What benefit can Scotland give to the EU. There are countries that been refused entry into the Eu and the members would never vote Scotland in because they have nothing to offer...the EU will not risk another Greece or RoI endless bail outs again....no The Sottish people will have to take what is coming to them should they vote yes, Only then you will know what real poverty is about and you will be stuck with it....
If Scotland joins the EU and adopts the Euro as it's currency, they will be at the whim of the ECB as to where interest rates go, amongst other restrictions. Therefore, effectively exchanging one governor of their currency - The BOE, for another, the ECB. Personally, as the Euro is a fatally flawed project that is eventually doomed to costly failure, I would prefer to stick with the devil I know!.
As has been alluded to, separatism is anathema to the Spanish. They detest the Catalans down here already. There is no way Spain would ever grant autonomy to them or The Basques. They fear renewed unrest in those reigns far more than any possible argument with Scotland. Having said that, Spain will do exactly what it believes is in it's own interests.
Scotland does not fit the qualifications for the EURO and will not for a number of years. The EURO is not an immediate option for Scotland.
Which brings back into question, if Osborne is true to what he "categorically" stated today, what currency will an independent Scotland use? Yes, they can "use" the pound, but without the umbrella of the BOE their credit rating will take a serious hit, Increasing the cost of borrowing dramatically. That's aside rom all the other problems mentioned in the link I gave earlier.
Scotland has already been awarded an AAA rating by the two bodies involved. This is a wealthy country with a balance of trade surplus and the abillity to clear it's debt quite easily. The myths spread by Westminster will be exposed more and more as this goes on. This is why I say with confidence this country will be awash with money come Independence. I don't expect people in the South of England to believe me because they had been fed with bullshit for years. That ignorance is clear on this thread as basic facts are misunderstood or not known. If we win this referendum many are in for a shock when they see the extent of the lies they have been fed by Westminster. Once that becomes apparent expect demands for more democracy in England as well.
Spurf Will the people of Scotland have a referendum on joining the EU If they vote yes for independence?
I have not heard any such idea. Scotland is very much in favour of Europe, another difference from England. It's pretty much understood that Scotland wants to be in Europe. Having said that all will be up for discussion following a YES vote and as only the SNP have published a manifesto the other parties will need to produce theirs for the elections in 2016.
"Scotland has already been awarded an AAA rating by the two bodies involved." Sorry, but I cannot find a definitive credit rating for an independent Scotland by either S&P or Moodys. A cursory search shows the former have said in the not so long ago Scotland COULD have the same rating the UK currently has, while the latter has suggested the rating will be at least two levels below.
http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/independent-scotland-could-be-aaa-rated-standard-poors/ I exaggertated by saying awarded. I should have rechecked the report first I make you correct RDBD
I think the feeling has lessened somewhat from a couple of years ago. Also, I think they blame their own politicians for the crazy spending spree and corruption that came with the huge drop in interest rates that accompanied the adoption if the Euro. In simple economic terms, you can't have a central monetary policy and also numerous individual members of the single currency operating their own fiscal policies. It just won't work - just as the one interest rate fits all is never going to work. Of course, central fiscal policy I.e. An effective United States of Europe, is what the federalists have always wanted, anyway. In it's current format, the Euro, as it now stands is doomed to expensive failure.
<quote> Independent Scotland could be AAA rated – Standard & Poors </quote> 1. Which is what I already stated. 2. COULD does not equal WILL. Interestingly the reporting on Moodys is saying that any rating on Scotland will be tempered by responsible share of the UK debt burden. So it seems the markets are (as expected) giving their verdict on any threats by Salmond et al about dismissing the debt caused by the Scotch banks.
NSIS I think you have been in Spain much longer than I have but the feeling towards the Euro where I live is fairly neutral. Some are happy that the banks that got into severe difficulties have hade help courtesy of bailouts but some,mostly the older citizens, still think in Pesetas. I am told that there are a couple of places that still deal in pesetas but that may be apocryphal but many places still price in Euros and Pesetas. I don't agree that the Euro is fatally flawed though. In order to compete with the aggressive economies of the east, Europe must work as one entity and a single currency is paramount in that. If the Uk had not been so Europhobic the Euro would probably be much stronger than it now is.
Simple economics dictate that the Euro, in it's current format, will not work. The relative econmies of the member countries are far too diverse. The only way for it to survive long term is for fiscal integration to take place. In other words, handing over the majority of financial control to the ECB. This central fiscal control policy has always been the main aim of the federalists.
"Simple economics dictate that the Euro, in it's current format, will not work. The relative econmies of the member countries are far too diverse. The only way for it to survive long term is for fiscal integration to take place. In other words, handing over the majority of financial control to the ECB." You cannot manage a union of nations so large in this manner. Tis bad enough already with monetary policy (ECB interest rates etc) . Unified fiscal policy (tax rates etc) across the EU would be a nightmare.
Maybe naive but why are Scott's with a Scotland passport precluded from the vote? Those I've met all clearly are no to the breakaway In football terms if the vote is YES then Scotland's players would need to be full and proven internationals prior to gaining a work permit and that would prohibit younger players from gaining serious experience outside of the limiting home leagues
But it's the only way the Euro will survive. I agree, I certainly have no wish to be part of the United States of Europe. Governed by Frankfurt and Brussels. Put quite simply, there is no way a central monetary policy will work long term, with so many divergent economies, without a central fiscal policy too. It's both or neither.
Anybody who lives and works in Scotland is entitled to vote. That is a very normal situation for elections everywhere.
