Anaxagoras
Posts: 3086
Joined: 5/9/2009
From: Eire
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Politesub53
Alex Salmond, leader of the Scottish Nationalsit Party, has promised a referendum on independence. So far so good, but what he refuses to do is be honest with Scottish voters about how this will work. If we take currency as our first point, what is he proposing ? Scotland cant atsy in the pound and have an independent fiscal policy. They cant join the Euro for the same reason, so either way currency rules will be set elsewhere.
The health, education and policing services are subsidised by the rest of the UK, giving Scots a better service. How will Salmond finance any of this. The rest of the UK also bailed out the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) since this is a Scottish based bank, providing Scottish jobs, will the Scots have to pay back the bailout ? Who will pay for Scotlands armed forces ? Has Salmond pointed out being part of the UK gives Scotland a bigger international voice, such as more seats in the EU parliament. It may also mean we end up with a permanent border between England and Scotland which will have a massive effect on trade, more so if there are two currencies.
Finally, polls suggest he would lose a vote in Scotland anyway. Most English are indifferent, especially as Scots MPS can vote on issues affecting both Scotland and England, since England isnt devolved. English MPs only get to vote on English issues. Most people dont care much one way or the other, but seem to agree the average Scot will be worse off with full independence. My personal view is the UK is better off staying as the UK, even though England would benefit most from a complete split of the four nations.
I agree with your take on Alex Salmond. I don't know that much about the place anymore but Scotland would seem to benefit from being in the UK due to being part of a far larger market, and they also get equal levels (AFAIK) of representation at Westminister besides having their own parliament. I would disagree about the currency though, and perhaps how absolute independence would necessarily have to be. Taking on the Euro wouldn't mean loosing their new found sovereignty (which I presume is part of their aspiration for independence) but its right to point out that if they joined they would have to give up some fiscal freedom, perhaps a fair bit if Merkel and Sarkozy have their evil way. Scotland might mint its own money but could link it to the British pound, and have a sort of semi-official dual currency situation. Decades ago Ireland also linked with the British pound which had advantages, much like having a common currency across Europe has today.
< Message edited by Anaxagoras -- 1/16/2012 5:54:19 AM >
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