Correct Decision From Osborne?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26147783
What will they use for the pooond noo?

[Zacs-Master]

Salmond doesn't want currency union (stupid phrase) anyway, so I don't know what the fuss is all about.

[jim360]

Not sure if this is the correct decision or not, but hopefully it won't matter anyway. More important is to realise that on a "Yes" vote, the Scottish are bound not to have everything they ask for in the "Scotland's Future" booklet. It's as if the implication is that all that needs to happen for a land of milk and honey is to sever ties with Westminster, and we'll happily give the Scottish a golden handshake, no questions asked.

[ToraToraTora]

"Salmond doesn't want currency union (stupid phrase) anyway, so I don't know what the fuss is all about. " - err then his "we'll keep the pound" statement last week was a dream was it?

[Bazile]

If it's a yes vote - will Hadrians Wall be re-built ?

[BlueToffee]

Undoubtedly the Scots will vote no.

Do Salmnod and Sturgeon want Independence or not? If they do, then they'll have to stand on their own two feet and not rely on Westminster.

I agree with Ed Balls, but I couldn't possibly agree to anything Osbourne says.

[ToraToraTora]

they'll have to stand on their own too feet, sounds like you agree with Osborne to me blue toffee!

[youngmafbog]

//but I couldn't possibly agree to anything Osbourne says. // What? Even if he spoke the words you feel? Difference between lefties and the right I suppose, we are far more open to ideas from any side rather than a blinkered straight vision.

As for the pound I never understood the problem anyway. If Scotland wants independence then it has to be just that, having GBP would not be independence at all and would only cause problems on both sides.

So, when they all vote yes and we sling those without a visa out the UK I suppose they will have to go back to trading in haggis until they can join the Euro.

[ToraToraTora]

I don't think they'll get in the Euro YMB, last thing Angie needs is another basket case, she's already got the bubbles to worry about. Looks like they'll have to have the McPoond!

[Zacs-Master]

TTT if you want to believe AS's public stance, that's up to you. If you do a bit of digging he appears to be giving lip service to the idea:

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/feb/11/main-parties-rule-out-scottish-currency-union

"The anti-independence campaigners believe they are on strong ground, feeling that Salmond's call for a currency union is the strongest example of his strategy of "de-risking" independence. They also say that his position is inconsistent. In 2009, he told a Catalan television station that there was a strong case for joining the euro in the wake of the financial crisis. He added: "Sterling is sinking like a stone"

[KARL]

The decision (if one has been made) will serve to give the impression that Westminster (or should that be England) is bound to put every possible obstacle in place to suggest independence is destined to be a disaster. Whether the actual effect is to push more people toward voting Yes due to the mean spirit displayed is another matter.

Personally, I think an independent Scotland should, at least in the interim, have its own currency, much like Denmark does (and others). If this were to bring Scottish society closer to resembling Denmark's (and others) then good - at that point Scotland will be a better place to live than the UK.

[Gromit]

They can have their own currency and call it a Scottish Pound. Whether it is tethered to sterling or not, it will work.
When all the political shenanigins are over, if Scotland does become independent, sterling will be stronger with them in rather than out.

[ToraToraTora]

Ok we are delviong behind the public face, right oh, well I saw him about a year ago on the Marr show and I got the distinct impression that he was giving lip service to independence generally. He looked to me like a dog that chases cars that has never given any thought to what he might do if he actually caught one!

[Zacs-Master]

Indeed TTT
http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-week/leading-article/9082521/the-scottish-play/

[BlueToffee]

Agree with you TTT, but I still couldn't agree with Osbourne even though I do!

[ToraToraTora]

That makes total sense BT!

[mikey4444]

The SNP's position is getting dafter and dafter, It is looking increasingly likely that they will lose the vote this year. At least they will have to shut up after all the dust have settled.

[LazyGun]

I think on balance, yes. Such a decision is not taken in isolation; The Governor of the BoE has highlighted in some detail the problems of currency union; His decision enjoys cross-party support, and is entirely consistent with the UKs opt-out of the EU for broadly the same reasons.

My only concerns would be 2-fold; That issuing such a decision might persuade more Scots to vote for independence ( which I do not wish to see happen), and I would have some concerns over how the national debt would be share out if currency union was ruled out.

[Quizmonster]

Given that the Bank of England was effectively 'founded' by a Scotsman, William Paterson, perhaps an independent Scotland should just take it away with them, leaving what still chooses to call itself "the UK", to create their very own financial system!