Scottish choices

As I write this, I am listening to the House of Commons debate on the European Union Referendum and hearing and seeing the shameful delaying tactics of the Labour Party.  If nothing else, the fact that Labour is so pro-Europe, might one say slavishly so, illustrates that this organization is a crypto-Socialist organization which fits solidly into the undemocratic mould that all Socialists desire.

Listening though, I am forced to return to the questions raised by the referendum that will be held in September 2014, on the question of whether or not Scotland leaves or remains within the United Kingdom.

These questions, I would suggest, are:

• How long after a yes vote, would it take for separation to occur?
• What would be the split of UK national debt assigned to an independent Scotland? Something around 8.2% - matching the population ratio?
• Similarly, how would pension liabilities be assigned?  Most of these are unfunded and so must come out of future current national income (GDP)
• In the event of a No vote, would that be it?  As in, would the current devolution settlement remain or would there be further concessions granted or demanded?  That is, independence by the back-door - total freedom without real responsibility. 
• Would Scotland have to apply as a candidate member, to join the EU (as I suggested on an earlier post, and now stated by the Spanish PM)
• Indeed, would the UK, which would be something less than when it signed-up for the old European Economic Community, have to re-apply for membership?
• What would happen to the Armed forces?  All fall under the rump UK or would some of the 'Scottish' regiments move to being part of Scotland's defence forces?  Would the military personnel have a choice?
• Back to the EU, if Scotland was admitted as an independent country then surely they would have to adopt the Euro as their currency and not the Pound Sterling as the Scottish Nationalists seem to think is possible?
• Staying with currency, how independent would Scotland really be, if it were able to retain Sterling?  Then its economic policy would effectively be set by Westminster not Holyrood. Mind you, if it joined the Euro, it's economic policy would be set by Berlin.  Funny kind of independence!
• If Scotland votes No, will the UK Government have the courage to abandon the Barnett Formula, which sees Scotland getting a disproportionate share of public spending, particularly welfare, and adopt a more equitable system?  Better yet abolish welfare all together

If you are wondering why I continue to pose these questions it is because these have not been answered by the Scottish Nationalist's papers on the subjects.  The recent Scottish Parliament White Paper is long on waffle and obfuscation and very short on facts.  Scotland will enjoy free this and free that, when the yoke of London is lifted etc. but no mention of how all of that is going to be paid for!

Anyone care to answer any of these?