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The debate about a constitution is both short term and vital, it is the most worrying of the SNP's policies. They both want a unicameral chamber and keep bandyi

by cmdkeen 12y ago

The debate about a constitution is both short term and vital, it is the most worrying of the SNP's policies. They both want a unicameral chamber and keep bandying around terms like "Sovreign will of the Scottish people" - which has worrying populist tones and a distinct lack of accountability. Seeing what they get up to in the Scottish Parliament with a majority on the committees that are supposed to hold the Executive to account makes me worry about what sort of government an independent Scotland would be starting with - and that is very hard to change, especially to introduce checks and balances. I don't know where the Scottish equivalent of the Bill of Rights would come from.

Tyrannosaurs 12y ago
An independent Scotland would supposedly join the EU which would give it the basics in terms of a bill of rights. Until the EU the UK as a whole never had a written bill of rights so it would be no worse off. In terms of the SNP, what happens to them in an independent Scotland might be the most interesting thing. They'd undoubtedly do well in a first election but after the glow has worn off and without their current USP (independence, the only party which is just about Scotland) it'll be interesting to see how they define themselves - after all, politically it's not impossible to view them as to the right of the Labour party (they're not the Tories but they're certainly not socialists), and in another few years time they're going to be very much part of the establishment.
- Tycho 12y ago
  It's hard to say whether Scotland's support of the Labour party stems more from dislike of conservative economics or from dislike of Conservative MPs (aristocratic English families).
- ZanyProgrammer 12y ago
  Don't Spain and Belgium vehemently oppose Scotland acceding to the EU?
  - Tyrannosaurs 12y ago
    As far as I can tell they're currently opposing it somewhat indirectly but they absolutely don't want the precedent of a country separating and being allowed into Europe. Neither of them are quite European heavyweights but ultimately , unless there is some sort of fudge (not impossible but unlikely), every existing EU nation will have to vote to accept an independent Scotland. For that to happen it would appear that something will have to be done to placate those with similar potential domestic issues themselves if it's too happen. Whether of not such a something realistically exists or not I don't know.

by cmdkeen 12y ago

Tyrannosaurs 12y ago

An independent Scotland would supposedly join the EU which would give it the basics in terms of a bill of rights. Until the EU the UK as a whole never had a written bill of rights so it would be no worse off. In terms of the SNP, what happens to them in an independent Scotland might be the most interesting thing. They'd undoubtedly do well in a first election but after the glow has worn off and without their current USP (independence, the only party which is just about Scotland) it'll be interesting to see how they define themselves - after all, politically it's not impossible to view them as to the right of the Labour party (they're not the Tories but they're certainly not socialists), and in another few years time they're going to be very much part of the establishment.

Tycho 12y ago
It's hard to say whether Scotland's support of the Labour party stems more from dislike of conservative economics or from dislike of Conservative MPs (aristocratic English families).
ZanyProgrammer 12y ago
Don't Spain and Belgium vehemently oppose Scotland acceding to the EU?
- Tyrannosaurs 12y ago
  As far as I can tell they're currently opposing it somewhat indirectly but they absolutely don't want the precedent of a country separating and being allowed into Europe. Neither of them are quite European heavyweights but ultimately , unless there is some sort of fudge (not impossible but unlikely), every existing EU nation will have to vote to accept an independent Scotland. For that to happen it would appear that something will have to be done to placate those with similar potential domestic issues themselves if it's too happen. Whether of not such a something realistically exists or not I don't know.