English apathy to 2.8% of UK population deciding its future...

[Pavilionaire]

I don't think there is apathy in England towards this, it's just that the UK is so ingrained to us English that them leaving is almost unthinkable.

I also think there's quite a lot of people waiting for a YES vote as a signal to kick the Welsh and Irish out.

The Little Englanders have never had it so good since the 17th Century.

 

[Creaky]

Ah, but it won't be the British Isles if Scotland leave the union. It will be the Britain and Scotland, no longer an Island, with Britain being spread out as part of mainland Britain and part of Ireland. All a bit of a mess really.

Ireland isn't in Great Britain - that's why it is currently the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

[ThePompousPaladin]

Ah, but it won't be the British Isles if Scotland leave the union. It will be the Britain and Scotland, no longer an Island, with Britain being spread out as part of mainland Britain and part of Ireland. All a bit of a mess really.

Hmm i guess so, time will tell if they come to vote that way.
I guess my point is that we have a shared culture and history, i don't think that will disappear.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Hmm i guess so, time will tell if they come to vote that way.
I guess my point is that we have a shared culture and history, i don't think that will disappear.

I think that culture becomes history if they vote "yes". We all go our separate ways, which, in my opinion, would be unfortunate. But now the cage has been well and truly rattled I don't think it bodes well for Scotland's future relationship with the union and England. I fear we will have another Ireland on our hands in the years to come.

 

[ThePompousPaladin]

I think that culture becomes history if they vote "yes". We all go our separate ways, which, in my opinion, would be unfortunate. But now the cage has been well and truly rattled I don't think it bodes well for Scotland's future relationship with the union and England. I fear we will have another Ireland on our hands in the years to come.

Crickey that's a depressive thought, i 'spose if we have to compete for resources it's possible.
Here was me hoping that if they vote yes, they'd do well for themselves and inspire us to create a society with more equality.

 

[A mex eyecan]

Crickey that's a depressive thought, i 'spose if we have to compete for resources it's possible.
Here was me hoping that if they vote yes, they'd do well for themselves and inspire us to create a society with more equality.

No matter which way the vote goes, there is so much ill feeling up there between the camps that they will tear their nation apart over the coming years. Today is not the end of their differences, just the begining

 

[dingodan]

Whilst the Scots are out voting in record numbers, their tiny population means even on an 80% + turnout it will take less than 3% to dismantle the UK. As it stands few in England seem all that bothered.

Meanwhile the Westminster established have given the Scots ever concession under the sun, the whole thing is nuts....

People are clearly bothered.

IMO we should have demonstrated what supportive and respectful friends we are to Scotland, and if there is a good case for our continued Union, to make that case passionately but also demonstrate an understanding of why Scots might currently feel that it is not in their interest to stay.

Instead we laughed at them, joked about how they would fail without us, threatened to make it difficult if they tried, and made fun of them some more. We were not honest, we were not supportive, and ultimately we have shown ourselves to be no friends at all.

 

[jakarta]

People are clearly bothered.

IMO we should have demonstrated what supportive and respectful friends we are to Scotland, and if there is a good case for our continued Union, to make that case passionately but also demonstrate an understanding of why Scots might currently feel that it is not in their interest to stay.

Instead we laughed at them, joked about how they would fail without us, threatened to make it difficult if they tried, and made fun of them some more. We were not honest, we were not supportive, and ultimately we have shown ourselves to be no friends at all.

Have you ever spent any time in Scotland over the past few years?

 

[dingodan]

Have you ever spent any time in Scotland over the past few years?

Do I need to have?

 

[forrest]

Well I for one wouldn't like to see them leave the union. Whatever the outcome I can see it being a divided nation for many years to come. Another Northern Ireland? Probably not, however the old bill were out in force last night in Glasgow keeping apart the nationalists and unionists to make sure they were all behaved

 

[A mex eyecan]

Well I for one wouldn't like to see them leave the union. Whatever the outcome I can see it being a divided nation for many years to come. Another Northern Ireland? Probably not, however the old bill were out in force last night in Glasgow keeping apart the nationalists and unionists to make sure they were all behaved

And after today they will break into even more factions, regardless of the outcome.

The losers will stay as one group, the winners will then break into their many groups who needed to be united in order to win as they shared a common goal, but after victory the squabbling, bickering will start.

having watched many if the various debates, it certainly appeared that when either side start to hear something they didn't like or agree with then their solution was to shout the others down, and if that didn't work they shouted even louder.

Heaven help Scotland ..

 

[ThePompousPaladin]

And after today they will break into even more factions, regardless of the outcome.

The losers will stay as one group, the winners will then break into their many groups who needed to be united in order to win as they shared a common goal, but after victory the squabbling, bickering will start.

having watched many if the various debates, it certainly appeared that when either side start to hear something they didn't like or agree with then their solution was to shout the others down, and if that didn't work they shouted even louder.

Heaven help Scotland ..

Well i couldn't see the SNP governing the country in the long term - i think it's more likely that they'd unite under a labour type party. But you are right, the divide has been caused - which will have ramifications whichever way the vote goes...

 

[jakarta]

Do I need to have?

Yes I think you do to have seen how things have changed.

I first went to Scotland to work offshore in 1991 and there was a little banter towards England and the English.

I finished my last offshore job up there in 2012 and it is no longer banter, I know that many of them loathe us (or have been taught to loathe us).

Personally I'm happy to see them go given my experiences over the past couple of years.

Quite how they will do under the Dear Leader is another matter, I don't think that their Socialist Paradise is likely at any time soon......

 

[looney]

I dont care.

There are pluses and minuses and its up to them. If they vote yes it will speed up our EU exit which to me is the most important issue.

 

[Superphil]

I've followed both sides, spoken to Scotsmen with both views, It's a win - win situation for us, IMO, so I really don't care whether it's a yes or no, perhaps just marginally hope they vote yes.

 

[8ace]

There's been about a million threads about the subject on this board so hardly apathy.

 

[dingodan]

Yes I think you do to have seen how things have changed.

I first went to Scotland to work offshore in 1991 and there was a little banter towards England and the English.

I finished my last offshore job up there in 2012 and it is no longer banter, I know that many of them loathe us (or have been taught to loathe us).

Personally I'm happy to see them go given my experiences over the past couple of years.

Quite how they will do under the Dear Leader is another matter, I don't think that their Socialist Paradise is likely at any time soon......

I don't see what that has got to do with my post. I was just pointing out that we gave the Scots no reason to think twice IMO. Being bitter when someone is considering ending a relationship pushes people away. The idea, if you want them to stay, is to remind them of what is good. It's basic stuff.

I'm not likely to agree with the policies of the new Scottish government, but generally I support independence. Regardless, the "No" campaign was rubbish, actually embarrassing. Reminded me of Cartman from Southpark. That was my point.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Ireland isn't in Great Britain - that's why it is currently the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is part of Great Britain and is also part of the Island that includes Eire (Southern Ireland), hence my comment.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Whilst the Scots are out voting in record numbers, their tiny population means even on an 80% + turnout it will take less than 3% to dismantle the UK. As it stands few in England seem all that bothered.

Meanwhile the Westminster established have given the Scots ever concession under the sun, the whole thing is nuts....

I think the general response has already disproved the "few in England are bothered" bit. Personally I would respect their decision, would be sad to see it happen and don't like the notion of having no choice about something that affects me - and millions of others - directly.

 

[Creaky]

Northern Ireland is part of Great Britain and is also part of the Island that includes Eire (Southern Ireland), hence my comment.

Wrong - not that it matters but Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland and Wales - does not include any part of the island of Ireland.