"Onward to Independence!! - I very much doubt it, as I very much doubt that Salmond will call his referendum in 2010. The SNP must actually dread it, because irrespective of the results of the next Scottish Assembly elections, a referendum on Independence will decide if the SNP can continue to exist as a political party because that referendum will be a vote of support for that political party's core belief and aim - A fully independent Scotland. If the people of Scotland say NO, as I think they will, then the SNP have absolutely no mandate to Govern Scotland.

Said back in 2008 and guess what?? There was no Referendum on independence as promised. No real need to worry there because that is now the established norm from "Professional" Politicians, there have been a number of very significant and important promises to hold referenda on equally significant and vitally important issues and all promises have been universally ignored and reneged upon.

I look forward with interest to see if Mr.Salmond will deliver on his promised referendum on Independence in the life of THIS Parliament - Let's just say I am not holding my breath.

The sums do not look good, yet with his "majority" Alex Salmond has to deliver in the real world, my guess it will be a complete and utter unmitigated disaster. The greatest obstacle to Scottish Independence? Peoples memories of the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Bank of Scotland and what would have happened had Scotland been "Independent" when they crashed. Judging by their manifesto (SNP's that is) financially astute they are not, here's hoping they do get the powers they say they need - They will make a complete and utter arse of it and drive away business as most have predicted, no problem to the likes of Ake et al, they never intended working in this newly Independent Scotland anyway.

My advice to the Orkney and Shetland Islander's start canvassing now for your return to Norway should Scotland vote for Independence (best thing that could happen to you)

Another thing stated previously - If Alex Salmond wants independence for Scotland then his bet bet is to get the English to vote for it - it would be a racing certainty.