Effect of Scottish Independence Vote

planteria

also, it is interesting that the Scandinavian countries are in such different positions, with Sweden on the way into the Euro, Denmark being the only other EU member state in the UK's position of not having agreed to join the Euro, and Norway, of course, being outside the EU altogether.

i actually think that further integration of the EU member states could be very good for the UK. as long as we are outside of it.:beer:

TCA

Archi_Bald wrote: »

We are currently all in the EU, so the question doesn't arise yet. With Scotland, it is different. The minimum Ms Sturgeon should do is offer the potential options.

Ooops, I forgot, the SNP doesn't do various options, they only have one plan.

That's unreasonable. They put forward a plan which includes their desire for EU membership. Most parties don't offer up a manifesto and a "if we don't get what we want we'll do this" manifesto. They have set out how they believe continued EU membership can be achieved through Article 48 of the Treaty of the European Union. Right now it's open to debate but unless it was categorically ruled out by the EU or individual members of the EU categorically and officially say they will veto Scotland's membership, then I don't see a problem with their adoption of this stance at this stage.

planteria wrote: »

i think they have made it clear. and it is accepted in Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao that Spain will veto Scotland joining the EU. Spain allowing Scotland to pave the way for the Basques to clear off with their tax take is simply not going to happen.

All supposition planetaria. You could be right but Barroso giving his opinion doesn't count as the official position of Spain.

planteria

Archi_Bald wrote: »

Have you seen the open letter from Sir Nicholas Macpherson? Summarises the whole matter quite succinctly, IMO.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/279460/Sir_Nicholas_Macpherson_-_Scotland_and_a_currency_union.pdf

tres bien. sums it up perfectly. Scotland cannot 'remain' in the EU or within the Poundzone unless it remains within the UK.

TCA

planteria wrote: »

tres bien. sums it up perfectly. Scotland cannot 'remain' in the EU

Somebody from HM Treasury does not hand out rulings for the European Union.

planteria

TCA wrote: »

That's unreasonable. They put forward a plan which includes their desire for EU membership. Most parties don't offer up a manifesto and a "if we don't get what we want we'll do this" manifesto. They have set out how they believe continued EU membership can be achieved through Article 48 of the Treaty of the European Union. Right now it's open to debate but unless it was categorically ruled out by the EU or individual members of the EU categorically and officially say they will veto Scotland's membership, then I don't see a problem with their adoption of this stance at this stage.

i agree that the SNP has put forward their plan, and are, not unusually, avoiding describing an alternative 'what if' scenario. but they are, in reality, very aware that they will not be able to have "continued EU membership", so if i was living in Scotland i would be very keen to hear their 'what if's.

planteria

TCA wrote: »

All supposition planetaria. You could be right but Barroso giving his opinion doesn't count as the official position of Spain.

it's more than supposition.

and Barroso isn't from Spain;)

planteria

TCA wrote: »

Somebody from HM Treasury does not hand out rulings for the European Union.

entirely agree.

ColdIron

TCA wrote: »

I wouldn't have thought the SNP is expecting funding from the UK in an independent Scotland

So we are back to the currency union, which he wants but won't get, and the questions he won't answer

They have agreed to pay a fair share of the humongous UK debt position

I thought this was far from certain and is presently being used as a bargaining tool

As grey gym sock said, Scotland can issue bonds if it wants.

Yes and it is not without risks. Issuing debt in a currency you do not control makes you a hostage to fortune, not an ideal start for a new nation

grey_gym_sock

planteria wrote: »

with Sweden on the way into the Euro

incorrect. nobody is going to force sweden to join the euro.

if you wonder why not, given the genuine push for greater EU integration, then just think how it would play politically if they tried to force a country to join, against the will of its democratically elected government. they don't want to encourage countries to leave the EU.

TCA

planteria wrote: »

Barroso isn't from Spain;)

Lol. Even more reason why he doesn't speak for Spain! Mea culpa. His rantings about Spain and Kosovo threw me a wobbly!

ColdIron wrote: »

I thought this was far from certain and is presently being used as a bargaining tool

The SNP have always said they'd pay Scotland's share of the UK debt. They just want a share of the assets too. The Bank of England and the pound being assets in this case. There's no bargaining going on yet as the UK government have so far refused to discuss anything in the case of a Yes vote. The statement on the currency is a first. A welcome first. It's certainly sparked the debate into life. I'll be interested to see if Salmond has anything new to offer tomorrow in his promised rebuttal of all Osborne's reasoning.