This house supports Scottish independence - moderator's introduction

In the northern part of Europe, a nation of 5 million inhabitants will have to self determined its future by a referendum, on the 18^th September 2014. The Scottish will vote for or against their independance from Great-Britain. 

By MB (Continues below the break)

Dear debaters, dear readers,

A while syne, -Scottish vernacular for a while ago- on 16^th January 1707, the treaty of Union between the Scottish and English parliament was signed, and we will celebrate 307 years next Thursday of political cooperation between the two nations. This debate will hence be emotionally charged… It is a historical choice that Scottish will have to make in September. In his New Year’s speech, David Cameron as the 1^st minister of the United Kingdom, exhorted the Scotts to say No to independence (video). David Cameron pointed out many questions that independence would raise: the armed forces, the funding of pensions and welfare system, or Scotland position on the international stage for instance. Moreover the United-Kingdom has a very strong international position, as it benefits from a seat at the Security Council at the UN, and has a real clout at NATO and the European Union. At the time when European nations try to create bonds to challenge the American super power or the Asian rise, the independence of Scotland seems to go against expectations. Moreover, it has been made clear that Scotland would have to reapply for a membership to the European Union. It will not be a smooth transition as the leaders of the Scottish National Party claimed.

However, independence seems the next political logical step after the creation of the modern Scottish parliament in 1999 and the devolution of power from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament over the past decade. At the 4^th election of the Scottish Parliament in 2011, the Scottish national Party (SNP) won a landslide victory and formed a majority government lead by Alex Salmond, first minister of Scotland.

Alex Salmond

The Scotts have the feeling to have decisions thrust upon them, without being consulted. The claims made by Alex Salmond are perfectly understandable, and based on affect, and the deep feeling of belonging of Scottish people. Scottish people have the impression to be spoiled by the United-Kingdom and their resources looted. It is a heartfelt cry from the Scottish that London and Westminster can no longer ignore. Scotland is well organized on a political point of view and matures enough for independence.

No one knows if Welsh, English, and Northern Irish will have a referendum with the slogan “good riddance” of those strange kilt-wearing, weird-accent people. Even though British should be grateful to Scotland, for having one of the best tennis players of the moment: Andy Murray , excelling in this English sport. Thanks to a developed common sense of fair play, English tend to use a common trick put in place by Americans while describing G.W. Bush as Texan while making unpopular decision: British channel do not hesitate to call Andy Murray Scottish when he is in a difficult position, and call him British when he starts to play better.

Every divorce is a pain and a relief, is this one worth doing? Dear debaters please surprise us; enlighten us, give us some interesting piece of news as we, the rest of the word, do not really know the difference between Scottish and British. Is that the same as English?

Nothing less that the future of Scotland lies in your hand…

MB