Independence Day

[merchant_banker]

Today is the day the UK takes back control of its future.

All the Remoaners need to embrace this fact and help put the Great back in Great Britain.

Dover And Out

[Dominic]

Don't even think about asking why this was moved to politics.

[cyprusgrump]

Don't even think about asking why this was moved to politics.

[Mark]

Don't even think about asking why this was moved to politics.

[Lynsab]

We remain full members of the European Union for the next two years, subject to all the rules and obligations of membership.

Not really independent still a full member of the EU...

[merchant_banker]

We remain full members of the European Union for the next two years, subject to all the rules and obligations of membership.

Not really independent still a full member of the EU...

Yes, I agree, but it could be less than 2 years - sooner the better.

[cyprusgrump]

We remain full members of the European Union for the next two years, subject to all the rules and obligations of membership.

Not really independent still a full member of the EU...

2 years is the maximum time for negotiations...

[merchant_banker]

I am very impressed with Theresa May - she presented very well today.

[Varky]

I do wish that TM would put the leader of the SNP party in his place when for the second week running he made tried to make the same point at PMQs saying that TM had failed to carry out her pledge to 'seek' the approval of the devolved assemblies in the run up to the Brexit negotiations. Her pledge was just that, to 'seek' the approval. This she has done. It is not solely her fault that she and the Scottish first minister failed to agree but, by engaging in discussions, she fulfilled her pledge. Clearly the SNP are acting mischievously in this and in the referendum.
One thing that I do wish was not included in the 'resignation' letter was the linking of cooperation in security matters with agreement on trade matters.

[smudger]

No surprise there then!!

[Dominic]

The Scottish citizens voted for the SNP in large quantities. Nobody can be surprised that they are pushing for Independence. Besides, the majority of Scotland wanted to remain in the EU.

Say what you like about the woman, but she is doing what she said she would do. If only all politicians followed that mantra!

[Pete G]

I would have thought that the best way Scotland could achieve the independence it appears to crave would be to prove it's ability to function independently by refusing the Barnett payments and the 8bn odd ex gratia payments they get annually, restricting their calls on the public purse to the same per capita rate as England, and then insist on separate tax raising powers so that specifically Scottish initiated policies were funded by specifically Scottish tax revenues?

That would offer the Scots independence in everything but name, provide a safety net should things go horribly wrong, and increase the level of influence and authority of the Scottish Parliament, whilst decreasing their reliance on tax revenues raised south of the border.

Sounds like a win-win to me

[cyprusgrump]

I would have thought that the best way Scotland could achieve the independence it appears to crave would be to prove it's ability to function independently by refusing the Barnett payments and the 8bn odd ex gratia payments they get annually, restricting their calls on the public purse to the same per capita rate as England, and then insist on separate tax raising powers so that specifically Scottish initiated policies were funded by specifically Scottish tax revenues?

That would offer the Scots independence in everything but name, provide a safety net should things go horribly wrong, and increase the level of influence and authority of the Scottish Parliament, whilst decreasing their reliance on tax revenues raised south of the border.

Sounds like a win-win to me

It is hard to see any negatives in that...

[Poppy]

The negatives are that that they will never accept such a brilliant idea Pete G

[Dominic]

42% is a much bigger mandate than any party in the UK gets.

[Firefly]

Seems to me that Nicola is determined to put a spanner in the works any way she can. She repeats parrot fashion " All I want is what's best for Scotland", if that's the case, why won't she accept that Scotland voted to stay in the UK, as I see it Nicola wants what's best for Nicola.

Jackie

[Dominic]

Seems to me that Nicola is determined to put a spanner in the works any way she can. She repeats parrot fashion " All I want is what's best for Scotland", if that's the case, why won't she accept that Scotland voted to stay in the UK, as I see it Nicola wants what's best for Nicola.

Jackie

If you followed that logic there would be no political parties. The parties that lost one election would just give up.

[Firefly]

Dominic

It wasn't a party that voted for/against independence it was the Scots themselves. Are you under the Impression that they don't know what's the best for them, so they have to keep on voting until Nicola gets the result she wants ?

Jackie

[Dominic]

Far more complex? How?

[Royal]

So Lloyd, what has young Manfred Weber ever done for the UK before this rant? How has he ever previously looked out for the interests of the UK, which is suddenly going to stop?