These are the opening paragraphs in my column in The National this morning:
AS the world collapses into what appears to be ever-greater chaos, there can be no better time, as I mentioned in my column last week, to consider what arrangements are needed to ensure that Scotland might have a successful, independent future.
That appears to be most particularly relevant in the light of the opinion poll findings for The National, which suggest that the majority of people in Scotland are now in favour of this option. At the most basic level, Scottish independence requires that four conditions be met, one of which is in two parts, but all of which can, I think, be fulfilled.
The rest is here.
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Typo in title “Scorland”
Sorry!
Bad typo in title: Scorland should be Scotland.
Corrected…thanks
Another recent poll has Nigel Farage set to be next PM of UK – that must focus minds surely.
(PS Typo in title Scotland )
Corrected, thanks
Demos, during canvassing for the 2014 Scottish Referendum, one of my approaches was to say to voters that it was quite possible that Boris Johnson would become a future U.K Prime Minister. Seemed to work, but of course we still lost. Would Farage work? Don’t know. I know Richard thought that the last time the currency question was never fully spelt out, and I believe the issue of us having our own central bank. Surely these policies would have to be properly thought out before we can have another attempt?
Yes, they must
The Scottish Currency group has, I note, commissioned new research on this issue.
RM Good to hear there’s energy being given to currency issue. Hopefully a positive narrative will accompany
AB I too used the BoJo killer clown argument in 2014, people didn’t believe he would be PM, nor that we would leave the EU. Now we’re facing Farage and fascism – perhaps they won’t cling to nurse for fear of worse this time, when nurse is nurse Ratchet.
Many think it would take 2 referendums or collective pushes to restore Scotland’s independence. 2014 was a respectable result given the media bias.
I think that one of those conditions – the repugnance of Westminster – must have been met a long time ago.
Apropos the repugnance of Westminster, can England have independence from Westminster too? 😛
It needs a polotics of care instead.
Agree with the points in the article. On the economic side – Scotland must draw lessons from Norway. Sovereign wealth fund – focused on the control of what is left of oil and gas & most importantly wind: on & off-shore. The equivalent of Orsted needs to be founded asap – it would not be unreasonable to issue shares in it to citizens – thus forcing proper discolusre and oversight (= no funny business). Roll out as much community energy as possible asap – most of Scotland north of the Highland line could be powered by locally owned renewables (& a large part in rural areas in the South).
The Rhur existed due to a combo of local low cost energy (coal) & iron ore. Scotland could thus at least in terms of metals have an industrial renaissance – mostly via recycled metals & used low cost renewables – a ready market for zero carbon steel exists – in the EU etc etc. All the tech exists – just needs a combo of organisation and political will.
Much to agree with
And there’s that amazing aluminium smelting? processing? plant up in the far North of Scotland too! Fantastic water powered electricity to ensure it runs smoothly and never has to shut down, really impressed me when I saw it on Sky News.
Many independence supporters are frustrated with the lack of urgency from the SNP to address the matters referred to in your article. It causes a lot of friction, and suspicion, as to whether SNP politicians are independence supporters or whether they’re actually devolutionists.
With regard to maritime boundaries and the 6,000 square miles of the sea – and oilfields – that Blair snaffled for England, Craig Murray was involved in negotiating maritime boundaries in his time as a UK diplomat. You might be interested in his article from 2012. The map is quite something:
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2012/01/scotlandengland-maritime-boundaries/
Congratulations, Richard, on an excellent summary of where we in Scotland, who support our nation’s independence, stand – and on where we should stand, especially on the Scottish Pound. The burning issues for the SNP, my party and the inevitable leader of the electoral path and push for Independence, are indeed both the actual commitment to, and planning for, the Scottish Pound and its supporting institutions – AND the decision to lead the country into a 2026 Holyrood Election, which must be a de facto referendum and fought explicitly as such. The Party’s next National Council will be debating the latter area and will have before it numbers of motions pushing for that electoral position. There is a real urgency felt in many branches and among hordes of members for this to be the chance to reignite the passion of 2014 and the nationwiide network of YES groups remain ready to respond. John Swinney has been a stalwart of the movement for decades and has often had to serve in tough roles at unpropitious times. He has already had to go more than his share of the hard yards. This, at last, is his chance to break the mould and there are going to be a lot of new MSPs who are explicitly keen that he should seize it. We need our country, its freedom and its return to the Europe to which we have always belonged. 2026 could well be our time.
Thanks, Nigel.
See these 3 articles in The National today on the issue of a Scottish currency
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25103239.report-currency-independent-scotland-will-work/
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25103298.report-currency-independent-scotland-will-give-definitive/
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25103248.report-explores-currency-pathways-post-independence-wales/
All good.
I guess you are involved, Jim?
If so, thank you.
Yes Richard, I was one of the members of the SCG working group who met with Thibault Laurentjoye to discuss the remit of his report.
Let’s hope he delivers
Hello again Richard and thank you again for the work you do.
I attended a meeting on Wed 31 Aug 2022 in Inverurie Aberdeenshire where Ivan Mckee MSP the Scottish Business Minister outlined the SNP plan for Scottish Independance.
He demonstrated to the audience that as well as being a multi-millionaire from being a businessman, he is limited to also being a micro economist. He honestly believes that Scotland needs to borrow money from international lenders including the IMF to fund its independence. When asked about the forming of a Central Bank and the creation of Scotlands own currency he did not appear to understand how fundamental this would be and indicated any transition from the UK Pound was not very significant in fact Scotland could keep using the Pound. He did agree that all of the money borrowed would need to be paid back to international lenders.
Separate analysis by MMT economists assess independance for Scotland as a poor economic choice because even if they did create their own currency, the size of the deficit needed will be very large.
Please tell people the truth. A neoliberal Scotland will look and feel just like any other neoliberal country. I don’t want that thank you.