Ask Angry: We must not promise EU membership if we can’t be sure of delivering

A DEFINITE slip-up of the first Yes campaign was banking on uncertainties. The currency union, a flourishing oil industry and membership of the EU were never cast-iron. The Scottish public do not like doublespeak and unsubstantiated bravado, yet our first drive for independence featured both.

On the one hand, the SNP stated that they would welcome the monarchy; however, many party members consider themselves republicans. Similarly, retaining the pound might’ve been pushed by the top brass, but some felt this was a blunder, and Westminster seemed reluctant to play ball on the issue.

The oil industry was never something that should’ve been at the forefront of debate, as its unpredictability was only asking for trouble, and although I believe it is likely that the EU would welcome an independent Scotland, membership is not guaranteed.

You cannot sell a product unless you know what it is. Moreover, you cannot sell a product on the basis of what it might be. We need to eliminate the vagueness that surrounded the debates of 2014.

Personally, I want a cross-party Yes constitution drafted going into indyref2.

Such a constitution might not get into the nitty-gritty, but it should elucidate the major issues. For example, we need to be clear about whether or not an independent Scotland would be a republic, or whether or not it would have its own currency. We also need to be clear about the EU situation.

The Brexit referendum might’ve shown that the majority of Scots wish to remain in the European Union; however, this only highlights the need to obtain our sure-fire membership prior to indyref2.

If such a guarantee cannot be acquired, we must be honest with voters about that fact. The odds of remaining in the EU are obviously higher with Scottish independence, but to promise something we cannot deliver would be a terrible mistake.

Will you consider English refugees post your victory in indyref2? — @Messgorough

FRANKLY, I don’t understand why this process hasn’t already begun. As much as the majority of England has self-destructively voted for the Tories and Brexit, there is still a high number of rational humans living below the Border.

If you are a resident of England and don’t want to live under the malevolent rule of a Tory government, you could simply move to Scotland and vote Yes in our second independence referendum. This is something we should be actively encouraging in the Yes community. After all, Scotland would only stand to gain more individuals in favour of independence.

Furthermore, most people that voted against Brexit in England are young and well educated. At a time where the ageing conformists of society vastly outnumber their open-minded offspring, it would be of great benefit to Scotland to rebalance the numbers.

Scottish independence is not, and never has been, about being “anti-English”. It has been about being anti-UK, and anti-Westminster. We should welcome anybody who shares those views.

Should Dundee United abandon their tangerine kits as an anti-Trump protest? — @shotalandia

I ASSUME this question is in reaction to the US President’s carroty skin tone and spiteful legislation. Well, certainly, Trump’s recent travel ban on individuals from seven Muslim-majority countries needs to be protested. It is nothing less than a fascist policy disguised as an act in support of national security.

The only nations not included in Trump’s Muslim ban are ones that he has commercial assets in. Even Saudi Arabia, where most of the September 11 hijackers originated, didn’t make Trump’s naughty list.

Clearly, this isn’t about protecting America. It’s about its president being an extremist who is only willing to put his hatred of Muslims aside if he can make money. And cash is something Donald Trump is not short of...which makes him applying the cheapest discount-bin fake tan to his egocentric head even more bewildering.

With this in mind, asking Dundee United to abandon their famous tangerine home kit as a form of protest might seem like the morally righteous thing to do.

However, such a move is unlikely to do anything to help the club. Dundee United are in dire straits as it is, and given that their fans are known collectively as The Arabs, they are probably best advised to avoid engaging in warfare with Donald Trump, lest he should attempt to nuke Tannadice. It would be most unfair on Dens Park – and the rest of Scotland – if we were all blown to smithereens because of Trump’s vehement dislike for Dundee United.

Furthermore, this tangerine protest would also have to be extended to Glasgow Rangers, whose fans are frequently associated with the colour. Can you imagine asking Rangers fans to abandon their penchant for…orange? That might be enough to start World War III in itself!