UK withdrawal from EU

[bobofinga]

London has more than double the population of Scotland , of course it will pay more tax.

I'm not getting into a debate about economics at this time of night.

My main point in this thread is I personally would like to see Scotland out of the UK and out of Europe ... I know its probably a pipe dream but look at Norway and they have it all sussed out.

If Scotland votes 'No' in 2014 , which it probably will because we're a country of spineless fools , I would prefer the UK to leave the EU.
All I hear and see from the EU is bad news , and the whole Romanian/Bulgarian thing is another qualm I've got.

I'm sure Cameron said there would be a referendum on Europe? Hope to god the rest of the UK has more interest in their own future than us Scots.

[Steve]

Scotland can only afford the stuff it does because it received over ?1000 per head more than england.

When you've got rid of Scotland from the Union on that basis, who is next? Northern Ireland? Wales? Tyneside? Merseyside? Kernow? You are of course fully aware of the regional disparities of income, taxation and government spending within England as well as within the United Kingdom?

[Clanky]

Cameron is going to force through the referendum on leaving Europe safe in the knowledge that the UK will vote no to independence and hope that this will silence UKIP, as much as it pains me to agree with anything the horrid little twat does or says, I think he has got this one bang on. I think those who want to leave Europe (in the political World rather than ordinary people) are either naive dreamers who think that Britain will somehow reclaim it's former glory or xenophobic Daily Mail readers who think that the UK is being overrun with immigrants and that it's all Europe's fault.

Europe as a whole has become much stronger through closer union (even allowing for the global economic crisis), it is debatable whether Britain would have fared better, worse or much the same by staying out of the EU, but it is almost certain that leaving would be a disaster.

[gadget123]

When you've got rid of Scotland from the Union on that basis, who is next? Northern Ireland? Wales? Tyneside? Merseyside? Kernow? You are of course fully aware of the regional disparities of income, taxation and government spending within England as well as within the United Kingdom?

Within England different regions will always different amounts of taxation and spending. But within England the public services which are provided are broadly the same. The cost of providing that service will vary throughout England but the end result is the same.

There are thousands of families who are tens of thousands of pounds worse off every year just because they are English. If the scottish government had the same budget as England they would not be able to have free tuition fees, social care, etc.

[pignutpilot]

Cameron is going to force through the referendum on leaving Europe safe in the knowledge that the UK will vote no to independence and hope that this will silence UKIP, as much as it pains me to agree with anything the horrid little twat does or says, I think he has got this one bang on. I think those who want to leave Europe (in the political World rather than ordinary people) are either naive dreamers who think that Britain will somehow reclaim it's former glory or xenophobic Daily Mail readers who think that the UK is being overrun with immigrants and that it's all Europe's fault.

Europe as a whole has become much stronger through closer union (even allowing for the global economic crisis), it is debatable whether Britain would have fared better, worse or much the same by staying out of the EU, but it is almost certain that leaving would be a disaster.

How would withdrawing from the EU be a disaster?

We could still keep the economic benefits by joining the European Free Trade Association, which Norway and Switzerland are members of.

All we would be getting rid of is the layer of bureaucrats that cost us over ?45,000,000 per DAY. That is some saving. It's time to end the Brussels gravy train that does little for us.

[jf13th]

Personally I don?t think Europe is the right step for the UK anymore, It is not in the UK?s best interests anymore. We are already have a population that is 3 times that of Australia, A government that can?t really act on issues that will help combat economics due to Brussels and basically can?t act in the Uk?s best interest. The whole point of the EU was free trade, now it is becoming the makings of a federal political system. We as a nation hold more "clout" independently than any other European nation and honestly will be better off as a member of the Free Trade Association like Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and others.

As for Scotland, well it is a very short sighted view. I get why Scotland wants independence but it will be a disaster for both the Scotland and England, Wales and NI. The fact of the matter remains that Scotland will become a minor nation in the EU. Funding for free Uni will stop not two ways about it. A new currency with not real value is pretty much guaranteed, in most new European countries such a Czech, Slovenia and non EU countries such as Turkey Scottish pound notes are worthless anyway and have a different exchange rate. The oil and gas will not last and lets face it that is the biggest economic potential Scotland has. If you think Scottish seafarers will still retain a tax break think again!

The breaking up of the GB will cause casualties in both fronts, my biggest fear would be a loss of confidence from the international community. The drawbacks from a Scottish separation from the rest of GB is high. No Scotland, no GB. This could potentially damage the rest of the UK?s economy. Think about it, big corporations may think of pulling out of the UK, this of course mean a big impact in corporation tax (excluding the shisters at google and alike of course), companies less likely to base operations here and of course the reaction from the international community. I don?t know how it will work out for the already damaged armed forces.

Basically Scotland exiting UK bad, UK exiting EU and signing up to the Free Trade Association good...