Modern-Democracy

• For example, together they have started to publish documents comparing the UK and Scotland's position against other European countries such as Ireland and Sweden which shows that there is less inequality and better standards of living
• This suggests that Scotland, with the powers of independence, could transform the lives of many people in what is supposed to be one of the most developed countries in the world
• For example, it has been calculated that the gap in what Scotland raises and what it spends is over £23 billion and that would have need to be funded by borrowing
• Such a big gap in spending before any repayments are made to existing borrowing could mean that Scotland struggles to have the money it needs to make the radical approaches nationalists want to see. So staying together is the better option
• Devomax

  The Scottish Parliament would be granted powers by the UK Parliament for everything except defence and foreign relations. Scotland would have to keep all taxes raised and would pay the UK for its share of the costs of defence spending.
• Advantages of Devomax


  • Scotland would have the powers to bring in a lockdown earlier during the Covid-19 pandemic if it had wanted to
  • The Scottish Government would be responsible for raising all the money it spends
• Disadvantages of Devomax


  • Scotland may have to raise more or cut taxes to meet its needs, which could cause financial risks for families in Scotland
• This option does not necessarily mean any change to the rest of the UK. Scotland would not be able to decide about going to war or be able to make agreements like re-joining the EU.
• Federalism


  This would see not just more power for Scotland but also England broken up into smaller more powerful regions and given the same power as Scotland, Wales & NI. Federalism would make the UK more like the USA where the Nations (Scotland, NI & Wales) would be equal to the Regions of England.
• Advantages of Federalism


  • This would clear up confusion over devolved and reserved powers
  • It could also make supporters of independence happier as Scotland could have more of an equal say in the UK
• Disadvantages of Federalism

  • The majority of the reforms would apply mostly to England with its regions gaining more power, with little in the way of new powers for Scotland
  • Scotland would not be able to decide about going to war or be able to make agreements like re-joining the EU
• The reality is the option of Federalism seems very far off and is largely unknown nor does it seem a welcome choice for the people of England - and at the moment what England wants, England gets
• Independence


  This option would see Scotland leaving the United Kingdom. Scotland would have full responsibility for all the decisions made in Scotland and any agreements it makes with other countries.
• Advantages of Independence

  • Scotland would have full control over all of its powers meaning it could try whatever solutions it wanted even if unpopular with Westminster/England
  • Scotland could spend almost £200 million more a year on thousands of nurses, police officers, teachers and doctors rather than on nuclear weapons
• Disadvantages of Independence


  • Unionists would argue that it is better for the UK to stick together and that by the 4 nations working together they are better able to tackle many issues
  • Scotland may struggle to fund the investments needed to help the people of Scotland if it leaves the UK
• There are many in Scotland who argue that full independence is the only option for Scotland's future. Those supporters argue that an independent Scotland would be a better place because of its ability to make its own decisions.
• For the Conservative party, many feel that Scotland already has all of the powers and resources that it needs to effectively meet the needs of the people of Scotland.
• The SNP and Scottish Greens argue that it is only with the powers of independence that Scotland can address the numerous problems it faces but feels it does not have the powers it needs to address properly such as over drug laws.