General Election 2019

If Scotland were independent then it would not be allowed to join the EU as it would not meet their fiscal and other requirements, so there would be no EU handouts.

 

I have never been sure what anyone means by selling the NHS to the Americans or anyone else.
What are we selling?
Why would anyone buy it - its not viable?

 

I apologies for my previous rant. It was a while back in this thread.

I think it stems from massive impunity in politics here. Things aren't great roound my way recently but we are holding it down.

Don´t forget to vote y'all - those suits will keep their promises.

 

Scotland currently meets most EU criteria for membership, already complying with EU laws and regulations. The mood from Brussels is very different to that of 2014 - when Scotland voted on leaving an EU state, the main message being that if a Scottish independence referendum is legally and constitutionally valid then Scotland is set for a reasonably swift accession process. For the EFTA states such as Finland the process only took 2 years. The only real problem could be currency - the Scots think they could continue to use Sterling for a time after independence, this is denied south of the border. However this problem can be got around - there are several countries which use the US dollar without asking for the American's permission to do so. The main thing is that an independent Scotland would satisfy the democratic conditions for joining the EU - actually England (the remainder of the UK) could have problems trying to rejoin for this reason - attacks on the independence of the judiciary definitely don't go down well under EU laws. I am sure that if the will is there on both sides then Scotland will have a relatively smooth transition into the EU - just think, a future Scotland could veto prospective deals between England (what's left after Brexit) and the EU

 

Scotland's economy would collapse without the constant funding from London. This is pie in the Isle of Sky.

 

I'm off to the West Country tomorrow for a long weekend. Looking at the very blue political map of the area it doesn't look as if I need to canvass for any Tory candidates whilst I'm there.!!!

COYB (Boris)

 

Er...I think there are pies in the Isle of Skye. There is no answer to this SH. It would survive, so the question is whether they will be poorer or richer as a result. Due to the politicization of the available data this is hard to answer - but the same question hangs over the UK leaving the EU ie. you are prepared to take the risk in the one case so why shouldn't the Scots do the same ? In time Scotland could benefit in the same way as Ireland has benefited outside of the UK. All independent nations have it difficult to begin with. Optimistic Scots can point to countries with similar populations to their own such as Norway and Denmark which both have a higher GDP per capita than the UK does - and to the raw resources which the country has access to.

 

As the UK pays significantly more into the EU than it receives it is quite different to Scotland leaving the UK as it also receives much financial assistance from London. If, as looks likely, we leave without a deal, then the last thing Scotland needs is unnecessary tariff barriers with the rest of the UK. There is a possibility that the UK may be slightly poorer leaving the EU, Scotland leaving the security of its London paymaster would result in certain financial insecurity. During the last Scottish referendum the SNP grossly misjudged revenue from the North Sea. Oil revenue will be a tiny fraction of the previous estimate. Apart from fried mars bars and whiskey I cannot think of any more income streams.

 

In Pembrokeshire I saw more Conservative signs than anything else, I recall one Labour and only one Plaid. Our local conservative who has a wafer thin majority is doing a great job to ensure he gets back in despite someone hanging one of those gold starred blue brand marketing signs on one.

 

In terms of income streams you are forgeting a great deal - because you want to ? Scotland is a resource rich country - particularly in terms of tidal, wind and wave energy and has become a World leader in the development of renewable technologies - the World's leading wave and tidal test centre is in Scotland. The country actually holds 25% of Europe's offshore wind and tidal resources. The electricity from wind turbines in Scotland could power all the homes in Scotland and most of the North of England. Other resources include, of course, North Sea resources and is one of the largest sea fishing nations. It also has a highly skilled population with the most educated population in Europe - 47% of all between 25 and 64 hold a university degree. Scotland is also internationally recognized as the most important financial centre in the UK after London, and could well become an alternative to London in the case of an England only Brexit. In short Scotland has great potential which has only been held back by one thing - namely Westminster.

 

Even the BBC are now saying the Tories are taking their lies and deceit too far

 

It should also be added that nothing has more glaring than the contrast between Ireland's diplomatic leverage in Brussels, which has far outweighed the paltry influence which Scottish government ministers have enjoyed in Whitehall during the Brexit process. Would you rather be in an organization where your membership is valued or one where it isn't ?

 

I think the BBC have got the message to be more diligent..

 

This is what I came out as:



Not surprised really although philoophically I will always be a Green ....

 

More than a grain of truth... the orange one and Putin want the same result.

 

Diane Abbott's privately educated son has been charged with two counts of assault on police officers during a disturbance at the foreign office where he used to work. He was further charged with an offence under section 4 of the Public Order Act.

Not a good position for a potential future Home Secretary to be in.

He should have been at his mum's house instead, teaching her to add up.

 

I was listening to the radio in the car and heard a Tory finish up a gibbering wreck. He was asked about NATO and the role it had alongside the EU. He suggested that the EU had been a very successful force for peace, and after more glowing words about what it did on this front fell completely apart when asked why he wanted to leave then. He was not able to answer.

 

Cognitive dissonance, perhaps?

 

Jeremy Corbyn is really special. He has this ability to watch the Queen's speech on Xmas day morning when everybody else watches in the afternoon.!!!

If he is going to lie he should learn a few more facts, he made himself look soooooo stupid.