If a country or region has no power to devalue, and if it is not the beneficiary of a system of fiscal equalisation, then there is nothing to stop it suffering a process of cumulative and terminal decline leading, in the end, to emigration as the only alternative to poverty or starvation. I sympathise with the position of those (like Margaret Thatcher) who, faced with the loss of sovereignty, wish to get off the EMU train altogether. I also sympathise with those who seek integration under the jurisdiction of some kind of federal constitution with a federal budget very much larger than that of the Community budget. What I find totally baffling is the position of those who are aiming for economic and monetary union without the creation of new political institutions (apart from a new central bank), and who raise their hands in horror at the words ‘federal’ or ‘federalism’. This is the position currently adopted by the Government and by most of those who take part in the public discussion.
There really is a lack of detail from both sides. For example how will an independent Scotland sustain public spending, when currently as part of the UK the Barnett formula gives a greater share of public spend per capita (19% or £1623) according to FT. And according to public sector employment report it has the 3rd highest public sector % of employment by region (behind NI and Wales). http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/SN05625/public-sector-employment-and-expenditure-by-regionTax looks like it's being propped up by North sea gas and oil, is this prop up sustainable? What happens during price fluctuations? What happens with an untried currency? Also is all the North sea gas and oil actually Scottish owned? My other questions if I was Scottish would be what would happen to business taxation if the head offices moved South. What happens to the armed forces and all the land it holds? there seems to be quite a lot https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/318371/Bulletin_2013_update.pdfNever mind, currency, border controls, NHS, DVLA etc etc
Tax looks like it's being propped up by North sea gas and oil, is this prop up sustainable?
a single industry economy is dangerous & Scotland's economy would be less unbalanced than that of the uk
Tomtom, I passionately believe that it is a big mistake to think that it is somehow more "radical" or "progressive" to have an aloof atitude towards nuts and bolts issues such as currency arrangements. It is all very well having progressive intentions but if they aren't backed by a constructive strategy then the outcome ends up just being waste and conflict. I'd say my personal political inclinations are for raggedy edge wacky levels of progressiveness. IMO the only hope of achieving any improvements towards social justice and realization of everyone's potential etc etc is if attempts in that direction fully embrace the need to delve into the tedious nitty gritty of issues such as government financing etc.
But what will become of ukb?Will it become rukb and where will fiend get to post comments about training and ethics? Certainly not on rukc.Scottishclimbs died a death after si oconner blossomed into full fantasist. There isn't really much to discuss without a good controversy.What forum can I post on using ambiguous language so I can get upset about people not understanding?
Roddy - its time to set up sukbouldering.com - steal march on the IO's forum monopoly...
Quote from: tomtom on September 17, 2014, 01:39:30 pmRoddy - its time to set up sukbouldering.com - steal march on the IO's forum monopoly... there you go it's already breaking up the British culture Sheffield rumours on twitter has already beaten you to the only worthwhile domains having. https://twitter.com/ClimbingRumours/status/509719961972269056
This thread is great BTW, I've learned more than via the big media outlets.. Whichever way it goes its another example of the quality of UKB residents
The SNP can't have all the answers and neither can the Yes campaign, just a plan and a prospectus. Instead of just saying they can't be certain they claim to know it all.
Well if Sloper is right and the weather will have a large influence, it's not looking good; fog and a light drizzle. Delightful