Scottish Parliament sworn in

[glasgow1234]

Thumbs up if you are going to vote YES for SCOTLAND'S INDEPENDENCE

[911anon911]

you guys do realize that James (under whom the personal union of the crowns took place) was first King of Scots before being King of England. So if anyone should complain it should be England.

Anyone who thinks Scotlands problems are because of being part of the United Kingdom is kidding himself. If these guys really want to do something for the Scottish people they should solve the real problems.

If we were to divide land based on every difference between people we would be in very small ghetos

[xberry99]

Northern Ireland and Wales baby.

[sevierno]

SNP = childish republicans

[qpodcity]

@sevierno they're actually not republican, they have never been republican. The SNP stand for an independent Scotland with the Queen remaining as Head of State, back to the way it used to be, Queen of Scots.

[ChicDhu]

@sevierno Why? What would a "grown up" republican do?

[davidadamson9640]

@sevierno I think you'll find that the SNP stance on monarchy is that if Scotland was to become independent then the queen would still maintain the position as head of state, therefore SNP aren't republicans.

[jopaistar]

Saor Alba. BREAK THE UNION

[jopaistar]

I

SUPPORT

SCOTTISH

INDEPENDENCE

2010

BREAK THE UNION!!!!

m/25 Paisley

[kiddznitch]

The Scottish parliament, adjourned on 25th March 1707, is hereby reconvened

[PsychedelicVideos]

FUCK YEAH SCOTLAND

BOH BOH BOH!

[avatarNbraveheart]

bbbbooooo kill that fat bitch english bastard queen cmon scotland

[Hullawthere]

No MP's in Hollyrood, about bloody time spongin lot !

[glasgow1234]

I

SUPPORT

SCOTTISH

INDEPENDENCE - M/19/Glasgow

[HHRB0664]

Saor Alba.

[RogetKing]

Scottish Parliament? yeaaaaaah more politicians. Just what the world needs. How was this ever allowed. The only enemy people have is governments!!!!!

[ChicDhu]

So you want fewer politicians.

The fewest possible would be one - a dictator.

[RogetKing]

I WANT MY! I WANT MY! I WANT MY MTV! Money for nothing and the chicks for free.

[lewismurray1]

or none a Monarchy like the times of Scotlands glory

[jed371]

@ChicDhu an island doesn't need 3 different governments

[ChicDhu]

@jed371 Says who?

It's a bit drastic as well abolishing local government and the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Governments just because we are on one island.

Unless you mean sovereign government. In which case why should every island have one government?

Barra, Wight etc etc All because they are surrounded by sea.

It's an odd argument for the basis of sovereign government - surrounded by water.

[MrFarmer86]

@RogetKing at least are politicians dont scam the system like in england

[densaner77]

Scotland should be independent. Our independence was stolen from us in 1707 without a vote of the people. That resulted in rioting in every major town and city. Should the SNP win and give us a referendum it will be our first say about our status within the UK. I say vote yes and let us divorce ourselves from that oppresser race!

[aclockworktoastie]

Scotland stole the independence of three other states with genocide, murder and imperialism if you think like that.

Dolt.

[densaner77]

Look at the history of England and you will find nothing but genocide, murder and imperialism. The English occupied at one time or another Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France. Each country fought wars to varying degrees of success to get rid of them. England forced Scotland into the union in 1707 because she would not allow Scotland free trade with the colonies. Look at history and you will see you are the dolt for not understanding the character of the English as an oppresser race!

[hmsabo]

You ignorant worm.

[hmsabo]

You ignorant worm.

[densaner77]

Thanks for adding to the debate with your insightful comments hmsasshole.

[hmsabo]

You're the insightful asshole.

My country and family have helped make Scotland what is today and without the rest of the United Kingdom, you would be nothing you ungrateful bastard.

And that's under the dangerous assumption you're Scottish but regardless of so.

[densaner77]

Scotland has existed as a country since the 9th century how on earth has the USA made Scotland what it is today? We had a Parliament, a king and a country 600 years before America was invaded by the frightful Europeans. Scottish people are hard working and industrious and we do not need to thank England let alone the USA for our place in the world asshole.

[hmsabo]

I know quiet well of the origins of Scotland as well as the progress of Albion so save me the history lesson. However, I think it's quite wrong of you to basically accuse the English of forcing you into unifying into Great Britain. In case you forgot, the union came to be when your king that you previously mentioned (actually it was a queen, Queen Anne) ascended the throne, she brought together both inherited crowns of England and Scotland.

[hmsabo]

I know quiet well of the origins of Scotland as well as the progress of Albion so save me the history lesson. However, I think it's quite wrong of you to basically accuse the English of forcing you into unifying into Great Britain. In case you forgot, the union came to be when your king that you previously mentioned (actually it was a queen, Queen Anne) ascended the throne, she brought together both inherited crowns of England and Scotland.

[densaner77]

The House of Stuart only became rulers of Great Britain because the beloved "virgin" Queen failed to produce an heir. The Stuarts were a bunch of crooks who sold Scotland down the river to achieve greater power and wealth. The British Empire is nothing to boast about, no empire is. Imperial rule is about rape and pillage and the British did plenty of both. England DID force Scotland into the Union and any other reading of history is pure bunkum. PS The monarchy should be abolished toot sweet!

[hmsabo]

The "Virgin" Queen did not tie herself down to marriage or children because the English people were first to her and that is a sacrifice a true leader makes. The Stuarts brought Scotland into the world's scope and otherwise you'd still be sitting in obscurity. Imperialism was wrong in some ways but moreso is not putting the past behind us. Scotland could have left the Union and I would like to see you try to abolish the monarchy.

Those of us who stand by what the country stands for will win.

[hmsabo]

Therefore, if anyone was to blame for the creation of Great Britain, it was YOUR royal house and YOUR monarchy that did so. The English people saw the appearance of a great opportunity to make BOTH nations great and they DID. The sun never sits on the British Empire, your empire, my empire. Be thankful that you are part of a nation whom at one point ruled a quarter of the world.

I don't need to argue this any further. I stand by my queen, my flag, and my country and if you don't, your problem.

[densaner77]

The sun never SET on the British Empire because God did not trust the English in the dark!

[hmsabo]

Ha.I'm not getting into a religious debate but for the more..."substantial" of the intellectuals, we believe in human's forging their own paths and this includes how the world perceives us. If God "didn't trust" the British, he would have intervened. He could have sank the Royal Navy, plagued the armed forces, or overturned the monarchy BUT HE DIDN'T. So by playing by your rules, God allowed the British to rule because it was their destiny as a nation to do so and you are noone to say otherwise.

[densaner77]

The monarchy stands for everything that is wrong with Britain. Class ridden snobbishness may be part of our history that does not make it right. God had no part to play in the Nazi takeover of Europe or the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia so by your reckoning that gives them the divine seal of approval. The English are an opressive race just ask the Irish, Scots, Welsh, Indians etc etc etc.

[hmsabo]

YOU stand for everything that is wrong in Britain. The whiney generation who can't take pride in being the envy of the world.

The generation who sits and complains about problems instead of addressing issues headon.

By your faith, God is omnipotent and decides the course of EVERYTHING. God decided the Nazi takeover to happen, he put Pol Pot into power and he set Britain on its course to shape the form of history into how it stands today and you can whine all you want and that will never change

[technophiles]

You are joking...? We don't have the finance or the backing to go independent.

[densaner77]

What rot you speak. Scotland is a wealthy country and has no greater problems than other countries its size. Even the Labour Party changed tack this week and said Scotland could cope financially if it was independent. Therefore the debate has changed from whether Scotland could be independent to whether it should be, totally negating your argument. I believe it should be and the sooner the better!

[technophiles]

Lol, no. Much of our finance comes from down in England. If we go independent, Scotland is at risk of an Economic Crisis. I'm for independence but I have to be realistic as well.

[densaner77]

You have obviously been reading Kelvin McKenzie in the Sun. I would remind you that millions of people in Scotland work and pay tax and the idea that all our money comes from England is not only insulting it is completly wrong. Taxes may have to go up if Scotland becomes independent but there will be no crisis.

[technophiles]

I don't actually follow the opinions of anyone. I look a facts and form my own opinion based on them, as a Modern Studies student I am encouraged to do so. Believe me, I would love nothing more than for Scotland to go independent and for us to rid ourselves of this devolution crisis but I simply can't see it happening. Even if our oil and our economy was strong, would we get the backing from the electorate?

[densaner77]

My view is that the history of Scotland within the Union is one of gradually getting back the powers lost in 1707. From the creation of the Scottish Secretary and Scottish Office right up to today with the Scottish Parliament. When the Scottish Parliament gets more powers and eventually fiscal autonomy the switch to independence will be far easier and therefore more acceptable to the electorate.

[technophiles]

Yes, more people would vote SNP but we wouldn't get a majority and since no other party wants independence within the Scottish Parliament, a coalition would not be formed. Independence won't happen :( You can say as much to me as you like but at the end of the day you have to convince the general public.

[densaner77]

The SNP went from nothing to the biggest party in the Scottish Parliament in 60 years. It may take another 60 years or more but one day Scotland will be independent. It is just a matter of time and circumstance.

[samkeir]

the rest of the uk would have no right to vote on a referendum. and scotlands economy would start no better or worse after gaining indepenedence but it would be made better by the scottish people. and if scotland is to poor to look after itself why is england so desperate to hold onto it?

[Reunakk]

@samkeir I didn't realise England were so desperate to hold onto it?

[Scottishguyusa]

I suggest you look at Sean Connery's/SNP's videos on YouTube about how 'collapsed' the Scottish economy would be if independence were to happen. Are you forgetting North Sea oil, and many other abundant natural resources not to mention a booming tourism industry? Scotland would be just fine, and also one of the richest countries in the world per head of population!

[cheesemybob]

Tehy economy would collapse, why?

Is this view based on any evidence or on a grudge? We all know the true answer to that question.

Look at Ireland, doing great.

[lopzilla]

Scotland - wake up to your destiny, be a great nation under SNP without allegiance to the English monarchy and its government.

[krayzeeryan]

you speak nonsence

[lopzilla]

you appear to have no positive comment to make only an inane

remark.

[krayzeeryan]

only you regard it as negative. You speak nonsence in the manner of something that cannot happen, its the truth.

[alacas69]

Why cant it happen? Because you say so? If SNP get enough votes in the 2007 elections, then a referendum on independence WILL happen and then it will be up to the people of Scotland to decide. Scotland can be independent if the Scots nation decides so!

[krayzeeryan]

well, because its not only scotland that will have a referendum on the issue. the whole of the UK will vote on it. Even if there was a maority for seperation, referendums arnt binding, so whos to say the governement would follow it. Its far too complicated, the armed forces would have to be dismantled, new territories would have to be drawn, and not to mention the collapse of the scottish economy.

[alacas69]

LOL, are you on dugs, any referendum would be a referendum of the Scottish people (ie people who vote for the MSP's), not all of the UK! There is NO evidence that the Scottish economy would collapse, and plenty to say it would be fine, even if it had to borrow sometimes to balance the budget, just as most countries have to including the UK.  International law would prevail. It's only complicated for those who do not understand it or who believe the unionist claptrap.