Pointless referendum on Scottish independance set for 2014

[MikeH]

Why not just propose federalism? Turn England, N.I., Wales, and Scotland into some analogue of US states.

We basically do. Last government already started that process with devolution. Wales NI and Scotland now all have their own parliaments, which is what the SNP managed to take control of hence allowing them to push for this vote.

[Hauldren Collider]

But those parliaments don't have nearly the range of powers as US state legislatures if I understand correctly.

[MikeH]

Yeah, that was a crap post. "started that process" is more accurate than "we already do"

Whether to add an increased devolution question to the referendum was one of the sticking points on the referendum agreement. SNP wanted it, UK Govt didn't.

Think increased devolution is a good idea personally. Best of both worlds to some extent.

[C0ckney]

it's not really federalism though, every part of the UK has its own arrangements.

that's not to say that it won't happen in the future though.

[giblets]

We basically do. Last government already started that process with devolution. Wales NI and Scotland now all have their own parliaments, which is what the SNP managed to take control of hence allowing them to push for this vote.

But no local parliaments in England?

[C0ckney]

SNP have said Shetland could opt out anyway:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/poli...-Scotland.html

fair play to the SNP.

[C0ckney]

But no local parliaments in England?

there was a plan to give some regions of england regional assemblies, but there wasn't much popular support for them and they were dropped.

[regexcellent]

American states are sovereign within their own sphere, to the point of having their own reserved powers the federal government can't interfere in (everything not explicitly mentioned in the constitution, in fact), and even have their own militias. Devolved parliaments are nothing close to that.

[Dinner]

Not exactly on topic but since we're discussing Scotland I thought this was kind of cool:

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19924028

One of the most remote and isolated places on mainland Britain just got high speed internet. It's kind of a wonder such isolated off the grid sort of places even still exist in modern Britain. Of course if remote living is what you're looking for then here's an old stone house with lots of land attached for sale here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/...-for-sale.html
Some of the problems are there are no utilities, no roads (not even a dirt one) so expect to get everything in via either a boat or with pack mules, no real opportunities to make a living though you can herd sheep or subsistence fish, but at least there are absolutely no neighbors and I hear the place as amazing views. It can all be yours including acres and acres of land for an asking price of just 200,000 pounds.

[regexcellent]

This is a mostly irrelevant question to the actual implications of the referendum, but would Scotland become a republic or be in a situation like Canada and Australia where the monarch remains head of state?

[notyoueither]

Up to them. The Commonwealth is open to any who want to belong. I can't see them tossing it aside, but maybe. Republics can be members, IIRC.

[notyoueither]

Short answer. The relationship with the Crown is a subtle and flexible one.

India is a republic that crowned Elizabeth as Empress.

[MikeH]

But no local parliaments in England?

Yes, this is also contentious.

[C0ckney]

This is a mostly irrelevant question to the actual implications of the referendum, but would Scotland become a republic or be in a situation like Canada and Australia where the monarch remains head of state?

the SNP has stated that they will keep the monarchy.

although they have left open the possiblity of a referendum on the matter in the future, if there's popular demand for it.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

An independent Scotland would be swiftly bankrupted if England raised the prices on Buckfast, lard and heroin.