I see the BBC faithfully reports the foot stomping by Alex Salmond after he has been told that IF Scotland leaves the UK, it leaves the £ zone. It’s interesting to watch the BBC coverage on this. They seem to be sympathetic to the SNP delusions – Salmond and Sturgeon do get an easy ride in most BBC interviews – but on the other hand an Independent Scotland would be bad for Labour so mixed emotions I guess. Thoughts?
ON THE SCOTTISH QUESTION…
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Salmond is deluding himself if he truly believes that after years of insult and denigration the English people ,or what’s left of them ,would ever agree to allowing Scotland to continue using the pound!
Can you cite even one example of Salmond insulting and denigrating the English people?
Being a regular visitor to Scotland and having strong family ties there I can’t help but notice in recent years the change in attitude to anything English ,the word itself is spitted out with venom ,what was once good natured banter, if at times a little tiresome was at least friendly ,but now thanks to Salmond’s hate mongers in the SNP the whole atmosphere has changed to one of outright hostility .
I am afraid that your reading comprehension may need a bit of adjustment, Albaman.
Dick R clearly does not accuse Mr Salmond personally of issuing public insults and denigrations – Wee Nappy Salmond is far too cunning to do that – he leaves it to innuendo, carefully worded and crafted statements, minions, etc. to do it for him.
But back to Dick R’s post – it is basically saying that, after years of insults and denigration (by whom, he does not specify – but it’s clear that he means it emanates from Scotland – and on that point he is absolutely correct – I see it every day), the English people would never agree to allow Scotland to continue to use the pound, and Mr Salmond is deluding himself if he truly believes that. Simples.
Nothing wrong with my comprehension. Dick R clearly says: “Salmond is deluding himself if he truly believes that after years of insult and denigration the English people ………………….”
Where does that sentence (or part-sentence, now) say that Mr Salmond himself has issued the insults and denigration ?
So your challenge to Dick R to provide examples of Mr Salmond doing so is moot.
Your comprehension abilities clearly aren’t good enough, Albaman.
Guess your response confirms that neither you nor Dick R can provide any evidence. Thanks for that confirmation.
The evidence of your lack of comprehension is staring you in the face – I have now clearly pointed out twice why that is the case – the fact you do not comprehend that completely justifies my conclusion.
If personal experience is not evidence just what is?
Nothing new in any of it, I remember walking into a chip shop in Wales 30 years ago, people in the shop were chatting in English , as soon as they heard my English accent they all started talking to each other in Welsh.
If anyone did that Scrappydoo it shames me.
Hopefully 30 years later things are much better. Where pray, was this chippy?
Making english students pay tuition fess while alowing other EU students to get free education was a calculated insult
The Westminster Government should have immediately overruled on this point ,it is within their power!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/9632629/Police-asked-to-investigate-Alex-Salmonds-anti-English-jibes.html
If denigration is speaking ill of someone, then any reference to bullying or intimidation would appear to be denigration.
There’s really nothing that what remains of Great Britain after Scotland leaves could stop them if they so choose.
East Timor, Ecuador and Iraq use the US dollar exclusively. Other countries accept certain currency as legal tender in addition to their own. Without getting into a semantics argument here about what constitutes a country, the Palestinian Authority uses US dollar, Israeli shekels and Jordanian dinar and has no currency of its own.
The disadvantage for the adoptive country is that the origin country has no obligation to consider it, at all, if it decides to manipulate the currency.
Fiscal policy probably loses all meaning for the adoptive state. Clearly they can’t devalue or up value. A change in interest rates could see an immediate exodus of the currency to other banks or an influx of currency by overseas speculators, defeating in one day whatever result was planned.
Most (all) Scots have savings in Sterling. Would that become worthless if Scotland leaves the UK? Would this lead to an immediate rush on the banks, perhaps to convert to Euros or gold?
I’m not aware of any historical examples to rely on but there is a reverse example when Germany united. The East German mark had become valueless over night. Even before the government collapsed the exchange rate for the E. German mark , like the Soviet rouble, was vastly and artificially over valued Rather than wipe out all savings the West Germans exchanged currencies on a one for one basis.
Not simple.
For Scotland to adopt the pound informally, without fiscal union would mean certain financial suicide on the markets. If it reneged on its share of the UK debt, which has been intimated by various Salmond minions, they would be cast adrift from the international community and viewed as a pariah state not to be trusted. The Scottish Nose Pickers (SNP) are now without a plan B, have been completely spooked by this strong hand dealt by the UK and have been shown up as the puerile, superficial part-timers they really are.
“If it reneged on its share of the UK debt, which has been intimated by various Salmond minions, they would be cast adrift from the international community and viewed as a pariah state not to be trusted.”
What has been said repeatedly by the SNP is that they are fully committed to servicing Scotland’s share of the UK Treasury debt at the time of Independence. However, as they rightly say; with a share of the debt comes a share of the assets.
OK, by that logic, then, the rest of the UK will also entitled to oil revenues. Utterly absurd.
My argument too –
Nats: “There’s no Scottish debt, only UK debt.”
Therefore, there are no Scottish waters, only UK waters, no Scottish assets, only UK assets. To be divided proportionately.
Alex rightly says the SNP are now without a Plan B as regards the currency of an independent Scotland. Actually it is worse than that they don’t have a Plan A.
A currency isn’t an asset. It is essentially a financial system which is bound up with monetary and fiscal policy. If the Scots want to be part of the sterling financial area, they have to let us set their fiscal and monetary policies, which doesn’t sound lie independence to me.
Totally agreed! If the Nationalized(tax payer picks up bad debt) private Bank of England, is prioritized as currency director, then the corporation remains kingship, whatever depravity definition of independence Salmond is trying to feed to the sheep! All statutes point to Rome!
The people in Scotland can safeguard their savings by simply transferring their accounts from a bank in Scotland to a branch of the same bank in England with no more inconvenience than writing a letter and making a couple of phone calls . In the event of an independence vote their assets will be then out of the reach of any punitive tax regime the SNP government might try to impose.
Actually, Dick R, there are a huge number of unanswered questions about banking and personal finance if Scotland leaves the UK. For instance, if a person receives a pension from an English pension provider, whose systems are geared to UK tax legislation – who will tax that income ? I can’t think that Banks or Building Societies in Scotland in receipt of those funds would relish doing that. And if the Scottish Government then had to wait till the end of the financial year, and everyone in receipt of such pensions had to get an R85 to exclude tax-taking from their pensions in England, and then submit a year-end self-assessment form (to whom, one might also add ?) …. well that’s a fiscal nightmare. Even worse, suppose the pensions are paid into an account within a English Bank/Building Society, in an English branch, and earning interest also (very easy these days) – then are these banks/pension providers going to be willing to extract and send personal banking data to another country ? And does anyone think this will all be done free of charge ? It’s a morass, and no-one in the SNP has any lucid answers to the multitude of questions like these.
Of course no one in the UK currently receives a pension originating in another country and no one residing in another country currently receives a pension emanating from the UK!!
The rules are already in place for such circumstances.
The rules may be in place, but the infrastructure is not. Which is why it will be a problem. And I seriously doubt that even the rules do not exist to cope with the scale of the situation in the UK if Scotland leaves the UK
But – if you know so much about the subject (which apparently the ‘Yes’ campaign does not), then pray tell, where and when will the tax be claimed, and by whom, in the examples I gave above ?
Come on Alby, answer the man…oh, I see, You can’t.
I did. Rules relating to the taxation of overseas income (which includes pension payments) already exist and are applied by HRMC.
Interesting view, that – you didn’t answer any of my specific questions at all, Albaman.
But just to help out with your comprehension exercises, I actually did a bit of research on the subject, and if Scotland adopts the same laws as the UK (i.e. vi-a-vis where the income is taxed) it appears that income can be taxed at source – i.e. in the case of my questions above, in the UK, rather than Scotland. So, it seems that the income from UK companies, or UK pension schemes, if Scotland leaves the UK, can be taxed in the UK, with revenue accruing to the UK exchequer without the Scottish government seeing a penny of it. International rules appear to allow any such taxation to be offset against Scottish taxation demands when submitting an annual tax return. Oh, that’ll be fun, then. That’s going to leave a huge dent in the Scottish economy.
Just imagine, Granny will now have to fill in an annual tax return for the first time if her pension is paid by a UK company, asking for offsets or exemptions on foreign earnings.
Now who the hell would leave their money in Scotland, subject to all the ramifications regarding which currency will be used, and how much it will actually be worth on a day-to-day basis, when it can be safely left in banks/building societies within a stable currency environment ? A run on Scottish banks and building societies, anyone ?
And apart from Toenails’ excruciatingly funny dissection of Nicola Sturgeon – who within the BBC is demanding answers to such important questions and informing the people of Scotland what they are really getting into.
There – did your work for you Albaman. Things can only get worse for the Scots if Scotland votes yes.
But they are not numbered in the millions
Being slightly facetious if you live in Gretna or Annan it would be a simple matter of a shore trip to the nearest ATM over the border.
Iraq uses the Iraqi Dinar which currently trades a 1164 Dinars to the Dollar.
Iraq uses the Iraqi Dinar which currently trades at 1164 Dinars to the Dollar.
There is not a snowball’s chance in hell that the scots will vote for independence, so everyone can relax.
An actual question, but amongst a few other realities biting, has it been clarified what those North of the border will get and/or pay for, national-treasure wise? Will there need to be TVL Capita Scotland turning up on the doorsteps of residents on the basis of awesome data coherence split off from the current shambles?
If Scotland became independent, what would happen to their licence fee? 2,000,000 households in scotland, the BBC could lose at least £200,000,000 a year, that’s got to hurt. Someone needs to tell them they are campaigning for a budget cut. If that’s what they want, give them one right now.
It has never been about Independence from Salmond’s pov – it’s all about Devo Max and both Camoron and Moribund are weak enough to reward the ‘loyal’ Scots with yet more baubies from the English purse – Vote UKIP get UKIP
Exactly. What the SNP leadership want is a close No vote so they can continue to blackmail Westminster. I have to say that I think the BBC coverage in England of the Scottish referendum has been balanced so far. They are even treating the SNP’s ludicrous line about being bullied by Westminster on not being allowed to keep the pound, seriously and without laughing, which must be difficult. Can anyone comment on how BBC Scotland have been handling it?
“What the SNP leadership want is a close No vote so they can continue to blackmail Westminster.”
I await with interest your examples of this “blackmail”.
I’d say the fact they believe they can dictate to the rest of the UK how this is all going to pan out is tantamount to blackmail.
Listening to them on the radio it’s all me me me me me and if you don’t do exactly what I tell you I’ll throw all my toys out of the pram.
I’d have to compare their behaviour to that of my teenage daughter. The only way to reason with her is to put her in her place.
Thankfully that’s exactly what Osbourne did to Scotland yesterday.
So, no examples then. Just another sweeping generalization not backed up by fact.
Kind of sums this site up!!
Their posturing and belligerence to the rest of the UK is a simple fact that is as plain as the nose on your face.
Care to prove me wrong with “facts” of your own?
There was me thinking that the person making the argument of “blackmail” was supposed to provide the evidence to back up their assertion.
No surprise that things work differently in “biased BBC” land!!
Threatening not to take Scotland’s fair share of the national debt is clearly blackmail . Do you need a better example than that?
I just simply cannot believe the infantile garbage from the SNP. They think they can just demand what they like and toss the rest of the bits they don’t, aside. They’re like school children. So they want to keep the pound, the oil, they want rid of trident and say if they don’t get their way the’ll refuse their massive share of the debt. When the UK Government calmly turns round and says “No” to their demands, they throw the rattles out of the pram and accuse the UK of ‘bullying’. It’s embarrassing and for any adult to believe in these buffoons is worrying. They couldn’t run a bath!
I’m still waiting for your reply Albaman. Or have you thrown in the towel?
He always does…but he wont admit it.
Not “blackmail” in any sense of the word. Merely a statement of fact (something alien to this site). You do not have to be a “doublethinker” to understand that any negotiation on share of debt must surely include the share of assets.
That’s extortion, not blackmail.
Sottish assets could then be frozen by the UK government until they agree to pay their share , simple !!
Were there a prize for the most condescending person on the web you’d be in with a big shout of winning the honour.
Given you are so obviously part of the beebs rapid rebuttal response team has it ever crossed your mind that part of your remit should be to try and win the hearts and minds of people who disagree with bbc output?
You don’t remotely believe in free speech or democracy, dissenting voices will be dismissed and belittled.
As a long time lurker all I’ve ever seen emanating from you is total hatred of people with an opinion different to yours. You obviously don’t care to realise it but you are one of the biggest adverts for everything that is wrong with the bbc and every post you make hardens my resolve that the bbc must be destroyed. Keep up the good work
BBC Scotland have been reporting with a pro-independence slant, however you get the feeling that they are unsure of this given the consequences.
One thing you can rely on though is no chance of impartial opinion.
As a proud Englishman who is working in Scotland I have a high stake in this nonsense that I find myself subjected to everyday. I was over the moon with the impressive Andrew Neil destruction of a bumbling Nicola Sturgeon yesterday but dismayed by a pathetic stumbling Kirsty Wark Newsnight conversation with Alex Salmond.
My pension and my job are both on the line with this and I’m becoming increasingly angry by the utter puerile economically illiterate garbage the SNP are spewing out. The problem is this: there are actually people up here thick enough to buy this nonsense. First off, Alex Salmond was telling the EU that they would have to accept Scotland as a member, then they were lecturing the United Nations on similar grounds… now they are telling England that it ‘is in their best interests’ to keep a currency union even though Scotland wants all the oil (if it’s Scotland’s pound, isn’t it UK’s oil as well?) whilst discriminating against English students by charging them fees for studying here whilst not others.
If anyone is stupid enough to believe these anti-English braveheart fantasists then I do not want to share this corner of planet Earth with them.
Kirsty Wark = weak and useless.
So, get out and return to England.
Vote first, though, Alex.
Good post Alex.
Saw the same thing-the level of debate is truly frightening.
It`s as if gesture is all to the SNP , and their arrogance comes through every time one of their ciphers talk…so thick, policy averse and indifferent to the consequences for themselves, as well as the rest of us.
Absolutely no economic explanations of what this means…like trying to change a tyre while the car is still moving.
And no curiosity from the media-no slaughtering of the likes of Salmond for being prepared to do his dirty protest at any cost to the rest of the country.
Thank you Donald Dewar…the man who caused all this, then had the grace to die soon after.
As you know I am one of the most vocal critics on this site of the BBC, but to give credit where credit is due, I am a fan of Andrew Neil, and here’s why… the excellent demolition of Sturgeon –
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03vnyll/Daily_Politics_13_02_2014/
Am listening now-aren`t Salmond and Sturgeon only funny versions of the Krankies?
Quite fancy Nicola really…………
You need help Robert. IMHO. ;-0
What a horrible gremlin she is.
I say sir, withdraw that remark or i demand satisfaction………..
She looks better on the radio.
Kirsty Wark is a good friend of Gordon Brown
Is that a euphemism?
Desperate stuff from Salmond and Sturgeon?
Being bullied by Osborne eh?…boy, they`re bereft of any dignity if the likes of George can scare them.
Still, means they can continue to squat upstairs, get their bills paid and endless raids on mums purse downstairs…rainbow flag out the window with Che`s sillouhette in the middle.
Wark was hopeless in her questions-no wonder Salmond acts as if facts won`t matter on Sept 19th.
Personally I want them gone….Salmond and Sturgeom reflect that nasty side of things up north, so let them live their Braveheart fantaises.
Be easy to spend our Euros quicker, the Scots will crucify themselves to be in in within months of a yes vote…Montenegro and Catalonia, Belarus and the Faroes await them.
Can we repatriate Wark, Naughtie too please?…and boot out all those Labour Liberal Scots on the sniff down here re public policy?
Good catch! What’s with Hamish McBraveheart claiming to be bullied by Gideon and pals? More to the point, what are the odds that any of the BBC’s market rate comedians will see any potential in the heirs of the Clan McPsycho claiming to be harassed by Lord Snooty D’Arcy Whimpinton-Snivell?
No?
Must be further proof that there’s nothing funny about the left, whatsoever.
A £200m loss to the BBC if the Scots stop paying licence fee money is small beer to the corporation. That is what is annually drained from licence fee income to prop up the BBC staff pension scheme.
It is remarkable how Sturgeon gets her rebuttal in before the BBC reports the issue in question. Indeed sometimes the concern hardly gets a mention at all.
What I don’t understand is if Scotland goes it alone and joins the EU it HAS to adopt the Euro. Brussels has already made it clear there will be no exceptions. Does this mean they’ll be using two parallel currencies? A 4 year old can see through the logic of the SNP.
Its not clear that EU will accept independent Scotland. Both Spain and France less than happy with that.
Now that would be funny!
The EU position is crystal clear. A country seceding from a member country HAS to reapply.
Spain has said it WILL veto that apllication, in Scotlsnd’s case.
The Spaniards are clearly keeping one eye on independence aspirations within their own country and will do all they can to discourage them. Keeping out a Scottish reapplication seems perfectly placed to do just that.
The EU is an expansionist organisation which will always maintain and expand the empire. An independent Scotland would be welcomed into the EU.
If Spain vetoes this, as the Spanish PM suggested, the EU will simply lean on the heavily-indebted Spanish to “re-consider” their position, as they did with Ireland’s EU Treaty referendum
Time will tell.
Thats probably true John, but as I say its not clear cut. The French seperatist issue has not completly gone away either and they (along with germany) are EU and consequently not so easy to bully
Wouldn’t it be ironic if the Scottish application to join the EU was the trigger for a breakup of the EU?
I live in hope!
The currency question will probably cause a massive capital flight, no one in their right mind is going to keep his ISAs or other savings in a scottish bank if there is the possibility of their money converted to euros overnight, or some hastily convened Scottish currency.
It will be a nightmare for those relying on a private pension.
Something I do not get. If Scotland votes for independence how can we hold a General Election in 2015 including the Scottish seats?
The Scottish MPs would have to withdraw on the completion of fthe indepence procedures. Makes no sense . But then the whole thing sounds very bizarre to me.
Secession won’t happen for 18 months (according to the SNP), personally I think it would take the best part of a Parliament to unravel the connections between Scotland and the rest of the UK
In that time the Scots would continue to be represented at Westminster, presumably until Independence Day.
This is a question I have asked before (and another to which there has been no answer from Wee Nappy Salmond.
But now the West Lothian Question will really come into play. If Scotland votes ‘Yes’ in September 2014, then, in the General Election of 2015, any candidate standing for election in a Scottish seat in the 2015 General Election will basically only be in a job for a few months, since the current plan is for Independence to be in March, 2016, as I understand it. In addition, clearly none of these MPs is likely to be allowed to vote on any UK bill which has implications beyond March 2016 – it would be madness to think so. In other words – dead men/women walking.
And then some real questions come into play – like which party will actually be in power in the UK Parliament ? If, for instance, Labour wins a small majority of seats, but that majority is dependent on MPs from Scotland, who won’t be allowed to vote on major issues, and then who will leave Parliament a few months later……. There are clear constitutional issues in this for the ongoing UK Parliament.
Answers to these and so many other issues came there none from those who want to create the changes.
And, for good measure, I will say this again. It is no good Mr Salmond and his minions claiming that the ‘No’ campaign has to come up with all sorts of answers to what will happen next if they win. There is one question and one question only on the referendum ballot – and basically that is ‘do you want to change things or not’. It is incumbent ONLY on those who advocate change (i.e basically the SNP) to say what they are going to change and how – the alternative is quite simple – no change – no explanations needed.
I firmly believe that the UK is stronger together, and that’s even though I lived and worked in Scotland for 3 years and was frequently on the receiving end of anti-English racism, sometimes disguised as banter, more often not.
What still surprises me is the amount of scots who still buy into the Braveheart inspired bollocks about England being the evil oppressors of the peace-loving Scottish clansfolk, the union was brought about because of perpetual wars, claims to the English throne, violent constant cross-border raids and so on. The Scots were no angels prior to the Union being formed, a fact they constantly seem to ignore.
If they do decide to go their own way, then it needs to be a quickie divorce with as few demands on the English treasury and taxpayer as possible, hopefully whichever government is in power will not kowtow to Salmond and his bunch. Let’s see how long they last without our cash.
One of the many dangers of a Labour government is the treason they are planning over an independent Scotland. You can sure as anything they will get England the worse deal possible in the sure knowledge that they are ever likely to get elected again.
Quite correct, the Scots were quite happy knocking seven bells out of each other until the English hoved into view, and then, more often than not, they had to have French or German mercs give them a hand. Barbarians then, still a few left, witness the Farage skirmish.
Weren’t some of them English, bussed in for the purpose?
You are probably right…..the Brits were just as mercenary as the continentals…..if the price is right……
“It’s interesting to watch the BBC coverage on this. They seem to be sympathetic to the SNP delusions ………………….”
Strangely David, when you write in another place you use an article from the “sympathetic” BBC to support your argument that if “Scotland LEAVES the UK, then it leaves the sterling zone.”
http://www.atangledweb.org/?p=48693#comments
I plan to vote YES to independence then move to England safe in the knowledge that I will never see a Labour government again.
Scotland is socialist. Always has been always will be.
It would not matter how much these people were raped by Labour, they would still vote for them.
“…………………. move to England safe in the knowledge that I will never see a Labour government again”
Really??
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/11/why-scottish-independence-wouldnt-mean-permanent-majority-tories
“Conservative Scottish Secretary Lord Forsyth, who said today: “There are number of foolish people in the Conservative Party in the south who are keen on independence or ‘devo max’ (devolution of all tax powers). Labour thought by creating devolution they would have permanent power in Scotland. I don’t think political parties can establish support by trying to gerrymander the constitution – the voters are smarter than that.””
“Forsyth is certainly right to argue that the influence of Scotland on general election results has been exaggerated. On no occasion since 1945 would independence have changed the identity of the winning party and on only two occasions would it have converted a Labour majority into a hung parliament (1964 and October 1974). Without Scotland, Labour would still have won in 1945 (with a majority of 146, down from 143), in 1966 (77, down from 98), in 1997 (139, down from 179), in 2001 (129, down from 167) and in 2005 (43, down from 66).
Lol like this bit you didn’t post up knob roy
‘Independence wouldn’t make a Labour majority impossible, but it would certainly make it harder, which explains why, although some Tories are silently cheering Alex Salmond on, none of their Labour counterparts are’
hehehe lining up with Tory’s are we ?
Lol like this bit you didn’t post up knob roy
‘Independence wouldn’t make a Labour majority impossible, but it would certainly make it harder, which explains why, although some Tories are silently cheering Alex Salmond on, none of their Labour counterparts are’
hehehe lining up with Tory’s are we? also those figures show Scotland to be not only economically messed up but also electorally redundant to the rest of us ?
Lol like this bit you didn’t post up knob roy
‘Independence wouldn’t make a Labour majority impossible, but it would certainly make it harder, which explains why, although some Tories are silently cheering Alex Salmond on, none of their Labour counterparts are’
hehehe lining up with Tory’s are we? also those figures show Scotland to be not only economically messed up but also electorally redundant to the rest of us ?
Well said Mat
Well said Mat
Well said Mat
Knob Roy.. HaHa!
Regarding the issue of how far the loss of Scottish seats would help the Conservative Party at Westminster one needs to take into account the collapse of the Conservative Party in Scotland. From 1955, when the Conservative, Unionist and National Liberals actual returned more MPs to Parliament than Labour until 1992 there was a steady decline. From 1997 they have virtually ceased to exist. Therefore the loss of Scottish MPs to Labour has greater impact.
It should also be pointed out that the February 1974 General Election would have seen the Conservatives as the largest party – not Labour. In 2010 the Conservatives would have had a majority of 19.
Mat’s quote is pertinent
I was in a hotel bar in the Middle East late last year and met almost penniless two jocks down on their luck. They had been to the local money changer with Scottish Pounds. He had told them to come back when they had some proper money.
A reality check in the real world for our northern friends is long overdue.
The Scottish notes really are attractive, vibrant colours and notable characters on them……
Only Andrew Neil seems to be attempting any real analysis of the SNP position
We find that they have no real plans to pay pensions or benefits
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-snp-pension-plan-questioned-1-3293105
And now they don’t have a plan for a currency
So just how will the Scottish economy function?
“Alex Salmond’s attempt to Balkanise Britain”
By Tom Gallagher.
http://www.thecommentator.com/article/4725/alex_salmond_s_attempt_to_balkanise_britain
Independence would be the best think to happen to West Albania. 63% of GDP coming from the State – and by ‘the State’ I mean the English taxpayer.
The IMF would be in before Fat Eck could say
‘Scotland looks out on this Arc of Prosperity, to the west, to the east and to the north’ (snigger – Iceland, Norway, and Ireland).
And then, for the first time in 60 years the benighted country would have to ensure its expenditures matched its revenues. Who knows perhaps they could get some of the 25% of working-age adults in Glasgow who are on the dole onto a bus and into work.
I well remember the arrogant fool Salmond, back in the day of Bertie Ahern’s Celtic Tiger, loudly predicting a similar ‘Celtic Lion’ in Edinburgh. What a complete pompous chancer.
I’d like to address the OP., and suggest you could just as easily state that I see the BBC faithfully reports Alex Salmond has been told that IF Scotland leaves the UK, it leaves the £ zone.
They’re reported the Yes campaign’s reaction, but only after ‘faithfully’ reporting Osbourne’s original comments. In fact, I think you could remove the word ‘faithfully’ altogether.
‘Salmond and Sturgeon do get an easy ride in most BBC interviews ‘
I guess it depends what interviews you’ve been watching, and how.
Were these ‘easy rides’? What about an example or two?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26175401
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03vgnrq/Newsnight_13_02_2014/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2007/06/that_salmond_interview.html
Interesting blog:
http://bravebelly.blogspot.co.uk/
I say hell mend them. In twinty years the bankrupt socialist republic of Jockoslavia will hae nae arse to its troosers and be living of thistles. Again.
Remember Darien
I’m all for it – never again a labour government in England.
Hoots. Toots the noo!
If the Scots want to go let them. It seems an emotional thing and very much the preserve of the Scottish middle class .
Scotland has been almost totally de industrialised and this for a country that was once a world leader in shipbuilding and heavy engineering is a real come down.
The English are blamed I suppose but that is not true. Sheffield and other towns have gone through the same process.
The new economy, and it does exist, is concentrated in the south and the London area. This is how it is going to be for a few generations.
What is Scotland going to do for a living? The oil will run out and tourism is no substitute. Already the state is over 50% of the GDP.
It is an emotional spasm. As unreal as most liberal unrealites although this is a little differenrt. Same sort of people. Same high expectations and sense of entitilement.
Let them go and see how reality works for them. I hope it goes well but it looks to be a difficult road into the future.
An unforseen senario is one in which Scotland votes for independence which will not officially be implemented for two years ,but the 2015 general election heaven forbid, elects a labour Government on the back of Scottish labour MPs and continues to enact legislation backed by the same Scottish MPs in the full knowledge that when the independence is ratified their seats in Westminster are automatically null and void , leaving the labour government without a majority in the house.
Would any legislation passed before independence but not yet in force be valid .
Would the rest of the UK be forced to hold a general election.
Questions such as this, and there are probably many more need a straight answer .
An unforseen senario is one in which Scotland votes for independence which will not officially be implemented for two years ,but the 2015 general election heaven forbid, elects a labour Government on the back of Scottish labour MPs and continues to enact legislation backed by the same Scottish MPs in the full knowledge that when the independence is ratified their seats in Westminster are automatically null and void , leaving the labour government without a majority in the house.
Would any legislation passed before independence but not yet in force be valid .
Would the rest of the UK be forced to hold a general election.
Questions such as this, and there are probably many more need a straight answer .
SORRY ABOUT THE DOUBLE TAP