Effect of Scottish Independence Vote

planteria

TCA wrote: »

Yes it does. Salmond is being seen in Scotland to go for the pound, which is the most popular option favoured by the Scottish electorate. It might not even be the SNP's favoured option but if they can be seen going for it, only to be slapped down by Westminster, then they have but tried to obtain the will of the Scottish people. Whether people in rUK, like yourself, think Salmond is making a fool himself for pursuing the impossible, matters not. I would doubt he'd keep flogging the dead horse for the duration.

well, you seem to rate the Scottish nations combined intelligence more lowly than i do;). 'going for the pound' when it obviously can't be had is farcical.

planteria

innovate wrote: »

That's a very one-sided and shortsighted view. Britain's net contribution to the EU by GNI is less than Britain's overseas aid budget by GNI, and there are many compelling advantages of EU membership (e.g. free trade, free movement).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8036097.stm#start
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/mar/20/uk-aid-spend-important-works

Many EU countries would be as happy to say good riddance to the UK as you would be with Scotland leaving the UK. They wouldn't lose much sleep over the missing UK contribution since they would just take the hit once and move on, probably making more from trading with the UK than the UK contributions would be.

Anyway, this is a debate for another day, and another thread.

agreed, it's for another thread. but whether the EU countries miss our money or not, i'd be delighted to us invest it ourselves.:).

black_taxi_2

George Osborne, David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Gordon Brown, Jos! Manuel Barroso have all raised possible blockers/issues and rather than answer those issues.

they are the blockers ----LOL

planteria

dunstonh wrote: »

It does seem that the Nats, in particular Nicola Sturgeon, answer to every issue is to revert to playground behaviour and slag off the person rather than actually answer the issue.

George Osborne, David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Gordon Brown, Jos! Manuel Barroso have all raised possible blockers/issues and rather than answer those issues, they have been attacked personally. That is no way to run a country.

totally agree. and i strongly suspect that the Scottish people will be able to see that.

planteria

TCA wrote: »

Personal attacks are obviously not necessary but on the subject of pensions, the SNP White Paper is very clear, that's why interventions by the likes of Gordon Brown are not appreciated. Given his control of public finances, I think the SNP are quite entitled to point out that advice coming from him is pretty rich. He had his chance.

i entirely agree.:D. for what it's worth, i think some pretty direct personal attacks on Gordon Brown would be an excellent idea. it was our sweet English gold he sold, too;)

black_taxi_2

10th January 2013

Alistair Darling on Newsnight: "Of course – of course it would be desirable to have a currency union . . . If you have independence or separation, of course the currency union is logical".

planteria

Marazan wrote: »

Almost every single issue to do with Scottish membership of the EU would be cleared up if the British government was to write to the European Commission to ask for a formal opinion on the matter.

The SNP cannot ask, only the UK Government. It's almost as if the UK government has a deliberate policy of keeping the situation unclear.

the situation is entirely clear, as above.

planteria

CLAPTON wrote: »

another fantasy as to why every problem is some-one else's fault.

the formal view of the EU is as unlikely to clear up the issues as asking Alex or Nicola a question

it would probably comprise what we know: that Scotland would have to apply and meet the know conditions and then the member states would have to agree etc etc.

how would that move you forward?

it wouldn't. the answer is that every member would have to vote. we know that they will not All vote to allow Scotland to join.

like it or not, Scotland will leave the EU if it leaves the UK. it may be that the SNP get the worst of all outcomes...the Scottish people voting to stay within the UK and then the UK leaving the EU:p

planteria

black_taxi wrote: »

10th January 2013

Alistair Darling on Newsnight: "Of course – of course it would be desirable to have a currency union . . . If you have independence or separation, of course the currency union is logical".

i wouldnt give too much credence to him, either:laugh:

Archi_Bald

planteria wrote: »

i entirely agree.:D. for what it's worth, i think some pretty direct personal attacks on Gordon Brown would be an excellent idea. it was our sweet English gold he sold, too;)

Gosh, are you serious? How can you endorse personal attacks?

I am no fan of GB either but that doesn't mean he should be subjected to direct personal attacks.