jdfc, I have been trying to explain to Taintedice that opposition to independence is based on fact and principle and is nothing to do with right or left wing politics. Perhaps your more direct approach will get the message across! There are lots of issues that we could discuss but the answers from the independence supporters are frequently based on the assumption that there is a right wing plot to undermine the path to independence. In fact the issues like currency, borders, share of the National Debt, how the nationalists would be able to negotiate a return to the EU, and when that might happen etc.
I think Nicola knows the answers are unpalatable to the majority of Scots and I think that's why she is in favour of the gradualist approach to independence. If she can keep it going for a few more years and still have independence as a "live" issue she will be able to move on to something else without being the leader who lost, and thereby in the same state as Alex Salmond.
I look forward to Taintedice telling us how an independent Scotland would deal with the currency issue especially if an independent Scotland was able to join the EU. Taintedice could also tell us how an independent Scotland plans to replace the annual income lost from the ending of the Barnett Formula.
Islay, I have never been able to find out how Scotland intends to balance its budget if it gains independence. That's all I ask. I have given up trying to discuss the benefit of the Barnett Formula. As far as SNP voters are concerned it is a Westminster con on the people of Scotland and does not exist. I am prepared to accept their point of view on the basis that they are able to explain how they raise the money to pay for their expenditure. UK operates with a deficit so it would seem fair to let them do the same. Let's see the figures before we get to a referendum.
The pro independence politicians both at Holyrood and Westminster want the electorate in Scotland to vote in favour of Scotland becoming an independent country and then they will tell us all the problems.
That is why people in Scotland are not encouraged to ask searching questions such as what would the currency be in an independent Scotland and if an independent Scotland was able to join the EU what currency would be used.
Recently I seem to remember reading that Kate Forbes the Cabinet Secretary for Finance stated that a hard border with England would bring more trade and business to an independent Scotland.
Whilst a hard border would bring a lot of work to the construction industry who would be building a brick wall between England and Scotland I can only see a lot less trade between Scotland and the rest of the U.K. particularly in the farming sector.
It is likely that illegal immigrants would use Scotland as an easy entry route to try to escape into England.
The far right isn't far wrong