Alan "And Scotland's problem historically has been emigration, not immigration..." As an Irish man, I truly understand that. One of the most striking aspects of the utter transformation of Irish society, culture, politics and economy catalysed by our EEC/EC/EU membership is the ending of what was basically compulsory emigration. A child born in Ireland today can absolutely expect to complete their education to Master's/PhD level in Ireland, and then pursue a career in Ireland. If they want to work or get further education/training abroad, that is a matter of individual choice, not economic compulsion. We have transformed from a dog-poor country which was haemorrhaging people, close to a failed state in fact, to a highly successful, rich country where close to 20% of the population is foreign born.... This happened within the last 40 years of my lifetime. An independent Scotland could do the same, and would not have to worry about the massive obstacles which the Irish Free State/Republic of Ireland had to deal with. An independent Scotland should have no real issue with providing its population with a standard of living and quality of life at least as good as Denmark or Sweden.
Alan "And Scotland's problem historically has been emigration, not immigration..."
As an Irish man, I truly understand that.
One of the most striking aspects of the utter transformation of Irish society, culture, politics and economy catalysed by our EEC/EC/EU membership is the ending of what was basically compulsory emigration.
A child born in Ireland today can absolutely expect to complete their education to Master's/PhD level in Ireland, and then pursue a career in Ireland. If they want to work or get further education/training abroad, that is a matter of individual choice, not economic compulsion.
We have transformed from a dog-poor country which was haemorrhaging people, close to a failed state in fact, to a highly successful, rich country where close to 20% of the population is foreign born....
This happened within the last 40 years of my lifetime.
An independent Scotland could do the same, and would not have to worry about the massive obstacles which the Irish Free State/Republic of Ireland had to deal with.
An independent Scotland should have no real issue with providing its population with a standard of living and quality of life at least as good as Denmark or Sweden.