{"id":91440,"date":"2026-04-06T08:49:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T07:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.taxresearch.org.uk\/Blog\/?p=91440"},"modified":"2026-04-06T08:49:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T07:49:17","slug":"scotland-in-a-time-of-chaos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.taxresearch.org.uk\/Blog\/2026\/04\/06\/scotland-in-a-time-of-chaos\/","title":{"rendered":"Scotland in a time of chaos"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have an article in The National<\/a> this morning that I open by saying:<\/p>\n

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IT is my wife\u2019s belief that, as a man of a certain age, I am overly influenced by other men, often of slightly greater age, who created both fame and fortune for themselves by playing guitars.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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She may have a point, so let me quote one of them, Bob Dylan, who has won a Nobel Prize for literature for his song lyrics.<\/p>\n

He once wrote two lines which seem particularly relevant to this moment. He said, \u201cThe times they are a-changing\u201d and \u201cThe answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind\u201d. He was right on both counts.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

My argument is that the world is entering a period of chaos. Whatever happens this week, the status of the USA has been irreparably damaged by its actions, working alongside Israel in Iran, and the UK will suffer immense collateral damage and a loss of confidence in itself as a result. This, then, provides those in Scotland seeking independence with the opportunity to put forward their case in a more favourable light than they have had for some time. If Westminster loses confidence, it is time for Scotland to express it.<\/p>\n

From the Funding the Future perspective, the point is that every assumption we have had about politics will, after this war, be on the table for review. Even if this is not World War III, the geopolitical consequences will undoubtedly be equivalent to such an event. We need to be aware of it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I have an article in The National this morning that I open by saying: IT is my wife\u2019s belief that, as a man of a
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