I was checking on a UK thread in Elections, and it has been well hijacked by ranting about SNP.
Well. I have a nice simple question for our resident SNP supporter. (Have we more than the one?)
Once Scotland gains its independence, what then? What policies will it follow? Old Labour? LibDem? Some kind of neoliberalism, perhaps? Or some kind of radical protectionist/socialist path?
It seems like talking about independence is a way to avoid dealing with actual ideological differences within Scotland.
It will elect whatever government its electorate wants. Because of the method of electing its Parliament, currently only the SNP would be able to form a majority Government. Coalition governments are likely to be left of centre as are the SNP.
Scotland has a long social history of communalism. Even Scottish Tories tend towards the left being more like the Christian Democratic parties in Europe.
The EC is far less unpopular in Scotland.
There is no general desire for Nuclear Weapons or Power in Scotland.
There is little interest in engagement in foreign wars.
There is far less opposition to social issue funding and greater support for the living wage.
The education system and the NHS are widely supported and appreciated and are not political footballs to the extent they are in England.
Local government is less partisan because of proportional representation.
Green policies are popular and despite our weather we tend to believe in Global warming!
It would probably be somewhat poorer than remaining in the Union when oil prices are low and richer when high.