tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136283474944112200.post7668553238276552250..comments2023-09-12T17:18:42.746+02:00Comments on At The Edge Of Time: Scotland independence: the case for YesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895745055248556694noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136283474944112200.post-91239652083344131952014-09-10T17:49:37.644+02:002014-09-10T17:49:37.644+02:00It's a bit inaccurate to talk about 'Belgi...It's a bit inaccurate to talk about 'Belgian politicians', in practice there are Flemish politicians and Walloon-Brussels politicians. The latter may indeed not like Scottish re-entry in the EU, but in the end Belgium is just a different case. The biggest problem with Flemish separatism is of course a city called Brussels.<br />Anyway, on another note, I have a strong suspicion that the relatively low oil prices have something to do with the Scottish referendum...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11356026195140886719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136283474944112200.post-21082067374631679202014-09-10T16:36:53.651+02:002014-09-10T16:36:53.651+02:00Thanks for your thoughts. We live just over the Sc...Thanks for your thoughts. We live just over the Scottish Border in England, but I worked 27 years in Scotland, and as an incomer felt 'at home' there. I expect that I will continue to feel at home. Of course, we have had only one British citizenship for >300 years (we are actually 'subjects' of HM, having no formal written Constitution). <br /><br />Like you I have come to regard British relationship with EU as the key factor in what actually happens. If there is a 'yes' verdict I guess that 'negotiations' could easily continue until 2017. The British position could be clearer by then. And what condition will the EU be in by that time? I have gradually come to regard a Union of European States (on the lines of USA) as fantasy. And even a 'Europe-wide' settlement / agreement without Russia seems unstable and transient. The geopolitical conflict between USA and Russia locks present EU into an odd and likely temporary set of arrangements?<br /><br />best<br />Philphilsharrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16992266289232459952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136283474944112200.post-15940281822765921612014-09-08T16:37:16.321+02:002014-09-08T16:37:16.321+02:00Hi Tom. I have no idea if Belgium politicians will...Hi Tom. I have no idea if Belgium politicians will be amused or not with an independent Scotland, but I do not expect them to easily accept a splinter region re-joining the EU. This is precisely one of the reasons why the Flemish "separatist" discourse is not taken seriously.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895745055248556694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136283474944112200.post-21850797151953670772014-09-08T00:10:37.761+02:002014-09-08T00:10:37.761+02:00Why do you think Belgium would be 'not amused&...Why do you think Belgium would be 'not amused' by Scottish independence?<br />Spain, of course, but in Belgium there is no realistic threat of a split (which I think I can confidently say as a Dutch speaking Belgian)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11356026195140886719noreply@blogger.com