Salmond "We can take Scotland in two weeks"

[Batcher]

[QUOTE=DodgyAgent;1988913]

You're falling into the same trap that the LibLabCons MPs are - this isn't about the nationalists/separatists/etc. This is a movement by the people of Scotland.

“A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at, for it leaves out the one country at which Humanity is always landing. And when Humanity lands there, it looks out, and, seeing a better country, sets sail. Progress is the realisation of Utopias.”
― Oscar Wilde[/QUOTE

All of the people of Scotland?

Everyone who has a vote in the referendum. At the last count, 30% of Scottish Labour voters are voting Yes.

[Batcher]

can anyone explain in simple terms what the main benefit the scots will get out of an independent Scotland?

is it just that they 'don't want to be ruled by Westminster?'

Isn't that enough?

The feeling is that we are not represented by the Westminster system and are treated as a colony for collecting taxes.

And lots more besides.

[Old Greg]

You just reminded me an independent Scotland would have to go around the world and start their own embassies. That's quite expensive especially in some countries........

No. The assets get split. Sensible probably to share the buildings at least at first. Scotland would have representation in many fewer countries so it should all work out.

[JustinTime]

Everyone who has a vote in the referendum. At the last count, 30% of Scottish Labour voters are voting Yes.

Why wouldn't they? They've been promised a socialist utopia, and they've voted Labour since the dawn of time... Never under estimate just how poorly educated the average Labour voter is in Scotland.

[DodgyAgent]

I'm not struggling to see through the blue mist at all. I was just trying to lead you towards saying some of the things youn just said above :-)

So, if we rise above the '**** off, you're a bunch of subsidy junkies' AND the 'We'll keep our oil and you'll be ****ed' brigade, and look at this sensibly........

Scotland CAN keep the pound (either by currency union or the panama model). England is (I think) Scotland's biggest export market and Scotland (i think) is England's second biggest export market, so, bearing in mind that and the balance of payments issues and GDP Vs debt issues, is the UK government not currently taking a piss on it's own birthday cake with the 'Definitely no currency union' stance, as a currency union, with terms agreed by both countries, not as much in the interests of rUK as it is for Scotland ? For a start, it would quell some market fears.

From what I understand Scotland would not be allowed to keep the pound. This will presumably mean that the Scottish banks will rlocate to the UK and leave Scotland having to start their own currency.

[Batcher]

I don't understand why Scottish people who want independence don't want their own Scottish pound with their own Central Bank to control interest rates that suit Scottish monetary policy.

If you want a currency union then the Bank of England would simply ignore any Scottish problems and put interest rates at a level that suit the monetary policy of the rest of the UK.

You mean like they do just now? Housing prices in the north of England and Scotland are still pretty low after 2008 yet London has a pricing bubble yet again and there is talk of raising interest rates to cool it down. That would have a terrible effect on houseowners in the north but who cares as long as Londoners are ok?

[SueEllen]

No. The assets get split. Sensible probably to share the buildings at least at first. Scotland would have representation in many fewer countries so it should all work out.

8.3% of the current UK's population lives in Scotland so the assets could get split but the rUK would get the vast majority of them.

[Old Greg]

I'm not struggling to see through the blue mist at all. I was just trying to lead you towards saying some of the things youn just said above :-)

So, if we rise above the '**** off, you're a bunch of subsidy junkies' AND the 'We'll keep our oil and you'll be ****ed' brigade, and look at this sensibly........

Scotland CAN keep the pound (either by currency union or the panama model). England is (I think) Scotland's biggest export market and Scotland (i think) is England's second biggest export market, so, bearing in mind that and the balance of payments issues and GDP Vs debt issues, is the UK government not currently taking a piss on it's own birthday cake with the 'Definitely no currency union' stance, as a currency union, with terms agreed by both countries, not as much in the interests of rUK as it is for Scotland ? For a start, it would quell some market fears.

How certain are you that the Panama model is compatible with EU membership?

[DodgyAgent]

Isn't that enough?

The feeling is that we are not represented by the Westminster system and are treated as a colony for collecting taxes.

And lots more besides.

I work in Westminster and I dont feel that I am properly represented.

[SueEllen]

You mean like they do just now? Housing prices in the north of England and Scotland are still pretty low after 2008 yet London has a pricing bubble yet again and there is talk of raising interest rates to cool it down. That would have a terrible effect on houseowners in the north but who cares as long as Londoners are ok?

Exactly.