You really think SNP would be better. Hmmmm, STEED you should listen to them, bunch of Nationalists, and personally as an English guy in Scotland, though I haven't had any problems up here, there are enough in the SNP hidden as they maybe if they got independence I believe you would get a situation, maybe not as bad but similar to the Balkans. There are a minority as always who would try to get at English people should the SNP get in. Also most Scots I know don't vote SNP.

I have 2 questions I would appreciate an answer to;
1. How long have you lived in Scotland
2. What evidence do you have to substantiate that the English would be 'gotten at' should the SNP get in ?

XabbaRus, The reason I ask is I heard it on the radio a few days ago, I forget who said it but the presenter was very certain that Labour was going to suffer a major set back this May. Well we shall see when the votes are in. ;)

aint got my vote

And finally xabba your taking my approach :D

I do believe that the SNP only stands in Scotland. :smug:

Ok them and labour

I no longer vote for the big three as they have lost it, more so with Labour and the Conservatives who have become so complacent and living in cuckoo land. :know:

Lived in Scotland for 20 odd years. If you read my post correctly you'd see that I have said that I have lived all this time up here without hassle. Sure when the football is on there is teh banter and joshing but that's normal.

Unfortunately there are some in Scotland, who though a minority I feel would get quite noisy should the SNP make gains. I know many fellow Scots whjo consider the SNP to be essentially racist and it is my experience that most Sctos have plenty of time for the English. I also live in the North East where there was 'settler watch' OK it turned out to be a joke once it was discovered the ring leader was a german, but I think it unnerved a few people. It shows the potential is there.

However I'll repeat they are a minority but, they could become vocal. I personally feel most scots won't vote SNP. They are a single issue party in my book with no more answeres than the other three. So Munson do you want Scotland to be independent?

Excuse me, but I did read your post correctly, I did not ask if you had encountered any hassle, that wasn't my issue; I wanted to know the length of time you have lived in Scotland = totally seperate issue !
I still don't see any evidence from you that the English would be 'gotten at' if the SNP came to power.

You know, I'd be more likely to vote for a nationalist inclined party than any of the three major ones, right now. So far, none of those three have impressed me with their proposals, and I think it might be an idea to give a different party a chance, instead of having just a different face messing up our country.

All I'm saying is that should the SNP gain power and should Scotland head for independence it would give certain groups within Scotland to become more vocal and possibley more emboldened to attempt stirring things up.

I fear a dissolution of the union would be bad for all parties involved. I fear that we haven't learned anything from when countries are split. Look at what happened in Yugoslavia. OK in some ways different to the UK, but there is a chance no matter how small that such a thing could happne in the UK.

Anyway Munson, you never answered my other question, would you like to see Scotland become independent?

I do agree it is barmy that Englsih MPs can't vote on entirely Scottish matters but Scots MPs can vote on purely English matters. Surely the framework alread exists that when it is a UK wide matter all can vote but purely country specific issues are reserved for those MPs who it actually affects?

I think independence would uplift many Scots but, in the long term, would not show any lasting benefits to Scotland. I totally agree with you in regards to your last paragraph; the votes of MP's Nationwide should either be a level playing field or, as you state, "country specific issues are reserved for those MPs who it actually affects?"