with the scottish mafia running westminster if they really wanted independance i'm sure Brown and the lot would be more than happy to give it to them. that being said it would likely plunge Scotland into poverty quite quickly considering most of the UK is dependant on the City and London in general

Alex, London, England

Everyone should look up why the act of Union took place and then what was achieved within the British Empire. The question remains, can we work together and achieve great things, or is it time to go our seperate ways? Do we share a national idea of Britishness or not? Can we live in peace?

Cameron Dron, Glasgow,

Just go - and as quickly as possible.

Rob Green, Essex, England

The Empire is finished now, so the whole raison d'etre of the Union is gone. The EU is the new Union, and this is a Union in which Scotland can exist with EQUALITY not subordination.

Davie, Greenock, Scotland

Let us English have our independence....

Let the scottish, irish or welsh who live in England gain their right to vote for their pollies.

Let the English for the first time in 300 years regain control of Parliment and hand back Gordon Brown. I'm sorry my Scottish friends he is yours!

Gordon Whitehead, Newcastle, Australia

Independence is inevitable. Scotland and Wales are quite capable of running their affairs to suit themselves, rather than to suit Westminster.

If England had a political voice through it's own parliament, the English would discover that they are quite capable of the same thing.

Bring it on.

MH, Cymru,

Scotland has a different demographic to England. A much smaller population, 80% of which live in a relatively small area and the rest spread over the rest of the country. Scotland's needs are different and would be better served by being independent of the rest of the UK. The Union is finished.

William Reilly, Balloch, Scotland

England would reject a federal UK simply because they would lose the dominance they have over the other countries in the UK. the UK is fine for England as long as she is by far the dominant power, otherwise an English break-away would be on the cards.

H JOHN, Penybont, Cymru (Wales)

In 2010 there will be a referendum on the restoration of Scotlands independence. 303 years after the creation of the Union without a democratic mandate.
The SNP in the meantime will massage the confidence of the electorate to such an extent, that a YES vote is a likely outcome.

James Connor, Dundee, Scotland

Scotland has had enough of what has been nothing less than Apartheid policies in Scotland for 300 years. The Union was meant to be an equal partnership. Lets have a Federalised UK with separate countries of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland each having an equal say at the Federal level??

Fred Smith, Edinburgh, Scotland

Please don't break up our Union. Three hundred years of history and tradition by the way side, I can't believe it's really happening to the country that I love so much, I love being British and I want to stay that way.

adam Wilson, Nairn, United Kingdom

Remember that Scotland adds tremendous potential to the UK Military. WIth that potential, the UK feels propportionately safer in sending troops abroad. Which is costly, and adds to Scotlands proportion of the National debt.

Fraser Wallace, St- Andrews, Scotland

Just a thought, but would the break up of united kingdom atomaticaly invalidate our membership of the EU? After all in all the said treaties only the UK is a member its constituent nations are not.

Simon, Doncaster, UK

Scottish opposition leader argues for giving greater powers to the country, but staying devolved rather than moving to full independence.

that will be why shes now backing the indpendence referendum then will it?

that woman is making a mockery of scotland.

karin, glasgow,

I hope they do get independence, then we will have the end of the constant whining - though I suppose they will blame us for all that ails them.
I pay taxes to give them benefits that I am not entitled to. When they have to pay for them themselves they will probably come back asking for handouts

Dave, Chesterfield, England

Goodbye London, Hello Brussels!

Richard, Bexhill, UK

If the Scots become independent, then the Ulster-Scots will have to decide whether they wish to be British, if that is still possible, Irish, or go it alone. Scotland's Catholics, like Ireland's Presbyterians, may feel increasingly uncertain about their future in this Balkanised state of affairs.

Paul, Coventry,

Who would oppose the idea of Scotland standing on its own two feet and spending its own money?

Not the Scots, I assure you, apart from those who seek to use Scottish votes to sustain power in England.

I am sure England can look after itself perfectly well.

Gordono, Aberdeen, Scotland

What a refreshing change the SNP Government has brought to Scotland. Business is saying so, Civil Servants are saying so, and people on the street are saying so. The fog of negative doom-saying by political parties with HQ's in London has started to clear. Scots can see the road ahead looks great.

Tom, Edinburgh, Scotland

Of course the Scots should have independence if the majority want it, so should England and Wales, and a united Ireland makes sense. Why keep different nations bound together for historical reasons? Let go of the past and live in the changed world of today.

Shirley, Loughborough, Leics

Give the scots independence and let the 85% majority of the UK (the English) stop having to fund this cold, empty little country hanging on to the edge of Europe... Good ridance. Oh and by the way, we should let them keep their "empty" oil fields as a memento of how much England has done for them

kevan, Nottingham, ENGLAND

Would all those whining, mendicant Celts just take their independence and go? Nobody in England wants to force the Scots to stay in the Union, only the Labour jockocracy whose political career depends on its survival.

Tommo, Rotherham, UK

Scotland & England Were independent for a Hundred years and shared same Monarchy,The scots arent asking for Independence thay are taking it!London is running scared because of the oil that pours into its coffers every day.We can see them panic today because of oil depot at grangemouth striking!

E Reynolds, Blackpool, England

Can anyone give an example of a Westminster policy for the specific benefit of Scotland?Why have the majority of people in this country with their work ethic and pride been so easily "scared" into believing Alba will fail? It's not just oil, there's tourism, nukes to lose and pride!It's a no brainer

Phil Glover, Grantown on Spey, Scotland

Of course Scotland should have full independence. In my opinion, it should become a completely independent Republic. I'd even wish it to leave the Commonwealth, but wouldn't mind staying in that if the majority preferred. I'd like Scotland to adopt the Euro and become more of a player in Europe.

Con, Edinburgh, Alba

Ben Thomson paints of picture of an independent Scotland that just won't happen. Reduce taxes, he must be kidding. The SNP will tax us to death to build their independent government. They are socialists through and through, and can't wait to redistribute the wealth from hard working successful people to bums on benefits. They will demand even greater tax from business and the troubles will really begin when these businesses move south of the border. Good riddance you say? Well who will pay for the socialist state of Scotland then?

Jo, Alford, Aberdeenshire

We need to restore the work ethic that Scotland was famous for in the past. We have a 3rd generation of dependency culture which must be eliminated for the future. No one is entitled to "something for nothing!" and no business should expect subsidies. Abolish all hand outs and lets get our pride back.
Only one way ------------- Independence.

J Stewart Spence
Aberdeen

J Stewart Spence, Aberdeen, Scotland

Whoppee, another tiny little European country to make things run even smoother! Wales will probably go as well, so the small island of Great Britain will be made up of 3 countries. Doesn't sound like we're an advanced society does it? More like a bunch of bitter, cynical and selfish people who'd rather divide ourselves up. Once separated, we'd ignore each other and passports might well be needed, if as Salmond suggests, "Scotland is not full up" and encourages immigration while the English try to stop it. A referendum is needed though, Scotland elected a nationalist party and must decide if it actually wants independence or just not Labour.

Andy, London,

Maitland Mackie has a Norwegian wife. I wonder if he berates her for not advocating that her homeland be governed by Sweden.

Duns Scotus, The Borders, Scotland

Wasn't it the tricentenary a few years ago? Apparently so, but I didn't hear about it until after it happened. Huh. Any other country in the world would have had celebrated- I bet the USA had a spectacular party after 100, 200 years (etc) of its existence.

And yet, here in the UK... not even a single bloody firework.

Yeah, it seems clear that nobody cares about the Union any more. The Scottish want rid of it. The English think it's already gone.

Nu Labour's stumbling attempts to instil a sense of pride in Britishness won't change that.

When Scotland gains independence... well, I can't see any reason why it shouldn't prosper. Especially if it manages to hold on to a majority share of that lovely North Sea Oil.

And finally, I believe in the right to self-determination. If the people of Scotland want independence, then I'll support them in that. Although I admit I'll be feeling a bit sad about the end of a great partnership,

Richard

Richard, Dudley, England

When all is said and done, the comparison with a marriage is a good one. The marriage, at best, was a shotgun wedding - born of necessity. But it worked well for both partners for a long time – Scotland needed the protection and reach that the Royal Navy provided and having recognized that, immediately dispatched the best managers and soldiers the growing empire could have hoped for. So through the early years, mutual need and fear forced the union together and some fairly robust offspring resulted.
But the kids are grown now, the house is paid for and the interests we once shared are no longer enough to hold us. We don’t really have much in common any more and maybe we never did at root level.
So maybe it’s as well we part - the better for the years we did spend and have them remembered with some respect than have it deteriorate into something else. It’s alright to go our separate ways; we’re still linked by many family ties – most of which will keep us in touch. But it’s over – it’s time. Regrets? - sure, but not enough to have us stay together to try to fix them. Move on.

j dorricott, fairhope, alabama, usa

What other western democracy meekly accepts the sovereignty of a neighbouring country?

Charlie Webster, Gartocharn, Dunbartonshire

It is human nature for a majority to take advantage of a minority.This has allowed England,with ten times Scotlands population,to do just that for the past 300years under the guise of Democracy,which it never has been and was never meant to be but only a ruse to allow England to dominate Scotland.
Independence is the natural state for any country allowing it to get the best out of its people.
Becoming Independent will have a tremendous rejuvenating effect on the Scotttish people,giving them the incentive to move their country rapidly ahead and I would say that in 10/15 years they wil have improved their standard of living well ahead of Englands.

Kenneth B. Singer, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Scotland

Scotland must get out of this Union now, it is bleeding us dry of all our resources and money. London is the 5th richest economy in the world, while Britain as a nation is only 11th or 12th. In the 1960s Britains economy was on its knees till the discovery of the North Sea Oil, and we can not strss enough how important this is, no matter how tired people are of hearing it.

The information about Scotlands Oil reserves were placed under the Official Secrets Act in London by the Tory government. The document containing this information tells us that the British government of the time said Scotland should under no circumstances gain independence. North Sea Oil has payed for the prosperity of London and the South East of England, while Scotland has been left to rot and fall into industrial decline. 70% of the oil remains beneath the seabed, if were are to make it as an independent nation we must vote for independence now. Scotland has payed more in taxes than England in the last 30 years

Man of Independence, Glasgow, Strathclyde

It is normal for a nation to take its own decisions and determine its own journey. That's why countless nations around the world, many much smaller and poorer in natural resources, do perfectly well as independent nation states.

Those who claim that Scotland is somehow unique in being unable to manage our own affairs are wrong. Not only that they are insulting our country and its people. Can you imagine the British establishment telling nations like Ireland, Malta and the Caribbean states such as Barbados that they would be better off back under London rule? No. I don't think so - nor would they want to revert back anyway.

Kate, Dundee, Scotland

I am an Arninian and agree with the Calvanist gentleman, we need a FREE Scotland, with all it's oil channeled into our coffers. England was always attacking Scotland, and the letter dated 1320 spoke that we wanted the English to stay in London and settle there.

John E. Nyguist, Dundee, Scotland- Tayside

A free Scotland, and a free England will make both happier places. The United Kingdom is less than the sum of its parts.

Robert Seaton, Edinburgh, Scotland

Tony in London,

There are people like myself that have voted for the Scottish National Party for the past 20 years.

They didn't niggle at me and behind the scenes they consult with their members for advice on the best way forward. One comment I made before they got into power was that they show the Scottish people they can govern with the limited powers they have and boy haven't they done well.

England can be a trading partner and close ally of Scotland in the same way that when Scotland is independent it makes many more allies and trades independently round the world. The momentum is there for our country to shape its own destiny - instead of a very unbalanced union and the feeling of 'Oliver' please Sir can I have some more.

I say we will have more. I agree also with earlier postings. We have produced some of the most talented people in the world will continue to do so. Lets make our own mark on the world. An independent Scotland is the only way forward for me.

David Birse, Dundee, Scotland

As that wonderful English hymn says: "so be it Lord thy throne shall never like earth's proud empires pass away."

Being a Calvinist I always knew an independent Scotland was bound to happen

Graeme McCormick, Arden, by Loch Lomond

Let's face it independence, or at least more independence from London, is inevitable, whether we like it or not. Labour will have to keep ceding powers in their desperation to keep the SNP at bay and before you know it the Scots parliament will have most of the powers of independent countries. Brown et al should have seen it coming decades ago when they had the chance to stop it - after all, home rule was never at the top of many folks' shopping list. They've only themselves to blame if the union goes belly up.

David Johnston, Edinburgh,

We had eight years of meandering under the original devolution settlement. We need a change of direction.

James Fleming, Paisley,

Independence appears to be the best option.

If a nation can't cut it on the international stage or in running its own affairs then tough, but you know what, I have every confidence that England could manage fine as a nation in her own right !

As for Scotland ( Oil's at $110 a barrel ) I think we're all up for it !

douglas, dunfermline,

I have supported independence for many years now simply because I think that decision making is more effective if it is closer to the people it is meant to serve. There is a sense that Scotland will always be capped and held back because successive Westminster governments do not want Scotland to have different policies to England. This is what made the Scottish Labour/Lib Dem executive at Holyrood so inefectual and it is what is driving more people to support independence. There is nothing wrong with Scotland being independent; it doesn't entail any extremist tendencies. It is simply a desire to bring government and decision-making closer to the people it serves. With support for independence and the status quo neck and neck, I think we are moving closer to the likelihood that Scotland will leave the union. I welcome that.

Gregor Addison, Glasgow, Scotland

The present constitutional settlement is not working. It requires in practice that the same party be in power in Edinburgh and London at the same time and that the SNP never be in office.

These are not reasonable expectations.

The Union cannot be made to work in a way which will suit all parts of the UK. Time for a simpler and more workable solution: Scottish independence.

Ronald MacDonald, Dollar, Scotland

I was born in Scotland but brought up for most of my childhood (13 years) in London and have been living now in Scotland for more than 30 years. I love London, and England more broadly, but I still believe that Scotland would benefit from being independent. It's about believing that running our own country is the most sensible option and the way that we are most likely to develop solutions which most suit our circumstances. While Scotland has always had separate legal and educational systems, devolution has given us greater freedom to develop our own solutions in areas such as health (free personal care), environment (renewable energy not nuclear energy), and university funding (end to student fees). Independence would allow us to go further and get rid of nuclear weapons (the majority of Scottish MPs and public are opposed to them), remove our troops from Iraq (the current Scottish Govt and public were opposed to the war) and manage our own finances. Choose life; choose independence!

mike, glasgow, scotland

I believe totally in the right to a nation to have its Independence. Scotland is a country rich in natural resources and its people are wealthy in intellect and aptitude. The majority of the people I know are like me and feel passionately that we have the ability and the right to be an nation in our own right.There are many good examples of smaller nations than us who survive and develop a wonderful standard of living and public service. Perhaps we would not feel this way if we had not been treated a as poor relatives of successive Westminster governments!!
Come on Alex Salmond! The only leader who believes in Scotland and its people, show us what you can do!

Carolle Ralph, Lossiemouth, Scotland

Independence? Bring it on.

Richard Taylor, Aberdeen,

Singapore does okay, Norway seems to be faring pretty well, The Irish have been having something of a party ... what's not to like about a small independent country? If they want it, let them have it.

Alexis, Dublin,

What is the point of debate? The Scots will get independence eventually because the Nats will just keep niggling until they wear everyone down.

Tony, London, UK