Scottish independence

[Chopper the ex Copper]

I'm not particularly fussed either way with Scottish independence, perhaps as a result of being born their but living elsewhere. But one thing I would hate to see is an independent Scotland with Salmond at the helm - that smug idiot has some bizarre ideas about international law and process. Sasha Baron Cohen's Dictator would have a better grasp of international affairs and relations.

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

Endless studies and statistics give lie to the ropey assertion that Scotland would be financially viable. It all comes down to which statistics you choose to believe.

Here's a fact. When RBS failed and needed bailing out by the Government, it's debts amounted to nearly 80% of Scotland's GDP. In the event Scotland had been independent then it wouldn't just have bankrupted the nation, it would've absolutely beggared it.

See, I'm not really fussed either way - become a real fence sitter in my old age - but you can quote any statistics you like, and not one of them can counter the catastrophic effects of the failure of a firm such as RBS under Scottish independence. Where would you have got that vast sum of money from Mr History? Not down the back of Salmonds s of, that's for sure.

And as for the oils, that's neither Scotland's or England's. The rights belong to the Crown, and the companies sucking it out the ocean floor have mainly American shareholders (including BP). Salmonella would need a change in international law, and a significant change in the ownership of the extraction and distribution companies to take a penny of profit.

I'm not especially against independence, but even my kindergarten grasp of mathematics, business and politics tell me Salmond is talking sheet. The biggest threat to any prospect of independence for Scotland is Salmond himself.

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

Interesting, but far from universally true. As a recent example, of the Cypriot banks operate here here on an immense scale with their investments, not penny of UK money went to help them (except that passed on to the Cypriot government via EU subscriptions).

I like your idea that if a Scotish business fails then the tax payers of other countries can bail it pit on your behalf just because they have a branch there. Not.

So, I ask again, if RBS were to fail again under an independent Scotland with debt of more than three quarters annual GDP, how do you propose Scotland would repay such debt? Just answer the question please. I'm not interested in how it happened last time, as its not a.comparable situation as Scotland won't be in the EU for years to come, so.won't be able to take cheap loans from the central bank the way the UK did. Indeed, how will Scotland pay for anything as it won't have a currency? No Sterling ever, no Euro for years at best.

 

[technodup]

We have always been a nation of movers and shakers, there is absolutely no reason to believe we don't have the weight of knowledge and intellect to work out how to deal with the challenges that might face us were we to be breaking away from an uncooperative union.

Two recent challenges we (or rather the politicians) couldn't cope with.
Edinburgh Trams
Est. cost- £375m, actual cost estimated at £1bn
3 years delay

Scottish Parliament
Est. cost- £50m, actual cost £420m
3 years delay

Two of the biggest projects Scotland has undertaken since devolution, both royally fucked up. Not to mention the colossal waste of money we're spunking on the white elephant that is the shittiest world games out there. I don't want that shower spending a penny more, far less have the resources to do what they like. That said this type of crap isn't unique to Scotland- the UK is just as bad, between the NHS IT, Millennium Dome etc., and god only knows how much HS2 will cost to save a few minutes. Governments should do and spend AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. They're really bad at it.

I met Colin Fox and a couple of his cronies in Stirling yesterday offering me a leaflet about an socialistic independent Scotland. As I pulled a face of disgust and told him to keep his leaflet a crony asked me to outline why I thought we would be better off in the UK. He didn't seem to understand it was up to him as the instigator of change to persuade me. All anti Tory bollocks as per, he mentioned libraries closing and staff losing their jobs. Why do these clowns think it's governments role to keep people in jobs? Particularly the type of jobs that due to technology will be literally redundant in the not too distant?

UKIP this week. NO in September. Conservative & Unionist next year.

They are certainly against disbanding the Scottish Government though. Ever.

It would be difficult given Scotland doesn't have a government. It's the Scottish Executive and no amount of poxy window dressing by the fat charlatan changes that. See the Scotland Act.

Glad I got that off my chest.