tbh very little and to show how colloquial I can be its a very long way from Cornwall. Give us your thoughts maybe ?
I don't agree with their standing on independence, which is the main reason they were voted in really. People appear to be sick of a labour government, but not at all fond of the conservatives, and so they voted for the party which seemed most like labour without being labour. That's what I think anyway. I don't think independence would be good for scotland at the moment, possibly because I'm english. I think that it's sending out the wrong message if, at a time when countries everywhere are joining together - the EU, all of the Americas appear to be doing something unity ish as well, Scotland doesn't want to be a part of the UK anymore. I think financially it's a bad move, but I don't really have a basis for that. If the libdems and green party had formed a coalition the way they were talking about, that would have been interesting, but that fell through. I don't think the majority of people in Scotland want independence either, but if the SNP are in power, they're going to have a referendum, which I do agree with, as what's the point in doing something without knowing how the country feel about it, then start independence related things, an try and raise favourable feelings towards it, then have another referendum to make sure it's ok. I just think it's a move away from unity, and can't lead to anything fantastic.
I'm not in favour of nationalist parties. Although the SNP are to the left of Labour, the idea of Scottish independence is neither viable nor necessary. We need fewer nations, not more....
Moved to main forum by the way. Parties and Protests is for events, main forum for big/political issues.
I percieve them as a bunch of nutters. I'm at a loss to qualify my remark BUT I was watching the 1997 elections on the parliament channel - the other day. Just thought to myself : what a bunch of nutters. Ok Ok ''nutters' is the wrong word - I just think they are not moving forward - ''Fresh thinking and a new approach'' - not from what i was hearing from them way back then and in comparison to know. You must know when a particular party chimes with you or does not ? - well - after the Conservatives / Lib Dems / Green / Ukip / BNP / Respect - The SNP are the next lot that i can't abide and in know way ''chime'' with me. I'll look with interest in how they operate over the next few years - now they have had a ''historic'' victory - see if their manifesto alters. At the moment nothing in it - I really think - would win my vote [If I was Scotish].
Not quite - but quite possibly. I've not fallen out of love with them YET - that is true. I'm not averse to altering my opinion on any political party - well apart from the BNP obviously. I have shifted my opinions on the Conservatives. I may shift my opinion on New Labour. The only problem is - The others just seem stuck - plus have fundementally different philosophies than I do - on all the key policies that effect me directly or indirectly. So at the moment it seems it is ''New Labour or death''. I'm afraid to say.
They are based in Scotland. They represent Scotland and they are possibly the best party for Scotland
Im glad they won. Its just a real shame its looks like they will have to form a minority government. The lib dems are so opposed to Scottish independence I doubt they will form a co-alition with them, and since having a referendum on independence was one of the SNPs vote wining policies they wont be able to say they are going to scrap it or forget about it. I think the vast majority of people voting SNP were just wanting rid of Labour because of Iraq. Hopefully with a minority government they will still manage to scrap the unfair council tax and replace it with an income based tax. Im undecided if independence would be a good idea or not, but Im definately for more powers in the Scottish parliament over defence. I think the Scottish people should decide where the Scottish regiments are sent to.
That would be unworkable. If you grant the Scottish Parliament powers over defence then they may as well have independence. Nation states rest, above all else, on the ability to protect their populations from external threats whilst maintaining a monopoly of the means of violence within their given territory. If Scotland reserved that right for themselves, then the integrity of the United Kingdom would be impossible to maintain. I am in favour of some devolution, and I'm not in favour of sending any regiments to Iraq, English or Scottish or any other, but I do not believe that devolving defence is sensible unless you are pushing for full independence....
WOuld be better if Scotland had total independence from England. This way they can have a chance of being a new focus for other countries to follow suit on fair and liberal laws. At the moment, the focus is on England. Engerland this and Engerland that. I too wish Wales, Cornwall would have their own state, country, independence etc. SNP, I hope will drive Scotland toward complete independence from England. A country of their own.
I dont see why it would be. Maybe im being naive and not understanding something here but isnt it a brilliant idea. Think about it, without the support of the Scottish regiments the British army would be too small to do anything other than actually defending Britain. It would be one more safety-check before going and invading other countries, first you would have to win the support of Scotland too. The regiments would still be there if they were really needed, and in a just war they would fight.
It's not unworkable if you're pushing for independence. It is unworkable if you wish to maintain the integrity of the United Kingdom. Simply put, unified states must be able to call upon their militaries to fight even in unjust wars. If regiments began refusing to fight based on regionalist objections, it would undermine the authority of the government on a national level. I agree with your sentiment, certainly I would wish to curtail the ability of states to start ridiculous crusades across the globe, but the practicality of allowing regionalist control over regiments would undermine the very basis of the nation state to such a degree that no government would ever permit it. A better basis for curtailing the power of unjust government foreign interventions would be to call on unified citizen power which has in many cases (such as America during the Vietnam war and Israel today) caused large numbers of those called to fight to refuse orders or to desert....
I believe Scotland should become independent. I am tired of subsidising Scotland. It is time for Scotland to prove that they can run a country without London, Parliament interfering or bailing or assisting. It would work because the Scots are hardworking, honest and visionaries. I reccomend Braveheart to those unsure of how Scotland fought for their freedom. England are too much of a dominant monolith. It is time for Scotland and Wales to run themselves. Hope the SNP make this happen.
I have a feeling that with North Sea oil revenues, Scotland has been a net contributor to the British economy for decades...
Yeh but North sea oil is like being shared. It is the brits oil, not just English. Besides, I would like to see Scotland having its own say in the future of the country without England inserting a grey finger inside the Scottish parliament.
