10 Questions / Reasons for Scottish Indpendence.

While I was constructing a list of reasons why Scotland should be independent from the UK and why the UK (mainly England) should also be independent from Scotland, I stumbled across this list and decided that I should probably not re-invent the wheel, especially a wheel which makes so much sense. This was written in 2005, before the world economic problems, but I consider it still valid.

Niall, I hope you do not mind me re-publishing this. Originally found here.

I have read the various opinions of Trolls and detracters on this forum and would like to reprint a leaflet I wrote for Siol-nan-gaidheal last year. I list the ten most common questions or objections raised by brainwashed unionists in Scotland:

Question 1:
Everyone tells us that Scotland is too poor to stand on its own feet and we will always require an English subsidy.

Fact Scotland has 8.6% of the UK population yet raises 10.41% of all UK tax revenues. (Source Treasury red Book 2002) Go figure it out for yourself. Exactly who is subsidising who?

Question 2.
Scotland could not survive without the Barnett formula handout from England.

The Barnett Formula is nothing more than a device which gives Scotland some of its own pocket money out of Scotland's pay packet which is taken by England. In 2002, Scotland contributed £42.7 Billions to the UK Exchequer and received £18.1 Billions doled back in return via Barnett. It would be a much better idea to keep the £42.7 Billions as an Independent Country.

Question 3.
North sea oil is running out fast and soon there will be nothing left......

According to Professor Alex Kemp, of Petroleum Economics at the University of Aberdeen. North Sea Oil and Gas production will still be present in 2050. There is as much known oil left yet to be extracted than has already been exploited

Question 4.
Britain is becoming a net importer of oil and natural gas.

False. Scotland is a net exporter of Oil and Gas. Fact: An independent Scotland with 17.5% of Europe's Oil reserves will be a net exporter of oil and gas for at least 25 more years. Properly invested the proceeds will make Scotland the second richest nation on earth for its size. There will be huge social and economic benefits for all Scotland's Citizens and public services.

Question 5.
Scotland is too poor and small to afford to defend itself.

Why not? Switzerland uses just 1% of its GDP to provide a modern efficient Army and Air force. Norway spends 1.9% and can defend itself adequately. The UK spends 2.32% of GDP on its armed forces (Including Trident) Scotland can afford 1.6% of its GDP and still have modern professional armed forces half the size of the present UK.

Question 6.
We have a huge balance of payments problem, Scotland cannot possibly hope to pay her way.

False. The UK as a whole has Balance of Payments deficit of £35 Billions per annum. Scotland however actually contributes a Surplus of £2.3Billions.

Question 7.
Scotland could not compete against the mighty economic muscle of England.

Untrue. Denmark has an economic superpower to her south (Germany) and she does very well indeed. Switzerland is surrounded by three great economic superpowers, France, Italy, and Germany, yet she is the most prosperous nation in Europe. Singapore is a tiny island of 4 million people right next door to Indonesia with a population if 201 Million yet is the powerhouse driving the SE Asian economy. Scotland has more than enough expertise to compete and prosper.

Question 8.
Scotland is too far away from the centre of Europe to prosper.

Iceland with a population of only 400,000, is situated far to the north by the arctic circle yet has the third highest standard of living in Europe.

Question 9.
The City of London is too powerful a financial centre for Scotland to compete against.

Scotland is one of Europe’s top ten financial centres, supporting employment for in the region of 200,000 people. Financial Services accounts for 8% of Scotland’s GDP and generates more than £20 bn annually for the economy. Scotland is reckoned to be the 12th leading global financial centre.

Question 10.
Scotland does not have the financial expertise to run its own affairs.

Who says so? Its strange that the late British Empire relied on a preponderance of Scots to run their affairs. Scots bankers, economists and accountants (reckoned to be the best in their fields) are to be found at all levels of Government. Therefore the expertise is there.