Britain’s Leaders on the subject of Scottish Independence

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has warned that everyone in the United Kingdom would suffer economically and culturally if Scotland voted for independence, arguing that the economic futures of Scotland and the rest of the UK are inextricably linked. Well that’ll be lucky for us then, as the UK sinks deeper and deeper into recession. Gordon Brown, of course, is the man that promised us no more boom and bust. We might now be bust, but, to be fair to old-man Brown, he certainly ensured that we here in Scotland never did see a boom, as thankfully our oil revenues have continued to line the pockets of those in London - something they have done since the 1970s.

Former Prime Minister, Tony Blair has previously said that "Independence would be a disaster for Scotland because it would wreck its economy”. In keeping with Unionist tradition, Mystic Tony gave no date or time-frame for this period of economic woe. Unless he meant that Scotland’s economy would be permanently wrecked, in which case his powers are greater than previously thought: he can see till the end of time. His lucky numbers for this week are 19 and 28 and Tony believes that a chance encounter with a stranger could bring good fortune. Known to be an admirer of Thatcher, Blair once echoed her opinion on Scottish Independence when, on 16th January 2007, he described Scottish Independence as “Crazy”. So there you have it: the Scots are too stupid and crazy to run their own country. You’ve been told!

Pro-Union and no friend of Scotland, Margaret Thatcher described Scottish independence as "stupid". With the discovery of North Sea Oil in the 1970s, Scots had the perfect opportunity to stand on their own two feet, yet when push came to shove they were too spineless to leave the Union. As a consequence of this, they were rewarded with Margaret Thatcher and 18 years of continuous Tory rule. During this period, Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom were taken on a “boom and bust” economic rollercoaster ride. Other highlights of the time included the risking of life and limb to Scottish soldiers to protect some colonial sheep farmers off the coast of Argentina from the horrors of having to accept an Argentinean Passport. And then of course, there was the Poll Tax. Rule Britannia!

Whilst Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone claimed that London was subsidising Scotland. And was this before, or after you’ve taken into account the oil revenues that Scotland has provided you and your city since the 1970s, Mr Livingstone?