Tariffs!

[JimE]

With Brent Oil and Salmon the Scots are not soo poor. They voted against Brexit to stay in the EU which to me means if they are independent they will want to join the EU.
In which case they will be welcome.
Alan

Scotland wouldn't meet the criteria for joining the EU. Scotland is running the biggest deficit in Europe. They would have to take drastic measures to reduce it (austerity) on top of losing Westminster money through the Barnet formula. It would cause untold hardship for the Scots.

Currency is another issue they failed to address last time round as they were told them they couldn't have the pound (but why would they if they want independence! ) and the implication of that is they can't print money as there is no lender of last resort eg Bank of England. If Scotland somehow got into the EU, Germany would have to acknowledge that they would have to bankroll Scotland.

Acceptance by the EU would require unanimity and Spain would vote it down because of the situation with the Catalans who would want the same as Scotland.

The UK Government won't agree to another referendum despite local election results next year. But just in case I am wrong and independence is the outcome I have already taken the precaution of selling my Scottish second home as the economy will crash without external support affecting house prices, jobs etc etc. Shame, as one thing they do have are fantastic roads and I use to enjoy driving my Europa on them. Jim

[EPC 394J]

Anyone with the mistaken impression either Nicola Sturgeon or the SNP have a good record in ‘government’ should spare a moment to watch this contribution from a fellow Scot, Andrew Neil:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OFrICQs36QU

[englishmaninwales]

...But the Scots won't break away and Sturgeon has no intention of actually making that break. It's just posturing and another lever to get more out of the UK budget.

If I were Boris ? I'd offer Nicola her referendum in 2021 and not campaign on either side. Then they can join the EU, adopt the euro and you guys can look after them.....

Yes, you are absolutely correct, the last thing the SNP truly want is another independence vote; their greatest fear is they might actually win it!
As stated, Boris’s best bet is to open the debate in 2021 and offer another referendum. SNP party divisions, massive budget deficit, post independence currency, NHS performance, armed forces, loss of employment from moving Faslane out of Scotland, issues around qualification for EU re-entry and the necessary hard boarder with England are just for starters.
I’d also allow the rest of the us to have a vote just to make sure they get independence. It would save English tax payers a fortune (and England can keep Wales on as their charity case )
Malcolm

[elanfan1]

Cheeky bugger! Without our water there’d be some very thirsty Englishmen. You know the Welsh Assembly only got voted in by around 16000 votes. Most were so apathetic to it they didn’t vote. Have that vote again today and it’d be gone by a huge majority. A complete talking shop run by commies that couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery.

[englishmaninwales]

Cheeky bugger! Without our water there’d be some very thirsty Englishmen. You know the Welsh Assembly only got voted in by around 16000 votes. Most were so apathetic to it they didn’t vote. Have that vote again today and it’d be gone by a huge majority. A complete talking shop run by commies that couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery.

The 1979 Welsh Devolution referendum rejected the proposal for a devolved assembly by 4:1 on a 59% turn out. The 1997 Welsh Devolution referendum, as you know, approved the assembly by a mere 6721 votes on a 50.2% turnout (I think there may be a typo in your figure above).
I agree it’s a complete waste of time and money, and I’m sure you’re right about the outcome if the referendum was held again tomorrow.
As for the water, you’re right I’d be thirsty as my local reservoirs, Alwen and Brenig provide me with water along with trout fishing, walking and cycling trails
Malcolm

[elanfan1]

Yes but you’re an interloper! Watch out for Owain Glyndwr!

[englishmaninwales]

Nah, lived and worked here since 1983 and I speak more Welsh than my Welsh wife. I reckon that the Plaid lot might let me have a Welsh passport, but the indoctrination and thought police won’t prevent me from supporting English rugby for ever!
Hywl fawr!

[alan.barker]

POB IWC
Alan

[elanfan1]

POB IWC
Alan

Que?

[alan.barker]

Sorry i thought it was good luck in welsh.
Bon chance
Alan

[Mazzini]

Funny, that's what Google translate says it is.

[elanfan1]

Iwc is meaningless Lwc is just a fabricated version of the English luck (Lwck maybe) where there is perhaps no original/natural Welsh word. I’m not sure it’s used much in Welsh I suspect the more well known iechyd da (Yaki da) or good health is the more prevalent or well known phrase with a similar meaning/useage. In sure EMiW speaks a lot more Welsh than I do. Welsh having been lost in my family a generation ago.

[alan.barker]

Bore da Steve ok,
i'll let you know when my posters arrive. I think they must be stuck in one of the Trucks at Dover.
I'll have to find big enough Frames for them to hang in a place of honor. I ordered a door mirror in UK and it took 6 weeks to arrive so no panic.
Cheers
Alan

[alan.barker]

Well the UK has thrown off it's EU Shackles.
Let's see what happens now.
If Scotland is costing Westminister sooo much money they can gve them Independence. Then BoJo can quote Maggie "i want my money back"
Alan

[alan.barker]

For info:
BoJo's Father has just asked for French Nationality.
BoJo's mother was born in France.
His Grandfather's mother was French .
Alan