An independent Scotland?

[Red Celt]

Ah, assertions.

Turns out there was a god reason Salmond didn't want to release his legal advice re EU membership post independence, he hadn't asked for any. Makes you wonder where else the Scotch Separatists are cutting corners.

It's "Scottish", not "Scotch". Calling Scots "Scotch" stopped pretty much at the same time as black people stopped being called "nig-nogs".

Why do you keep returning to this, like a dog to its vomit?

[Faithfree]

On the plus side, if Scotland becomes a seperate country, it will increase the number of countries I can claim to have visited.

[Red Celt]

A little something I made earlier...

[Jason]

How to say this without insulting.. I've never seen Scotland as a turd smear on a political poster before now.

[Red Celt]

How to say this without insulting.. I've never seen Scotland as a turd smear on a political poster before now.

A turd smear?

[Jason]

Sorry.. I mean the way the overlay is done with the colours blending and all it looks like someone hurled a ball of gunk at a poster.. maybe it would be better if the landmass was in grayscale?

[Red Celt]

Sorry.. I mean the way the overlay is done with the colours blending and all it looks like someone hurled a ball of gunk at a poster.. maybe it would be better if the landmass was in grayscale?

The flag is meant to dominate, not the land mass. I like it the way it is.

[Svartalf]

Seems Salmonella may have "misspoke" re his legal advice

What's that "legal adivce" I jhear of repeatedly in conjunction with him?

[Clinton Huxley]

Seems Salmonella may have "misspoke" re his legal advice

What's that "legal adivce" I jhear of repeatedly in conjunction with him?

its the advice he didn't get...

[ronmcd]

Turns out there was a god reason Salmond didn't want to release his legal advice re EU membership post independence, he hadn't asked for any. Makes you wonder where else the Scotch Separatists are cutting corners.

Sorry ... you really are utterly utterly ignorant of this whole topic, aren't you? From the bbc:

The SNP revealed it was dropping a court battle to stop publication of whether they had previously sought advice from law officers.

The point about legal advice is that no government ever reveals whether it has sought or received legal advice, or what that is. Until now the SNP govt have refused to reveal IF they have had legal advice.

The EU will likely be ABLE to give some comment now that there is an agreement between the two governments over the referendum, hence the revelation they have not sought advice from the EU. Of course my understanding is this story today is conflating two issues ... first any advice from EU ... second legal advice from law officers within the Scottish govt to the government ministers.

Its interesting to note that Salmond repeatedly said in Parliament that IF he revealed whether they had sought legal advice or what any legal advice contained, it would be contrary to the Ministerial Code. And today's response from Scottish Labour ? Can you guess?

Labour MSP Richard Baker demanded to know how the Deputy First Minister could reveal the "existence or non-existence of legal advice" under the ministerial code, which normally precludes this.

ROFL!

[ronmcd]

From bbc http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-s ... s-20042069:

Ms Sturgeon confirmed the Scottish government has now commissioned specific legal advice from law officers on the position of Scotland within the European Union.

The SNP had not previously done so.

She said: "The Scottish government has previously cited opinions from a number of eminent legal authorities, past and present, in support of its view that an independent Scotland will continue in membership of the European Union - but has not sought specific legal advice.

"However, as the Edinburgh Agreement provides the exact context of the process of obtaining independence, we now have the basis on which specific legal advice can be sought."

Ministers had previously gone to court to prevent attempts to reveal whether or not they had sought such advice.

Ms Sturgeon said the government's position in the independence White Paper would be based on the advice they receive.

[ronmcd]

Lets recap, just for the lols ...

Scottish Labour demand for months that SNP reveal their legal advice.
SNP say it would be against ministerial code, no govt reveals if they have even HAD legal advice, same as UK govt.
Information commissioner says EU legal advice should be revealed, because of importance.
Now that an agreement has been achieved between governments, SNP reveal they can now seek legal advice based on the agreement.
Scottish Labour accuse SNP of lying, saying they said they did have legal advice (eh?), AND attack them for breaking ministerial code (as SNP said)!

Brilliant.

[Santa_Claus]

Ah, assertions.

Turns out there was a god reason Salmond didn't want to release his legal advice re EU membership post independence, he hadn't asked for any. Makes you wonder where else the Scotch Separatists are cutting corners.

A god reason?

As I said, get the opposition focusing on the irrelevant - and hey presto a Referendum. on the date wanted.

Until the Referendum got agreed with the English then nothing really that needed legal advise on - 2 years is more than enough time to have initial talks with the EU and get some legal advice.

BTW the legal advice that Salmond gets will say that it is possible for Scotland to be in the EU (no shit - they let anyone in!). Until an actual Yes vote then no point in going to formal talks with the EU about exactly how that is acheived (likely accepted as an existing member, but with a new treaty on top to confirm the details - mostly so the Scots get a nice day out and feel important).

What the English position then is ain't a concern for Salmond (likely that it simply remains in the EU).

[mistermack]

I'm sure that there is no legal impediment to Scotland becoming a full member state.

SO LONG AS ALL MEMBERS AGREE.

That's MY legal advice to smart Alex.

Whether the same applies to the reduced UK is a bit less certain.

[Santa_Claus]

I'm sure that there is no legal impediment to Scotland becoming a full member state.

SO LONG AS ALL MEMBERS AGREE.

That's MY legal advice to smart Alex.

Whether the same applies to the reduced UK is a bit less certain.

I think by ALL you mean Germany .

But that only matters after a YES vote - beforehand there will be enough (including legal advice) to argue that Scotland will be a member of the EU (the serious discussions can only happen after a YES vote).....IMO that is a fairly easy EOTW scare story to dispel simply on the basis that if the EU would let muppet eastern European countries in then no reason why Scotland would not be let in - the last thing that the EU wants is for Scotland to become happy with a Norway style half in / half out arrangement, so ASAP is good for the EU......plus after a YES vote Salmond can make warm noises about the Euro safe in the knowledge that "when the time is right" (and subject to a referendum) won't be happening any time soon.