Scotland

[JumbleDuck]

We certainly should not be allowing Salmond to get his feet under the BoE table on such decisions.

Do you think the BoE should take Scotland's economic needs into account when setting interest rates at the moment?

 

[maby]

Do you think the BoE should take Scotland's economic needs into account when setting interest rates at the moment?

I'm sure it does, to some extent. They base their decisions on well defined economic measures such as growth, inflation, unemployment etc. which are calculated across the entire UK economy, so Scotland's needs will be factored into the decision, but perhaps not to the extent that they would like. I'm a supporter of Scottish independence - their aspirations, politics and economy are too different to that of Britain as a whole to comfortably fit into a unified framework. A monetary union cannot work - an independent Scotland will follow a far more left wing path than the remainder of the UK. If Salmond gets his way and gets to keep most of the North Sea oil, they will have a very different economy from an England that is driven by financial services and high technology. We will continuously be pulling in different directions - and we would be stupid to allow BoE policy to be influenced by the needs of a foreign country.

 

[Resolution]

Did anyone watch the program on BBC last night by Evan Davis - "Mind the Gap"? He had some interesting comments well-presented on the subject of London vs the rest of the UK. Food for political thought.

 

[maxi77]

I'm sure it does, to some extent. They base their decisions on well defined economic measures such as growth, inflation, unemployment etc. which are calculated across the entire UK economy, so Scotland's needs will be factored into the decision, but perhaps not to the extent that they would like. I'm a supporter of Scottish independence - their aspirations, politics and economy are too different to that of Britain as a whole to comfortably fit into a unified framework. A monetary union cannot work - an independent Scotland will follow a far more left wing path than the remainder of the UK. If Salmond gets his way and gets to keep most of the North Sea oil, they will have a very different economy from an England that is driven by financial services and high technology. We will continuously be pulling in different directions - and we would be stupid to allow BoE policy to be influenced by the needs of a foreign country.

There are times I suspect the BOE doesn't care that much about any outside the home counties never mind the Celtic fringe. Whilst monetary union between Scotland and England may be difficult England may find it a 'good idea' to counter the massive balance of payments deficit England will have without Scotland (one of the reasons I believe that every Westminster Government has been so against separation). A for getting to keep the oil, all that is being suggested is that the normal international rules for dividing up offshore resources are applied, why should any other system be used. I also believe that the SNP is not even asking for the changes to the baseline that were made a few years ago which gave England more oil to be changed back to what they were before the possibility of independence became a reality.

 

[coaster63]

Well if all we have to do is change afew waypoints! happy sailing

 

[Sneaky Pete]

Harold Wilson had general election majorities of 4 in 1964 and 3 in October 1974. In 1964 Labour MPs were returned in 43 out 71 seats in Scotland and in 1974 it was 41 out of 71.

If we in Scotland had all voted for Cherokee Indians they would still have got in.

 

[SHUG]

The joys of sailing in Scotland is one of the World's best kept secrets and that's how we would like it to stay!!
Who would want to sail to lonely anchorages amid towering mountains or visit uninhabited islands teeming with wildlife?
Stick to marinal crawling it must be so much simpler and satisfying.

 

[richardabeattie]

England and Scotland formed a union. That union then formed a union with Ireland and that second union now relates to N Ireland. So if the first union is broken which bit of N Ireland goes to Scotland?

 

[Euphonyx]

England and Scotland formed a union. That union then formed a union with Ireland and that second union now relates to N Ireland. So if the first union is broken which bit of N Ireland goes to Scotland?

I thought that some of the ideas expressed here were a bit fantastical, but a fight over who gets NI..hehe!

 

[Gwylan]

Another question.

If Scotland is not part of the UK will I have to pay roaming charges on my mobile?

If Scotland is also not part of the EU, will these charges not be constrained by EU regulations?

Just wondering, ought to go and give the boat a wash before the water runs out.

 

[NormanS]

Another question.

If Scotland is not part of the UK will I have to pay roaming charges on my mobile?

If Scotland is also not part of the EU, will these charges not be constrained by EU regulations?

Just wondering, ought to go and give the boat a wash before the water runs out.

Be like the rest of us, - wait and see.