Scottish independence

[Lancet Fluke]

Sorry, my mistake.
And you're right about the result being what Scotland wanted and no more.

Personally, I think had this vote been taken ten or fifteen years ago, when the economy was booming and the Yes Campaign could've urged the electorate to look at how there'd never be a poor day in post-independence Ireland again, they'd have won by a landslide.
In a close run thing, especially during economically straitened times, people may say one thing but in the privacy of the ballot box their wallets speak louder than their idealism. That ultimately was the tipping point for me.

On a side note, how stupid was Cameron not to demand that any Yes vote would need to be carried by a super majority (say 60%, at least)? He's a lucky boy to still be in a job this morning. Imagine the fall out had either side won by one percent.

You make some good points, especially about changing comparisons with the Republic, but I disagree with your last point. I think Cameron had little choice in setting the bar at 50%. A 55% yes vote in a 60% super majority would have been a truly awful and divisive outcome.

He's taken a gamble and won, although not as big a gamble as some thought. I've previously posted on this thread on the power of the privacy of the ballot box. I always expected the power of conservatism to win the day in the end. In stable, western countries change is often viewed with some suspicion.

Cameron 'taken a gamble and won'?
More like 'was given a winning hand and nearly blew it'.

It was a winning hand until that drippy **** Darling got involved.

 

[tolmie]

ha ha ha cracking tune!

 

[TGR]

You make some good points, especially about changing comparisons with the Republic, but I disagree with your last point. I think Cameron had little choice in setting the bar at 50%. A 55% yes vote in a 60% super majority would have been a truly awful and divisive outcome.

He's taken a gamble and won, although not as big a gamble as some thought. I've previously posted on this thread on the power of the privacy of the ballot box. I always expected the power of conservatism to win the day in the end. In stable, western countries change is often viewed with some suspicion.

Cameron 'taken a gamble and won'?
More like 'was given a winning hand and nearly blew it'.

It was a winning hand until that drippy c**t Darling got involved.

Cameron is the man who has just killed off the political career of Alex Salmond.
Salmond is now a busted flush and will be replaced as the leader of the SNP in the not to distant future.
Cameron gave Salmond enough rope and he has hung himself. Nobody on here would have even remotely considered
the margin of the 'No' vote last night. Cameron has now killed off the independence cause for good.
He will also now use the opportunity to beat the drum for 'England' which is a political vote winner for the tories and will also help to head of UKIP.
I would suggest Cameron is feeling pretty pleased with himself this morning whilst Salmond is considering his political future.
Cameron is also being lauded across Europe for allowing the referendum to take place whilst in Spain where they have similar issues
they will not allow it.
All in all - Well done Dave!

 

[metalblue]

Cameron 'taken a gamble and won'?
More like 'was given a winning hand and nearly blew it'.

It was a winning hand until that drippy c**t Darling got involved.

Cameron is the man who has just killed off the political career of Alex Salmond.
Salmond is now a busted flush and will be replaced as the leader of the SNP in the not to distant future.
Cameron gave Salmond enough rope and he has hung himself. Nobody on here would have even remotely considered
the margin of the 'No' vote last night. Cameron has now killed off the independence cause for good.
He will also now use the opportunity to beat the drum for 'England' which is a political vote winner for the tories and will also help to head of UKIP.
I would suggest Cameron is feeling pretty pleased with himself this morning whilst Salmond is considering his political future.
Cameron is also being lauded across Europe for allowing the referendum to take place whilst in Spain where they have similar issues
they will not allow it.
All in all - Well done Dave!

When was the last time a politician willingly fell on their sword? Robin Cook? Such moral fibre belongs to another generation of our political "elite" sadly.

The only good thing I heard Salmond say was that he isn't going to turn this into a neverendum anytime Scotland don't feel like they're getting their way.

 

[foxy]

Now to address the West Lothian question

 

[inbetween]

Cameron 'taken a gamble and won'?
More like 'was given a winning hand and nearly blew it'.

It was a winning hand until that drippy c**t Darling got involved.

Cameron is the man who has just killed off the political career of Alex Salmond.
Salmond is now a busted flush and will be replaced as the leader of the SNP in the not to distant future.
Cameron gave Salmond enough rope and he has hung himself. Nobody on here would have even remotely considered
the margin of the 'No' vote last night. Cameron has now killed off the independence cause for good.
He will also now use the opportunity to beat the drum for 'England' which is a political vote winner for the tories and will also help to head of UKIP.
I would suggest Cameron is feeling pretty pleased with himself this morning whilst Salmond is considering his political future.
Cameron is also being lauded across Europe for allowing the referendum to take place whilst in Spain where they have similar issues
they will not allow it.
All in all - Well done Dave!

Spain will never allow the Catalonian vote because it will be an obvious yes, so much for democracy eh! Barcelona is the second major economic centre in Spain and you don't want to lose that when the country is already in the toilet.

It was a bit different here where I think many were surprised it was even as close as it was.

 

[Ifwecouldjust.......]

I actually want what the Scots are getting

I want

1) No Prescription charges.
2) No eye test charges
3) No privatisation of the NHS
4) No University fees
5) No bedroom tax
6) No wholesale sell off of our woodlands
7) Free Nursing care for the elderly in care homes and at home
8) One single operator for our rail network (a British one at that)
9)Free bus travel for under 18's (and under 25's if your a volunteer for a charitable organisation)


I look forward to seeing what additional goodies the Political Elite have agreed to sign away

 

[law74]

So now the union is safe (for a while), Westminster MUST ensure that the riches of our great nation are shared between ALL the citizens of our nation in a more equitable manner, the gaps between the rich and poor MUST be narrowed, public services MUST be secured and properly financed, privatization has to stop and by tackling tax evasion and avoidance will mean that welfare reform (or attacks on the working poor) need to stop.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

Pour encourager les autres Salmond should now be stripped naked, bound to a hurdle upside down, dragged through the four areas that voted yes then transported to London and hanged, drawn and quartered in front of the Palace of Westminster.

 

[baildon blue]

Pour encourager les autres Salmond should now be stripped naked, bound to a hurdle upside down, dragged through the four areas that voted yes then transported to London and hanged, drawn and quartered in front of the Palace of Westminster.

That should happen .
I would go to London to see that .