Shetlands asks if independance is a chance to break away from Scotland.

[Deleted User] · 10/08/12 - 13:53

The Shetlands is a beautiful place but it also has vast amounts of oil and other natural resources that would otherwise be Scottish.

http://m.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/30/shetland-independence-vote-scotland?cat=uk&type=article

marbles316 · 10/08/12 - 14:33

Good for Shetland. Don't be bound by greedy Holyrood politicians insisting the oil is theirs.

Shetland would be like a richer version of the Faroe Islands; and they seem fairly successful.

I don't even think the urbanite SNP understand the countryside and crofters.

Styles · 10/08/12 - 14:41

The SNP want to centralise everything and only care for the central belt of Scotland, they do not care at all for Shetland, but all their economics are based on the oil fields, which a large chunk would be Shetlands if they broke away. Would be funny if Scotland got independance then Shetland did straigh after, that would leave Salmond and Scotland in a deep hole.

husted · 10/08/12 - 14:52

Its not the Shetlands who are asking here, its the local Unionist LibDem MP Tavish Scott. And he is mischief making.

Doubtless there are some islanders who fancy a change, but the more games the Unionists play, the more it will antagonise the Scots and the more likely independence will follow.

marbles316 · 10/08/12 - 14:59

Salmond is the king of mischief making. At least the unionist parties have learned their lesson; and will never let him in government again.

Wait for the next Scottish election. SNP support will dip and he'll be in minority. The unionist parties won't let him run a minority administration again; not after he abused his powers.

Salmond will then be in his late 60s, getting older, eventually he'll retire. He's not a well man after all - look at him.

Once Alex Salmond is gone the SNP will have no-one else of Westminster calibre, and the SNP will effectively fade away and splinter.

Already the Scottish Democratic Alliance has launched who are an anti-EU alternative to the SNP.

Alex probably wishes he had joined a real party with some actual intellectual heritage, like Labour. It must be awfully lonely being surrounded by yes men; and the difference between you and other social democratic groups throughout the Uk, being that you don't care what happens over a border.

Good for Shetland to explore all options; and for Tavish Scott to ask on their behalf. Salmond shouldn't take it as a given that the oil is 'his'; and certainly shouldn't base the economy of a nation on one resource.

pedrok · 10/08/12 - 15:05

marbles316 wrote: »

Salmond is the king of mischief making. At least the unionist parties have learned their lesson; and will never let him in government again.

Wait for the next Scottish election. SNP support will dip and he'll be in minority. The unionist parties won't let him run a minority administration again; not after he abused his powers.

Salmond will then be in his late 60s, getting older, eventually he'll retire. He's not a well man after all - look at him.

Once Alex Salmond is gone the SNP will have no-one else of Westminster calibre, and the SNP will effectively fade away and splinter.

Already the Scottish Democratic Alliance has launched who are an anti-EU alternative to the SNP.

Alex probably wishes he had joined a real party with some actual intellectual heritage, like Labour. It must be awfully lonely being surrounded by yes men; and the difference between you and other social democratic groups throughout the Uk, being that you don't care what happens over a border.

Good for Shetland to explore all options; and for Tavish Scott to ask on their behalf. Salmond shouldn't take it as a given that the oil is 'his'; and certainly shouldn't base the economy of a nation on one resource.

What power did he abuse? You will also point out where he has claimed the oil is 'his'?

As has been pointed out this is one local MSP stirring it.

Davser · 10/08/12 - 15:19

As for an independent Shetland - if you have any clue about UNCLOS you will understand that as an island situated off a larger state (Scotland) it would lose its 200mile EEZ and only have 12 miles of territorial waters. If it remained with England the same would apply.

If you have any knowledge of the oil fields you will realise that none are within 12 miles of Shetland.

Shetland is going to stay with Scotland, much like London will stay with England.

Auld Snody · 10/08/12 - 15:26

marbles316 wrote: »

Salmond is the king of mischief making. At least the unionist parties have learned their lesson; and will never let him in government again.

Wait for the next Scottish election. SNP support will dip and he'll be in minority. The unionist parties won't let him run a minority administration again; not after he abused his powers.

Salmond will then be in his late 60s, getting older, eventually he'll retire. He's not a well man after all - look at him.

Once Alex Salmond is gone the SNP will have no-one else of Westminster calibre, and the SNP will effectively fade away and splinter.

Already the Scottish Democratic Alliance has launched who are an anti-EU alternative to the SNP.

Alex probably wishes he had joined a real party with some actual intellectual heritage, like Labour. It must be awfully lonely being surrounded by yes men; and the difference between you and other social democratic groups throughout the Uk, being that you don't care what happens over a border.

Good for Shetland to explore all options; and for Tavish Scott to ask on their behalf. Salmond shouldn't take it as a given that the oil is 'his'; and certainly shouldn't base the economy of a nation on one resource.

And all complete rubbish.
How can the unionists stop anything if they do not have the votes

I would start worrying less about Scotland and worry more about The RUK .

Glengavel · 10/08/12 - 17:01

hyde99 wrote: »

The Shetlands is a beautiful place but it also has vast amounts of oil and other natural resources that would otherwise be Scottish.

http://m.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/30/shetland-independence-vote-scotland?cat=uk&type=article

Unionist MP stirring it up, what a shocker. So instead of being ruled from 300 miles away he thinks Shetland would rather be ruled from 600 miles away? And with the loss of the nuclear sub base at Faslane, the MOD might just look at Shetland and all its deep water anchorages and think "hmmm...I have a great idea..." I'm sure Tavish would be enormously popular with the electorate after Trident turned up in their backyard.

GreatGodPan · 10/08/12 - 17:04

Who will rid us of this turbulent nationalism.......?:yawn:

TelevisionUser · 10/08/12 - 17:18

hyde99 wrote: »

The Shetlands is a beautiful place but it also has vast amounts of oil and other natural resources that would otherwise be Scottish.

http://m.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/30/shetland-independence-vote-scotland?cat=uk&type=article

The Shetland and Orkney flags are both offset Nordic crosses and many of the place names have a Norse origin even though the Norn language has gone extinct.

Both island groups used to be Norse possession and Lerwick is nearer to Bergen, Norway than it is to Edinburgh [362.09 kilometres - 224.99 miles as compared with 482.48 kilometres - 299.8 miles].

These rumbling of discontent might not ultimately be aimed at remaining with the rump UK, rejoining Norway or becoming independent but at ensuring a good regional devolution deal in the event of full Scottish independence (i.e. they get to keep a lot of the oil money for their own use). That said, the polls currently indicate that Scottish independence is not a likely outcome of any referendum and the banking crash probably helped to kill it off.

marbles316 · 10/08/12 - 17:18

Scottish Independence -> Independence for Orkney and Shetland -> Independence for Highlands and Islands -> Independence for Central Scotland etc.

As Alex Salmond says, independence is the 'most natural thing in the world'. It will lead to everyone with a minor grievance deciding to become independent.

husted · 10/08/12 - 17:51

marbles316 wrote: »

Scottish Independence -> Independence for Orkney and Shetland -> Independence for Highlands and Islands -> Independence for Central Scotland etc.

As Alex Salmond says, independence is the 'most natural thing in the world'. It will lead to everyone with a minor grievance deciding to become independent.

What grievance?

Its a natural decision for the Scottish parliament to have tax raising as well as spending powers.

And its natural for Scotland to seek to negotiate its own way in the world.

Lerwick is nearer to Aberdeen than Bergen in distance, language and culture. Islanders want to send their kids to uni just like elsewhere and it's not usually Bergen they go to. Nor is it Bergen they look to when they want a professional like a doctor. Modern life has tied Shetland to the mainland.

marbles316 · 10/08/12 - 17:53

husted wrote: »

What grievance?

Its a natural decision for the Scottish parliament to have tax raising as well as spending powers.

And its natural for Scotland to seek to negotiate its own way in the world.

And Lerwick is nearer to Aberdeen than Bergen in distance, language and culture. Islanders want to send their kids to uni just like elsewhere and it's not Bergen they go to. Nor is it Bergen they look to when they want a professional like a doctor. Modern life has tied Shetland to the mainland.

It's natural for Shetland to seek to negotiate its own way in the world. And Dumfries, and Edinburgh. It's not natural to force parts of Scotland to go with a majority decision if they do not want to be independent. Not 'natural' at all.

I'm sure when the time comes, Shetlanders will do what's best for them and for their future.

husted · 10/08/12 - 18:03

marbles316 wrote: »

It's natural for Shetland to seek to negotiate its own way in the world. And Dumfries, and Edinburgh. It's not natural to force parts of Scotland to go with a majority decision if they do not want to be independent. Not 'natural' at all.

I'm sure when the time comes, Shetlanders will do what's best for them and for their future.

Majority decisions are the basis of our democracy. Tough if you don't like that.

Nobody is voting on whether Edinburgh/Shetland wants to be independent. The referendum is Scottish independence.

Auld Snody · 10/08/12 - 18:43

husted wrote: »

Majority decisions are the basis of our democracy. Tough if you don't like that.

Nobody is voting on whether Edinburgh/Shetland wants to be independent. The referendum is Scottish independence.

Yep and where is the Dumfries independence party? They seem to be awfy quiet

Jellied Eel · 10/08/12 - 18:56

TelevisionUser wrote: »

These rumbling of discontent might not ultimately be aimed at remaining with the rump UK, rejoining Norway or becoming independent...

Rejoining Norway could be the most amusing outcome given it may extend Norway's claim to 'Scottish' waters. Norway would probably be happy to let them administer themselves in exchange.

thms · 10/08/12 - 19:13

TelevisionUser wrote: »

The Shetland and Orkney flags are both offset Nordic crosses and many of the place names have a Norse origin even though the Norn language has gone extinct.

Both island groups used to be Norse possession and Lerwick is nearer to Bergen, Norway than it is to Edinburgh [362.09 kilometres - 224.99 miles as compared with 482.48 kilometres - 299.8 miles].

These rumbling of discontent might not ultimately be aimed at remaining with the rump UK, rejoining Norway or becoming independent but at ensuring a good regional devolution deal in the event of full Scottish independence (i.e. they get to keep a lot of the oil money for their own use). That said, the polls currently indicate that Scottish independence is not a likely outcome of any referendum and the banking crash probably helped to kill it off.

how far away is London ?

Auld Snody · 10/08/12 - 19:15

Jellied Eel wrote: »

Rejoining Norway could be the most amusing outcome given it may extend Norway's claim to 'Scottish' waters. Norway would probably be happy to let them administer themselves in exchange.

And RUK still loses the oil, lol

thms · 10/08/12 - 19:28

in the 1997 devolution referendum shetland voted yes to the two questions

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/devolution/scotland/live/shetland.shtml

thms · 10/08/12 - 19:33

in the last census in 2001.. 85.51% said they were scottish

http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=Shetland+Islands&mainLevel=CouncilArea

thms · 10/08/12 - 19:56

Jellied Eel wrote: »

Rejoining Norway could be the most amusing outcome given it may extend Norway's claim to 'Scottish' waters. Norway would probably be happy to let them administer themselves in exchange.

an independent scotland could join efta

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Free_Trade_Association

thms · 10/08/12 - 20:03

TelevisionUser wrote: »

The Shetland and Orkney flags are both offset Nordic crosses and many of the place names have a Norse origin even though the Norn language has gone extinct.

Both island groups used to be Norse possession and Lerwick is nearer to Bergen, Norway than it is to Edinburgh [362.09 kilometres - 224.99 miles as compared with 482.48 kilometres - 299.8 miles].

These rumbling of discontent might not ultimately be aimed at remaining with the rump UK, rejoining Norway or becoming independent but at ensuring a good regional devolution deal in the event of full Scottish independence (i.e. they get to keep a lot of the oil money for their own use). That said, the polls currently indicate that Scottish independence is not a likely outcome of any referendum and the banking crash probably helped to kill it off.

the flag was designed in 1969.. the scottish mainland is nearer.. it was invaded at the same time as the rest of the british isles.. using your logic yorkshire should join norway and sunny govan..

Jellied Eel · 10/08/12 - 20:28

Auld Snody wrote: »

And RUK still loses the oil, lol

<shrug>
Benefits of a larger, more diverse economy is it'll matter less than if Scotland loses it.. Plus there's shale..

thms · 10/08/12 - 20:54

Jellied Eel wrote: »

<shrug>
Benefits of a larger, more diverse economy is it'll matter less than if Scotland loses it.. Plus there's shale..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2098351/Is-ice-wonder-fuel-buried-Scottish-coast.html

''Is 'fire ice' wonder fuel buried under the Scottish coast?

It was initially thought only to exist in the outer reaches of the solar system

Stocks could last 300 years''

PrestonAl · 10/08/12 - 20:59

Just give them a vote then. I don't care where they go but it seems to me the only people not liking them declaring independence, are the Unionists.

Who would have thunk it, the separatists, are now the Unionists. Funny old world.

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Shetlands asks if independance is a chance to break away from Scotland.

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