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Scottish Independence Vote

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ChargerWA

Mark Loane (55)
Be interesting to see how this goes down on the day. Can't say the Scots ever lack courage. There is so much more on the line for them than Australia who already have our own currency, government and financial systems, yet they have the Yes nose ahead in the Scotland two weeks out from the referendum.

I hope they get it over the line, but suspect the fear of the unknown closer to the date will see the No vote just snatch it.


http://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/09/07/scotland-yes-blitzkrieg-wipes-out-no-lead/
 

Gnostic

Mark Ella (57)
I wonder if independence really is the way forward for Scotland. There is so much downside risk and many unknowns that could go either way.

I wonder if serious thought was given to a re-writing of the relationship with England and a revisting of the Commonwealth or the formation of a Federation of some form.
 
T

Train Without a Station

Guest
My girlfriend is Scottish and seems to feel it's a very poor option and just driven by sensationalism and not substance. Far more to lose than gain by it.
 

boyo

Mark Ella (57)
Just look at the effects on the GBP, and on companies with Scottish links (not golf courses).
 

Gnostic

Mark Ella (57)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-...leave-australia-without-head-of-state/5696770

This is of great interest to Australia. The Constitutional Law is pretty easy on this aspect, as explained in the article.

A chance for another Referendum on a Republic, which will succeed as long as the politicians keep there noses out of the Presidential/Head of State electoral process. The minute they want direct selection by them people will vote no, simply because they do not understand how much people hate them and hold them in utter contempt.
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-...leave-australia-without-head-of-state/5696770

This is of great interest to Australia. The Constitutional Law is pretty easy on this aspect, as explained in the article.

A chance for another Referendum on a Republic, which will succeed as long as the politicians keep there noses out of the Presidential/Head of State electoral process. The minute they want direct selection by them people will vote no, simply because they do not understand how much people hate them and hold them in utter contempt.

And yet, I am very wary of a directly elected President, though I am a committed republican (ie support a republic for Australia, not the USA Republican style of politics). Any single person with the popular vote can, and probably will, take upon themselves a mandate from the people, setting up possible conflict between that individual and the properly elected government of the day. Remember, with caution, the power John Kerr took upon himself and he was appointed by the government. Delusions of grandeur will often accompany or develop in the holder of high office.

I am also wary of the USA type situation where there can be stalemate between the President and the congress, at times leading to quite severe political inaction.

Don't know what the solution is, but hopefully a model can be devised that will satisfy the majority. What we don't need is for a minority monarchist element to use differences in the republican movement to again hinder the will of the people.
 

I like to watch

David Codey (61)
I actually support the system having a circuit breaker such as Kerr.
Let's remember that this power has only ever been used once in our history.
Despite all the hue and cry,that decision was ratified with a resounding defeat of the standing Government, with a loss of almost 1/2 their seats in the lower house.
 

JSRF10

Dick Tooth (41)
The Scots haven't exactly done brilliantly out of the union in recent years, added to the terrible campaign ran the No group and the Yes side are getting a lot of the swing voters late in the game. With Murdochs rags jumping on the Yes bandwagon it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Personally I don't think that independence would be as bad economically as those on the No side are saying. After a couple of initial tough years I think that Scotland could prosper in a way that will never happen under Tory or Labour rule in Westminster.

As for a reformed political system I think that Irelands works quite well, the President is elected by the people but largely forms a ceremonial role. The Taoiseach (or Prime Minister) is largely the main man but election happen under PR so there is usually a coalition in power so one side doesn't get to spout their ideological nonsense and compromise is key. The key is not to lose your sovereignty to the IMF but when the whole of Europe was borrowing at Germanys interest rate we couldn't help ourselves.
 

Gnostic

Mark Ella (57)
I actually support the system having a circuit breaker such as Kerr.
Let's remember that this power has only ever been used once in our history.
Despite all the hue and cry,that decision was ratified with a resounding defeat of the standing Government, with a loss of almost 1/2 their seats in the lower house.
I think the Governor's powers are under used in fact. Consider the nsw Scotiabank situation under the last Labor government we had five premiers premiers with out an election and ministers being charged with criminal criminal acts or resigning through findings of corruption. Yet the government was not dismissed to maintain the integrity of the house. the same is happening now with the liberal government. It is to the detriment of the standing of the house and the Governors in such circumstances should act. They do not and as such they are filling an overpaid ceremonial role. Do something worthwhile or abolish the position. I see a presidential position in Australia having that function, no legislative powers at all, maintain the integrity of the house and restore it's standing. It
is not a good thing that the parliaments in this country are held in such contempt even though it is justified.
 

JSRF10

Dick Tooth (41)
No effect on either, not that it would matter the exit polls are calling a decent victory for the No side. Opportunity missed for the Scots IMO
 

Gnostic

Mark Ella (57)
Well that is done and dusted. I wonder when it will occur to the " elite" to wonder why this vote mobilised the population to actually get out and vote. I wonder if they are capable of seeing that maybe even pro independence people aren't so much for upsetting the status quo as much as they are disatisfied with how it is being run and the inherent issues in the system. It will be interesting to see what the turnout is at the next elections, both for the Scottish parliament and the UK parliament. Participation may well crash if those in power do not engage more with the public.
 

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
I think, as with Aus's republic, the current system wasn't deemed broken enough to warrant the unknowns in fixing it.
 

fatprop

George Gregan (70)
Staff member
Well that is done and dusted. I wonder when it will occur to the " elite" to wonder why this vote mobilised the population to actually get out and vote. I wonder if they are capable of seeing that maybe even pro independence people aren't so much for upsetting the status quo as much as they are disatisfied with how it is being run and the inherent issues in the system. It will be interesting to see what the turnout is at the next elections, both for the Scottish parliament and the UK parliament. Participation may well crash if those in power do not engage more with the public.
The big fun will be the whining from the British parliament when they work out how much all the bribes handed out cost to fund

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
 

Runner

Nev Cottrell (35)
I actually support the system having a circuit breaker such as Kerr.
Let's remember that this power has only ever been used once in our history.
Despite all the hue and cry,that decision was ratified with a resounding defeat of the standing Government, with a loss of almost 1/2 their seats in the lower house.

I like the present system.

Two state premiers in Jack Lang and Cain in Victoria I think where also removed for variuos reasons.
 

sarcophilus

Charlie Fox (21)
that great plagiarist Winston argued well against democracy with the
"five minute conversation with the average voter" comment accredited to him.
I came up with a myriad of ways to reconstruct this for my own purposes, but the adumbration should do.
 
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