Scottish independence: Cameron and Salmond strike referendum deal

[Jinnah]

A deal setting out terms for a Scottish independence referendum has been signed by Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond.
The agreement, struck in Edinburgh, has paved the way for a vote in autumn 2014, with a single Yes/No question on Scotland leaving the UK.
It will also allow 16 and 17-year-olds to take part in the ballot.
The SNP secured a mandate to hold the referendum after its landslide Scottish election win last year.
The UK government, which has responsibility over constitutional issues, will grant limited powers to the Scottish Parliament to hold a legal referendum, under a mechanism called Section 30.
The deal will also commit both governments to working together constructively in the best interests of the people of Scotland, whatever the outcome of the referendum.
Mr Salmond said the agreement would mean a referendum "made in Scotland", while the prime minister said keeping the United Kingdom together was his number one priority.
The deal will provide for:
• A statutory order to be legislated at Westminster, granting Holyrood powers to hold a single-question independence referendum by the end of 2014 and covering other issues like campaign broadcasts.
• A "memorandum of agreement" to be signed by political leaders confirming the details of the referendum will be settled at Holyrood.
• A significant role for the Electoral Commission watchdog in advising on the wording of the question, the running of the referendum and areas including campaign finance.
A possible second question on greater powers has been dropped.
Speaking after the deal was signed at the headquarters of the Scottish government, St Andrew's House, the prime minister told BBC News: "This is the right decision for Scotland.
Real arguments
But it's also right for the United Kingdom that there is going to be one, simple, straightforward question about whether Scotland wants to stay in the United Kingdom or separate itself from the United Kingdom, and that referendum has to be held before the end of 2014.

BBC News - Scottish independence: Cameron and Salmond strike referendum deal
BBC - Democracy Live - Details of Scotland referendum agreement unveiled

 

[BDforever]

Scottish independence: SNP launches referendum blueprint


Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has launched the SNP'sindependence blueprint, calling it a "mission statement" for Scotland's future.

The 670-page Scottish government white paper promised a "revolution" in social policy, with childcare at its heart.

On 18 September, Scots voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

It also pledged to tailor economic policy to Scottish businesses and industry.

Launching the paper, "Scotland's future: Your guide to an independent Scotland", in Glasgow, the first minister said: "This is the most comprehensive blueprint for an independent country ever published, not just for Scotland but for any prospective independent nation.‬‬‬

"But more than that, it is a mission statement and a prospectus for the kind of country we should be and which this government believes we can be.

"Our vision is of an independent Scotland regaining its place as an equal member of the family of nations - however, we do not seek independence as an end in itself, but rather as a means to changing Scotland for the better."

As well as making the case for independence, the white paper also set out a series of policy pledges which the SNP said it would pursue if elected as the government of an independent Scotland.

These included:

• Thirty hours of childcare per week in term time for all three and four-year-olds, as well as vulnerable two-year-olds.

• Trident nuclear weapons, currently based on the Clyde, removed within the first parliament.

• Housing benefit reforms, described by critics as the "bedroom tax" to be abolished in first year of an independent Scottish parliament.

• No rise in basic rate of tax.

The Scottish government said Scotland's finances were healthier than those of the UK, providing a strong foundation to put the focus of the referendum campaign on Scotland's future.

The SNP government's critics said the white paper would be judged on whether it tackled concerns over issues like financial challenges.

For the UK government, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said there were huge question marks over some of the policies already revealed by the SNP.

He said it was "highly unlikely" the Scottish government's plan to keep the pound and retain the services of the Bank of England as part of a "currency union" with the rest of the UK would work, and said the SNP must set out a "Plan B".

The Scottish government's critics have also questioned its plan to get rid of Trident nuclear weapons - currently based on the Clyde - while being a member of Nato.

And they have said other SNP promises, on issues like pensions and welfare, are uncosted.

BBC News - Scottish independence: SNP launches referendum white paper

 

[elis]

Freedom for the scottish people oppressed by the UK regime

 

[rmi5]

Freedom for the scottish people oppressed by the UK regime

 

[Pathan02]

Freedom for the scottish people oppressed by the UK regime

You are fucking retarded, the UK as a whole isn't some banana republic and there isn't any armed struggle for "Scottish freedom". Look at the polls in Scotland for independence and the majority want to remain part of the British Union. Why do you care anyway?

 

[elis]

You are fucking retarded, the UK as a whole isn't some banana republic and there isn't any armed struggle for "Scottish freedom". Look at the polls in Scotland for independence and the majority want to remain part of the British Union. Why do you care anyway?

Syria was peaceful & secular before you invade it with Al Qaeda like you did in Iraq & Libya, starting everything with a man self imolating like there are a lot in your countries

Syria is not oppressed by a huge public debt imposed by the zionist sect

People are relatively in peace in JEW Europa & JEW USA because Iran doesn't organize troubles, not because you're freedom people.

Savage people like the JEWS would be 100000 times worst than the iranian if they were in there shoes.

The JEWS often unmask themselves when they make wars: they behave like the Devil who respect no conventions

It will take at least 100 years to the Syrian AF to drop as much bombs as the israhellis terrorists in 33 days in a tiny territory of South Lebanon or the american terrorists in Fallujah

 

[Leader]

I am Scottish first, then English !

 

[rmi5]

Syria was peaceful & secular before you invade it with Al Qaeda like you did in Iraq & Libya, starting everything with a man self imolating like there are a lot in your countries

Syria is not oppressed by a huge public debt imposed by the zionist sect

People are relatively in peace in JEW Europa & JEW USA because Iran doesn't organize troubles, not because you're freedom people.

Savage people like the JEWS would be 100000 times worst than the iranian if they were in there shoes.

The JEWS often unmask themselves when they make wars: they behave like the Devil who respect no conventions

It will take at least 100 years to the Syrian AF to drop as much bombs as the israhellis terrorists in 33 days in a tiny territory of South Lebanon or the american terrorists in Fallujah

If you are really a friend of my country, Please do not drag Iran into every childish unrelated argument that you have.
Thanks

 

[elis]

If you are really a friend of my country, Please do not drag Iran into every childish unrelated argument that you have.
Thanks

You iranians are strange sometimes

 

[rmi5]

You iranians are strange sometimes

I am not a supporter of regime, maybe that's the source of confusion for you.
Anyway, I am sure you very well know that there are lots of different Anti-Iran trolls, and sometimes when you or other pro Iran members bring name of my country in a thread, They open their dirty mouth and start to say BS and insults which actually suits very well for their own countries, and themselves.
That's why I asked you so

 

[JanjaWeed]

Oh well.. from Great Britain to tiny Britain... next it's going to be the turn of Wales!

 

[vostok]

Regime of British Queen would never have agreed to hold a referendum if there was the slightest chance that Scotland will become independent.

 

[Pathan02]

Syria was peaceful & secular before you invade it with Al Qaeda like you did in Iraq & Libya, starting everything with a man self imolating like there are a lot in your countries

Syria is not oppressed by a huge public debt imposed by the zionist sect

People are relatively in peace in JEW Europa & JEW USA because Iran doesn't organize troubles, not because you're freedom people.

Savage people like the JEWS would be 100000 times worst than the iranian if they were in there shoes.

The JEWS often unmask themselves when they make wars: they behave like the Devil who respect no conventions

It will take at least 100 years to the Syrian AF to drop as much bombs as the israhellis terrorists in 33 days in a tiny territory of South Lebanon or the american terrorists in Fallujah

You are weird to say the least.

 

[Pathan02]

For everyone saying freedom for Scotland: Scottish independence: No ahead by 9% - new poll - The Scotsman

 

[rmi5]

For everyone saying freedom for Scotland: Scottish independence: No ahead by 9% - new poll - The Scotsman

I guess it is mostly an economical issue.
Scotland is wealthier than the rest of UK. They can have more welfare if their tax money just spent on Scotland. but it is not the only consequence.
Catalonia has almost the same problem. although they have some other ethnical issues with the rest of Spain as well.