Scottish Independence

[paddyk]

So Nicola (prehistoric fish) Sturgeon will not rest until the scottish get another referendum on breaking away from the away from the rest of the UK. Apparently they don't want to wait until Brexit is completed. Many English people are completely bored with this now - if they want "Home Rule" - then let them, can't they get it into their heads we are really not that interested - but we need to erect a 30 foot electric fence across the border to keep them in (machine gun towers like the Berlin Wall could be a consideration as well in addition to passport control). (No economic support either (THIS IS THE IMPORTANT BIT) - which is what they would obviously want as part of any breakaway deal as we English have "plundered and pillaged" their resources since the 13th Century).Obviously I am making these remarks "tongue-in-cheek"...... but on a slightly more serious level, have the Scots considered all the consequences of independence. For example, if they had to apply to rejoin the EU, they would have no choice to adopt the Euro as this is in the"Rules". I wonder how this would impact upon "Angus" with his life savings stashed in fivers under the floor of his croft. Just interested to hear what other views ABers have on this

[KARL]

If you are European, having the Euro as your currency is bad if you want it to fall against many of the rest, but good if you don't. In 16 years the Pound has fallen against the Euro by about 20-40%, depending which point in time you choose, by rather more against the US dollar in 40 years (not to mention 50 years). So presumably those who deride the Euro all want to have a depreciating currency ..... and by the same token want any Sterling based assets they have, including pensions, to similarly shrink. The Pound has been relentlessly falling in importance and value for more than 50 years. All hail the mighty Sterling ! Would an independent Scotland miss the Pound if it took up a different currency, such as the Euro ?

[New Judge]

"In 16 years the Pound has fallen against the Euro by about 20-40%, depending which point in time you choose,.."

The euro is currently trading at about 1.15 to the pound. To have fallen by 40% it must have been around 1.90 to the pound. What point in time must I choose to have obtained 1.90 euros for a pound? I believe it began in 1999 at about 1.40 and touched about 1.71 for a very brief period in 2000. It has not traded at above 1.60 since 2002.

I haven’t looked at the dollar because it’s too late.

The drawback with the euro is not its rates against other currencies. The problem is that its value only suits one nation.

[mazie]

Erect your 30 foot electric fence across the border. I have no desire to go back down to England, so It's OK by me. Scotland is a very progressive Country, always has been..And we don't stash our money under the floor. We invest it in the most successful IT Companies in the UK, which happen to be in Scotland!

[anneasquith]

Nice post Mazie, I'm pleased you have seen the benefits of Scotland and its people .

[mazie]

I love it here Anne. Should have done it years ago. I might even do a William Wallace ;o)

[anneasquith]

You could become Mc.Maxie. weather can be rubbish though. :-)

[mazie]

I could, but Mac Mazie would be better...And I'm learning the language from my Fab neighbours. I'm nearly fluent and it's Braw!

[anneasquith]

LOL.

[RobNorth]

If the Scots go back to independence and support is withdrawn, will they go back to pillaging the North of England? they did it for ever until comparitively recently, so the skills are there....could be bad news for the farmers of Northumberland and Durham...

[hereIam]

MM talks the most sense of all the scots on here !

[murraymints]

shucks !!! lol..me for first minister !!

[hereIam]

Deffo .....

[emmie]

MM could be you are in line for the job, Ms Sturgeon could be out of one sooner than you think.

[murraymints]

dear Nicola can feel her power and influence sliping away and she is becoming more desperate as each day passes which is resulting in her making daft decisions and saying even dafter things..May is her Nemesis..she'd do better to shut up and play the long game.get back to running the country and less of the ego trip and its' mechanations

[murraymints]

slipping even !