Scottish Independance

I think the bigger evil is if the vote is 49.9 / 50.1 or 50.1 / 49.9 ... that's going to be trouble-for-ever, whichever way it goes. I live in hope that the polls are far enough wrong that the vote is more decisive.

Hmmm ... I see where you are coming from, but if all the neighbours in your street (lets assume you hate them all) came round to desperately persuade you not to do something would you not see that as an indication that they really really don't want you to do it and at least consider your actions one more time? If it would make you (i,e. the Scots) say "F. them" and carry on just to spite them (i.e. my take on your words ) then I'm inclined to say "good riddance"

 

I just can't wait till this is all over...Latest on the polls puts the NO vote back in front on 53% and the YES vote on 47%

 

How come the scots get their referendum now and yet we are all still waiting for the referendum so we can vote either to stay or leave the EU?We have been asking that question for a few years now although Dithery Dave did mention something about one if he gets back in to power after next years election.

 

The reason there has been no referendum is that no party has put it in their manifesto; I don't know why that is, presumably if the population shout loudly enough politicians move in that direction; maybe there hasn't been a loud enough "shout" previously?. I have no idea why Labour aren't going to put it in theirs next time around ... clearly politicians must think that separating from Europe is a bad idea (forget what the people think for a moment, the politicians do have access to think tanks that consider the outcomes carefully and advise them on the subject). In the same vein I don't know why Tories are putting it IN their manefesto - they think they will be able to negotiate a better deal for LB (Little Britain, can't say UK or GB at the moment ). Thank goodness that the far right in France had a field day in the elections, otherwise it would like it was "just those pesky Brits" ... again! That's caused Germany to realise that there is a problem to be addressed.

For me its a no brainer, Norway and Switzerland (and Iceland I believe?) have cosy arrangements with the EU, just such an arrangement would suit me fine, and be a lot better than the current arrangement. Only loss would be that we could not influence EU policy, but I can't see, with the extended EU as it now is, that our loan voice has any volume at all.

I don't get that. Mr Average Borrower is still just as good a credit risk as he as before ... If lots of industry moves South then a) it will take years [allowing some adjustment to be absorbed] and b) some of the workers will move to England along with their job. I am struggling to see how the whole loan situation becomes more risky.

That's at a personal level, no idea about at a national level! but I don't see that that needs to impact Mr Average Borrower (other than greedy banker feeding their avarice habit with usury )

Interesting point

 

What that you on the phone in?

Was that you Zigs?

If voting Yes, when the UK's assets (if there's any?) are apportioned, why not make Scotland reimburse the other UK taxpayers for bailing out their bank, so they have to buy the taxpayers majority holding of shares from us and then, in addition to owning their own loss making bank, they can find a whole load more cash so they can guarantee it themselves? The remainder of UK should have nothing more to do with it after any independence.

 

Hehehehe ... sadly the reason the bank will have to move South is because it has to be based in the country where the majority of its customers are based, so I rather fear it might be an English bank?

 

When do they stop the opinion polls ? I think that they must stop so many days before an election or referendum.

 

Oh, that's a real shame as I was rather hoping there might be a rebate of £565.79 for every citizen in the remainder of the UK (£617 cost of RBS bailout less 8.3% Scottish population).

 

Can they do that??

 

The Scottish Nationalist Party was the opposition when the Scottish parliament started only 15 years ago ... presumably if there was a groundswell of public opinion a Scottish Unionist Party could convert back within a generation.

Never thought the Berlin Wall would come down in my lifetime, or so quickly ... lots of similar unbelievables in my lifetime. more to come I expect

 

I think David Cameron gave a good speech yesterday in Scotland so credit where it is due, Ed Miliband was typically being his over acting self.

Val

 

I have a question:

Why does Salmond want monetary union with us (or Euro for that matter)?

Surely, without political union, that's where the Euro has gone wrong?

Canada seems OK - has its own currency, trades with (and currency keeps peg with, I think?) its larger neighbour.

Surely an independent currency would be better anyway?