavorable tacticss for attention that embarrased the disapproaving Scot population. that had seen an increase of Scots that viewed themselves as British first and Scottish second. THE SNL and many were concerned the British ( aka English ) culture because of Englands unfavorable population advtange in comaprison to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Island sstill didn't possess 1/4th of England's politicians who will always ensure England comes first. The SNL needed a voice in Government and finally delivered and now have evolved into a healthy functional voice for all of Scoltand.

I watched Braveheart in an Edinburgh theatre full of an emotinal Scots was humbling. The tears, standing applause, and funeral type emotions I'm not kidding) felt like many were for the first time demonstrating pride together for Scotland. Scotland's come to not gain independence. If there is a gorup of people that's deserving its Scotland.

It is truly bizarre to me how Tony Blair destroyed his political career by going along with Bush and the war. I don't know how Gordon Brown would have dealth with the war issue. There is much antipathy between Blair and Brown. Brown's body language clearly shows how he really feels about Blair. I don't know if Brown will be able to reenergize Labour after what Blair has done or not. It would be a disaster to all the British people if the Tories got back in power.

maybe the best thing that could happen is for the Tories to gain power and force Labour to get their act together sort of what's happening in Canada

I wonder if the Scots could have been crying because of Mel Gibson's truly appalling Scottish accent for the film? It sucked.



I would never wish the Torie bastards on anyone. It would be a disaster for the U.S. if the republicans got back in and a disaster for the British if the Tories win.

As I understand it, Elizabeth is Queen of England, Scotland and Wales independent of the actual British union. James VI of Scotland/I of England was already the King of Scotland when Elizabeth I died in 1603, and won the English crown through his great-grandmother, a daughter of Henry VII and sister of Henry VIII (who himself had a better claim to the English crown through his mother than through his father). When the English murdered Charles I during the Reformation, the Scots continued to recognize Charles II, his son, as their King, even though he was in exile in France. Full political union between England and Scotland only occurred much later.

James II (brother to the childless Charles II) lost his crown because of a law passed requiring Protestant Kings and Queens, including consorts, in England. Presumably the Scots could have continue to recognize the Catholic heirs to the throne (although I believe James II grandson was his last direct Catholic heir, his daughters Mary II and Anne I, of course, were Protestant and allowed to rule), but they were even more Protestant than England. As long as the Scots recognize the Hanovarian inheritance of the Scottish crown after Queen Anne's death, Elizabeth II would remain as Queen of both lands, even with independence.