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[Mackem]

Not to worry.  The Scottish electorate have yet to hear overwhelming evidence for either cause.   Whilst the "Yes to independence" campaigners have been more forthcoming than the "No" campaigners so far, they've still failed to convince the undecided/apathetic voters (20% of the electorate, if you believe the SNP) that independence is the right way forward.  It doesn't help either that it has yet to be decided whether the referendum will take the form of a straight Yes or No question, or whether there will be an option to vote for Devo-Max, i.e. more powers for the Scottish parliament, but even what this entails has still to be clarified.  Also it doesn't help that Scots MPs at Westminster keep sticking their noses in and stirring the pot and that the "Yes" camp is divided amongst itself on certain issues.  Then there's the on-going discussions between Holyrood and Westminster (well, Cameron and Salmond, to be exact) about the referendum itself .....

Basically, as I understand it, what it all really boils down to is how far an independent Scotland would be able to sustain itself financially -

* Could an independent Scotland boast a viable economy and vibrant job market?

* How would the government go about raising taxes - would Scots end up paying more tax than people living in England and Wales?

* The impact on the State Pension - would pensioners end up being better or worse off?

* The impact on Welfare Benefits - would there be enough in the kitty to cover existing and future benefits?

Aileen, as a half Scottish Accountant with specialities in international economics I humbly suggest that the answers to your questions are:
NO
YES, within 10 years certainly
WORSE OFF
NO

[Mackem]

If you have speciality in the subject and the time, I'd love to hear you de-lineate further how you come to your conclusions.

A lot might depend on the fiscal debt inherited by Scotland in the event of Independence.  If Scotland gets its fair share it comes down to a simply matter of microeconomics i.e. expenditure will exceed income - same principles apply whether it's a single person on their own 'making ends meet' or a National government balancing the books.  Within 5 years there will be enormous pressure to either raise taxes or cut public spending (even further).  Things will be 10 times worse if Scotland is forced to have the Euro - 100 times worse if there's a new independent currency.  Corporate investment in Scotland from outside Scotland will 'dry up' (in fact the is already starting to happen) because of the uncertainty created and the lack of trust in the fiscal economic abilities of the SNP leaders, which is already largely discredited.
That'll do for now!

[Aileen]

Typical ScotNat anglophobic rant.  To use Sir Panda's words - romanticised bullsh*t.  I love my country dearly, and there are indeed some truths in what the speaker is saying, but I've no wish to see it falling into the hands of SNP radicals.  I'd prefer instead to have listened to a sensible, practical speech - one which, unlike this one, doesn't dwell solely on Scotland's grievances, many of which are of no relevance to Scotland today (why, for example, dredge up the Highland Clearances?) but also gives a clearer picture of what the outcome of independence is likely to be.  Until somebody manages to convince me beyond all shadow of doubt that independence is the way forward for this country, then I will remain firmly pro-Union.

A lot might depend on the fiscal debt inherited by Scotland in the event of Independence.  If Scotland gets its fair share it comes down to a simply matter of microeconomics i.e. expenditure will exceed income - same principles apply whether it's a single person on their own 'making ends meet' or a National government balancing the books.  Within 5 years there will be enormous pressure to either raise taxes or cut public spending (even further).  Things will be 10 times worse if Scotland is forced to have the Euro - 100 times worse if there's a new independent currency.  Corporate investment in Scotland from outside Scotland will 'dry up' (in fact the is already starting to happen) because of the uncertainty created and the lack of trust in the fiscal economic abilities of the SNP leaders, which is already largely discredited.
That'll do for now!

Thanks Mackem.  Very iteresting, and it's also clarified my own understanding that the uncertainty created by this referendum alone is deterring companies outside of Scotland from establishing businesses here.

Hmm. I wonder what the general picture will be for any UK resident in respect of all these points regardless of whether we're in the union or not.  The next generation is likely to be the first in many to be worse off than its parents. There are many very difficult issues ahead, and being part of UK plc ain't necessarily going to make them any easier.

A very valid point, but is independence going to make things any easier?  The last thing the people of the UK as a whole need at the moment is the years of instability which will surely follow if Scotland becomes independent.  Salmond has picked totally the wrong time for his referendum if he wants it to succeed.

[Iluvandy]

I didn't notice much reference to England at all Aileen in the video - rather to the British state.   That is one of the reasons I would prefer independence - even in Scotland there is confusion between England and Britain - and there certainly is in England.     Until someone convinces me that the way forward for Scotland is with the Union I will remain firmly for independence.   

[Bevc]

Yes, the Highland Clearances were an atrocity, but they bear no relation to what is going on in the UK today simply because such a thing would never have been allowed to happen.  Why can't us Scots stop raking up our grievances over and over again and start focussing instead on all the great things that Scotland is famous for - and if you care to think about it, there are plenty. 

  There are some terrible things that have happened in this world but why keep on dragging it up.  What about having a go at the Italians for invading everywhere, together with Germans (yeah, there was the more recent thing and I do have German aunt), the French, the Scandinavians?  My Grandad was probably from Scottish or Irish origins (McSkelly) but I never remember him going on about things that inevitably get dragged up - his family moved down south for the work.  As people do, as we did (though we had jobs).

If the benefits outweigh the pitfalls of being independent, then sure, Scotland should go for it.  What I fail to understand is that if the Union is so bad, why are they keeping what would appear to be the best parts of it?

Re the England thing - I think that's down to education.  We speak English, therefore we are English

[Bevc]

Back to the education thing Aileen  

They do it here.  They keep saying am I English, to which I reply that I was born in England but I'm British.  Yes, I'm proud of my roots but that's what it says on my passport   I support England in those sports that have England representing them, but I support the other home nations too.  When push comes to shove, I go for England over other home nations but that's not unnatural, is it?  

The thing is, that's not unique to the UK.  Some Maori refer to themselves as one nation and not Kiwis/New Zealanders along with the rest of them (me still being a resident, not a citizen) which is a real shame.  They think that constant payouts from the crown (all taxpayers in NZ, not the Queen back in the UK btw) for past wrongs (though I'm guessing not everything was wrong) together with land being given back and rights over the land will make it all better. The current bone of contention is the rights over water - Maori say that they have always owned river/waterways  

[Alis]

A good example of this is hearing English people referring to Prince William as the future King of England, something which happens quite often.

Whilst I agree with most of what you say, Aileen, I think technically William is the future King of England but he is also the future King of Scots - there is a subtle difference which I rather like.