Of course the Scots would argue they are net contributors to the UK as they believe the north sea oil belongs to Scotland, not to the UK. . . . . .
Scotland is a lovely place, but as you say, when scottish tax-payers have to fund their ‘everything free’ system by themselves it won’t be so much fun.
Whilst I want Scotland to become independent I doubt it will happen soon. The current financial fiasco that is the euro makes this an incredibly dangerous time for tiny countries to want to become ‘independent’.
Then if they’re smart, they don’t join the Euro. That simple. They retain the Scottish Pound and if they’re smart, they back it with metal. If they were to do that and have banking transparency, they’d have a flood of money washing up on their shores. Their problem wouldn’t be a lack of money, it would be the same problem the Swiss are having - the Swiss Franc has to be deliberately devalued so as to maintain some level of export pricing viability.
I examined the numbers last night on Scottish GDP with and without north sea oil. Without the oil factored in, they’re doing a bit better than the US is, financially. Now, you can look at that either one of two ways, in light of your comments....
Ah - forgot to mention this:
Considering the crap that is sloshing around the UK banking sector and The City, it is probably a very good time to get loose of The City, even if that means ditching the union.
The banking liabilities in the world due to derivatives gone mad are the largest in London and NYC. If the Scots (and anyone else) can isolate their national treasuries from having to backstop the large banks, then that alone is a sound reason to want to split off.