Why do I talk Scotland down... hmm... It isn't a case of talking anything down, it is simply the truth. When you are 10% of something, and the other 90% don't agree, then you are screwed. Scotland has no voice. Her 56 MP's have no influence over anything and may as well not bother turning up. I have lived in England now for 30 years. The picture painted of the English by some nationalists is small-minded petty jealousy and they all need a good slap, but that is another story... They have little or no animosity towards Scotland or the Scots and many are genuinely bemused that Scotland should ever want to leave - but make no mistake - Scotland is viewed as a benefactor of England's generosity - (not Britain's - although to many here England and Britain are the same...).
I am sure your life is wonderful. My son also has a wonderful life - he's 17 and in 6th form at school. He pays no rent, has a part-time job earning a few hundred a month, and gets a hundred pocket money as well. He gets his holidays paid for and when away with us gets his meals and trips all paid for. He contributes nothing to the household and is permanently subsidised. He will probably be gone in a year or two. We would rather he stayed but understand why he will wish to leave - although we do expect to subsidise him even after he has gone...
I love Scotland - am forever telling everyone how wonderful (most of) it is, and I would not wish my compatriots to suffer any kind of financial hardship - but I would be willing to take a bit of a hit to exchange Scotland's current perceived dependency for some pride.
I would not care to comment on how much influence the Scottish 'branches' of the big two parties have on their greater membership, but I can say with some certainty that anything that is detrimental in any way to England would not fly regardless of which party put it forward...
You and your no voting ilk have probably condemned us to 20 years Tory rule, But hey ho no worries to you paddy you'd rather have 100 years Tory rule than us rule ourselves. The SNP have done more for Scotland in the last 8 years than Labour have done in 50 !! Your a disgrace min !
Scotland will become a normal, fairer, greener, richer independent European country that we're all proud to live and work in. And if that's Blah blah phuckin blah that's good enough for me, I and others are doing this all for you and you're family Paddy you can thank me further down the road.