scrubbedexpat099

Or 3x that of Northern Ireland....

Pulaski

The UK is basically England, and England is dominated by London. Almost half the population of the UK live within 100 miles of Charing Cross. Scotland is nothing but an appendix, just a particularly grumbly one.

dunroving

If Aberdeen declared independence, Scotland would be in deep doo-doo.

holly_1948

Are you sure?

It's Shetland's oil you know.

scrubbedexpat099

Shetland historically has not had that much connection with the Lowlands, much more so with Norway, who may be open to an arrangement.

dunroving

Says who?

Hotscot

Hey, I'm fond of you too

Derrygal

Excuse me????? What about Wales and also my homeland (Northern Ireland)??????????

Pulaski

I'm sorry, I did not mean to offend. I was only stating further facts, in support of others who noted above, how small the populations of Scotland, Wales, AND Northern Ireland, actually are. They are, very small populations, compared to the population of London and it's satellite cities within 100 miles.

I could and perhaps should have noted the populations of Cornwall, and Cumbria are also small, at least to demonstrate that I was not denigrating Northern Island, merely observing the facts of population size.

FWIW. The combined population of Scotland (5.3m), Northern Ireland (1.8m), and Wales (3), is 9.2 million, and barely more than the population of London at 8.2 million. In fact if you add in the continuously urban areas surrounding London, such as Kingston, Richmond, Croydon, Seven Oaks, Esher, and similar "absorbed satellites" on the north side of the Thames, the population of the "London conurbation" is greater than that of the three smaller constituents of the United Kingdom combined. Sorry, that's just the way it is. Anyhow I am not a Londoner, nor an apologist for London.

Speedwell

Yeah, what about Northern Ireland being part of the UK? My Derg-born husband refuses to discuss it and his family refuse to act like they have to choose who to associate with, where to go, or what sports team to support based on partisan politics. I only discuss it when I tell Americans my husband is from NI and the first thing out of their mouths is something clueless about the Troubles. Our own loyalties? We're family-oriented, community-oriented, working people who love each other, our home, and our dinners, and we're atheists.

I also have a tummyache and dishes to do and I'm frustrated. Sorry if that came out harsh.

scot47

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

If that does not work, try this

http://www.inplaceoffear.com/in-place-of-fear-ii-media/


Sillars is no stooge of other political figures.

dunroving

My favorite part (quote): "We can ignore the White paper ... Alex Salmond is irrelevant"

Like my colleague (who will vote yes), he recognises that independence will at least mean Scotland controls its destiny.

Unlike my colleague, he seems to think independence will bring an end to unemployment, inequality, poverty. My colleague simply says that any problems following independence will belong to Scotland and they can no longer blame Westminster, which is the main reason he is planning to vote Yes..

fuchs01

The scots like wanting people to blame, so they wont vote for Independence.
They need a place they can send their useless politicians, Westminister is for them,
what Australia was for breadpinchers those many years ago

Derrygal

Yikes!!! What the heck?????????????? I only stated the fact that Northern Ireland is part of the UK. That's all! Chill!!!!!!!!!!

holly_1948

I'm sure you are wrong on the first part.

To my mind Sillars talks a lot of sense. For better or for worse Scotland needs to find its own place in the world.

I just wish they could take Wales and Northern England with them since they have a lot more in common with Scotland than with Westminster. But it is not to be so good luck to the Scots