Silhillvilla
Vital Football Legend
Hope so, I've got a load of Drachma's left from a lads holiday in Kos 28 years ago which I could do with recycling into the Greek economy .
The End of the 'United' Kingdom?
- Thread starter JuanPabloAngel
- Start date
lewis1980
Vital Squad Member
There's 70 odd countries in the world with a population of less than 2 mil. With an alliance to the UK, Ireland and Europe (not necessarily a union), i don't see why an independent NI couldn't do ok:
Monaco
San Marino
Luxemburg
Liechtenstein
Iceland
add to that the slightly different position of:
Isle of Man
Jersey
Gurnsey
Gibraltar
I don't buy being too small. There's probably about 30% of countries in the world with a population smaller than NI. The GDP isn't that bad either.
I think their GDP per capita is about the same as Croatia.
BBJ
Father Of The Forum
Without the cash from Westminster, Northern Ireland would be third world. 60% of the jobs used to be funded by the British Exchequer - not sure what the percentage is now. So they are not going to go it alone. There will also be no United Ireland in the foreseeable future. The Shinners are mischief-making and the best thing would be to give them their border poll which would then be defeated - quite soundly in my opinion.
I don't think that Nicola Sturgeon would expect for one minute that another referendum in Scotland would pass. But she's using it to make a rather important point which is that Brexit is really an English thing and that Scotland will not be sidelined. We can forget that though it is the "United Kingdom", Scotland has always been different. For example, its legal system is quite distinct.
It's ironic that many English people want the Scots to accept their lot in a bigger "whole" when those self-same people are the ones most likely to have wanted to get out of the EU for what they saw as similar reasons.
So I don't think the UK is going to split but I suspect it'll be less at peace with itself. And, it's also likely (at least in the short to medium term) to be economically poorer.
I don't think that Nicola Sturgeon would expect for one minute that another referendum in Scotland would pass. But she's using it to make a rather important point which is that Brexit is really an English thing and that Scotland will not be sidelined. We can forget that though it is the "United Kingdom", Scotland has always been different. For example, its legal system is quite distinct.
It's ironic that many English people want the Scots to accept their lot in a bigger "whole" when those self-same people are the ones most likely to have wanted to get out of the EU for what they saw as similar reasons.
So I don't think the UK is going to split but I suspect it'll be less at peace with itself. And, it's also likely (at least in the short to medium term) to be economically poorer.
lewis1980
Vital Squad Member
I'm sure NI could gain investment under the right circumstances, lower corporation tax or entering the EU. Or even status similar to Jersey/gurney so as a protected self governing dominion. I think there are options but agree the prospect sounds bleak from what you say. As I've said, I'd much prefer some sort of confederacy or expanding on the GB Irish committee thing.
It's high ti.e we were all independent anyway. Scotland leaving the union would just leave a 'kingdom of England' situation which I'm not keen on.
It's high ti.e we were all independent anyway. Scotland leaving the union would just leave a 'kingdom of England' situation which I'm not keen on.
BodyButter
Vital Football Legend
Are we going back to a hard border between the Republic and NI?
BodyButter
Vital Football Legend
Without a united Ireland, I really can't see an open border in Ireland being an option.
A huge part of the Brexit vote was about immigration.
A huge part of the Brexit vote was about immigration.
BBJ
Father Of The Forum
Ah, but there's immigration and then there's immigration! (In other words, not all Johnny Foreigners are persona non grata.)
I've never sensed that all but the most extreme Brexiteer had any problems with continuing with the common travel area between the Republic and the UK. Indeed, the great leader herself has specifically mentioned that one of her aims in the negotiations is for it to continue.
CDX_EIRE
Vital Football Legend
All talk of immigration in western countries these days is veiled racism. Americans and English for the most part are happy to have Irish i.e. native white English speakers come to their countries but the poles or mexicans etc.? Nah we dont want them.
Obviously thats not everyone in my experience is usually a minority that are so small minded but those with the small minds usually dont mind white english speakers.
Its only the smaller minority within that crowd that are ultra racist/discriminatory. I've had a few comments aimed at me when I lived in Birmingham and once in NYC but in general most don't care.
Irish people arent immune to this either which really grates me. I've heard shit talked about many nationals forgetting nearly every person in Ireland knows someone living in another country making a living. For a country thats shipped out 10% of its population over a 5 year period 2008-2013 you'd think we'd be much more open to others. We travel far better than most but thats no excuse.
Obviously thats not everyone in my experience is usually a minority that are so small minded but those with the small minds usually dont mind white english speakers.
Its only the smaller minority within that crowd that are ultra racist/discriminatory. I've had a few comments aimed at me when I lived in Birmingham and once in NYC but in general most don't care.
Irish people arent immune to this either which really grates me. I've heard shit talked about many nationals forgetting nearly every person in Ireland knows someone living in another country making a living. For a country thats shipped out 10% of its population over a 5 year period 2008-2013 you'd think we'd be much more open to others. We travel far better than most but thats no excuse.
