Archonsod said:
You can already see it in fact - the SNP isn't doing anything that Plaid Cymru isn't
But it is. It is ruling a country as a majority government. And if nothing else, it is keeping the Scottish Labour Party out of power (thank Christ). Wales is currently ruled by the Labour Party, while Plaid have been (sadly) reduced to a rump, with three seats.
That's why Wales' NHS is even worse than England's now, whereas NHS Scotland is doing (relatively) alright.
These health services are separate bodies, in more than just name. The Westminster Tories have enforced their "reforms" in England, so the NHS there is becoming ****e, and will only get worse. Labour, as always, have accquisced to the Tories' demands in Wales, so their health service will also suffer. But we, in Scotland, told them to git tae **** with thur pish, and stick their reforms up their arse.
There is a clear difference here. A measurable difference. Just saying "ach, they're all politicians, and parties, all the same," is like saying all cars are the same. They're not. Some cars can take you where you want to go. Others can't.
Archonsod said:
In the end there's only one difference between the UK and dissolving the union entirely
No, there's not. There is a multitudinous
world of difference. It will change
everything. Why do you think they are preparing to fight with all their power against the break-up? It's not their fear of nothing changing that's motivating them. They are afraid of
what will change - that they will no longer have their place as mandarins in a post-imperial power that keeps trying to "punch above it's weight". They will be out of their cushy jobs. And not soon enough, in my view.
Think about it - the SNP members at Westminster are actively campaigning to abolish
their own jobs. Because they believe in what they are doing. Contrast that with Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore, who until he got the Scottish Office job was campaiging to abolish the Scottish Office - then changed his mind when he saw the address on his pay cheque. This is the guy who's now trying to tell us we can't run our own referendum. There is a difference between a **** like that and Alex Salmond.
Archonsod said:
Yeah, because I voted SNP purely because of their views on secession. Rather than them being one of the only Socialist parties left in the British Isles.
Nobody has to stand against the SNP, as the SNP themselves could tell you around 75% of their voters (and about 40% of their actual party) are against dissolving the union. It's why Salmon keeps trying to put off the referendum rather than instigating it as soon as they could, he knows damn well he'll lose.
You can vote against independence if you choose. Obviously. Nowt I can do about it. It's okay, so long as you keep voting SNP.
Archonsod said:
The free prescriptions, subsidised transport, lack of tuition fees et al are all subsidised by the English & Welsh taxpayers.
Goddamn, you know that isn't true. Well, okay, they are subsidised in part, because everyone's UK-wide taxes goes towards everyone's UK-wide benefits. So part-subsidised would be more accurate. Just as a Welshman's false teeth are currently part-subsidised by the taxpayers of Scotland.