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TiptheOdds
17 Sep 14 23:55
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Date Joined: 07 Dec 01
| Topic/replies: 35,029 | Blogger: TiptheOdds's blog
On the eve of what could be the most important political event of my lifetime I ask all my friends in Scotland to ask yourself just a few questions before you vote:

1. Why do you think it is that - after ignoring Scotland for over 30 years - the leaders of the three main parties (plus UKIP) have made such an effort to woo the people of Scotland all of a sudden? Do you really think it is because of ´our shared history´, ´common language and values´, or the ´family that is the United Kingdom´? Do you really think they care so much about us? Or is it more likely - as Dennis Healey has said - that Westminster is well aware just how essential Scottish resources (oil, hydro, wind energy) are to the Exchequer and the economy of the UK? Is it possible that they know that Scotland could be successful and would show the rest of the UK what can be achieved?

2. Can you really trust any of the major party leaders to deliver on their offer of DevoMax? Nothing has been specified or guaranteed in writing. The what and the when are still unknown. The PM has already said that any negotiations would have to wait until after the next UK election. English backbenchers from all parties have already come out and said that they would vote against any further powers for Scotland and, in common with the vast majority of English people, prefer instead a review of the Barnett formula so that Scotland gets the same financial allocation as England (ie LESS money). On top of everything else DevoMax was put on the table during the 28 day Purdah, in breach of the Edinburgh agreement agreed by all parties, during which time NO government would make any political offers to influence the referendum result.

3. Even if you do not like or trust Alec Salmond and the SNP, can you really say that you can trust Cameron, Osborne, Milliband, Darling, Brown, Robertson, Clegg or Farage any more? While the SNP government has consistently delivered on its manifesto promises none of the others can say the same. But if you want to be rid of Salmond and the SNP then Scotland will have that chance in 2016. In the absence of any other creditable opposition a No vote tomorrow, however, will absolutely guarantee an SNP government in Edinburgh for a long time to come.

4. While it is understandable that you may fear the uncertainty of becoming a small independent nation can you really say, hand on heart, that the future of Scotland, of its young people, of the NHS, of the most vulnerable in our society, or even the economy are all safer in the hands of discredited, deceitful politicians in London who have given us food banks, ATOS, university fees, zero-hour contracts, the poll tax, the bedroom tax, a privatised NHS by stealth, privatised mail, illegal wars, a militarised police force, domestic spying and reduced civil rights, tax cuts for the rich and austerity for the rest? Is that really the only way? Is that really what you want to leave to future generations?

5. Do you not want to be part of a new future where democracy means something and your vote counts? A country where politicians are once again accountable to the people who elect them. Where the people of Scotland can shape and affect the kind of society we want to have.

6. Do you not want to be part of a nation that prioritises health, education and the welfare of people ahead of the obscenity that is the weapons of mass destruction sited next to our largest population centre? Weapons we can never use. Weapons whose only purpose is to murder innocents and assure total destruction of our planet. Weapons whose main purpose is only to keep the UK at the top table of the UN and best buddy to a criminal US.

Can you really vote NO tomorrow, and keep things the way they are - or worse - and never ever wonder what might have been had you been braver?
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Report naydam • September 17, 2014 11:58 PM BST
Don't forget, though, if you vote 'YES'...you will not be able to 'green-out' later.
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 12:06 AM BST
Can you really vote NO tomorrow, and keep things the way they are - or worse - and never ever wonder what might have been had you been braver

Until the people running the independence campaign give straight answers and convincing ones at that then I'll be a NO.

Repeating myself here but we are being asked to vote for independence without knowing what currency we will have and without knowing whether we will be in or out of the EU. Two basic questions and Salmond won't answer the first and lied about the second.

Asking us to vote in hope? FFS!
Report Kriskin • September 18, 2014 12:08 AM BST
Tip - Great post.  If the Scots don't vote for YES tomorrow will the future generations suffer?
Report Wallflower • September 18, 2014 12:08 AM BST
....even better, yet another reason to vote "Yes".....can't go backHappy.
Report bodil • September 18, 2014 12:10 AM BST
If you had had a couple of decent working gold mines in the middle ages the Plantagenets would have sorted you out - permanently.  In ignorance of the oil, why would they bother?  If you vote Yes, the rUK will sensibly withdraw all its money from your thriving financial centres - who wouldn't?  You'll be run by a socialists whose electoral survival depends on stuffing cash - from taxes - into the mouths of the non-contributors.  Businesses will flee south.  Thanks for the extra income.  Welcome to oblivion.

Hey, this (Lidl) ouzo is good.
Report scandanavian_haven • September 18, 2014 12:13 AM BST
Do we even need to bother?


1. “The Scottish Parliament is permanent”

A meaningless platitude. As long as Westminster is sovereign, it can close Holyrood down at a moment’s notice. No government can bind its successors. Six years from now when Boris Johnson is Prime Minister, do you think he’ll give a toss what Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg said in 2014? Do you think he’ll even remember who they were?

2. “Extensive new powers”

No. Expensive new responsibilities.

3. “Sharing our resources equitably across all four nations”

Which as Scotland currently provides a disproportionate share of the resources, means we’ll have to put even more in and get even less back than we do now. Johann Lamont has already told us (well, she told someone else behind our back) that we’re not getting more money. So we know that any change will be for the worse, and the UK parties all tell us that “a No vote is a vote for change”. You do the maths.

4. “Continuation of the Barnett allocation”

You don’t have to change the Barnett Formula to reduce the amount of money it provides Scotland with. You just need to reduce the portion of Scotland’s block grant to which the Formula is applied. If you cut that in half by making Scotland raise the rest itself from taxation, you can keep the Formula exactly the same but slash billions from the actual amount of money it delivers.

5. “How much is spent on the NHS will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament”

Well, yes, in the same way that someone on the minimum wage gets to decide how much they spend on Ferraris. The Scottish Government can ultimately only slice the pie it gets from Westminster. It can’t control the size of that pie.

We already knew that the three UK party leaders thought Scots were idiots. Now we can conclusively state that the Daily Record thinks its readers are too. The hollow insults “pledged” above – which will actually make Scotland WORSE off – are what they think the people of Scotland can be bribed with. We have more faith in our countrymen and women than that.
Report TiptheOdds • September 18, 2014 12:14 AM BST
How can AS answer these two questions when both things can only be decided and negotiated AFTER a Yes vote?

As much as the big three party leaders are maintaining that there will be no currency union many economists are saying that it is a big bluff. If Scotland is denied from keeping the pound - a net contributor with one of the richest supplies of oil in the world - and therefore rUK is left with all the national debt sterling will tumble on the currency markets. This will not be allowed to happen.

EU entry negotiations can only take place later...if the people of Scotland decide they want to hand over sovereignty again and join up to TTIP, which I doubt.

NATO membership will be a formality.
Report sofiakenny • September 18, 2014 12:19 AM BST
bodil   cheap ouzo?  cant you afford the good stuff?
when we are eventually a free country will will get our own mealy mouthed corrupt politicians in place..wont need your eton based bum boys to exploit us any more.
Report Wallflower • September 18, 2014 12:20 AM BST
akabula,

In my view, the currency will be the pound, at least initially, despite what the "No" side currently say. If not, there is best part of 2 years to figure it out. But as I said elsewhere its not about currency, an economic tool, is about self-determination.


The EU, also bluffing - no mechanism in place to dispel Scotland from EU. And after independence the EU lose the country that provides 60 odd percent of oil. yeah, right. UK is where the real doubt is over EU membership.

So when I have all the answers to every conceivable issue that may arise for a new state, I'll vote for an independent Scotland?Shocked

I believe, you'd always find a reason to keep the Union with England - that is fine. There are bigger economic problems for Scotland in being a small region within a bigger state, one with colossal debt - but this is not an issue?
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 12:23 AM BST
He could tell us plan B with the currency and you conveniently missed the point about the EU in that he lied to us saying he'd sought and bought legal advice.
Also promising lower taxation and more spending underpinned by the oil revenues although later he tells us he will save the oil income.
Why hasn't the SNP used all of its powers, particularly the tax raising power, to combat some of the negatives you quote?
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:24 AM BST
The Tory establishment remind me of a guy at work who used to lend workmates 100 quid and ask for 200 quid back.
Report TiptheOdds • September 18, 2014 12:26 AM BST
akabula, the referendum is not about Salmond or the SNP, do you not realise that yet?

In 2016 you can vote them out.
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:27 AM BST
Is that the same EU that the majority of English voters want a referendum on to get out. LaughLaugh
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:28 AM BST
And the same currency that is secured on the world markets on the strength of our oil? LaughLaugh
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:30 AM BST
And the same Tory establishment that charge decent, poor folk in England to pay for prescriptions?
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:30 AM BST
And for eye tests?
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:31 AM BST
and charge parents to send their kids to further education?
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 12:31 AM BST
akabula, the referendum is not about Salmond or the SNP, do you not realise that yet?

In 2016 you can vote them out.


Oh reallyLaughLaughLaugh
No but it's Salmond and the SNP trying to sell us the idea.
And you can quote every negative you like but the reality is that they would more than likely worsen in an independent Scotland.
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:32 AM BST
Akabula, give me 5 good reasons to stay within the UK.
Report bodil • September 18, 2014 12:32 AM BST
Some of this stuff is so far from reality you wonder who let the posters out (nurses night out?).  The EU will punish Scotland - separatism is less appealing than leprosy.  Most of the oil is currently sub-economic.  If you take the pound and expect the central bank to back you up you lose control of most fiscal and monetary policy (ie you can't bribe your electorate).  You're anti-nuclear weapons so you can't join NATO.  If you renege on your share of the national debt no one will lend you any money except at punitive rates - you'll be the new Greece but without the sunshine and wine (plenty of whine though).  We will take our money (90%) out of Scotland - the companies will follow, or go bust.  Enjoy.
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:33 AM BST
Who do you want to sell us the idea, the man from delmonte LaughLaugh
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 12:33 AM BST
and charge parents to send their kids to further education?

Do you know how many college places were sacrificed to allow that concession mac?
Report TiptheOdds • September 18, 2014 12:34 AM BST
I´ve never voted SNP in my life. Their nickname for most of my life was the tartan tories, but now they are the very best of a very very bad bunch.
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:35 AM BST
Bodil has been drinking again and he has the cheek to stereotype the Scots as drunks LaughLaugh
Report bodil • September 18, 2014 12:35 AM BST
Yep - they stuffed the working classes to help the lawyers/bankers kids.
Report bodil • September 18, 2014 12:38 AM BST
Thanks mightymac - I was sorely lacking ad hominen attacks.  At least I will be sober in the morning but you will still be deranged.
Report TiptheOdds • September 18, 2014 12:38 AM BST
bodil, WALOFS you spout, pontificating arrogantly as usual, as if you know everything when clearly you are as clueless as the rest of the right-wing nutjobs on here.

You're anti-nuclear weapons so you can't join NATO.

Apart from the US the UK is the only other NATO country out of 28 who has nuclear weapons available to NATO. France has them but doesn´t let NATO anywhere near them.
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 12:38 AM BST
Akabula, give me 5 good reasons to stay within the UK.

What a silly question mac.
Read any of the recent NO campaign adverts, it'll save me typing them out.
It's very easy to say that everything will be better in an independent Scotland but where's the proof?
Report kincsem • September 18, 2014 12:40 AM BST
If you asked the people of Ireland today would they like to remain independent or join the United Kingdom it would be a "yes" without question.
Better to be in a big Europe than stay with England, and when England vote to leave Europe Scotland will be forced to tag along with them.
I think Scotland are suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, where they are unable to leave their captors.
Report sofiakenny • September 18, 2014 12:40 AM BST
bodil..just be glad we have given you something to get upset about.
Report TiptheOdds • September 18, 2014 12:41 AM BST
akabula, in all the many referendum discussions on here where you have contributed, not once have I seen you justify why you advocate voting No.

Or are you one of those muppets that enters discussions, disses others, just states an opinion but doesn´t feel they have to justify it.
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 12:41 AM BST
bodil, WALOFS you spout, pontificating arrogantly as usual, as if you know everything when clearly you are as clueless as the rest of the right-wing nutjobs on here.

Sums up the yes campaign strategy. Verbally abuse anyone who has an opposing opinion.
Report crags • September 18, 2014 12:43 AM BST
The Yes vote will simply not be allowed to be victorious. Simples Wink
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:44 AM BST
Bodil, I always liked your posts, but you have done nothing but insult the Scots throughout these threads calling YES voters, unemployed, drunken, wife beaters, who live on a diet of deep fried Mars Bars and now we`re deranged.
Report attitude adjuster • September 18, 2014 12:45 AM BST
We're on a conga line into poverty which is being whipped up by snp politicians.

fly the flag?

you can keep it Sad
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:45 AM BST
Akabula, why don`t you answer Bodil back who insults Scots rather than defend him?
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:45 AM BST
Akabula, why don`t you answer Bodil back who insults Scots rather than defend him?
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 12:49 AM BST
[i]akabula, in all the many referendum discussions on here where you have contributed, not once have I seen you justify why you advocate voting No.

Or are you one of those muppets that enters discussions, disses others, just states an opinion but doesn´t feel they have to justify it.[/i


I am in the NO camp, ie for the status quo. The yes campaign needs to convince me that independence would be for the good of Scotland.
If it can't convince me then that is my justification for voting NO.
Is that really that hard to understand.
Muppet? The yes campaign throwing insults around like half bricks.
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:50 AM BST
Akabula, you are going on about not getting EU membership yet want to remain tied to a country that wants out? LaughLaugh
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:51 AM BST
akabula has a right to vote NO, that`s what democracy is all about.
Report Pokermonster • September 18, 2014 12:52 AM BST
Kincsem wrote:

If you asked the people of Ireland today would they like to remain independent or join the United Kingdom it would be a "yes" without question.


That, sir, is a classic. Laugh

Report Pokermonster • September 18, 2014 12:54 AM BST
The ideals of democracy fail somewhat when two wolves and a sheep decide what to have for dinner.
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 12:54 AM BST
Akabula, why don`t you answer Bodil back who insults Scots rather than defend him

bodil is at the wind up with his insults, stop biting.
As an aside he does make some very good points. (btw where have I defended him insulting Scots?)
Report erse2 • September 18, 2014 12:55 AM BST
It doesn't sum up the yes campaign strategy at all, it might sum up some people's strategy though.

bodil's comment is loaded with half truths and is absolutely one sided. there are certainly a small element of voters sick and tired of hearing the little england mentality and insisting that the rest of the UK is realistically dependent on England, or that somehow Scotland without oil is an impoverished nation.

I feel the likes of this attitude is worse than any name calling, a layer of pomposity, a layer of misinformation and essentially after probing the point of view there would be a lack of conviction and backbone.

In the event of a no vote, I'd love nothing more than to see England strive for independence and discuss/debate these very same issues, and how the rUK would be denying it "point blank" in regards to a currency unionLaugh
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 12:58 AM BST
They bang on about the currency, ffs, is that the same currency they won`t accept when we venture south to England?
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 1:00 AM BST
Akabula, you are going on about not getting EU membership yet want to remain tied to a country that wants out?

I was making the point about him lying also I haven't said what I favour as regards the EU. I'm merely saying that under Salmond we don't know where we stand but under the present government, as you quite rightly pointed out, we do know. Thanks.
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 1:05 AM BST
They bang on about the currency, ffs, is that the same currency they won`t accept when we venture south to England?

Try spending Irish money in Scotland. Laugh
Report bodil • September 18, 2014 1:08 AM BST
The Mighty Mac was a great horse.

I've never mentioned deep-fried Mars bars (I did suggest you feed your farmed salmon with deep-fried fish food).

I am not right-wing.  And left-wing nut-jobs do as much damage if not more.

sofia - you're right, this is invigorating.

Why don't you discuss the serious issues raised on my thread - such as who are the stellar people who will lead you to the promised land.  No one has given me a single example.  I see no outstanding person - I'm sure you can give dozens of examples.  And how, exactly, are you going to stop the pissed-off English/rUK taking their money out of Scottish banks and institutions?  And they will do it quickly. All the UK offices in Scotland can expect 90% reductions in their workforce - just got a premium bond last week,  Goodbye Glasgow.  Actions have consequences - whether you want them or not.  I doubt many shipyard-workers will be voting yes.
Report bodil • September 18, 2014 1:12 AM BST
Oh erse2 why?  I thought we were getting along.  Now I have to gut and skin you.  Do you want to say goodbye to your family first?
Report Pokermonster • September 18, 2014 1:14 AM BST
Perhaps you could wear him like a kilt?  It's what he would have wanted.
Report themightymac • September 18, 2014 1:14 AM BST
ok akabula, why are the Tory establishment in Westminster so DESPERATE for us to remain part of the UK? Is it because they really love us and that we have misunderstood them all these years?

Could it be anything to do with the London stock market sinking quicker than the Titanic in fear of a YES vote?

If we have no Oil, no Gas, no Hydro electric, no agriculture and no other assets (except Whisky and Salmon as another poster said) how can the decision of an impoverished nation of drunken, Mars Bar eating, benefit claiming, wife beating heroin junkies have such an effect on the world markets?
Report erse2 • September 18, 2014 1:15 AM BST
Considering the 'Scottish Banks' are RBS and HBOS, one amalgamated with Lloyds and based in London already, and one 70% owned by the entire United Kingdom, what exactly are you boycotting? Laugh Did you think that one through?

You're saying that because Scotland becomes independent, English people will boycott Scottish businesses, because... you want to throw the toys out the pram? I somehow think life will go on without the kind of tantrums you envisage.
Report Pokermonster • September 18, 2014 1:19 AM BST
The FTSE has been steadily rising for the last two years.  The last month has been almost flat, up about fifty pips.  The last week, down about fifty pips. 

It's hardly sinking like the Titanic, sir.
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 1:20 AM BST
ok akabula, why are the Tory establishment in Westminster so DESPERATE for us to remain part of the UK?

The clue is in the NO campaign slogan. BETTER TOGETHER

BETTER FOR IRELAND
BETTER FOR SCOTLAND
BETTER FOR WALES
and, not surprisingly
BETTER FOR ENGLAND.

That's why mac.
Report bodil • September 18, 2014 1:21 AM BST
Yep, we will take our ball home and throw the toys out of the pram - because we're big enough to survive.  Especially when riled.  We'll work out the tax-payer-owned banks to our advantage.  You may just have kick-started the English renaissance.  Apparently only 17 of the world's countries have not been at war or been invaded by England.  Bring on the remainder!

Have I recently said how much I love you all?
Report no moves • September 18, 2014 1:21 AM BST
My personal view is that Scotland should go, the whole devolution idea has been divisive, it clandestinely set out to seek independence through stealth. Would people in 1998 have voted for full independence? In my opinion no they would not.

Scotland up until 1998 was largely a cultural grouping not a political entity. People in Scotland largely voted for British parties Labour, Liberals and Conservatives. Now Scotland asks, outraged, why do we Scots  have governments they don't vote for? Do the people in greater London with a sizeably greater population than the whole of Scotland ask the same question if the vote goes against them?

When we were, one, nobody in Scotland much asked that question!  Devolution was voted for in 1998 and its momentum towards independence was  surely inevitable. If the nationalists are defeated this time i'm sure the question will return within 10 years.

Many in the provinces in England are minded towards their own devolution this should be resisted by central government in my opinion , just look at Scotland's example it leads to decay and destruction of our unity and once given, power, the need for more and more is unstoppable


England needs to let Scotland go and worry about the forces internally who seek to divide us up.
Report kincsem • September 18, 2014 1:28 AM BST
akabulA
The clue is in the NO campaign slogan. BETTER TOGETHER
BETTER FOR IRELAND


How is a United kingdom of England and Scotland better for Ireland?  As an Irish citizen I am surprised at this claim.
Report akabula • September 18, 2014 1:39 AM BST
akabulA
The clue is in the NO campaign slogan. BETTER TOGETHER
BETTER FOR IRELAND

How is a United kingdom of England and Scotland better for Ireland?  As an Irish citizen I am surprised at this claim.


Do you mean you are a Republic of Ireland citizen? I see that as a foreign country and hence feel no need to use Northern as in Northern Ireland when speaking of the Home Nations. I hope that helps.
BTW I never came up with the BETTER TOGETHER slogan, I am merely endorsing it.
Report bodil • September 18, 2014 1:40 AM BST
I could mock some of the loons posting recently but I know we, hard-wired, are homicidal cannibalistic apes who form alliances to suit our short-term aims.  And things change.  Great civilizations are rarely murdered, they commit suicide.  And don't come up with rubbish about how we are irrelevant - the world language of business, science, the arts is English, and thus we influence nearly everything.  I'd prefer not to commit suicide tomorrow - thank you.
Report ebulGery • September 18, 2014 2:10 AM BST
TiptheOdds = William Wallace????
Report kincsem • September 18, 2014 2:12 AM BST
The name of our country is Ireland.  The name of the other country is Northern Ireland.
If you see no need to use Northern when speaking of Northern Ireland then you are referring to our country which is not part of the United Kingdom.
Ireland is a republic, we do not have a monarchy, but many European countries are republics.  It is only the English who call Ireland the Republic Of Ireland while they do not refer to the Republic of France, the Republic of Italy.
Report bodil • September 18, 2014 2:23 AM BST
Ireland.  After independence they handed over great chunks of the education/children establishment to the Catholic church, who proceeded to abuse/ablate (that's bodilese for starve/ignore/dump the corpses in septic tanks so they wont censor it).  The Irish government legislated against any Irishman who had fought on the side of the British in WW1 and 2.  Want a government job?  Speak Gaelic.  Forget why I posted this.  Hatred of the English somewhere I expect.

Did I mention I love you all?
Report jed.davison • September 18, 2014 2:23 AM BST
Tiocfaidh Ár Lá
Report bodil • September 18, 2014 3:18 AM BST
Que?
Report brendanuk1 • September 18, 2014 6:04 AM BST
Good luck Scotland Grin

Time to do the right thing
Report brendanuk1 • September 18, 2014 6:11 AM BST

Sep 17, 2014 -- 6:40PM, kincsem wrote:


If you asked the people of Ireland today would they like to remain independent or join the United Kingdom it would be a "yes" without question.Better to be in a big Europe than stay with England, and when England vote to leave Europe Scotland will be forced to tag along with them.I think Scotland are suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, where they are unable to leave their captors.


yes Scotland are a bit slow to wake up, and smell the coffee, but then they were never subject to the same "No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs" etc, some of the scots even feel part of a equal union Laugh

If its 51, 52% the question will come back every 5 years, especially with the old slipper wearers being the main advocates of the status quo

Report akabula • September 18, 2014 2:19 PM BST
Tiocfaidh Ár Lá

I can't knock anyone who lives in hope Jed but all recent opinion polls have shown that the appetite for a united Ireland is waning on both sides of the border.
Report bodil • September 18, 2014 2:53 PM BST
STOP!  Before I passed out on the keyboard this morning I jotted down some notes for posting.  "I like the beaver but I love HAT.  Future gygy wine Lefevre.  Pink spiders big time."  Before you vote Yes - think about that seriously.
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