Scotland Debate

[MegaSteve]

Given the choice many will choose freedom.

If boot was on other foot I'd be very firmly in the yes camp...
Even if it had a bit of a 'tool' as its flag carrier...

 

[NWJocko]

Many in Scotland, including me, would support Devo Max but we do not have the choice. The no campaign have been totally silent on this matter.
So we are left with whatever Westminster will impose on us. Even though our voting patterns means that we are not represented.

Given the choice many will choose freedom.

The No campaign have been silent on Devo Max as it isn't on the table!?! What are you expecting them to comment on?

Salmond wanted Devo Max on the ballot paper but Cameron/Westinster called his bluff so it is Independence or Union.

I tend to agree that Devo Max would romp it were it available as an option.....

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Many in Scotland, including me, would support Devo Max but we do not have the choice. The no campaign have been totally silent on this matter.
So we are left with whatever Westminster will impose on us. Even though our voting patterns means that we are not represented.

Given the choice many will choose freedom.

This will be the next big thing at party conferences...esp Labour.They'll come out with we'll consider devo max IF we win the next election, which is nonsense as I seriously doubt they'll win the next GE.

 

[CMAC]

The No campaign have been silent on Devo Max as it isn't on the table!?! What are you expecting them to comment on?

Salmond wanted Devo Max on the ballot paper but Cameron/Westinster called his bluff so it is Independence or Union.

I tend to agree that Devo Max would romp it were it available as an option.....

I've no evidence but it would appear to be good for Scotland but not the UK. I can see why the Govt said no, seems very one sided.

However its not on the table so not worth discussing............Damn! I just did

 

[Doon frae Troon]

It was Cameron who knocked back Devo Max not the SNP.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/18/uk-scotland-independence-devolution-idUKBREA1H1JM20140218.

Interesting poll. I forsee quite a lot of spoiled voting papers

 

[NWJocko]

It was Cameron who knocked back Devo Max not the SNP.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/18/uk-scotland-independence-devolution-idUKBREA1H1JM20140218.

Interesting poll.

Who said otherwise!?

I don't see why you think that should be a topic for comment by either side as part if this referendum given it is not an option?

 

[FairwayDodger]

Many in Scotland, including me, would support Devo Max but we do not have the choice. The no campaign have been totally silent on this matter.
So we are left with whatever Westminster will impose on us. Even though our voting patterns means that we are not represented.

Given the choice many will choose freedom.

And many, including me, would not support it. I'm glad it's not on the referendum as it just clouded the key issue - independence yes or no - and would have split both the yes and no votes and left the most popular choice without an overall majority. At least whatever wins a majority of people will have voted for it

Not sure what you mean by not represented at Westminster? I voted for a guy called Mark Lazarowicz and he represents my constituency.

Freedom? A tad melodramatic.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Who said otherwise!?

I don't see why you think that should be a topic for comment by either side as part if this referendum given it is not an option?

Sorry Jocko [hope that is not offensive!} I miss read your post! blame Manflu.

Not an option, but what the majority of Scots seem to want.

 

[NWJocko]

Sorry Jocko [hope that is not offensive!} I miss read your post! blame Manflu.

Not an option, but what the majority of Scots seem to want.

No worries, in the onset of it myself, dreadful affliction!!

Yep, I think its what Salmond wanted ideally aswell.

FD makes a good point on e split of yes/no votes were it on the ballot. At least this is a "clean" vote.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I am going for a Manflu citation.
The two prize rams [£5k a piece] in the nursery field in front of my house decide to make a break for freedom by jumping a 3' fence.
Single handed I managed to get them up the road and into a neighbouring field. At times I was ankle deep in mud whilst wearing my [now ruined] slippers. I managed all this whilst in a condition that rendered me barely able to make a cup of tea.

 

[Foxholer]

I am going for a Manflu citation.
The two prize rams [£5k a piece] in the nursery field in front of my house decide to make a break for freedom by jumping a 3' fence.
Single handed I managed to get them up the road and into a neighbouring field. At times I was ankle deep in mud whilst wearing my [now ruined] slippers. I managed all this whilst in a condition that rendered me barely able to make a cup of tea.

Isn't that pretty much exactly what any mother of two (especially twins) does every times she goes shopping?

I carried a 'pet ram', that had become bloated and couldn't stand/walk after eating crab apples, over half a mile down the road to the Vet - twice - many moons ago! Sheep are truly stupid creatures!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Isn't that pretty much exactly what any mother of two (especially twins) does every times she goes shopping?

I carried a 'pet ram', that had become bloated and couldn't stand/walk after eating crab apples, over half a mile down the road to the Vet - twice - many moons ago! Sheep are truly stupid creatures!

It always amazes me how high they can jump from a standing start.
I saw one clear a 4 foot fence up near Inverewe once.
Tell you what, you would step off the pavement if you saw my two rams coming.

Last year my then three year old grandaughter insisted on knowing their names.
To keep the peace I said one was Billy Big Boy and the other was Gordon Goolie.
We were standing talking to my nice church going neighbour this spring when she announced 'Papa look, Billy Big Boy is back in the field'
Thankfully she did not remember the second ones name.

 

[Val]

Not so much 'show their hand' as 'have their AGM'!

There would be nothing to stop Scotland from using the Pound as its currency though. Just has a different set of risks to Currency Union!

Absolutely, and that is the problem for a number of companies.

If there was a Scottish pound, surely it can only be used in Scotland then it would also require an exchange rate for crossing the border, very messy.

 

[Val]

Not sure what you mean by not represented at Westminster? I voted for a guy called Mark Lazarowicz and he represents my constituency.

Always baffles me that no representation or an unelected government nonsense. We all have a voice there, whether you have a good bad or indifferent MP is another matter I suppose. Us, well we have Pamela Nash MP who became the baby of the house when she was voted in.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I note quite a few other companies and organisations are also 'looking at' the possibility of moving if its a yes vote.

A point to note, rather than argue the semantics, is that any large company with shareholders has a legally binding duty to assess and report on all potential risks and threats it can 'see' in the coming year. So in publishing these comments they are only showing a duty of care and a professional responsible attitude to their shareholders with a possible solution should the 'risk' materialise, in my opinion.

No - I think that you are absolutely right on this (and as I likewise noted in post #1080). Now that some companies have stated their identification of a risk associated with there being a YES vote the shareholders of other Scotland-based companies will want to know that their companies are likewise cognisant of the risks and want to know that their companies are assessing the risks and managing them accordingly.

And so we will see in the next weeks and months every major company in Scotland making a similar statement as they will have to do for their shareholders. But a company identifying a risk does not mean that the risk will have a significant negative impact on the business of a company - indeed taking a risk can often result in a positive outcome.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

And plenty are still to show their hand.

The biggest issue is for businesses are far as I see it is the uncertainty over currency, that is a major stumbling block to over come. Danny Alexander has re-iterated that there is no prospect of a currency union and it is not a bluff, that leaves a lot of Scottish companies who cross border trade into other parts of the UK with a major headache.

He will say that in public - but when he has the chairmen of EVERY major company in Scotland coming to him in private and asking him whether there is absolutely 100% no chance of Scotland becoming part of a 'Sterling Zone' in the event of a YES - what will he say. They will look him in the eye and ask - you do know what this could mean to Scotland and it's people - and you the rUK government are willing to force Scotland to operate outside of the EU and a 'sterling zone' with all that that might entail. Because if you are saying this as part of your 'Campaign Fear' then please be fully aware of the real meaning of what you say.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The No campaign have been silent on Devo Max as it isn't on the table!?! What are you expecting them to comment on?

Salmond wanted Devo Max on the ballot paper but Cameron/Westinster called his bluff so it is Independence or Union.

I tend to agree that Devo Max would romp it were it available as an option.....

They could offer Devo-max as a means to ensure a NO vote. So why don't they?

 

[Val]

No - I think that you are absolutely right on this (and as I likewise noted in post #1080). Now that some companies have stated their identification of a risk associated with there being a YES vote the shareholders of other Scotland-based companies will want to know that their companies are likewise cognisant of the risks and want to know that their companies are assessing the risks and managing them accordingly.

And so we will see in the next weeks and months every major company in Scotland making a similar statement as they will have to do for their shareholders. But a company identifying a risk does not mean that the risk will have a significant negative impact on the business of a company - indeed taking a risk can often result in a positive outcome.

Too early yet for many especially those opposed to a yes vote, particularly those who are involved in anything to do with government funded works or supply, those who have development programmes that are in planning stages or waiting on planning decisions or basically anyone who might find that not siding with the current Scottish Government could make things fro0m a business point of view difficult.

I'm not for 1 minute suggesting anything corrupt is going on or could go on all im saying is there is still an element of caution from businesses.

 

[Val]

He will say that in public - but when he has the chairmen of EVERY major company in Scotland coming to him in private and asking him whether there is absolutely 100% no chance of Scotland becoming part of a 'Sterling Zone' in the event of a YES - what will he say. They will look him in the eye and ask - you do know what this could mean to Scotland and it's people - and you the rUK government are willing to force Scotland to operate outside of the EU and a 'sterling zone' with all that that might entail. Because if you are saying this as part of your 'Campaign Fear' then please be fully aware of the real meaning of what you say.

If the chairmen of these companies is asking him in private then why are many companies still looking at contingency plans in the even of no currency union?

Also consider this, why has no major Scottish based company publicly shown support for the YES campaign? If there has been any I've not seen it.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

If the chairmen of these companies is asking him in private then why are many companies still looking at contingency plans in the even of no currency union?

Also consider this, why has no major Scottish based company publicly shown support for the YES campaign? If there has been any I've not seen it.

They will have to put contingency plans in place in case it DOESN'T come about - besides they may not yet have asked.

Maybe because YES contains a risk whereas NO doesn't (other than the UK leaving the EU) - and if they support a YES they will have to explain how they can do that given the uncertainty over currency etc. I think you are therefore more likely to have companies sit on the fence saying they are OK either way.