[JetSetWilly]

Compare Scotland with another 5-million strong European country with similar oil reserves which retained independence - Norway - and try and say that with a straight face. Norway is far far richer, with a huge oil fund and more developed economy. Scotland's oil was used to fund thatcherism and inflict industrial damage upon Scotland.

And by the way - Ireland had home rule prior to its independence and also elected MPs and had the vote, on the same terms as the rest of the UK, prior to its independence.

[andy_ppp]

I'd always been skeptical of the SNPs (Scottish National Party) assertion that North Sea Oil means Scotland should be far richer than it is. After a bit of research it does seem like Scotland got screwed here. Also Norway is an excellent example as it does indeed have similar population and oil production.

[truthteller]

it is British -- not Scottish -- oil.

[JetSetWilly]

It is both.

Anyway, so was India or Ireland or the USA, that argument justifies any abuse.