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Always have a backup

Posted on February 01, 2014 by

69 to “Always have a backup”

  1. Bugger (the Panda) says:

    Absolutely brilliant!

    Only regret it that it is not a Panda or two but, Hamish will do for me.

    Reply
  2. uilleam_beag says:

    Fantastic – I look forward to the day we can start spending our “Hamishes” in the local corner shop!

    (The upside of this is we could also start out debt-free, freeing up millions in repayments that could go straight into the oil fund.)

    Reply
  3. bunter says:

    #wolf last night Rev. I will make sure I tell the grandkids of this day LOL

    Reply
  4. link to bankofengland.co.uk if they choose to accept it.

    Not bad rates link to ebay.co.uk if we can convert our every used note to these.

    Reply
  5. Boorach says:

    Ivan McKee on GMS discussing this now.

    Superb cartoon!

    Reply
  6. Quaichmaker says:

    Does peatworrier know Hamish has borrowed his syrup?

    Reply
  7. Famous15 says:

    It is plan C, D and E also.Sterling it is. We will just have to accept ceding the amount of sovereignty that does not allow us (and rUK) to act irresponsibly like Greece,Spain,Brown and Darling.

    Darling and Balls are now frothing at the mouth as they try to deny Scotland and out Tory the Tories.

    Reply
  8. Ken500 says:

    Banks in Scotland had the right to print bank notes. Never a borrower or a lender be. Scotland would be at least £10Billion+ better off a year if Independent. No Trident, illegal wars, no debt repayments (on monies not borrowed or spent). A tax on cheap ‘loss leading’ drink, etc. Better infrastructure would help the economy. Admnistration/Defence/Renewable jobs in Scotland would add to the economy. Instead of increasing the congested southern flood plains.

    Reply
  9. GP Walrus says:

    I thought for a minute it said “THIEF EXECUTIVE” under the signature.

    Reply
  10. Murray McCallum says:

    If we print these off now can we spend them?

    Reply
  11. Paul says:

    Can we get rid of the word Royal and put in National instead

    Reply
  12. O/T: Proud Cybernat badges on sale now – as advertised in the Scottish Daily Mail!

    link to logicsrock.blogspot.co.uk

    Reply
  13. fairiefromtheearth says:

    Their used to be hundreds of independant banks in Scotland the goverment of the time dident like this so they were all rolled into one the TSB. Yes it is time we had a national bank whoes notes are backed by sterling silver, not more fiat currency.

    Reply
  14. call me dave says:

    When they ask Mr Salmond about plan ‘B’ they already know the answer. Mr Carney also is very aware, hence the tip toeing around the issue. It’s the not to be mentioned option.

    Currency union then after a suitable period we can float Hamish on the markets and very popular he will be.

    PS

    I like this… OH YES!

    link to archive.is

    Reply
  15. heedtracker says:

    “Britain today is constructed on a slope, with much of the money and talent rolling towards Boris Johnson. That can’t be right”

    From this fine Aberdeen morn’s ever weirder Guardian Scotland news section about a journo from York going back to York after a career in London. His theme for the day? Wants UK money, talent, transport investment to roll back to the North of England, with Scotland paying for it too, as per.

    I am so not a unionist.

    Reply
  16. airchie says:

    I’ve always thought a Scottish government after independence should look into the use of complimentary currencies.

    http://freico.in is one interesting one based on the same tech as bitcoin but which charges a demurrage fee automatically.

    The most interesting one was the stamp scrip introduced by the mayor of Worgl during the great depression. I think a modernied version of stamp scrip using digital technology and backed by the Scottish government would transform Scotland. You can read all about it here.
    link to lietaer.com

    Reply
  17. kendomacaroonbar says:

    Noteworthy

    IGMC

    Reply
  18. HandandShrimp says:

    Prof Curtice had a piece in the Guardian the other day which actually quite interesting and discussed currency as an issue. His view is that the No side are overplaying thw whole thing.

    link to theguardian.com

    Reply
  19. Edward says:

    Boorach
    Listened to GMS this morning and enjoyed Ivan McKee taking Better Together’s Alan smith apart.
    It got so bad for Alan Smith that he started spouted unconstructed argument that even the BBC presenter/interviewer queried what smith was coming out with

    Reply
  20. Could enjoy reading (and sharing) a Wings style dissection of the BBC’s view in all of this link to bbc.co.uk

    Reply
  21. Dorothy Devine says:

    I have just found “Leithal Yak”, I’m sorry I’ve been so slow.
    Brilliant stuff!

    Reply
  22. heedtracker says:

    “No side are overplaying thw whole thing” or fear is the key! What wealthy chaps like Prof Curtice always manage to forget/ignore is just how many Scots have virtually no UK pounds now and they earn tiny amounts of these pounds for very long hours and get taxed hard to boot.

    Reply
  23. G H Graham says:

    The attitude of the British Government & indeed of the English media (including The Herald & The Scotsman) towards the Euro is to constantly rubbish the idea of the European currency union because they claim it has been a disaster.

    Sure, there have been problems with member states mismanaging their economy (ironic that the UK which will have 1.5 trillion pounds of debt (>95% of GDP) by the next UK general election).

    This is nevertheless somewhat at odds with reality; the Euro has steadily increased in value against Pounds Sterling over the last 15 years (coincidentally at the same time the Scottish Parliament returned to Edinburgh). You can pick a date to move the rate around but it is in the 15% to 20% range.

    In essence then their is a chronic narrative to downplay a currency union even though it has performed better than the pound.

    I expect then that this narrative will be repeated & continued regarding Scotland’s decision to return to full sovereign independence.

    It won’t matter that Scotland’s GDP is higher than the rUK or that unemployment is lower or that the debt to GDP ratio in Scotland is lower than that in rUK. And it won’t matter that Scotland is controlled by a unicameral system while rUK continues with an unelected house of >700 peers & English Bishops.

    The British will remain in complete denial that their country is effectively financially & morally bankrupt. And will continue to rubbish Scotland long into the future.

    This is what happens when empires crumble & once financially strong countries slowly disintegrate as they slide down towards 2nd class/Tim Henman/Bolton Wanderers status.

    Reply
  24. Ken500 says:

    Graham Avery, Senior Policy Adviser, European Policy Centre – Parliamentry Channel – discussing EU. Euro not a problem

    Patricia Ferguson – Labour Maryhill – not happy

    Nothing in Treaty (EU) to capitalise on geographical States. All good for EU on balance, Scottish membership. No policies on big or large State. Interesting. Smaller States prevail.

    ‘On Indepentistem EU is neutral’.

    Reply
  25. HandandShrimp says:

    David

    Ah the Peston piece which managed to take a technical piece designed to be non-political and turn into in a Unionist piece. Son of a Labour Peer Robert has a knack of annoying, although by and large I think it is usually the political right in England that are throwing darts at his picture.

    Reply
  26. Ken500 says:

    Doesn’t have to join Euro, unless it wants to and meets the criteria. Sweden hasn’t. Has to meet trading rules in or out.

    Oh Wee Lamentable thingy

    Reply
  27. Dal Riata says:

    @heedtracker

    I’ve seen you mention oftentimes the rabid pro-Union bias that The Press & Journal print.

    I have known one of the editors there for many years (although I haven’t spoken to, or seen this person for a while). This person is a fully paid-up member of the Labour party who is very much best of pals with the one and only “Alex Salmond has lost credibilty by not being honest and must now consider his position as First Minister.”(circa 2012) Brian Wilson. Now I’m not making any allegations here, but you can make up your own mind.

    That, and being owned by Tories, D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd, makes for a fine pro-Better Together MSM contribution – allegedly – don’t you think?

    Reply
  28. handclapping says:

    That’s grand, Chris.

    Reply
  29. Ken500 says:

    The £ has fallen against the Euro. The Euro is stronger. £ was €1.44 now €1.21

    The UK Treasury is printing money devaluing, not paying off debts. It increases UK – EU contributions £1/2Billion.

    The country in the EU most affected by the banking crash were borrowing on London unregulated lending markets. Spain, Portugal (holiday homes) IR (housing boom) Iceland -two corrupt bankers buying British companies. When Iceland (1/2million pop) gov can to sell off the assets, the (inflated) value had fallen.

    Thatcher demutualised the Building Societies owned by their members and deregulated the Banking sector, so the Tory bankers could gamble the Mortgage book. The UK/US banks were allowed to delevaged from 25% to 13%. Reagan/Thatcher/Clinton/Brown. ‘Inside Job’.

    Reply
  30. gordoz says:

    Completely off topic sorry. (The pound issue is a side show no brainer as the cartoon depicts – let BT get on with it)

    But this was just a thought.

    Was wondering if anyone else thought there might be an avenue for development of YES clubs / Independence clubs where all like minded folk could meet up socially, after September. (along the lines of Labour clubs etc, dotted all over Scotland); to keep the momentum going right up to the actual Independence day.

    Anyone else have a view ?

    Reply
  31. TheGreatBaldo says:

    OT

    If you only read on thing today, make sure it is this demolition of World War I porn by Brither Bell in the Herald…

    Sentimental romantic nostalgic Tory British nationalism spit roasted to perfection…

    link to heraldscotland.com

    Reply
  32. Ken500 says:

    An Aberdeen taxi driver has decked out his taxi in Yes. Others are going to follow suit. Imagine the Yes/Satires flying by September.

    Reply
  33. HandandShrimp says:

    It has been an good week

    The poll at the beginning showing us closing the gap, Carney, despite the press bluster, outlining how a currency union would work, Jackson’s bizarre intervention in the national bird vote, Lang’s offensive bagsying of the political allegiance of all war dead since 1707, and Johann’s weegate episode which has earned her serious brick bats in the Labour press. I can’t see Labour replacing her now and this is good. Then to cap it all we had the damp squib that was the 500,000 leaflets campaign where at the drop of a hat we had more people at the stations than they did.

    It has been so busy that some of that stuff has got lost in the general noise but we should come back to Jackson and Lang’s comments as they are useful in that they remind people just how dismissive the Tories are of Scotland. Johann’s faux pas will I am sure run and run.

    Reply
  34. Ken500 says:

    No one believes the P&J. The N/E is a SNP stronghold and the majority are quite comfortable with Independence, Well supported. They see the meters running.

    Reply
  35. Ken500 says:

    The N/E has run out of Yes newspapers and there are plenty of volunteers to distribute them.

    Reply
  36. heedtracker says:

    @Dal Riata. The Press and Journal are printing really awful stuff about Salmond and demonising is too soft a word to describe it. Its probably the local follow through from that BetterTogether goodbye money leaflet wash out but today they’re monstering Salmond on front page banner headlines over executive earning £3500 per day. I didn’t read the small print as you don’t really have to to get their message. Just like BBC Scotland, P&J hates 4 things above all else, Alex Salmond, YES Scotland, Scottish democracy/government, Scottish renewable energy.

    Our gentlemen and ladies of the press are conducting a full scale no prisoners propaganda war and its going to be fascinating to see if they’re any good at it.

    Reply
  37. Papa docs says:

    The uk ESTABLISHMENT have had a disastrous campaign up till now. HMG, LABOUR THE PROUD PSUDO MIDDLE CLASS SCOTS (ie the unionist parties) the only thing that stops them falling apart are scare stories and lies broadcast by their propaganda units, MSM + BBC etc.

    Why if the English establishment think we are such a lost cause do they frantically want to hold onto us, by belittling us, bad mouthing us and stabbing us in the back at every opportunity, then tell us how poor, stupid and wee that we are, and need them to look after us simpletons.

    If we loose this referendum then the ENGLISH ESTABLISHMENT will have been proved correct, and the ones to hang their head will be the proud fealty Scots who can live with the consequences and try to explain to their kids a

    Reply
  38. Papa docs says:

    Sorry about that finger trouble.

    Finish previous post.

    Explain to their kids and grand kids how they sold their futures out of fear and selfishness.

    Reply
  39. Murray McCallum says:

    Gordoz
    “… development of YES clubs / Independence clubs where all like minded folk could meet up socially, after September. (along the lines of Labour clubs etc, dotted all over Scotland); to keep the momentum going right up to the actual Independence day.”

    I personally think that is a great idea. Maybe drop the reference to ‘Yes’/independence in order to unify everyone and focus all Scottish citizens on successful negotiations. It’s the beginning of our combined futures that is at stake.

    Obviously there are lots of tough steps ahead, but for me one of the key stand out things is a written Constitution. We need to make sure that this Constitution does not fall under the ownership of political parties.

    Organised political parties have a habit of ultimately disenfranchising people – they tend to make things seem too complicated, change being beyond ordinary people’s reach, making people feel small, …

    The referendum has shown the importance of individual people and diverse groups working together to get things done.

    Reply
  40. gordoz says:

    Murray McCallum

    agree – just a starting point

    Reply
  41. Dave McEwan Hill says:

    HandandShrimp at 10.19

    I agree with Curtice on this. The NAWs are chasing about on a number of issues which do not hugely resonate with ra people and imagining they are striking great blows against YES on them. I’m sure the YES team are happy to have them tied up chasing about in the undergrowth.

    What a lot of people on our side don’t seem to grasp however is that the SNP position on a shared currency is a huge problem for the NAWs. We have them by the balls on this. They would rather have us declare for separate Scottish currency then they could pour scorn on it – you know the sort of stuff – is it ten sporrans to the groat then and so on.. it will have no value with international markets.. it will be unstable with no credit rating etc etc etc..
    We are very fortunate indeed to be led by a team that is about three steps ahead of the opposition on all issues.

    A more real worry we could also face is that Scotland coming out of sterling could easily promote a collapse of sterling. At or around the point of independence that could do great damage to the Scottish economy. Enlightened self interest may not always be very satisfying but it’s very wise. Stability is absolutely essential initially.

    The unionists would like to be hinting that if Scotland foolishly decided for independence as it foundered they could generously come to its assistance with a comforting currency union – but better not to take the chance,eh?
    But instead wee Scotland is offering THEM a comforting currency union and they are on the wrong foot.

    Independence of course means that we can at any point in the future decide a different currency arrangement.

    Reply
  42. Early Ball says:

    @dalriata etc

    P&J is “going their dinger” today with the anti Salmond/anti SNP/anti Yes bile.
    However there is one beacon of light, a gem of a letter from David McEwan Hill comprehensively dealing with the currency issue.

    Reply
  43. Rough Bounds says:

    370HSSV 0773H

    This cipher message was received by the No campaign headquarters this morning. They had a lot of difficulty trying to decipher it until it was realised that they were reading it upside down. Nasty Nats are believed to be responsible.

    Reply
  44. Doug Daniel says:

    Scottish one pound notes are basically a separate currency already, shops in England don’t accept them! Not in my experience anyway.

    Reply
  45. Croompenstein says:

    Program on BBC Parliament channel tonight at 10:05 “Sterling and Scottish Independence”

    Reply
  46. Monty Carlow says:

    I have read posts indicating why the Scottish Government don’t state what their plan B is. I don’t really understand why they don’t just state that unilateral use of Sterling/Scottish £ pegged to Sterling is indeed their plan B.

    The unionists know they are bluffing when they hint at not agreeing to a formal Sterling union, and they don’t actually rule it out. Nevertheless, this creates an “uncertainty” for MSM to plug, or enables them to exaggerate the unionist reticence (i.e. lie) and state that it is not available as an option.

    Unilateral use of Sterling definitely is available. Ireland followed this mechanism for 50 years. They even changed from £sd to decimal on the same day as the UK, 15 February 1971, and their coins were the same size and shape. Irish currency was widely accepted in areas round Irish Sea ports.

    link to en.wikipedia.org

    The mechanism is broadly what already happens with Scottish bank notes, which are all backed by deposits of Sterling, guaranteeing the 1 for 1 fixed value. The only difference with Ireland and Indy Scotland is that the deposits would be held, and notes issued, by the government rather than commercial banks, and coins would be issued too.

    Other currency options are available.

    Reply
  47. FlimFlamMan says:

    @ G H Graham

    The attitude of the British Government & indeed of the English media (including The Herald & The Scotsman) towards the Euro is to constantly rubbish the idea of the European currency union because they claim it has been a disaster.

    It’s not just their view.

    Sure, there have been problems with member states mismanaging their economy…

    The Spanish government was running budget surpluses before the crash; the ‘fiscally prudent’ position. It was the private sector housing bubble and global crash that wrecked the Spanish economy, and then it was the euro and its deficit restrictions that prevented the government from fixing it.

    …(ironic that the UK which will have 1.5 trillion pounds of debt (>95% of GDP) by the next UK general election).

    UK debt is already at around 97% of GDP. And yes, the irony is that Spanish debt is at the same sort of level; projected to rise to 99% of GDP by the end of 2014.

    UK unemployment is at just over 7%, and falling.

    Spanish unemployment is at just over 26%, and rising.

    Twenty six.

    Yes, the euro is higher against sterling than it was seven years ago, but lower than it was three years ago. Do the tens of millions across Europe whose lives have been wrecked care much about that? The UK government says it wants to boost exports. A lower currency value helps exports.

    Germany has benefited from the euro, or at least its companies have, because it runs consistent current account surpluses; something which is not true for most countries and is impossible for all. But that German ‘success’ is built on wage suppression; unemployment is low but record numbers of working Germans are now living in poverty.

    The UK government has failed dismally in meeting the needs of its citizens, especially those outside London and the south-east. Scotland has the potential to be significantly better off, and not just financially, with independence. But none of that negates the fact that the euro is a disaster.

    Reply
  48. Monty Carlow says:

    @Early Ball
    “However there is one beacon of light, a gem of a letter from David McEwan Hill comprehensively dealing with the currency issue.”

    David – could you post that letter here?

    Reply
  49. FlimFlamMan says:

    @ G H Graham

    The attitude of the British Government & indeed of the English media (including The Herald & The Scotsman) towards the Euro is to constantly rubbish the idea of the European currency union because they claim it has been a disaster.

    It’s not just their view.

    Sure, there have been problems with member states mismanaging their economy…

    The Spanish government was running budget surpluses before the crash; the ‘fiscally prudent’ position. It was the private sector housing bubble and global crash that wrecked the Spanish economy, and then it was the euro and its deficit restrictions that prevented the government from fixing it.

    …(ironic that the UK which will have 1.5 trillion pounds of debt (>95% of GDP) by the next UK general election).

    UK debt is already at around 97% of GDP. And yes, the irony is that Spanish debt is at the same sort of level; projected to rise to 99% of GDP by the end of 2014.

    UK unemployment is at just over 7%, and falling.

    Spanish unemployment is at just over 26%, and rising.

    Twenty six percent.

    Yes, the euro is higher against sterling than it was seven years ago, but lower than it was three years ago. Do the tens of millions across Europe whose lives have been wrecked care much about that? The UK government says it wants to boost exports. A lower currency value helps exports.

    Germany has benefited from the euro, or at least its companies have, because it runs consistent current account surpluses; something which is not true for most countries and is impossible for all. But that German ‘success’ is built on wage suppression; unemployment is low but record numbers of working Germans are now living in poverty.

    The UK government has failed dismally in meeting the needs of its citizens, especially those outside London and the south-east. Scotland has the potential to be significantly better off, and not just financially, with independence. But none of that negates the fact that the euro is a disaster.

    Reply
  50. FlimFlamMan says:

    Whoops. Apologies for the double post. At least there are no <cite> tags.

    Reply
  51. Oneironaut says:

    @gordoz
    That whole Yes campaign meeting place idea might be a good one.

    If nothing else, it’ll create a more visible “public front” which will put down those Daily Hate-Mail articles about the Cybernats huddling anonymously in their bedrooms, typing away.

    Nope, they’re out meeting in public places, not afraid to show their allegiance! 🙂

    Just watch out for Westminster goons trying to blow up the building with us all inside! Really wouldn’t put it past them! 😉

    Reply
  52. HandandShrimp says:

    Oneironaut

    Surely that was Murphy’s worst nightmare? Evil cybernats that are able to walk in daylight. They will go into shops, meet on streets, participate in debates, vote…be just like real people!

    Oh the humanity!

    Reply
  53. FlimFlamMan says:

    @Montey Carlow

    Unilateral use of Sterling definitely is available.

    Yes; Ecuador uses the US dollar, despite open hostility from the US government. It works for them, as using sterling would probably work for Scotland, because of oil exports and the resulting current account surpluses. It only works as long as the oil creates that surplus though.

    The only difference with Ireland and Indy Scotland is that the deposits would be held, and notes issued, by the government rather than commercial banks, and coins would be issued too.

    A big difference is that for most of the 50 year Irish peg all ‘western’ currencies were part of either the gold standard or the later fixed* exchange rate gold exchange standard. Once that ended the Irish peg only lasted 6 years, or 8, depending which date you take.

    *It changed with the introduction of Special Drawing Rights in ’68, but that failed to prevent the system collapsing.

    Reply
  54. msean says:

    Funny,can I have one?

    Reply
  55. Patrician says:

    Chris,love this graphic. Looking forward to the time when we can see one of these for real 🙂

    Reply
  56. Dave McEwan Hill says:

    Monty Carlow at 12.40

    I batter out letters on a daily basis all over the place
    Might be this one I sent out on Thursday. (I sent a longer one yesterday but with less hope of getting publication)

    “The Governor of the Bank of England comes up to Scotland to sensibly discus post independence options , says exactly what the SNP has always said and we are told this is a blow to the YES campaign . Do all our heads button up the back?
    Meanwhile the UKs biggest bookmaker is giving 1/100 that there will be a currency union. It’s odd indeed when you have to go to the bookies to hear the truth .
    As Scotland has zero sovereignty at the moment the intended implication in a frantic unionist response that ceding a little of our new independent sovereignty is somehow less than our present position is patent nonsense.
    Some of the Scottish media is doing itself a lot of harm by promoting lines that can only be swallowed by half wits and we are reaching the situation when nobody can have any confidence in anything it says. “

    Reply
  57. ronnie anderson says:

    Chris Cairns, as per usual,your on the ball, a wee + sign at the £ would have been a killer blow,I,ve printed them oot fur ma G/Daughter, tae take to her school.

    Reply
  58. Dave McEwan Hill says:

    Or this one?

    “Judging by a range of opinions expressed since our visit from the Bank of England Governor Mark Carney we appear to have elected an unrepresentative selection of our population to our parliaments.

    I wouldn’t like to think that some of these tribunes of the people were deliberately distorting what they say with a view to deceiving the people of Scotland .
    In charity therefore I’ll assume we have chosen simple folk to represent us who, unlike our more typically better informed people, haven’t quite grasped a fairly simple concept.

    This is the concept of sovereignty. At the moment Scotland has no sovereignty. When we chose to be independent at that point we assume total sovereignty. We may then choose freely to cede some sovereignty by sharing it with others on, for instance, a defence pact or a currency union. However should these not work out as we wish we can, as we are independent, adapt these arrangements or in fact cancel them. That is sovereignty. That is what devo max is not.
    Understanding of this has proved elusive for some of our elected members who appear to have convinced themselves – and appear to be trying to convince many others – that Scotland having no sovereignty at all, as is the present case, is actually more powerful than Scotland having complete independence.

    I suppose this is the same contradictory debility that leads them to insist that what Mr Carney meant was actually the opposite of what he said.

    The real consequence of this is that those in the media who seek to assist and support these political figures by energetically publicising their bizarre opinions are inadvertently accelerating their destruction (and their own credibility as journalists) at the same time.”

    Reply
  59. Ken500 says:

    The P&J, EE on the case of the Police Call centre being moved to Dundee, leading the campaign, along with unelected (lost big time) Lewis McDonald. No one gives a damn, except the folk who worked there, who will easily find another job (full employment) There is a comprehensive centre being set up in Inverness for full NS emergencies.

    Workers are being killed in the NS Oil industry because UK gov Health & Safety Rules are not being implemented by UK gov administration.

    McDonald used to complain about roads not being built, while sending out letters to all constituents (public funded?), telling them to complain against the road building when ever the matter was raised. Total hypocrite.

    Reply
  60. John Jamieson says:

    Re Great Baldo at 10:52

    I read Ian Bell’s main comment article in the Herald today and looked forward to reading the coments online.

    The Herald appear to have “disappeared” it from the online version.

    Reply
  61. John Jamieson says:

    I found this link to Ian Bell’s article by searching using his profile.

    link to heraldscotland.com

    Unable to see past the first two paragraphs. It claims to be loading the rest of the content.

    Reply
  62. call me dave says:

    Mr Bell has a compelling article on this toady… (Freudian slip) today.

    link to archive.is

    Reply
  63. clochoderic says:

    A rough estimate of the final score at Johnstone station yesterday over both sessions would seem to indicate a 6-4 home win for the Wingers.

    I say home win as not one of the family of three I talked to were from, or lived in Johnstone. I got talking to the elderly UKOK patriarch for a while – old school trade unionist,,retired engineer,,lifelong socialist – in other words the kind of guy I would normally enjoy a pint with. Like reports I have been given about what the other ukokkers said to our guys it seems they really hate Salmond and Sturgeon.

    Did not see any of the other Wingers, but have been reliably briefed on their feedback to Red Leader. So hello Mosstrooper, MadMurph, CUTommy, and the others.

    Reply
  64. Albert Herring says:

    Has anyone pointed out that the UK Government presently cedes some sovereignty to the Bank of England?

    Reply
  65. Albalha says:

    Rather late in the day but I happened to be getting off a train in Dundee from Glasgow yesterday at 0720, there were 3 people giving out leaflets, some folks were taking them though I had to get going so not sure how many etc.

    Reply
  66. FlimFlamMan says:

    @Albert Herring

    The Bank of England is solely owned by the UK Treasury. It began as a private institution, but since 1946 it has been part of the government. How do you cede sovereignty to yourself?

    Reply
  67. Early Ball says:

    @David McEwan Hill

    It was the first one David. They left out your final paragraph. Much appreciated work.

    Reply
  68. Albert Herring says:

    @FlimFlamMan

    Because of its independence in setting monetary policy.

    An independent Scotland will also be part-owner.

    Autonomy may be a better word.

    Reply
  69. FlimFlamMan says:

    @Albert Herring

    An independent Scotland will also be part-owner.

    In some limited sense perhaps, with no ability to actually determine monetary policy. Westminster would be mad to give up that control, and even madder to give up the control over deficit spending that would come with the sort of fiscal pact Carney was talking about.

    Scotland may be mad too, even in the short term; I really need to look at what Scotland’s current account position will be after independence.

    Autonomy may be a better word.

    Yes, it’s better. Better still would be “delegated responsibility”, just as with the various ministries and civil service departments. The point being that they are all part of government, with different decisions being taken by different parts.

    IDS makes decisions at Work and Pensions, but he’d soon find out he’s not sovereign, or even autonomous, if he did something the rest of cabinet, and particularly Cameron/Osborne really didn’t want. Same goes for the Bank of England.

    Reply


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    • agent x on The Gender Of Mountains: “Caroline Lucas says: “He helped transform the fortunes of the Scottish Green party – taking the party into government for…Apr 2, 18:13
    • Porty on The Long Future: “Have a wee look at her post and highlights of committee meeting today at Holyrood today, she’s a fighter, well…Apr 2, 18:08
    • Porty on The Long Future: “So the game’s a bogey, so we call it a day?Apr 2, 18:04
    • Porty on The Long Future: “So the game’s a bogey, so we call it a day?Apr 2, 18:00
    • Porty on The Long Future: “Soz, double post…Apr 2, 17:41
    • Aidan on The Long Future: “@Xaracen – to understand why the geographic separation requirement is so important you have to look back at the context…Apr 2, 17:31
    • Porty on The Long Future: “Was & still am a follower of the Rev, but starting to question myself why, isn’t it about time he…Apr 2, 17:27
    • Porty on The Long Future: “Was & still am a follower of the Rev, but starting to question myself why, isn’t it about time he…Apr 2, 17:27
    • twathater on The Gender Of Mountains: “Another piece of evidence to EXPOSE the continued ongoing lunacy that we must find some way to address https://open.substack.com/pub/iainmacwhirter/p/trans-cat-msp-cleared-of-non-crime?r=5catlo&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=emailApr 2, 16:38
    • Zimba on The Sacrifice: “First off, apologies for essentially posting the same (or similar) comment twice. I’m not a frequent poster here (or anywhere…Apr 2, 15:59
    • Zimba on The Long Future: “This is not a portrait of what Scotland’s politicians alone have become. The malaise is sadly European generally and is…Apr 2, 15:21
    • Mark Beggan on The Gender Of Mountains: “Is Greer related to Chapman. Strange shaped head sneering mouth with studs for teeth and eyes that sit suspiciously in…Apr 2, 14:35
    • Mark Beggan on The Gender Of Mountains: “The Teletubbies have to say bye bye Dipsy. Dipsy likes bouncing on his bottom. But now Dipsy has a sore…Apr 2, 13:45
    • Hatey McHateface on The Sacrifice: “Ah, Zimba, always good to hear from the kind of poster who believes that any number of dead men, women,…Apr 2, 13:17
    • Zimba on The Sacrifice: “Good job, Hatey, our kindly bombs and bullets can help them learn to see their own moral failings before it’s…Apr 2, 12:14
    • Zimba on The Sacrifice: “Good thing, Hatey, our bombs and bullets are there to help them see their moral failings while being clinically slaughtered.Apr 2, 11:57
    • Andrew scott on The Gender Of Mountains: “Good news the green gnome is standing down as co co chair scot greens BAD NEWS NOT STANDING DOWN FROM…Apr 2, 11:40
    • Louise Hogg on The Long Future: “ALBA Party exists: 1. So voters HAVE a genuinely pro-Independence option to vote for on the ballot paper. As Young…Apr 2, 11:15
    • sarah on The Gender Of Mountains: “Hear, hear. The Rev is doing a great job in not letting this all go unreported.Apr 2, 11:04
    • Louise Hogg on The Gender Of Mountains: “Absolutely agree, Lorn. This utter infestation of porn-addict driven filth needs cleared out of any organisation directly or indirectly receiving…Apr 2, 10:40
    • Xaracen on The Long Future: “@Aidan; No, Aidan, I’m not trying to argue that a ChatGPT summary overrides the explicit language of a UN declaration.…Apr 2, 08:49
    • Alf Baird on The Gender Of Mountains: ““‘jellyfish legislation’” The Welsh term for jellyfish is ‘wibli wobli’, which seems to well describe this type of legislation.Apr 2, 08:49
    • Hatey McHateface on The Gender Of Mountains: “Just two? You’re not paying enough attention 🙂Apr 2, 08:37
    • Hatey McHateface on The Gender Of Mountains: “While many in the world are celebrating the “end of woke”, the legions of woke, fully insinuated into positions of…Apr 2, 08:33
    • Hatey McHateface on The Gender Of Mountains: ““Colonialism is over” But wait, Geri. Haven’t you to duly punish them at the ballot box first? You’re trying to…Apr 2, 08:21
    • Chas on The Gender Of Mountains: “I suspect that Geri and Billy Carlin are the same person, with two user names?Apr 2, 08:19
    • Hatey McHateface on The Gender Of Mountains: “Ah ken YLS, but I still think there’s hope for you yet. And so I soldier oan.Apr 2, 08:12
    • Young Lochinvar on The Gender Of Mountains: “It’s an unprofitable exercise arguing with drunks, trolls, bots or spooks (y’all).. Good-bye ya roaster..Apr 2, 02:40
    • Geri on The Gender Of Mountains: “It’s been a deliberate distraction because, like Scotland, NI may soon have voted to leave but instead has been railroaded…Apr 2, 00:10
    • Geri on The Gender Of Mountains: “Shiteface – learn to read. No, it’s not because of the gender woo but that shit is one example of…Apr 1, 23:59
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