Divorce is not the end, but merely a change in status brought about by paths diverging to the point where it is more uncomfortable to stay together than to separate. From the tone of these blogs, many think that time has come. Acrimony never helps and makes the task harder to work together in future

derek guthrie, burton on trent,

Complete nonsense. You cant spin it any other way, you were wrong to say that we can model our economy on, a now bankrupt, iceland and deeply troubled ireland. If we listened to you we'd all be in for it. Thank god for the union.

David A, Hawick, Scottish Borders

Subsidised .. You must be kidding.
Its obvious the Blair education, education, education mantra has failed abysmally in England..
Like many others I have english blood inside me..
Born in Scotland Independence is the way forward for my country " Scotland "

David Morland, Glasgow, Scotland

could we end up going to war over this? all those highland regiments, navy ports, james bond... intriguing thought given the amount of oil involved. god forbid they should find some more!

andy , st albans, uk

There doesn't seem to be any consideration for those people who consider themselves British. It may make some extremist English and Scots happy to split the union but it would mean the destruction of a country that many people love and consider home. Just to move control to bureaucrats in Brussels.

Stuart Broadfoot, Oxford,

The vast majority in England wants you to do it, Mr Salmond - Please don't let that sway your mind. Independence for England.

Andrew J Iddon, London, UK

Mr Salmond wants independence in Europe , which implicitly means exchanging one union for another. In other words there will be no independence at all (unlike Norway).
Also I don't like the way Mr Salmond is handling the current terrorism threat. We need to pool our resources to face this problem

Eric, Paisley, Scotland

I have no problem with the Scotts leaving the Union. Just so long as we can have proper border crossings, a seperation of finances (i.e. all taxaition raised south of the border stays south of the border) and a recognition that Scotland doesn't own the north sea (plenty of English coastline there).

Neil, Newcastle Upon Tyne,

It seems from some of the English correspondents here that they are under the impression that Scotland contributes nothing to the Treasury's coffers. Where do you think the taxes we pay go?

Florence, Edinburgh,

ok Mr Salmon,
How could independent scotland have dealt with RBS?
How could independent scotland raise extra funds considering your already slashing numbers of policemen because YOUR policies mean there isnt enough budget for them...
Just sit back down in the corner please, we love scotland not you.

rob, glasgow, scotland

With Salmond it's a case of "What's yours is mine and what's mine's my own". He wants the oil revenues to be Scottish, but the banks and their debts to be British.

Richard, Bexhill, UK

If Scottish independence is good for Scotland as voted by Scotland then by definition it will be good for the rest of us. Good luck Scotland in or out of the UK. Note that I fervently support English independence abd believe that this may actually come first.

john p-t, Reigate,

Alex Salmond has a point -- it was Brown who did not encourage prudence, so many banks took his lead. He almost 'totalled' the whole of UK.

A strong Scotland in charge of its own finance could indeed be realised. I'm English but really like Scotland - if only we could get rid of Calamity Brown!

Phil, Preston,

Can I vote for independence too. Independence from and increasingly London-centric England focused only on a narrow south east world view. The Scots, Northern Irish, Welsh and and Northern English peoples are welcome to join me.

Joe, Newcastle, Northumberland

The fact is that the majority of people in our great British democracy have no other wish than to maintain our Union.

The truth is Salmond is afraid to call for a referendum now.

Bring it on ...

Reiver, Borders, UK

use scotch instead of gold to back the Scotish pound and you're away - after all it's money that buys the whisky, right?

aaaron, london,

Alex Salmond is like a little kid trying to pick a fight. He hopes to provoke an Engish backlash against Scotland, so that the very many non SNP voters in Scotland will back his independence agenda.

He's just another wily politician putting his own interests first.

Anna, Cambridge, England

I wish Alex Salmond every success in his quest for an independant Scotland. I just wish he was English.

Terry, Radstock, England

I find it very sad that Scotland could cede from the UK and believe that it would be a genuine loss to all parties. There doesn’t seem to be overwhelming enthusiasm for Independence within Scotland either, what sort of a glorious emancipation is it if it happens in a fit of indifference?

Steve, London,

Most of the comments so far from Englishman display the usual level of arrogance and historical ignorance witnessed over the centuries north of the border.
Please understand England, the future of Scotland is not yours to decide.

Mike, Edinburgh,

As an Englishman, I would love to be given a chance to vote on the future of the Union. I wish the SNP all the best in their quest for independence.

England needs to unburden herself.....No more Barnett formula, no more West Lothian Question, no more inequality.
England needs a Parliament too!!

Jonah, Dorchester, England

The SNP has forgotten the lessons from history. The act of Union between Scotland and England came about becuase Scotland needed English Gold and like Iceland today was essentially bankrupt. How long would an independent Scotland last before like RBS & HBOS it too had to be rescued?

Rupert, London, UK

A referendum on independance for Scotland should be across the whole of the UK. At a stroke the Scots would get their wish. And good riddance to a smal-minded province whose denizens think nothing of beating up a 7 year old kid by a Scotsman for wearing an England shirt during the World Cup.

David Garfield, London, UK

"fear, smear and misinformation" - spot on
The majority of UK oil IS within scotlands borders - and it isn't running out. Scotland would have no problem joining the EU. Oil revenue far outweighs any english subsidy and prior to the union, englands empire consisted of a couple of caribbean islands.

Iain, London,

I totally agree with you Alec Salmond
I cannot understand why the people South of the border do not want you to be an independent nation.
Maybe its the policy of envy, after all it was us numpties in England which voted this clown Brown and his party into power.

Sid Jacques, Durham,

Those Englishmen that long for Scottish independence need to be a bit canny. If the Scots think the English want it, they will vote against. If they think the English want to retain the Union, they will vote for independence.

So, please Scotland, stay in the Union!

Tony Pegg, Leicester, England

One or two people on here are suggesting that Ireland, for years, benefitted from UK subsidies ALONE to the EU. Arrogant nonsense. In the meantime, Ireland has more than paid Europe back through opening her doors to immigrants - including many Brits who abuse our welfare system!

Mick, Cork, Ireland

Freedom for Ilkley!

Paul Freeman, Ilkley, England

Like many English people I'm tired of apologising and saying sorry for the actions of our ancestors. Independence for Scotland? Delighted to vote for that one. When it is?

Nick Jones, York, England

Please, please, please can England have independence from scottish rule.

I really don't care if those few people left in scotland could manage on their own. It's none of my business.

Jon, Leicester, England

Please leave by the back dooor and dont make a noise.

andy, london,

I hate to see the UK seperate. But then again, I hate to see taxes earned in England, ie the South prop up their economy particuarly, when most hard working Scots wishing to escape the state ethos of a regulated S'and live & work in the South! And as far as Ireland goes...well, not without EU grants

James, London,

Free prescriptions, free university education, continual government handouts. What more do you people want.

You cannot get at 'your' oil with pick axes, you need the finance and expertice of a large country

We have a Scottish Priminister and a Scottish Chancellor, again what more do you want

Barbara, Hereford, U.K.

I have always considered myself British and always will despite being born in Scotland. I feel I am linked to Wales, EngIand and NI. If Scotland were to be granted independence I would leave. Bring on the referendum so Salmond can shut up once and for all - he does not speak for Scotland!

Tracy , Wick,

Compare Ireland's GNP - not their GDP figure, which is highly deceptive because of all the foreign companies using Ireland for her tax laws. Mr Salmond knows all this yet continues with this false mantra. Indeed, Ireland has the highest levels of relative poverty in Europe. Why not mention that?

Mark, Perth, Australia

Few years ago I would say that going independent Scotland would lose big way.
But if Kosovo can be 'independent', with strong support by the UK government, than Scotland should go independent tomorrow.

savo, london, uk

Scotland's oil? Only when the scottish nationalists follow the ludicrous horizontal line from Berwick on Tweed. The internationally recognised (and logical) demarkation is to the nearest land point - which funnily enough gives quite a lot of it back to England.

What about England's tax revenue?

Andrew, Cambridge,

Every reason why an unfair extra amount of London Taxes should not go to Scotland and should be distributed evenly around Great Britain.

mervin fowler, rosenheim, germany

If you were independent HBOS and RBS would no longer exist. Scotland could not have afforded to nationalise them alone. These are simple facts.

I am inclined to say good riddence to you all and can we have our money back please. That would be unfair to the majority of Scots.

Ben, Rotherham,

OK if you don;t want to stay, good luck - see you around
..and please take Brown and Darling with you

Tony, Cardiff ,

Independence for Scotland - great idea - then I can stop paying Scottish subsidies (about £30 billion a year from English tax payers) and perhaps get some services for the vast amounts of tax I pay (foisted on me by a Scott).

Peter, London,

As a Scottish graduate and ex- Scottish soldier Both i and my children ,and all but one of my Aunts children live and work in England .Good education no jobs.

g.p.edlin, london, uk

Yes bring on idnependence asap - and the sooner we can withdraw our English tax subsidies. Oh and we wont have to keep putting the hour back for the sake of Scottish farmers.

Pete, Newbury,

The citizens of Scotland, like the cits of Northern Ireland in the 1998 Belfast Agreement, should be given the right in law to secede from the Union. My English colleagues tell me that 85% of the English but only 45% of the Scots would agree with secession! Why not test it on 9 Jun 09?

Dr David Green, Athens, Greece

No statues to M.Thatcher in Scotland, wonder why?
Good Luck for the future, Scots are Brave.

simon gill, nottingham, england

I didn't hear any argument from Scotland when the UK government bailed out RBS! I wonder how RBS would have coped if Scotland had already been independent? I agree with the comments from Kevan - give Scotland it's independence and maybe the whining will stop!

Chippy75, Chester,

Repatriate the HBOS and RBS debts to Edinburgh. It's Scotland's debt!

Bob, London,

The SNP demands independence WITHIN Europe. It has no interest in true autonomy. It simply wishes to exchange dependence on London for a chance to get its snout in an altogether bigger trough so it can strut around pretending its made its way in the world. 'Stand alone'? Give me a break.

Jack, Lincoln, England

No new MoD nuclear work should be started in Scotland.
In 1996 the nuclear submarine reueling facility at Rosyth, local MP Gordon Brown. was stopped. Instead it restarted at Devonport. The reason. The fear that a future SNP Govt might stop refueled subs going back to sea.

Michael Blatchford, Bath, UK

With Scottish friends and 2 years spent in Edinburgh I have a deep affection for Scotland. It saddens me to hear Salmond's views. One small island, many disparate people, it would be a great shame if one group want to distance themselves from another. We have much to gain from acting together.

N Reed, Truro, UK

Dear Mr Salmon. Scotland undoubtedly profited from the Union with access to the Empire and the 1st industrial economy. England could have survived without it but a Union is not something to enter into only when it profits you. Go, and never ask England for anything again

clifford, reading,

For goodness sake! Give these people their independance, withdraw all English tax contributions that go north of the boarder and leave them to their own sorry devises. Though I'm affraid that still wouldn't stop the whining. See how long they last before offering out the begging bowl.

kevan , Nottingham, England

France, England, Spain and Italy all have potential breakaway regions. It would be in those countries interests to rule that no breakaway region should be allowed automatic rights to join the EU.

clifford, reading,

The only real solution is for Scotland as indepedent within the EU.
It has advantages for both
As an Englishman having spent 12 years in a Scottish Regt I know it is a different country and have a great affection for it.
It makes me sad, but it is "right & proper" and also inevitable.

Peter Bolt, Redditch, UK

Just get on with it. It is only the politicians who are discussing it , rest of us couldnt care less what scotland does.

james, london,

Well said FM. For me this week highlights 2 things - 1. what a sorry lot the North Britons are (a pal called them Uncle Toms, but I wouldn't lower myself ...) & 2. what distain the English meeja have for us. Salmon fishing & voting fodder, thats all we are to them. SNP finished? No, I dont think so.

John Watson, Forres, Scotland

Mr Salmond, are you serious? Do you really think there is a conspiracy to keep Scotland within the Union? Or that the English believe they can't live without you?

If Scotland wants to go, then please do so. But until then stop giving us incompetent PMs and whinging about being oppressed.

James, Newcastle,

Ireland did so well because the UK was paying for it via the EU. If they are now 40% richer per head we should have some back.

Norway has such a large oil fund because it has large supplies and a low population...unlike the UK. Much of the oil in in English waters. And running out fast.

Anthony Lester, Brum,

alex salmond is right.
the only way out for scots not to be penailsed by browns increase in taxes to pay for the big bank bail out is INDEPENDENCE.

no taxation without proper representation and economic control.

karin, glasgow,

I am, I guess in the same situation as many others in Britain, with ancestry from both England and Scotland. I fully support going back to the nation status that both countries had 300 years ago. It just works better for both. The main reasons for keeping the unoin alive have gone.

Alexander, Shanghai, China

I too wish you well. Goodbye and good luck Scotland. The sooner we all get our independence the better.

Glenn Beckett, Sheffield,, England

The sooner the better. Perhaps England can obtin a grant to rebuild Hadrians Wall.

nick, victoria,

Please Mr Salmond stop trying to take away my country! I'm a proud Scot but I'm also a proud Brit as well. How many referendums does the SNP need?
Will the SNP confirm that if there is another referendum on independence and the result is 'no', that the SNP will disband and never bother us again.

J McPherson, Edinburgh, UK

I am an SNP voter so forgive my bias. I have always had confidence in an independant Scotland. I believe a lot of our problems stem from a dependancy culture. We need to pay our own way. Solve our problems ourselves. Devolution has been a success but we need, must go further.

John Dunn, Glasgow, Scotland

The first thing an independent Scotland should do is grant dual citizenship too all those persons like myself who have Scottish grandparents. The Irish did this and gained a massive windfall. I would actively embrace such an option were it offered.

donal fitzpatrick, perth, australia

I wish you well.
Goodbye

Dave, Cornwall, England

It's time.

Isa Reddy, brigasoon,

It's amusing that Salmond only makes this argument after it's too late to make any difference. And for all his Ireland worship, that success came through huge subsidies from the UK taxpayer, via Brussels after 1970, and directly before that. He should be content with the UK Subsidy he already gets

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/USA

As someone who has a direct involvement due to birth, I have to agree with the article. My father's side of the family is English - from Essex and my mother's side is Scottish from Glasgow. I have a foot planted firmly in both camps and understand both sides of the argument . I vote independence!

Jan Read, Shepherd's Bush, UK