I can't watch Question Time (or more accurately, the wife has banned me from watching it) as I always end up furious with all participants. As for the Scots, they were gerrymandered into the Union, let democracy take its course. I like visiting Scotland and it has felt noticeably more 'foreign' over the last few years, which for me is a good thing. So if they go, good for them. Opinion polls would indicate it won't happen though.
The Irish state maintained a one for one parity with sterling from 1922 independence until 1979 EEC membership. No reason why a similar arrangement could not be rolled forward with whatever name placed on the new Scottish unit.
The groat? The way markets work today I'm not sure pegging can work without shared fiscal policy, which rather negates the point of independence, though I think Salmond has already said he would let the Bank of England set interest rates and inflation targets. Might as well join the Eurozone, same sacrifice of control.
My family try to stop me watching, but just go to bed if they fail. I've never set foot in Scotland, but feel amity with the Scots. For no rational reason, I feel offended by their wanting to leave the Union.
Honestly can't see the Scots voting for separation, they are only too aware of the pitfalls; don't have to look too far away to see what can happen. Independence is a fanciful notion these days anyway.
If they want to go, let 'em go. England as a country would be better off financially (so I read), even with the lost oil revenue, due to the amount of money the British Govt pump into our northern neighbours. But independence should be full and final if voted for...Renegotiate a new EU membership, seperate currency, defence force...the lot, no sham independence. Saying that, the Scots I've spoken to wouldn't dream of voting YES and they seem in a vast majority.
The act of union was agreed over 200 years ago. Is it out of date and irrelevant considering where we all are with regards to the EU? That's a question, not a statement. If people are offended by Scotland considering leaving the union, maybe England should have their own vote to leave/stay in? Good luck to the Scots. I am sure they will make the right decision for themselves. People saying they don't have to look very far to see what the pitfalls are and an obvious reference to Ireland. The best thing this country ever did was to declare our own independence. Being part of a union is like being part of a marriage. If you arn't happy being inside the union/marriage, you are better off out of it for your own sanity and happiness. Ireland is a great little country to live in, well respected all around the world and is a shining example to Scotland of what they could be if that is what they choose. Ireland is consistently ranked ahead of the UK in terms of desirability as a place to live and happiness among the people. We will get over our economic woes and I am sure history will be kind to Irish Independence in the future. A few bankers borrowing like crazy to fuel a property boom and crash won't alter my opinion on Irish Independence.
There was a one-for-one parity through that time because the exchange rates were fixed and couldn't rise or fall more than two cents either way of the fixed rate. It was $4.03 for many years hence the old saying that five shillings or a crown was known as a dollar. I think the last fixed rate was $£2.40 after Harold Wilson's government devalued. After that the controls were scrapped by Thatcher and it was left to sink to it's own level. A Scottish Pound would really be very risky and England would not agree to a tie as independence means exactly what it says on the tin. If the Scots want to go they will but their prudent nature suggests they won't want to risk losing the 'safety net' of the Union. They get the best of all worlds at present, Union and EU, they aren't stupid enough to go it alone...
The Scots are completely entitled to their vote for independence. I think that most polls have shown that the English would like them to go because, as has been said previously, the English contribute far too much financially to Scotland. The Scots have the best of all worlds right now, with our help and the help of the EU. It would be a massive risk for them to go it alone and a lot of what Salmond says is based on hope rather than fact. There is no guarantee that Scotland could keep the pound or retain membership to the EU. They say that they'd keep the Queen (that's good of them!) which would be fine as it would be no different to the other members of the Commonwealth. Most polls show that the Scots don't want independence and I don't think they'll go for it. I believe that a lot of Scots, like me, like the Union and what it has achieved. I would like them to stay as I believe the Union has been a good thing, especially with the great sacrifice made by all members of the Union to our armed forces. As to whether the English would vote for their own independence? I think it would be close, but there is a lot of fondness for the Union in England imo. Finally though, if the Scots vote for independence then it must be full on........not watered down with lots of safety nets like the pound etc.
is it going to be a one off vote or will they be voting every few years until the nats get the answer they want
Berwick would swell to a city of a million where all the Scots would want to live to claim the English benefits.
