Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the north of England - including Greater Manchester - to secede from the UK and join Scotland.

The bizarre demand has provoked raging debate amongst M.E.N. readers. Some love the idea of Mancunians sporting kilts and supping on Irn-Bru.

Others aren’t so keen.

One of the most popular search terms following the first live TV leaders’ debate was ‘can I vote SNP in England?’

Scores of undecided voters liked the cut of Nicola Sturgeon’s jib, but were gutted when they found out they couldn’t vote for her south of the Scottish border.

‘New Scotland’ would see Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle and every other northern community ruled from Edinburgh instead of London, with the SNP leader running the show.

Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to make Holyrood one of the most powerful devolved governments in Europe.

But should Manchester jump on board? Here’s a few reasons for... and against.

*P.S... just in case you hadn't guessed, this is just for fun!

Deep fried Bury black pudding anyone?

(Image: Sean Hansford)

Bury folk LOVE a bit of black pudding. Just last month, Tory poster-boy Boris Johnson took some home after visiting the town. And we all know (most) Scots love to deep fry just about anything.

Marriage made in heaven? Yes (maybe).

Irn-Bru is fab

The spectacularly orangey concoction - ‘Scotland’s other national drink’ - is amazing. Well, some think so.

Would an unlimited supply for us Mancunians be such a bad thing?

Nessie could move to Heaton Park

Scotland’s most famous and mysterious aquatic beast could find a new home right here in Greater Manchester. Let’s face it, the Loch Ness Monster needs a change of scenery. Why not have her as the BEST EVER Parklife act? She’d love it!

Haggis is the devil’s work

Keep it. 'Nuff said.

Burns’ Night...yes please

Another cause for a celebration - and a few pints - why not?

Keep your slang - we’ve got our own

This is a deal-breaker. They say ‘tatties’, we say ‘taters’ - or ‘spuds’.

We won’t be using ‘wee’ or ‘ach’ any time soon. And forget us saying ‘bairn’. We’ll stick with ‘kid’, thanks.

Dancing

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Gay Gordons? No, ta. We’ve got the Bez dance

Prancing around with imaginary maracas in some horrendous nightclub at 2am. It’s what we do best.

Hadrian’s Wall vs Piccadilly Wall

(Image: ©VisitBritain/ Joe Cornish)

We’ll give the Scots this one. Their favourite wall is a LOT more impressive than our least favourite one.

Bagpipes

(Image: Joel Goodman)

It’s time our super-cool indie bands ditched the ‘leccy guitars and picked up Scotland’s favourite instrument. You can thank us when you reach number one, guys.

Kilts

Little more controversial, this one. David Hasselhoff wore one once. So we’re going with cool. Imagine the city’s eligible bachelors strutting round in skirts.

Brilliant. Or scary. You choose.

Devolution

We’ve got our own devolution deal.

Soon, Scotland will wield more power than ever before.

But Greater Manchester is set for a directly elected mayor and control of its entire £6bn NHS budget - a national first.

See the best of Manchester in pictures...

In December’s Autumn Statement, the region was handed £78m towards a new theatre, £235m for a new science institute and a devolution deal worth £1bn; with greater control over housing, transport and skills.

That’ll do us nicely. For now.