Is Scottish independence a 'good or bad' thing?

This, this is, toooooo, good!

Spot the difference?

This, this is, toooooo, good!

Spot the difference?

Yes, I am just pointing out that there is little/no economic case for independence, however the SNP have offered policies which will cost massive amounts (e.g. free nurseries (which they may already do)) which will increase the deficit even more. This alongside starting the decline of the three major parts of the Scottish economy. (Financial-> rUK, Oil-> declining revenues/reserves, Whisky-> atleast short term increased currency conversion costs.)

However I wouldn't be surprised if after (half) a decade the deficit was doubled.

Standard and Poors have said we'll have a Triple A credit rating compared to the UK's Double A rating

We've paid £64 billion more into the UK than we've received back out over the last 30 years, [Citation needed] Trident will cost us millions to replace and the UK are spending another few hundred million on fighter jets that we wouldnt need post-independence so those things would free up some cash surely? [No, in fact you will have to pay for more than this. See the last page or two. You will have to pay for lots of setting up costs for the SDF.]

Opportunities to adjust the tax system to suit ourselves would surely help businesses here and Standard and Poors have said we'll have a Triple A credit rating [Citation needed also Fitch said that Scotland would have a worse credit rating.]compared to the UK's Double A rating, I think there's a great economic case for independence. [Not anymore]

Most of the impartial, qualified commentators on the topic have said Scotland can be a thriving independent country (Standard and Poor's being one) [Citation needed].

To take your Free Nurseries point, if you didn't think we can afford it quite entitled to vote the SNP out post-Yes, it's not as if free child-care is mandatory for independent countries!

I'm not sure why you think those three industries will decline post-independence?
Finance -> Moves lots of their Business to rUK where the economy will be more stable short-term. (See Standard Life)
Oil -> Less oil = less revenues.
Whisky -> Lots of the whisky is shipped/sold in UK, there will be import tax, declining profit. Declining taxable profit. declining tax revenues.
These three industries are the main parts of Scotland's economy.

The oil is declining yes but our GDP per capita is the same as the UK's even without the oil, and becoming independent allows us to invest in renewable energy and keep the proceeds (something we couldn't do within the Union). [Barnet formula gives it back] Scotland harbours 1/4 of Europes Wind and Tidal energy, this could be worth billions to us forever ahmen.

The financial industry.. Again not sure why you think this will decline? Bearing in mind none of the financial institutions have said they would leave (yes including Standard Life and RBS). [One word. Stability. Financial institutions are averse to risk, all the uncertainty, between winning the vote and independence will give the companies time to move south of the border, where they know what currency they will be using. Also I think that an EU law forces financial institutions to be based in the country where they do the majority of their business.]

And Whisky transaction costs, we already export to various countries around the world, incurring transaction costs along the way so what would change. There may be transaction costs to export to rUK but that's only in the event of no currency union (unlikely).[Why unlikely? The British electorate is firmly against the currency union, and opposition is rising, this would be political suicide to reverse on. Also there will be import taxes, even if there is a currency union.]

You've been reading too much SNP propaganda. They've said no such thing. And three of the seven main credit rating agencies rate the UK as AAA.

Seems silly, most people are advised, rightly so, to have a private pension plan that they can use on retirement.

'Even excluding North Sea output, and calculating per capita GDP only by looking only at onshore income, Scotland would qualify for our highest economic assessment.'

Direct quote from the report

We've paid £64 billion more into the UK than we've received back out over the last 30 years

Trident will cost us millions to replace and the UK are spending another few hundred million on fighter jets that we wouldnt need post-independence so those things would free up some cash surely?

Opportunities to adjust the tax system to suit ourselves would surely help businesses here

Standard and Poors have said we'll have a Triple A credit rating compared to the UK's Double A rating, I think there's a great economic case for independence.

Most of the impartial, qualified commentators on the topic have said Scotland can be a thriving independent country (Standard and Poor's being one).

The oil is declining yes but our GDP per capita is the same as the UK's even without the oil, and becoming independent allows us to invest in renewable energy and keep the proceeds (something we couldn't do within the Union). Scotland harbours 1/4 of Europes Wind and Tidal energy, this could be worth billions to us forever ahmen.

The financial industry.. Again not sure why you think this will decline? Bearing in mind none of the financial institutions have said they would leave (yes including Standard Life and RBS).

'Even excluding North Sea output, and calculating per capita GDP only by looking only at onshore income, Scotland would qualify for our highest economic assessment.'

Direct quote from the report

...

Are you a Scottish resident? If so will try my best to respond to your comments when I finish work. If not obviously no point discussing it.

On the Standard and Poors report though you can see a quote on my post above. Google provides info on it too.

And on the RBS point, all RBS have said on the referendum in it's totality is this: they are investigating an EU law which states financial institutions can't be based in a country different to where they do most of their business - if it is clear they are doing so to avoid stricter regulation - (Sorry can't do bold type on my phone)

So in other words i think it's clear that RBS are just doing their due dilligence like any sensible business would. Haven't said they're leaving though, likewise Standard Life.

The problem that NO-campaigners faced is actually getting voters through the door to vote. Many won't be bothered I expect.

Justification?

Justification?


Posted from TSR Mobile

No justification. Just common sense.

Many will just think "**** it, I've got enough to do today" simply because the pro-vote weighs more in activity than the no-vote.