Latest update: 16/10/2012 

- David Cameron - independence - Scotland - UK


Scottish independence: could the UK break up in 2014?

British PM David Cameron met Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond on Monday to seal the deal on the Scottish independence vote. Salmond's Nationalist Party wants Scotland to split from the rest of the UK, arguing that Scots would be better off thanks to the country's oil reserves. Salmond has managed to get Westminster to agree to a referendum in 2014, and to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to have their say. But is independence what Scots really want?

By Alix BAYLE / Clementine LOGAN / Yong CHIM
23/07/2009 - MOROCCO

Ten years of Mohammed VI and the mystery remains

Ten years after his succession, Mohammed VI fascinates. Head of a distinctive monarchy combining tradition and modernity, he keeps his private life very private. However, when it comes to public matters, the King is everywhere.
21/07/2009 - HEALTH

Is the recession affecting HIV/AIDS treatment?

In this edition of Focus: the fifth International AIDS Society conference is underway in Cape Town, South Africa, where seven million people are infected with HIV. Up for discussion: how is the global economic crisis affecting the fight against AIDS?
17/07/2009 - IRAN

Ex-president Rafsanjani takes centre stage in Iran

In this edition of Focus: renewed protests in Iran as police clashed with opposition supporters in Tehran after a speech at Friday prayers from former Iranian president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani criticising Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government.

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Scottish Independence

One argument made is that decisons made locally are more often correct. If true, that would mean that voters in Glasgow would not make a decision affecting peole living in Aberdeen. Let's let every city and county in Scotland make their own decision. Smaller can mean more corruption, and fewer resources to combat it. I would bet that if you asked the supporters of independence if they want independence for each city and county, they will say "No." but surely freedom demands that areas that vote to remain part of the England can do so. What else does democracy mean? What right do those seeking "Independence" have to deny citizens independence from their plans for a little country? Maybe they want to be tax shelter, like Monaco or the Cayman islands? Little normanlly means a lack of resources and opportunity.

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