Scottish independence

Danzy

Latest poll saying Labour and SNP getting 24 Westminster seats in an election.

Many people in the SNP were worried when the Sturgeon clique took over but I don't think anyone realized how badly they were going to damage the cause of Scotland.

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120918982#Comment_120918982

A republic would be too drastic a step to happen overnight (would risk hugely alienating anyone of a unionist persuasion). Even Ireland took 30 years to become one and that was with a tiny unionist population.

Peregrinus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121016131#Comment_121016131

Lots of countries become republics immediately upon gaining independence from the UK; that has been the most common track since the 1970s. Many others become monarchies for just a few years before transitioning to a republic.

So, if Scotland becomes independent, becoming independent as a republic on day 1 is perfectly doable and there are many precedents.

Having said that, that's not the plan. The SNP position is that the form of government is a choice to be made by a sovereign Scotland, which implies independence first, then a debate and a democratic choice about new constitutional arrangements. Back in 2014 the proposal was independence on the basis of an interim constitution which would have retained the monarchy, followed by elections to a constituent assembly (a separate body from the Parliament) which would frame a constitution to be put to the people for adoption by referendum, in the Irish mode. That constitution, if adopted, would determine whether Scotland would be a monarchy or a republic, and that choice would be made in the first instance by the elected members of the constituent assembly.

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121016174#Comment_121016174

Yes to all of the above, but you would imagine that Scotland becoming a republic and ditching the monarchy on the first day of independence would be a step too far for most Scottish unionists (especially given the British royal family's strong links with Scotland). It would make sense to do it more slowly and to retain the monarchy initially.

serfboard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121016071#Comment_121016071

The first test of this will be the by-election in Rutherford and Hamilton West. I only found out today that a by-election is going to be held there after the previous MP, Margaret Ferrier was ousted in a recall petition, which came about after she broke lockdown restrictions. Although the incident happened in 2020, it wasn't until this year that the Commons voted to suspend her for 30 days as a result of the Standards Committee recommendation, and the petition followed the suspension. Interestingly, it was the first successful recall petition in Scotland.

There's an interesting analysis of why the by-election matters here.

Peregrinus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121016249#Comment_121016249

Well, pretty much by definition independence itself will be a "step too far" for Scottish unionists. If independence does happen, by definition unionists will be on the back foot, unable to influence the course of events. So, however much they might dislike a republic, they won't be in a position to impede it if its what the majority want.

(I'd add, be careful of assuming that Scottish unionists are in all respects similar to unionists in NI. They all won't necessarily have a sentimental attachment to the monarchy. Indeed, some of them might reckon that the weaknesses of the UK's monarchical constitution, which delivers extraordinary and largely unaccountable power to the executive at the expense of Parliament and of voters, is one of the factors that has fuelled the independence movement.)

Risteard81

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120703725#Comment_120703725

Never shall that happen. The hated so-called "EU" had been incinerated, and rightly so. It shall rightly collapse and be thrown in the hated dustbins if history. Always was that to be the end result of this Treasonous project.

Risteard81

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120918982#Comment_120918982

Scotland with an English monarchy is not independent, and is a fake Nationalist state. A British Crown Scotland would be an abomination.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121019429#Comment_121019429

Mod: more trolling nonsense - do not post in this thread again.

Seth Brundle

Mod: @dublincc2 do not post in this thread again. If you wish to post within the Politics forum, the do so without the bigotry.

Xenophobic posts deleted

Seth Brundle

Mod: @Hamsterchops - as per my PM, please read the POLITICS CHARTER AND GUIDELINES before you post in this forum again.