On The Scotsman iPad app: Gerry Hassan reflects on the nature of the debate on Scottish independence

Published on Friday 3 February 2012 02:35

A DEBATE that has quickly degenerated into a polemic exercise would do well to take a more inclusive approach that addresses and defines what Scotland would stand to gain from either independence or remaining with the Union

Gerry Hassan writes: “The real debate would address some fundamentals. It would challenge the economic growth fetish mainstream politics is addicted to. It would talk about the difficult choices we need to make as a society about the environment, public services, demographics and more, and the balance between short-term populism and long-term gain.”

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11

footdee

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 02:47 PM

All Alf is worried about is the labour party

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10

well informed

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:56 AM

3 Youll put an Independent England out of business! It will be their only export!

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9

well informed

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:54 AM

ALF!!! If the idea of Devolution is not to acheive Devo Max then what is its goal? Where do devolutionalists stand? What is Liebours goal with devolution? and why? What is the Fib Dums goal on devolution? and why? There is no constitutional debate possible without answers to these questions! The constitutional debate cannot simply consist off insisting the SNP predict the future of world economics & the global social status after 2016! and show how an Independent Scotland will fit into it! There has to be a presentation of a plan for Scotlands future within the union under a level of devolution which benefits us the most! If they cannot present one then they have no right to stand in the way of what will clearly be a progressive move towards a better future!! Show us a better future or move out of the way!! Its that simple!!!

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8

hughwdunlop

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 10:46 AM

Surely there can be only two questions involved! 1. Do yo want an independent Scotland? 2. Do you want an independent Scotland under Alex Salmond. Predicted vote; Question 1----62% Question 2----14%

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7

douglas-home rule

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 10:26 AM

What about the questions England will have to face, post Scottish independence? Where are the questions to the Unionist parties on policy, post independence? If we are to have a debate, then it has to move on beyond this low level propaganda.

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6

Laurentiu Timofte

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 10:18 AM

Comment removed by moderator

5

The auld lies will nae wash any mair

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 10:13 AM

Westminster will have many more very serious problems than Scotland post-independence. It will lose 90% of the UK oil reserves and oil taxation which will affect its AAA rating. It will lose its deep water nuclear submarine bases and with no where else to re-locate to will have to re-think its policy of relying on a submarine based nuclear deterrent. It will come under renewed pressure from the UN and EU to give up its permanent security council seat at the UN to the EU as part of a deal that will see France give its seat to Brazil. Pressure will also come from neglected northern English regions who will want some kind of devo-max autonomy. This is only the tip of an iceberg of major problems that will affect Westminster's status as a parliament following Scots independence.

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4

Hearthammer

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 10:07 AM

Alf doesn't seem to understand that if an independent Scottish government can't solve our problems, we can kick them out and elect another one! At the moment, we don't have that option. We have a government with one representative and they rule us.

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3

RadgefromtheWest

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 09:27 AM

Alf..I agree there should be parallel thinking and talking taking place right now for an Independent Scotland scenario. What happens to the SNP itself once we are an independent nation?I have voted SNP for 40 years but consider them to be the only vehicle that will get me to the independence bus terminal.Once arrived we go our separate ways and we then have to make our decisions on which Scottish political party to vote for at the first general election. Some things we can and should agree on before the referendum and independence.There will be no large scale spending after independence on the likes of the arms trade until we have a full proper general election.We will have to stand firm against the jackals of death who will appear in droves flogging their killing machines to make a fast buck.Most newly independent nations in the past 50 years have fallen victim to the predators.South Africa is the perfect example..but there are many. When we gain membership of the United Nations our first act should be to lay down a resolution for the whole General Assembly to vote on a world wide ban and moratorium on the exports of arms from all the nations.Exceptions by UN vote only. Folks...there is plenty to talk about...and in doing so may also give Scotland a glimpse of the Future that awaits us.

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2

JPJ2

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 09:06 AM

Oh Alf-it's all impossible isn't it-how do you ever manage to cross the road??

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1

Gillie

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 07:33 AM

Read only the above, Alf Young is another "what if" unionist half wit.

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