Scottish Independence: Do you think Scotland should remain a part of the Union? > Reviews (10)

In response to the current subject for the Ciao debate, I would have to say an ever resounding yes to Scotland being allowed to gain independence away from the rest of the United Kingdom. But if this is to be the case, then I do also feel that England and Wales should remain as a union of sorts and that Northern Ireland should become a part of Eire - however, this is of course the subject of yet another debate!

Scotland does not really impact on me a great deal, what with me living down in Plymouth - however I do have many friends that come from one part or another of Scotland, and so therefore I guess you could say that I am going to be slightly biased about some of the things that I am going to be saying!

There are of course many things that Scotland does still do of its own accord - education being one, whereby they have their own system and means of examinations (although some schools will offer English qualifications after the age of 16).

Religion is one of those areas whereby although the majority of the population would consider themselves as Christian (and so therefore would in their own ways adhere to this in however they so wish to), the main Christian branch is of course the Church of Scotland (which is of course a sister branch of the Church of England but is still separate in many of the ways it works).

And although the hospitals are provided for by the National Health Service (although Scotland does of course have its own area of this as do all parts of the country), I never actually realised until one of my friends told me that before the NHS in its current state of play came in to being after the Second World War - Scotland already had its own state ran health care, but it was just felt that it would be easier to make it a part of the rest of it. So if they could do it back then, they surely they can do it again now!

Sports wise they have got it right, as they have their own organisations that oversee both rugby and football - and so this is something that they can continue to do when they become independent.

Of course there is the Scottish Parliament that still looks after some of these areas and others, but at present the main UK parliament still takes care of things such as taxes; broadcasting issues, and international relations. But what is to say that they won’t be able to hold their own, even after independence? After all, we have seen many other countries make the change and become independent from their powerful neighbours - albeit some good, and some not so good!

Of course Scotland doesn’t have its own service personnel, as all of their services are of course merged with the UK. But surely you could look at some countries in Europe that have a very small proportion of certain things provided for by a neighbouring country (such as Liechtenstein/ Austria Switzerland), and so why not allow them to share our Navy…?

But the most important thing I feel is the way that the country is run, and not that I have got anything personal against them - but surely Scotland can manage without a Royal Family!? A Prime Minister or Presidential way of running the country would be more ideal for them, in the same way that it does for France or Eire.

And so to conclude, in that by looking to see that Scotland are already capable of doing things their way - I do feel that it should be made for them to become an independent nation. So what if they are stuck to the top end of England, as at least it would mean another stamp on my passport…

Thanks for reading!