Is Scottish independence a 'good or bad' thing?

How is joining the Euro any better than sharing the Pound?

In my view none of the options being presented - Pound, Euro or independent currency - would actually give Scotland independence.

As far as currency is concerned, by far the best option for Scotland is to remain within the UK and continue using the Pound.

Well just make sure you take into account that taking the big foreign currency industries out of the pound area (oil, fish, whiskey) could easily cause a run on the pound... The whole thing sounds well dodgy to me. Way better to go for an even more federal uk by promoting how successful devolution has been to places like Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle.
Thus creating a Federal UK on the lines of Germany or Australia

I am actually in favour of Federalism. It just doesn't seem to be on the political agenda atm.

I am actually in favor of a Federal Europe as well to a certain extent but that is more to do with a dream I have of living in a world with less boundaries around it but I guess that is another issue.

No - not at all. Its just a point of interest that a Scottish voter should take into account. Will voting yes make my neighbours poorer (stuff like destabilizing pound)?

From what I understand its much more popular in the English regions now then when John Prescott first pushed the boat out. I guess everything is in wait state until after the referendum.

Using the euro would be better than using the pound because the rates would be set by an institution which Scotland was part of (The EU) as opposed to an institution of a foreign country (Bank of England)

The BoE isn't an institution of a foreign country so long as Scotland is part of the UK. It would, however, become a foreign instituion if we go independent.

Furthermore, I'd question how much influence Scotland would have over the ECB and how that would be preferable to the situation in the UK.

I never said the bank of England was an institution of a foreign country atm.

I said in the event of Scottish independence it is crazy to use the pound which has rates set by a country Scotland has no say in.

Apologies, I misunderstood what you were saying.

However, my second point stands. How much will the ECB be influenced by Scotland compared to how much the BoE is influenced by Scotland?

It's okay, I never seen you're second point

It's not that Scotland would have much influence if they joined the euro, they wouldn't have much. They would however have more say if they were in the euro than the pound as they would be part of the EU in the event of Independence and not part of the old UK (where they would now have absolutely no say at all)

How does Scotland have absolutely no say at the moment?

The BoE sets it's policies after looking at the UK as a whole. Scotland and the Scottish economy must therefore influence UK monetary policy.

In the EU we would be just another voice. We already know that ECB policy is heavily directed by the needs of the Euro's largest economies.

Again, I didn't say Scotland has no say atm.

I say Scotland would have absolutely no say in the result of an independent Scotland.

I covered that. I said Scotland would have little say but some say at least. An independent Scotland would have no say in determining rates if they kept the pound.

Ok, allow me to rephrase the question.

If Scotland becomes independent, how would any of the options available (Pound sharing, Euro or independent currency) be preferable to the current situation?

Scotlands population is 8.5% of the total UK population. It contributes 9.9% of UK tax revenues yet only receives back 8.9% in spending. So yes it does get more than it should, but it also contributes more than it should.

I never said the bank of England was an institution of a foreign country atm.

I said in the event of Scottish independence it is crazy to use the pound which has rates set by a country Scotland has no say in.

Is this an attack on me or a general point?

Possibly.

Are you suggesting that that English people should also have a vote on the issue as it may affect them too?

So why are the SNP so keen on it? Surely it's admitting that the status quo is better for Scotland than full independence?


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