Post
by powdermonkey » Sat Jun 25, 2016 5:04 pm
If Scotland did vote for independence that'd be more of a surprise to me than if they didn't. Their last referendum was a clear stay in the UK vote and I think that was down to knowing they're better of in the UK, and nothing to with any desire to remain in the EU - they knew at the time the EU referendum was coming with yesterday's result being possible. The reasons why I think the Scots won't vote for independence are mainly centred on falling oil revenues both due to the price per barrel and less oil being accessible (at least with current technology) and, if they're so keen on independence, why swap Westminster for Brussels? At least with the rest of the UK they have a shared language, currency, history and culture. If they want independence, let it be full independence. They'd face starting a new currency (backed by what? Sales of whisky and shortbread?), border controls with England, higher taxes. If they want to keep free tuition etc, the money from the Barnet formula would have to be replaced somehow, plus the falling oil revenue will have a massive impact on what public services could be offered and at what price. Do they really think that joining the EU with the associated conditions of the Schengen Agreement, joining the Euro zone and the instructions from Brussels is the same as independence?
Ah Ireland. I have a keen interest as my wife is from the Republic. NI could not survive as an independent country. There's no chance of reunification with Eire as they wouldn't want it (they long ago dropped the demand for the return of the 6 counties) and can you imagine the reaction of the Unionist parties? It'd be a return to the 70's with sectarian killings. Sinn Fein might want it but the Dáil Éireann would not. From what my wife tells me the majority of the people don't want reunification. One of the big reasons for the demand for the 6 counties to be returned was that it was perceived that they had all the industry and that Eire was mainly agricultural. That was nearly 100 years ago and things have changed. NI has lost a lot of it's industry (i.e. the ship yards) as has the midlands and north of England. Conversely, Eire has moved on from agriculture and has diversified (remember the Celtic tiger?). OK, they've suffered since as have other countries but it's no longer all diddly-i-di music and Guinness.
Could Scotland & NI join together? That'd be an interesting scenario. I was surprised at Wales voting to leave as they get such large amounts of money from the EU.
I did joke with my wife, asking her if I had to send her back as we're no longer in the EU but Eire is. She didn't laugh. Especially when I told her I wanted to keep her as there's a pile of ironing to do.
Finally, I've been seeing lots of comments from people under 30, particularly 18 - 25 year olds, complaining that us older people have destroyed their future. Apparently some 75% of 18 - 25 yr olds voted to remain but far more older people voted to leave. It seems that whilst overall voter turn out was over 72% especially amongst older voters, the turn out for 18 - 25 yr olds was about 48%. If they're not bothered about their personal views why the hell should I be? My vote (aged 56 and a half) is just as important as anyone else's.
I have seen the truth and it makes no sense.