Scottish independence

[JohnR! 5,495]

Of course they can pick. If they gain independence, then they get to make their own choices and do whatever the heck they want. They will also endure to consequences of their actions.

Your politicians decided to join the EU but keep the pound, what difference is there if Scotland does it?

That is pretty much the purpose of independence...

Edited April 23, 2014 by Gegel

[MacUK 983]

Of course they can pick. If they gain independence, then they get to make their own choices and do whatever the heck they want. They will also endure to consequences of their actions.

Your politicians decided to join the EU but keep the pound, what difference is there if Scotland does it?

Because as one of the founding members of the EU Britain was able to keep the pound, same as all the other founding countries who could have kept their own currency.

As I understand it, one of the conditions for countries applying to join the EU is adopting the Euro.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Because as one of the founding members of the EU Britain was able to keep the pound, same as all the other founding countries who could have kept their own currency.

As I understand it, one of the conditions for countries applying to join the EU is adopting the Euro.

Well, then they have to make their choice. Or, try to get the EU to change their rules to accommodate their wishes. Maybe they could argue they were a founding member as well, in a way. Probably would fail, but that's up to them.

Whatever they do, I just don't get why people think it's funny. Kind of a weird vibe in this thread.

[Gail83 21]

Well, then they have to make their choice. Or, try to get the EU to change their rules to accommodate their wishes. Maybe they could argue they were a founding member as well, in a way. Probably would fail, but that's up to them.

Whatever they do, I just don't get why people think it's funny. Kind of a weird vibe in this thread.

I agree Harpa. I don't understand why people think it's funny or strange. Like I've said before there are plenty of other countries that have gained their independence so why is the fact that Scotland is considering that any different?

There will be problems but they will be problems for the Scottish people themselves to sort out.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Of course they can pick. If they gain independence, then they get to make their own choices and do whatever the heck they want. They will also endure to consequences of their actions.

Your politicians decided to join the EU but keep the pound, what difference is there if Scotland does it?

They can't keep the pound, if they declare independence (which they have every right to do so) then the pound is no longer their currency. Polls have revealed that the rest of the UK general public do not wish Scotland to have the pound (because they won't be underwriting it and having any of the liabilities, just the benefits) if they declare independence. The three main political parties in the UK agree with this view. They also just can't waltz straight into the Euro. Not sure why that's a difficult concept, although it seems to be for the SNP also.

Maybe they could use monopoly money?

[JohnR! 5,495]

They can't keep the pound, if they declare independence (which they have every right to do so) then the pound is no longer their currency. Polls have revealed that the rest of the UK general public do not wish Scotland to have the pound (because they won't be underwriting it and having any of the liabilities, just the benefits) if they declare independence. The three main political parties in the UK agree with this view. They also just can't waltz straight into the Euro. Not sure why that's a difficult concept, although it seems to be for the SNP also.

Maybe they could use monopoly money?

They not only can use the GBP if they become independent, as it would make sense for the exchequer of both countries. Scotland would maintain its economical ties to the rest of the UK, and the Bank of England would not need to transfer a large amount of its ballast to Scottish coffers. Also, for the rest of the UK, it would mean trading with Scotland in one single currency, lest you want to run the risk of having a Scottish Pound conversion when buying Scottish oil from the North Sea...

Panama and Ecuador are two countries that use the US Dollar as their currency, despite not being its underwriters.

I do not believe for a moment Scotland will gain its independence, but even if it did, there is a case where all countries can benefit from.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Well, then they have to make their choice. Or, try to get the EU to change their rules to accommodate their wishes. Maybe they could argue they were a founding member as well, in a way. Probably would fail, but that's up to them.

Whatever they do, I just don't get why people think it's funny. Kind of a weird vibe in this thread.

At get the EU to change their rules. If Scotland joining the EU benefits French farmers then maybe lol. I don't know how much you know about the EU but EU members are not keen on encouraging Scotland as many of them have independence movements in their own countries they don't want to make it easy for (Spain- Catalonia, Basque, France- Corsica, Belgium, et al).

For the record I don't find Scottish independence funny, I said that I find it funny that the SNP seem to think they can do what they want and they are going to be running a country.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

They can't keep the pound, if they declare independence (which they have every right to do so) then the pound is no longer their currency. Polls have revealed that the rest of the UK general public do not wish Scotland to have the pound (because they won't be underwriting it and having any of the liabilities, just the benefits) if they declare independence. The three main political parties in the UK agree with this view. They also just can't waltz straight into the Euro. Not sure why that's a difficult concept, although it seems to be for the SNP also.

Maybe they could use monopoly money?

I don't have a dog in this fight, but just let me ask.

Is Scotland currently causing the pound to be more weak or strong? Are they doing so bad economically that they drag it down, or does their populace, just by sheer numbers and their circulation, make it stronger?

If they gain independence, it would make more sense to go realpolitik and keep things as close to status quo as possible for the remaining UK, I would think. Maybe they would have a scottish pound that is backed by or otherwise tied to pounds sterling. Different in name, but basically the same. Someone is going to want to be involved in their currency and I would think the remaining UK would be the first in line, to not suffer from Scottish defection (though I am sure the nationalists want to believe that they would only get better if Scotland left).

Maybe the Uk would agree to let them keep using GBP, in the best interests of both nations. I am sure there is a precedent for this sort of thing.

Scotland currently has pounds, presumably backed by UK banks, so if they go independent, do you think the bank will just declare that money in the hands of Scots is no good anymore?

[Gail83 21]

They can't keep the pound, if they declare independence (which they have every right to do so) then the pound is no longer their currency. Polls have revealed that the rest of the UK general public do not wish Scotland to have the pound (because they won't be underwriting it and having any of the liabilities, just the benefits) if they declare independence. The three main political parties in the UK agree with this view. They also just can't waltz straight into the Euro. Not sure why that's a difficult concept, although it seems to be for the SNP also.

Maybe they could use monopoly money?

Have the scottish people been told categorically that they can't keep the pound? No, like everything else it will all be part of discussions that will need to take place in the event that Scotland gains independence. As has already been mentioned in this thread there are countries other than the USA that use the US dollar.

As for your comment about Monopoly money I find it childish, it adds nothing to the discussion and appears to be intended purely to imply insult.

[Kajikit 65]

It's not as if they'd be leaving the British Commonwealth... I'm sure that it would be treated just the same as it is now for all practical purposes. But how many hundred years have they been arguing about independence? It's not likely to happen tomorrow...