That is rich coming from you.
You rarely are prepared to debate the substantive points raised by others, preferring instead to move on to fresh opinion polls, or whatever, and thus avoid having to defend your position.
I also wonder how independence-obsessed people in stable western countries manage to engage in human relationships.
They must be constantly tempted to divorce their spouse because (1) I need my freedom, man! (2) I could be married to someone who makes a few dollars more! and (3) my spouse’s people did something bad to my people in 1746!
I’ve got news for you by the way. You are NOT the least nationalist person going. Given your statements over months, for you to claim that clearly shows you up as a fantasist.
I thought you wanted Northern Ireland to be absorbed by the Republic of Ireland? 
No. I suspect that it will happen over time as the two communities redevelop a joint Irish identity. Northern Ireland has a choice between being an apendage of the UK or an integral part of the land mass on which it sits; the citizens will make that choice. If the Catholic population keeps out breeding the Protestants and as enmities subside over the coming decades, integration may become the majority desire and the Anglo Irish Agreement says that the will of the people of Northern Ireland is paramount.
There is a difference between a nationalist and a devolutionist. I hold no liking for Scottish faux nationalism or any Braveheart ideal. I merely want to live in a political setting where decisions are made on the smallest possible scale. Additionally I quite like the prospect of living in a less Tory dominated set up. An independent Scotland would meet many of my desires. I am a Pacifist and so would be living in a country that did not involve itself in foreign wars but used its troops merely for defence and UN actions. I am anti nuclear weapons. I adhere to a moral code that requires that the weakest in society are helped more than the strongest rather than devil take the hindmost. I am committed to the European project and so would be in a country not at perpetual war with the EU. For many other practical reasons I would be happier in a small well ordered country without the accoutrements of colonialism. None of this is nationalist, merely political.
The ‘sunstantive points’ offered by others are frequently merely their own opinions without factual backing. I tend to keep to what is going on in the real world. The fact that theer is no a clear opinion poll majority for Independence, and that the SNP seem set for landslides in 2015 and 2016 are facts and are interesting.
Ah. So you are a hopeful devolutionist when it comes to the UK, but a hopeful nationalist when it comes to Ireland. (why don’t you want the Northern Irish to make decisions on the smallest possible scale?)
I’m sure you will have some convoluted answer involving referendums, demographics and treaties, but underneath it all you are sounding rather like a standard-issue sectarian who has basically adopted the political beliefs of the Glasgow Celtic fanbase (I knew it sounded familiar.) Let me guess- Gerry Adams is one of your personal heroes?
Northern Ireland is probably too small to exist as a successful state. If they choose to do so by referendum, of course they should be free to do that, but they are likely to either remain in Union with the UK (same for Wales whcih is probably never going to be economically self sufficient), or - if they choose- to unite with the rest of their landmass. Their choice.
I think that Gerry Adams was a murderous fanatic. I also believe that the British Army in Northern Ireland became a fascist and state terrorist organisation on occasion. Over the decades both the British State and Gerry Adams have rehabilitated themselves back into a democratic way of doing things. Both are tarred by their history but both deserve the chance to help the cause of all the people their previous acts affected.
I am not a Christian and have no dog in the sectarian fight.
I can say at local level - certainly in London and the north - devolution is now right at the top of the political agenda, not only Labour but it’s huge on George Osbourne’s radar as well.
It suits a democractic agenda and a business agenda.
I imagine any unilateral referendum in Scotland would turn into a farce a la the recent referendum in Catalonia.
Pjen must be congratulated on once more derailing the thread with discussion of Salmond’s fantasies, however.
Why do you think it would be a farce unless the Better Together equivalent decided to boycott it?
I would note that people normally accuse others of derailing when they have no argument to offer.
The threat of UDI may well be part of the bargaining process next May if the Vow has been abandoned and the Scottish electorate feel duped. Opinion polls have shown (the least three that is) that there is a solid majority for independence and a massive majority for something approaching Home Rule. The pressure is too great to be denied.
This will inform the next election whether or not there is a hung parliament. Look at it this way- if there is a Conservative Majority, there will be a hidden attack on the Barnett formula and they will defend their voters in the south; if there is a Labour majority they might be willing to transfer many more powers but would need in some way to use and abuse Scottish votes to maintain future control of the UK. If there is a hung parliament all is up for grabs.
**Pjen ** - how about a truce for the benefit of others here? Clearly we are never going to agree on anything but there is not much debate going on between us - I won’t bother to pin the blame.
How about I don’t respond to your posts and you don’t respond to mine but we both feel free to debate with everyone else?
It is not you alone. I think I will continue to speak my mind. If you wish to stop responding, that is fine by me.
Sigh…
Okay then - gloves will have to remain on then.
I wouldn’t worry about it. If pjen’s reading of the polls was accurate, Scotland would now be independent. What we have here is a dreamer.
I thought this article made a lot of sense, that part of the disillusion is that Members and candidates from the main parties on the whole don’t treat their constituents with respect. Thoughts? D’you think enough Members would realise this to try and make a change?
It is not “my” reading of the polls. Three separate polls since the referendum have shown a small majority for independence
The Scottish Government is not dreaming in making plans for a further referendum should the Scottish people wish for one. Such proposals are almost certain to appear in the 2016 manifesto and may well be carried out.
There is every possibility that this small majority may decline if the final settlement of further devolution satisfies the demand for greater freedom. The polling suggests that this demand may be greater than Westminster is willing to grant.
There is a reason why the SNP has quadrupled its membership over the last monthor so since the referendum.
You had your chance. You failed. Live with it.
Things have moved on since then. There is a groundswell that is certainly going to make it difficult to satisfy the Scottish people with anything less than virtual home rule.
Should the Scottish peel elect another Nationalist government on a referendum manifesto and the polls support it, a further referendum will necessarily follow even if it is unilateral.
And if the SNP holds the keys to Downing Street in May…