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161 thoughts on “The Blog That Reaches the Parts…

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  • Fedup

    Good luck Craig,

    Don’t forget to get it recorded for youtube, to reach a wider audience who could not attend the meeting.

  • BrianFujisan

    nice one… Yes get it on Video as Fedup Says

    Craig hope you don’t… I posted on George Galloway’s Facebook page..that you have said you would be happy to debate him on indy – After he had put up you’re ‘ Forget Those Shredded Children, Hadley Freeman is the Real Victim Here ‘ – thread…. Good on him for helping spread that…And of course to you for Writing / Posting it

  • here's a question

    Yes, here are three questions for you.

    First, the £85000 question:

    if Scotland goes independent and the Scottish Government fails to agree on a currency union with the independent country next door, how much will it cost to set up a Scottish financial services compensation scheme to protect people’s bank deposits at the level at which they will continue to be protected if Scotland stays in the UK (£85000)?

    Note that having such a level of protection (€100,000 or equivalent) is a necessary condition, but not a sufficient one, for EU membership.

    Note further that independent countries cannot expect their citizens’ bank deposits to be guaranteed by foreign countries, even if the accounts are held in banks registered in those countries.

    Second,

    if an independent Scotland has its own currency, how much additional cost will the average Scottish family incur in changing currency, for example when buying rUK pounds when going south of the border to visit family, when buying goods from down south online, or when changing back unspent rUK pounds on coming home?

    And third,

    is it, er, sensible, for Alex Salmond to threaten to renege on Scotland’s share of UK debt if the independent country next door does not agree to his demand for a currency union? Has he taken advice on what the response may be from international banks and rating agencies, and if so what advice did he receive?

  • Jane T

    Questions: if, as the polls predict, the Scottish people vote to stay in the UK,

    1) will Alex Salmond resign as First Minister?

    2) will he support the calling of a Scottish general election right away, without waiting two years until 2016?

  • Stevenson

    Salmond will not resign in the event of a ‘No’ vote and the SNP is likely to be returned in 2016 with another overall majority. The majority in favour of DevoMax will see the need to fight Scotland’s corner within the UK, against the inevitable British reaction to the referendum and the increasingly dysfunctional British system. The SNP have made devolution credible and successful in a way that London controlled parties will never be capable of and that is how they will be judged at Holyrood rather than on the Referendum result.

  • deepgreenpuddock

    Insch- home to a very expensive pre- history theme park that was meant to be a major tourist attraction and resource and was, it was hoped, provide a source of revenue for the locals, providing services to the hordes of visitors from far and wide. Everything was ‘right’ about the project on paper.
    It was a fantastic example of magical thinking by Aberdeenshire councillors, who ploughed largish amounts of cash into the project. Location is important.

    I think Archaeolink would make a near perfect case study of how local politics and politicians can go adrift and how to become suspended in a dilemma . Best intentions not always a guide to the outcome?

    As for the event-I will be there.for once an event is within my evening travelling range. Hooray.
    Am still mystified by the location though. The bowling club wont hold many people, and if it is being advertised here and George Galloway facebook, it may attract numbers.
    Nearby Inverurie would be an interesting venue. Not far from a host of farmer No voters but I guess
    If the word gets out, they will be on their way to Insch.
    The local community are aggressively reactionary (known locally as ‘independent thinking’ or ‘thrawn’).
    They do their money sums carefully and that is how they order and inform their world-with money sums. Anything else is frippery. A bawbee is a bawbee.
    I think this could be a lively one. It may even go down in history, like the Turra Coo.
    Watch out for the unexpected (if that makes sense). Don’t be surprised if a herd of coos is marshalled outside or some other agricultural demonstration is enacted, or some spoiler. (I would have a plan B ready)
    I will be taking my camera. I will also try to get my tee shirt ready for the event.

  • Mary

    The Bitter Together attack dogs could at least have the decency to frame their ‘questions’ to Craig in a less aggressive manner.

  • craig Post author

    Deepgreenpudock

    Not sure where you live, but there may be one even closer to you. At the moment have St Andrews 26th, Insch 28th and Dundee 29th. 27th is being worked on at the minute probably again somewhere small around Deeside – and possibly a lunchtime meeting at one of the Aberdeen universities. Also trying to fit in something at Cupar Fife.

  • paul

    Heresaquestion:
    First:
    A ridiculous point as the rum,in its own interests,will happily have a currency union. Currently accounts are guaranteed by the shared assets of the union, so Scotland,s share would cover any costs in the event of division.
    If,my preferred option, scotland was forced into an independent currency then it would guarantee them in its own denomination-at no cost.
    Second:
    The same costs they incur travelling to any other country,is bugger all. A national exchangecould be organised to iincreased she competition in this area. I hoppe into Poland from Germany and they were delighted to be paid in zlotys or euros. It,s all money.
    Third:
    Of course it is. If the ball is taken away, then the game is off and the blame lies with the party that withdrew said ball.
    You seem to have a rather too generous opinion of international financial institions and the ratings spiv.
    Fuck em.

  • Mary

    12 August 2014

    Scottish independence: Danny Alexander in post-Yes currency vow

    ‘The chief secretary to the Treasury has insisted he will continue to oppose a currency union even if Scotland votes for independence.

    Danny Alexander told a BBC referendum debate in Inverness that such a deal would leave Scotland with less economic freedom than it has now.

    But SNP MP Angus Robertson described a formal arrangement to share the pound as “eminently sensible”.

    He said it was the best of a “range of options” open to Scotland.

    Earlier this year, Mr Alexander joined Chancellor George Osborne and Labour’s Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls in ruling out entering into a formal currency union with an independent Scotland.’

    He makes the mistake of believing that anyone is interested in his thought.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28766407

  • nevermind, it will happen anyway

    Good luck with the tour, Craig, got a wedding on the 30th.here in Norwich. Would have loved to attend one of the debates.
    The interlopers interest, shouting questions at you further up, and almost instantly, make it obvious to all readers here, that your site is important to them and that many come here to read.

    Might see you DTRH if I can find another lift.

  • deepgreenpuddock

    Hi Am in Aberdeen, but can’t do lunchtimes.
    Insch is fine. If you need a venue on Deeside-there is the Crathes hall,holds about 140. I could possibly assist in a booking and setting up.
    There is also Woodend Barn (arts venue) in Banchory, but suspect it would be more expensive and less readily available.
    There are other village halls around Deeside. Pretty sure one would be available.
    All are potentially very lively locations for a debate/meeting.

  • Tony_0pmoc

    7:50, 8:01 & 8:02,

    The World’s currency system is currently going through a revolution, which even if we succeed in avoiding a probably terminal World War III, is likely to be extremely traumatic for everyone – not least the USA, which has off-shored virtually all of its productive wealth producing industry and is rapidly becoming a Third World country.

    If something is broken – and the current economic system is the equivalent of a virus ridden 25 year old computer running Windows 3.1, then its best to dump all the hardware and system software, and replace it with something extremely well designed which is both reliable, secure and which works.

    If Scotland really wants its own Independence, then the only way it can really achieve it is by having its own economic system, its own government controlled central bank, and its own currency.

    There is absolutely no reason, why this should not be far more successful, than the current disastrous mess, and Scotland could in fact lead the way, in showing the rest of the world how it can be done.

    There are small working models already in existence, that have not been crushed by the dinosaurs – even in the USA – for example the Bank of North Dakota. Northern English Building Societies used to operate successfully on similar lines – before being swamped with short term profits (for their owners – the people who saved their money there).

    A good place to learn what is possible, and will work is Ellen Brown’s “The Public Bank Solution”

    “WHAT WALL STREET DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW
    Shock waves from one Wall Street scandal after another have completely disillusioned us with our banking system; yet we cannot do without banks. Nearly all money today is simply bank credit. Economies run on it, and it is created when banks make loans. The main flaw in the current model is that private profiteers have acquired control of the credit spigots. They can cut off the flow, direct it to their cronies, and manipulate it for personal gain at the expense of the producing economy. The benefits of bank credit can be maintained while eliminating these flaws, through a system of banks operated as public utilities, serving the public interest and returning their profits to the public. This book looks at the public bank alternative, and shows with examples from around the world and through history that it works admirably well, providing the key to sustained high performance for the economy and well-being for the people”

    Tony

  • nevermind, it will happen anyway

    How about getting on radio up there? Can you get Craig on to the local station in Aberdeen, or is this all BBC led?

    On a good day and with the right amplification there is nowthing to stop Craig have a soapbox meeting outside, on the market, near the harbour, wherever the most people are walking about. This could be advertised on the radio gig…. just sayin’

  • MJ

    “the rum [UK?],in its own interests,will happily have a currency union”

    What is it about the word no that you don’t understand?

    “Currently accounts are guaranteed by the shared assets of the union, so Scotland,s share would cover any costs in the event of division”

    As no longer a member of the union (independence, remember?)Scotland would not have a share of UK assets.

    “If,my preferred option, scotland was forced into an independent currency”

    It’s unusual to have a preferred option that involves being forced into anything.

    You are in denial. The latest opinion poll shows Yes 35%, No 55%. There are only five weeks to go. The Yes campaign is haemorrhaging support. Salmond is scaring off voters with his failure to offer a coherent response to the currency issue. “I’m sure something will turn up” is not an adequate response. It was idiotic to announce the marriage without first consulting the bride.

    The SNP needs to act decisively and fast otherwise you may as well give up.

  • deepgreenpuddock

    A thought – if you wanted to be highly inflamm-a-tory. you could try to set up a meeting in Crathie (not to be confused with Crathes) which is the little village that is close to Balmoral and where the Queen attends sunday services at the local kirk.
    I once took my mother in law to see the queen there .(She liked that kind of thing).
    There was a crowd but from my elevated position I could see individuals who were strikingly different to the rest of the crowd and whose eyes did not follow the trajectory of the unfolding regal arrival. They kept their eyes firmly fixed on sections of the crowd.
    Even better would be a ‘Yes’ Scotland tent . I could sell my tee shirts there with the big arse of B.J, or Danny Alexander to kiss (exclusively a treat for No Voters). (If they ever get printed).
    a. the Lonach gathering. 23rd of August
    b. the Braemar Highland Games 6th September
    That would really be taking it to the heart of the establishment.

  • paul

    MJ
    If they declare no currency union then they are forcing an independent currency. I happento favour this as a first choice and would find it rich if the tripartite coalition did force it,which they won’t.
    The part of no l don,’t understand is all of it when used by coalition members, eg ‘no top down reorganisation of the NHS’
    I’m not in denial, I support true independence and have no need of polls to tell me which way to jump.
    Forgive the typos,I’m using one of those new fangled tablets for the first time.

  • Here's a question

    Paul,

    A ridiculous point as the rum,in its own interests,will happily have a currency union.

    Do you realise you are refusing to consider the possibility that there will be no currency union, and telling what will be another independent country what is in its interests>?

    The same costs they incur travelling to any other country,is bugger all.

    Have you ever been abroad, Paul? There’s a charge for buying foreign currencies. You can’t buy baguettes in Calais or potatoes in Dublin with GBPs.

    Of course it is. (…) You seem to have a rather too generous opinion of international financial institions and the ratings spiv. Fuck em.

    Did you know a country without their support will go bankrupt?

    For goodness sake, take off those rose-tinted spectacles, man!

    There’s nothing aggressive about any of the five questions.

  • MJ

    Paul: if you want independence then having your own currency is not a choice, it’s a prerequisite.

    “The part of no l don,’t understand is all of it when used by coalition members, eg ‘no top down reorganisation of the NHS’”

    You’re clutching at straws. That was part of the Conservative manifesto. This is different. All three main parties have said no. If you’re gambling on the UK timidly caving in and changing its mind after a Yes vote then you still have to have a Plan B, just in case you miscalculated.

  • Clark

    MJ, what’s got into you? You used to make sense, but now you’re just spouting propagandistic nonsense. Are you playing devil’s advocate?

  • Duchy of Savile

    MJ, you are talking out your ass, treating independence as a flash cutover. That is not how it happens in the world. (Unless you City of London parasites do a Milosevic and invade to keep your motley little empire. Even that worked out fine for the Slovenian freedom-fighters, as you know.)

    Monetary policy is only complicated when you let the bankers run it. Nothing stops government reserving money creation for itself. That is what you’re really scared of – the threat that Scotland does it right.

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