Mr. Surbiton, are you blaming the 5:2 diet for people who are overweight or people who are underweight?
Iirc there's limited evidence for the efficacy of the 5:2 diet.
It was based on a scientifically tested diet based on alternate days of fast and feasting (which essentially found that people didn't eat enough on the feasting days to counter-act the fast days, meaning the result was less calories eaten overall and hence weight loss) but the 5:2 system is an easier diet created by the diet industry that doesn't have the same scientific backing.
Except it wasn't invented by the diet industry. No one gets any money out of it because they cannot sell anything. Whether or not it works as well as people claim is another matter but the idea that it is another fad invention to make money is clearly false since its original proponents haven't tried to sell anything on the back of it.
" With a little more spit and polish you might shape up into a sensible businessman, Mr Brooke."
Mr. Charles, You are aware that Mr. Brooke is an Ulsterman now living in the Midlands? Spit and polish may not be concepts with which he is familiar. His wife though, I think, is from Sussex (at least, if memory serves, she once worked in Horsham), so all hope is not necessarily lost.
Mr Llama Mrs B is also a Midlander but spent several years in Horsham. And since we are on hols next week in Kent we may well drive past your door as we make our way to some of her old haunts. I am of course hoping for some decent local cider from Kent, anything you would recommend ? Otherwise it's just Sussex fizz ;-)
Sorry, Mr. B., I can't help with anything much in Kent. I know as much about the place and its products as I do Warwickshire. Different Kingdom altogether, you see. They speak funny over there and they smell, comes from them being Jutes not Saxons.
If you are coming this way en route to Mrs. Brooke's old haunts, then I wouldn't bother with cider - the wine is much better, as we have discussed in the past (I know you have supped the RidgeView but if you get a chance do stop of at the Bolney Vineyard, it has a delightful cafe and I don't think you'll be disappointed with the wines).
Of course, if you are passing through and have the time I'd love to buy you a drink.
The Bolney vineyard produces the best English red I've ever drunk.
Mr. Surbiton, are you blaming the 5:2 diet for people who are overweight or people who are underweight?
Iirc there's limited evidence for the efficacy of the 5:2 diet.
It was based on a scientifically tested diet based on alternate days of fast and feasting (which essentially found that people didn't eat enough on the feasting days to counter-act the fast days, meaning the result was less calories eaten overall and hence weight loss) but the 5:2 system is an easier diet created by the diet industry that doesn't have the same scientific backing.
Except it wasn't invented by the diet industry. No one gets any money out of it because they cannot sell anything. Whether or not it works as well as people claim is another matter but the idea that it is another fad invention to make money is clearly false since its original proponents haven't tried to sell anything on the back of it.
Richard, if you so desire you can buy several books and an app for the 5:2 diet.
FPT: 'The idea that the purples are taking as many votes from LAB as CON is a nonsense.'
I think the numbers speak for themselves. Those claiming that UKIP are damaging Labour as much as the Tories have been pointing to the polling evidence that 'only' 45% of the current UKIP vote comes from those who voted Tory in 2010. But anyone thinking about it for a second would realise that that means that the whole of the rest of the UKIP vote including those who were already voting UKIP in 2010 amounts to only 10% more than the Tory defection vote. That almost by definition means that there must be substantially more former Tory voters supporting UKIP than former Labour voters.
I think to try and argue that Labour are hurt as much as the Tories is plainly wrong.
That said to try and argue that therefore UKIP voters should all vote for the Tories is equally wrong. For people like me, even as a former Tory voter, the alternative to UKIP is not Tory. I have no idea what it might be but it would not be any of the 3 main parties.
RT
Completely off topic but do I remember correctly that you had been contemplating the purchase of a Lincolnshire property which included a cricket pitch in its park?
I already have the property and have been in it for the last 4 years or so. But we do have a rather nice meadow where we now hold an annual 'ashes' (basically a knock about amongst friends and family) in memory of my old man who died a couple of years ago. Funny really as he never really got cricket but since we hold the match in early June it seems a nice way to remember him :-)
Richard
Sorry, I didn't follow up on your reply last night, but I was interrupted by a man from Porlock.
I think I must have conflated two posts of yours in my memory as I do recall your account of the memorial cricket match. I think I also recalled a comment you made, in the context of a quality of life in London conversation, about the low cost of buying a Queen Anne house in Lincolnshire.
Finding estate agent particulars of Ufford Hall, the late Lord Airedale's dilapidated but grand house, and then putting two and two together and getting five, I thought this might be the house you were referring to.
A snip at £2.5 million which would hardly buy you a two bedroom flat in Kensington. A bit later than Queen Anne though and rather curiously overdeveloped on its roadside elevation in the 19th century, but elegant nonetheless.
Mr. Surbiton, are you blaming the 5:2 diet for people who are overweight or people who are underweight?
Iirc there's limited evidence for the efficacy of the 5:2 diet.
It was based on a scientifically tested diet based on alternate days of fast and feasting (which essentially found that people didn't eat enough on the feasting days to counter-act the fast days, meaning the result was less calories eaten overall and hence weight loss) but the 5:2 system is an easier diet created by the diet industry that doesn't have the same scientific backing.
Except it wasn't invented by the diet industry. No one gets any money out of it because they cannot sell anything. Whether or not it works as well as people claim is another matter but the idea that it is another fad invention to make money is clearly false since its original proponents haven't tried to sell anything on the back of it.
Richard, if you so desire you can buy several books and an app for the 5:2 diet.
Indeed but none of them are produced by the doctors who originally discovered and promoted the diet and who freely made available their findings to the wider public - including the down sides such as its unsuitability for many women.
The fact that others have jumped on the band wagon doesn't change the original findings. Nor is it necessary to buy a single product or book in order to follow the diet.
Ladbrokes - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport (Con maj = 1,149)
Lab 1/5 Con 4/1 UKIP 20/1 LD 25/1
We've seen a plethora of markets over the last couple of days that imply serious Labour gains. Either these markets are very wrong, in which case there are big betting opportunities, or Red Millipede will be the next PM, which most people on this blog seem to see as highly unlikely. Interesting.
Mr. Surbiton, are you blaming the 5:2 diet for people who are overweight or people who are underweight?
I blame the 5-2 diet for people who are politically underweight. Who needs to tweet that as the man of the people he eats burger and chips until we found out it costs £9.50 !
Mr. Surbiton, are you blaming the 5:2 diet for people who are overweight or people who are underweight?
Iirc there's limited evidence for the efficacy of the 5:2 diet.
It was based on a scientifically tested diet based on alternate days of fast and feasting (which essentially found that people didn't eat enough on the feasting days to counter-act the fast days, meaning the result was less calories eaten overall and hence weight loss) but the 5:2 system is an easier diet created by the diet industry that doesn't have the same scientific backing.
Except it wasn't invented by the diet industry. No one gets any money out of it because they cannot sell anything. Whether or not it works as well as people claim is another matter but the idea that it is another fad invention to make money is clearly false since its original proponents haven't tried to sell anything on the back of it.
Richard, if you so desire you can buy several books and an app for the 5:2 diet.
Indeed but none of them are produced by the doctors who originally discovered and promoted the diet and who freely made available their findings to the wider public - including the down sides such as its unsuitability for many women.
The fact that others have jumped on the band wagon doesn't change the original findings. Nor is it necessary to buy a single product or book in order to follow the diet.
The original popularisation of the diet (going off the NHS page among other places) was Dr (?) Michael Mosley on Horizon, and he is indeed the co-author of at least some of the 'official' books on the diet.
The NHS page also suggests limited evidence on the diet (and this reduces further if you want studies that published before Mosley promoted the diet on horizon).
It isn't necessary to buy the book (although in the age of the internet that's true for so many books of that type) but since at least one of the books (I didn't check through them all) has hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list it's clear that plenty of people are.
Ladbrokes - Plymouth Sutton and Devonport (Con maj = 1,149)
Lab 1/5 Con 4/1 UKIP 20/1 LD 25/1
We've seen a plethora of markets over the last couple of days that imply serious Labour gains. Either these markets are very wrong, in which case there are big betting opportunities, or Red Millipede will be the next PM, which most people on this blog seem to see as highly unlikely. Interesting.
That one in particular I would expect to go back red regardless of the overall picture, it's Owens old seat and it's not prime Tory territory. Was a fairly surprising gain in 2010 for me. 1/4 and 3/1 would be about right?
Mr. Surbiton, are you blaming the 5:2 diet for people who are overweight or people who are underweight?
Iirc there's limited evidence for the efficacy of the 5:2 diet.
It was based on a scientifically tested diet based on alternate days of fast and feasting (which essentially found that people didn't eat enough on the feasting days to counter-act the fast days, meaning the result was less calories eaten overall and hence weight loss) but the 5:2 system is an easier diet created by the diet industry that doesn't have the same scientific backing.
Except it wasn't invented by the diet industry. No one gets any money out of it because they cannot sell anything. Whether or not it works as well as people claim is another matter but the idea that it is another fad invention to make money is clearly false since its original proponents haven't tried to sell anything on the back of it.
Richard, if you so desire you can buy several books and an app for the 5:2 diet.
Indeed but none of them are produced by the doctors who originally discovered and promoted the diet and who freely made available their findings to the wider public - including the down sides such as its unsuitability for many women.
The fact that others have jumped on the band wagon doesn't change the original findings. Nor is it necessary to buy a single product or book in order to follow the diet.
The original popularisation of the diet (going off the NHS page among other places) was Dr (?) Michael Mosley on Horizon, and he is indeed the co-author of at least some of the 'official' books on the diet.
The NHS page also suggests limited evidence on the diet (and this reduces further if you want studies that published before Mosley promoted the diet on horizon).
It isn't necessary to buy the book (although in the age of the internet that's true for so many books of that type) but since at least one of the books (I didn't check through them all) has hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list it's clear that plenty of people are.
Most diets work because the people who need to be on diets are usually over-eating so any regulation of their eating, even cream cakes and chips three times a day, will result in weight loss.
As to the 5:2 yes I think it evolved as a user-friendly alternative to complete intermittent fasting which I understand did have some health benefits aside from weight loss.
Most people will lose weight if they cut out alcohol.
Mr. Surbiton, are you blaming the 5:2 diet for people who are overweight or people who are underweight?
Iirc there's limited evidence for the efficacy of the 5:2 diet.
It was based on a scientifically tested diet based on alternate days of fast and feasting (which essentially found that people didn't eat enough on the feasting days to counter-act the fast days, meaning the result was less calories eaten overall and hence weight loss) but the 5:2 system is an easier diet created by the diet industry that doesn't have the same scientific backing.
Except it wasn't invented by the diet industry. No one gets any money out of it because they cannot sell anything. Whether or not it works as well as people claim is another matter but the idea that it is another fad invention to make money is clearly false since its original proponents haven't tried to sell anything on the back of it.
Richard, if you so desire you can buy several books and an app for the 5:2 diet.
Indeed but none of them are produced by the doctors who originally discovered and promoted the diet and who freely made available their findings to the wider public - including the down sides such as its unsuitability for many women.
The fact that others have jumped on the band wagon doesn't change the original findings. Nor is it necessary to buy a single product or book in order to follow the diet.
The original popularisation of the diet (going off the NHS page among other places) was Dr (?) Michael Mosley on Horizon, and he is indeed the co-author of at least some of the 'official' books on the diet.
The NHS page also suggests limited evidence on the diet (and this reduces further if you want studies that published before Mosley promoted the diet on horizon).
It isn't necessary to buy the book (although in the age of the internet that's true for so many books of that type) but since at least one of the books (I didn't check through them all) has hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list it's clear that plenty of people are.
An economy based on asset inflation ? It hasn't worked to date.
There is no simple panacea for our ills it's taken 30 odd years to get in the crap and will take the same to get out again. As I have pointed out many times our BoP problem is not primarily as a result of low cost competition. Our biggest deficit is with Europe from which we import medium tech products ( cars, fridges etc ) from medium and high cost countries. It has very little to do with labour cost. Our biggest deficit is with Germany which has higher Labour costs than we do.
The City made a lot of money from off-shoring Britain's industrial base.
An economy based on asset inflation ? It hasn't worked to date.
There is no simple panacea for our ills it's taken 30 odd years to get in the crap and will take the same to get out again. As I have pointed out many times our BoP problem is not primarily as a result of low cost competition. Our biggest deficit is with Europe from which we import medium tech products ( cars, fridges etc ) from medium and high cost countries. It has very little to do with labour cost. Our biggest deficit is with Germany which has higher Labour costs than we do.
The City made a lot of money from off-shoring Britain's industrial base.
An economy based on asset inflation ? It hasn't worked to date.
There is no simple panacea for our ills it's taken 30 odd years to get in the crap and will take the same to get out again. As I have pointed out many times our BoP problem is not primarily as a result of low cost competition. Our biggest deficit is with Europe from which we import medium tech products ( cars, fridges etc ) from medium and high cost countries. It has very little to do with labour cost. Our biggest deficit is with Germany which has higher Labour costs than we do.
The City made a lot of money from off-shoring Britain's industrial base.
Except it wasn't invented by the diet industry. No one gets any money out of it because they cannot sell anything. Whether or not it works as well as people claim is another matter but the idea that it is another fad invention to make money is clearly false since its original proponents haven't tried to sell anything on the back of it.
Richard, if you so desire you can buy several books and an app for the 5:2 diet.
Indeed but none of them are produced by the doctors who originally discovered and promoted the diet and who freely made available their findings to the wider public - including the down sides such as its unsuitability for many women.
The fact that others have jumped on the band wagon doesn't change the original findings. Nor is it necessary to buy a single product or book in order to follow the diet.
The original popularisation of the diet (going off the NHS page among other places) was Dr (?) Michael Mosley on Horizon, and he is indeed the co-author of at least some of the 'official' books on the diet.
The NHS page also suggests limited evidence on the diet (and this reduces further if you want studies that published before Mosley promoted the diet on horizon).
It isn't necessary to buy the book (although in the age of the internet that's true for so many books of that type) but since at least one of the books (I didn't check through them all) has hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list it's clear that plenty of people are.
Most diets work because the people who need to be on diets are usually over-eating so any regulation of their eating, even cream cakes and chips three times a day, will result in weight loss.
As to the 5:2 yes I think it evolved as a user-friendly alternative to complete intermittent fasting which I understand did have some health benefits aside from weight loss.
Most people will lose weight if they cut out alcohol.
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
"As I have pointed out many times our BoP problem is not primarily as a result of low cost competition. Our biggest deficit is with Europe from which we import medium tech products ( cars, fridges etc ) from medium and high cost countries. It has very little to do with labour cost. Our biggest deficit is with Germany which has higher Labour costs than we do."
The reason Britain and America off-shored more industry than the other industrial countries is the over-dominance of their financial sectors.
That's how French nationalized utility companies came to own the UK's privatized ones.
Richard, if you so desire you can buy several books and an app for the 5:2 diet.
Indeed but none of them are produced by the doctors who originally discovered and promoted the diet and who freely made available their findings to the wider public - including the down sides such as its unsuitability for many women.
The fact that others have jumped on the band wagon doesn't change the original findings. Nor is it necessary to buy a single product or book in order to follow the diet.
The original popularisation of the diet (going off the NHS page among other places) was Dr (?) Michael Mosley on Horizon, and he is indeed the co-author of at least some of the 'official' books on the diet.
The NHS page also suggests limited evidence on the diet (and this reduces further if you want studies that published before Mosley promoted the diet on horizon).
It isn't necessary to buy the book (although in the age of the internet that's true for so many books of that type) but since at least one of the books (I didn't check through them all) has hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list it's clear that plenty of people are.
Most diets work because the people who need to be on diets are usually over-eating so any regulation of their eating, even cream cakes and chips three times a day, will result in weight loss.
As to the 5:2 yes I think it evolved as a user-friendly alternative to complete intermittent fasting which I understand did have some health benefits aside from weight loss.
Most people will lose weight if they cut out alcohol.
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
The psycho-physiological impact of knowing the party you support is about to suffer an humbling general election defeat can also cause weight loss.
Go back on the crisps and chocolates, Monksfield, and you will find the slimming continues and the psychological damage is mitigated.
Except it wasn't invented by the diet industry. No one gets any money out of it because they cannot sell anything. Whether or not it works as well as people claim is another matter but the idea that it is another fad invention to make money is clearly false since its original proponents haven't tried to sell anything on the back of it.
Richard, if you so desire you can buy several books and an app for the 5:2 diet.
Indeed but none of them are produced by the doctors who originally discovered and promoted the diet and who freely made available their findings to the wider public - including the down sides such as its unsuitability for many women.
The fact that others have jumped on the band wagon doesn't change the original findings. Nor is it necessary to buy a single product or book in order to follow the diet.
The original popularisation of the diet (going off the NHS page among other places) was Dr (?) Michael Mosley on Horizon, and he is indeed the co-author of at least some of the 'official' books on the diet.
The NHS page also suggests limited evidence on the diet (and this reduces further if you want studies that published before Mosley promoted the diet on horizon).
It isn't necessary to buy the book (although in the age of the internet that's true for so many books of that type) but since at least one of the books (I didn't check through them all) has hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list it's clear that plenty of people are.
Most diets work because the people who need to be on diets are usually over-eating so any regulation of their eating, even cream cakes and chips three times a day, will result in weight loss.
As to the 5:2 yes I think it evolved as a user-friendly alternative to complete intermittent fasting which I understand did have some health benefits aside from weight loss.
Most people will lose weight if they cut out alcohol.
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
There's no need to cut out drinking. Simply take spirits rather than beer.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Richard, if you so desire you can buy several books and an app for the 5:2 diet.
Indeed but none of them are produced by the doctors who originally discovered and promoted the diet and who freely made available their findings to the wider public - including the down sides such as its unsuitability for many women.
The fact that others have jumped on the band wagon doesn't change the original findings. Nor is it necessary to buy a single product or book in order to follow the diet.
The original popularisation of the diet (going off the NHS page among other places) was Dr (?) Michael Mosley on Horizon, and he is indeed the co-author of at least some of the 'official' books on the diet.
The NHS page also suggests limited evidence on the diet (and this reduces further if you want studies that published before Mosley promoted the diet on horizon).
It isn't necessary to buy the book (although in the age of the internet that's true for so many books of that type) but since at least one of the books (I didn't check through them all) has hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list it's clear that plenty of people are.
Most diets work because the people who need to be on diets are usually over-eating so any regulation of their eating, even cream cakes and chips three times a day, will result in weight loss.
As to the 5:2 yes I think it evolved as a user-friendly alternative to complete intermittent fasting which I understand did have some health benefits aside from weight loss.
Most people will lose weight if they cut out alcohol.
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
The psycho-physiological impact of knowing the party you support is about to suffer an humbling general election defeat can also cause weight loss.
Go back on the crisps and chocolates, Monksfield, and you will find the slimming continues and the psychological damage is mitigated.
lol Mr Avery. Still trying to work out what psycho-physiological means.... i'll get to the crushing defeat later. I have tomorrow's Brampton Bryan form to get through first,
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Taking my ball home with me. Great strategy. Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
Nonsense.
The absence of a currency union would force every worthwhile financial institution in Scotland to move to England. A currency union would be an act of charity on the part of the English, and as an English voter I'm in no mood to give it.
'Coughing up blood', Mr. Llama? Nonsense. The Third Empire is in rude health and, with our Italian allies will soon deal with the perfidious Turks.
Incidentally, I'm watching the other game, and was wondering why the unit symbols are different. It'd be nice to play with ancient powers, but I suspect premium status is needed.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Taking my ball home with me. Great strategy. Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
Absolutely. The whole 'putting the frighteners' on the Scots strategy has been hugely overdone. The cost of dealing with Scotland in a different currency would be disastrous for all and wee Eck knows it.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Taking my ball home with me. Great strategy. Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
Nonsense.
The absence of a currency union would force every worthwhile financial institution in Scotland to move to England. A currency union would be an act of charity on the part of the English, and as an English voter I'm in no mood to give it.
Then you must petition your MP and vote accordingly. I'm more than happy to share my currency with an Independant Scotland and allow free movement, trade and right of entry and settlement between the two nations. We're looking at an amicable divorce, not a street fight. At least that's how I see it.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Taking my ball home with me. Great strategy. Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
Absolutely. The whole 'putting the frighteners' on the Scots strategy has been hugely overdone. The cost of dealing with Scotland in a different currency would be disastrous for all and wee Eck knows it.
It would cost the Scots 10x as much as the English - are you proposing some form of reparations or should we make their idiocy easy for them at our cost?
Frankly any business with significant exports would continue to operate in £ either way so I struggle to see the downside for the English in that scenario.
Scaring people into voting no was always a daft strategy. Beginning to think a yes vote looks possible and becoming probable. Movement dear, movement
Agree mr woolie.the no negativity campaign as been awful,where's the positive campaign of the union,family ties,how much the scots/Scotland has given Britain or means to the union,what a future Scotland will look like if they vote yes to stay,haven't heard much of this.
Lucky I'm in the yes camp ;-) go for it my Scottish friends.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Taking my ball home with me. Great strategy. Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
Nonsense.
The absence of a currency union would force every worthwhile financial institution in Scotland to move to England. A currency union would be an act of charity on the part of the English, and as an English voter I'm in no mood to give it.
Then you must petition your MP and vote accordingly. I'm more than happy to share my currency with an I dependant Scotland and allow free movement, trade and right of entry and settlement between the two nations. We're looking at an amicable divorce, not a street fight. At least that's how I see it.
So you've changed your position. It simple would not harm England intolerably. They are a petulant child who require us but wish to make spiteful insults, and like any child, it is in their own long term good that they learn the true lie of the land.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
The first, and currently most popular, comment says it a all:
As we are in the realms of the Scottish Liberal conference then it has to be safe to assume its a liberal minister in question. The ability of liberals to set the course for anything is not great running at 10% polling support. Chances are in 2015 the individual will be a minister no more.
Given the way opinion is running in rUK, it will be a "brave" minister who proposes currency union.....
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Taking my ball home with me. Great strategy. Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
Nonsense.
The absence of a currency union would force every worthwhile financial institution in Scotland to move to England. A currency union would be an act of charity on the part of the English, and as an English voter I'm in no mood to give it.
Then you must petition your MP and vote accordingly. I'm more than happy to share my currency with an I dependant Scotland and allow free movement, trade and right of entry and settlement between the two nations. We're looking at an amicable divorce, not a street fight. At least that's how I see it.
So you've changed your position. It simple would not harm England intolerably. They are a petulant child who require us but wish to make spiteful insults, and like any child, it is in their own long term good that they learn the true lie of the land.
Well we simply disagree. I adore Scotland and the Scots and spend a lot of time there (here as it is as I'm in Fort William), I don't see it the way you do. That's life and that's politics. Then I have Scottish ancestry so a bit of bloodline blindness comes into play. We will work it out for the best of all concerned if it comes to a yes, that's what nations do.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Taking my ball home with me. Great strategy. Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
Nonsense.
The absence of a currency union would force every worthwhile financial institution in Scotland to move to England. A currency union would be an act of charity on the part of the English, and as an English voter I'm in no mood to give it.
Then you must petition your MP and vote accordingly. I'm more than happy to share my currency with an I dependant Scotland and allow free movement, trade and right of entry and settlement between the two nations. We're looking at an amicable divorce, not a street fight. At least that's how I see it.
So you've changed your position. It simple would not harm England intolerably. They are a petulant child who require us but wish to make spiteful insults, and like any child, it is in their own long term good that they learn the true lie of the land.
Well we simply disagree. I adore Scotland and the Scots and spend a lot of time there (here as it is as I'm in Fort William), I don't see it the way you do. That's life and that's politics. Then I have Scottish ancestry so a bit of bloodline blindness comes into play. We will work it out for the best of all concerned if it comes to a yes, that's what nations do.
I've spent many happy holidays in Scotland and have many Scottish friends. I don't believe I owe them a free lunch - if they collectively vote to cease to be part of my family then I expect my political leaders to negotiate appropriately and the reality is we can easily do without them, whilst they are stuffed without us.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Taking my ball home with me. Great strategy. Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
Nonsense.
The absence of a currency union would force every worthwhile financial institution in Scotland to move to England. A currency union would be an act of charity on the part of the English, and as an English voter I'm in no mood to give it.
Then you must petition your MP and vote accordingly. I'm more than happy to share my currency with an Independant Scotland and allow free movement, trade and right of entry and settlement between the two nations. We're looking at an amicable divorce, not a street fight. At least that's how I see it.
Except it's not an amicable divorce. It doesn't have to devolve to a street fight, but it's not amicable. If Scotland wishes independence then godspeed and best of luck, but the negotiations afterwards will be bitter as hell. I don't want England harming itself simply in order to spite Scotland, but if it won't harm England to play tough on certain aspects, then I'm all for it.
If independence is the wish, each side will have to look out for itself. We're intertwined in many ways which will not change, and we will never be enemies, but neither will either side feel the need to take the word of the other side that X or Y will harm both of them if they don't do it. Currently one side says 'this is in both our interests', the other says it isn't. If they continue to feel that it isn't, then they should not give an inch even if the other side disagree.
Reading that Grauniad article it looks like a currency union will see rUK control Scottish monetary and fiscal policy, and retain nukes at Faslane. The first was always going to be the case; the second is a new one. Top class mischief making by Mr Alexander - it's clearly him, isn't it? Looks to me to be a good strategy to open up the possibility of a union and to begin a discussion on the full implications of that. Throwing Faslane into the mix may not best please a few on the Yes side, but the fact is that if there is to be a currency union the rUK sets the terms.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
"The UK wants to keep Trident nuclear weapons at Faslane and the Scottish government wants a currency union – you can see the outlines of a deal.", they quote the minister as saying. My impression is that "no nukes" is non-negotiable for frinstance malcolmg and at least one other nat who used to post here.
I am not sure why you say that. Putting Osborne in charge of Scottish interest rates and borrowing with a panel where the token scot is subservient to their rUK masters, may be quite useful for rUK. We do not want a bankrupt failed state on our doorstep.
Quite why Salmond and the SNP are quite so keen to have the English in charge of their fiscal and financial policy is not so obvious. I suppose it is because they know that they will not be able to control their urges without an English lock on their chastity belt.
Always cling on to Nurse, for fear of finding something worse...
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
The first, and currently most popular, comment says it a all:
As we are in the realms of the Scottish Liberal conference then it has to be safe to assume its a liberal minister in question. The ability of liberals to set the course for anything is not great running at 10% polling support. Chances are in 2015 the individual will be a minister no more.
Given the way opinion is running in rUK, it will be a "brave" minister who proposes currency union.....
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Taking my ball home with me. Great strategy. Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
Absolutely. The whole 'putting the frighteners' on the Scots strategy has been hugely overdone. The cost of dealing with Scotland in a different currency would be disastrous for all and wee Eck knows it.
Common ground, we've come on at a sprint since last night ;-) Yes, agree entirely
'The cost of dealing with Scotland in a different currency would be disastrous for all and wee Eck knows it.'
Your having a laugh,the trade between UK & Scotland is tiny compared with trade between UK & RoW,which is often in foreign currency.
Tiny to us, massive to then. It's a laughing matter south of the border but life or death above it. The entire Scottish financial sector is a spectre resulting from UK underwriting.
We might anticipate that one possible consequence of growing opposition in England & Wales to Scottish independence is increasing reluctance to acquiesce in the SNP’s vision for close relations between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK. This certainly seems to be what has happened so far as sharing the pound is concerned. Indeed George Osborne’s statement that this would not be possible seems to have had rather more impact on those resident in England & Wales than it has done on those at whom it was primarily aimed, that is the voters of Scotland.
Back in November, before the Chancellor’s statement, almost as many people in England & Wales (38%) supported allowing an independent Scotland to continue to use the pound as were opposed (43%). But in a poll conducted immediately after the statement YouGov found that only 23% were in favour while as many as 58% were opposed. The company then found much the same result a week later, with 25% in favour and 58% opposed, in response to a slightly differently worded question on the subject.
Of course the voters of England & Wales will be but bystanders when Scotland decides its future on 18 September. But they will get a chance to express their views on the fallout from the referendum when the UK as a whole goes to the polls the following May. If Scotland does decide to vote Yes, it may find those on the opposite side of the negotiating table are under pressure not to strike an overgenerous deal to their departing northern neighbour.
The first, and currently most popular, comment says it a all:
As we are in the realms of the Scottish Liberal conference then it has to be safe to assume its a liberal minister in question. The ability of liberals to set the course for anything is not great running at 10% polling support. Chances are in 2015 the individual will be a minister no more.
Given the way opinion is running in rUK, it will be a "brave" minister who proposes currency union.....
Well it's not Carmichael, unless he's being particularly disingenuous.
Tom Gordon @ScottishPol 21 mins Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael says tonight's Guardian story on indyref and currency "does not represent the position of the govt"
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
Why not work on getting your activity levels up? People evolved to eat a lot to fund exercise. I took up running at 46. Download C25K onto your smartphone, and when you can run for 30 minutes non-stop, start going to your local parkrun on Saturday mornings. With the lighter evenings you can easily find routes to run after work and burn 4-500 calories in half an hour. And you will improve your cardiovascular fitness, live longer and healthier, and afford to eat and drink nice things.
(Although I do find crisps utterly pointless. Unsatisfying, loads of fat & calories, and a way of making you pay shedloads for the humble potato).
Aye, it wouldn't be amicable. And no currency union. Any politician advocating it after they all said absolutely not will get slaughtered at the General Election.
Faslane will piss off one side or the other massively, likewise currency union and I'm sure many other areas.
As for not being enemies, it would not surprise me if the Auld Enemy, after a few years, vied with the French for our favourite nation to have a go at. Salmond's divisive approach has ensured that a Yes vote will lead to an acrimonious separation.
And don't forget that this would likely leave England, Wales and Northern Ireland lumbered with 100% of the debts taken on due to Scottish Chancellors and banks. There will be (if it happens) significant anger and bitterness about that, unless Scotland takes its fair share (currency union seems to be the chosen excuse to avoid this).
I do hope that officials are preparing appropriate negtiation scenarios in the event of a Yes vote, as I beleive the outcome will be, because as much as I try to divorce emotion from it, I am quite certain my initial reaction will be to deny them anything they ask for in the aftermath. While I am not convinced by the vociferous claims that apparently every rUK party is lying and that that is self evident and how dare we be idiots for failing to see that, we will need to co-operate in order to squeeze a few things we want out of the break up. I'm certainly not against a currency union in principle, but as it is not something that has to be achieved, there should certainly be a high price asked for it it return, which is only sensible strategy.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Taking my ball home with me. Great strategy. Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
Why would rUK be intolerably damaged by not having a currency union?
The chaos it would cause in the short term with the operations of businesses and the like with dual interest would put too much pressure on a long term weak economic position and undermine our ability to play the long game. IMHO of course
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
Why not work on getting your activity levels up? People evolved to eat a lot to fund exercise. I took up running at 46. Download C25K onto your smartphone, and when you can run for 30 minutes non-stop, start going to your local parkrun on Saturday mornings. With the lighter evenings you can easily find routes to run after work and burn 4-500 calories in half an hour. And you will improve your cardiovascular fitness, live longer and healthier, and afford to eat and drink nice things.
(Although I do find crisps utterly pointless. Unsatisfying, loads of fat & calories, and a way of making you pay shedloads for the humble potato).
Actually, I didn't notice the bit where you said you were doing an hour's exercise twice a week. But I still recommend running. I'm not very fast, but I can do half marathons now.
I am not sure why you say that. Putting Osborne in charge of Scottish interest rates and borrowing with a panel where the token scot is subservient to their rUK masters, may be quite useful for rUK. We do not want a bankrupt failed state on our doorstep.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
The first, and currently most popular, comment says it a all:
As we are in the realms of the Scottish Liberal conference then it has to be safe to assume its a liberal minister in question. The ability of liberals to set the course for anything is not great running at 10% polling support. Chances are in 2015 the individual will be a minister no more.
Given the way opinion is running in rUK, it will be a "brave" minister who proposes currency union.....
The first, and currently most popular, comment says it a all:
As we are in the realms of the Scottish Liberal conference then it has to be safe to assume its a liberal minister in question. The ability of liberals to set the course for anything is not great running at 10% polling support. Chances are in 2015 the individual will be a minister no more.
Given the way opinion is running in rUK, it will be a "brave" minister who proposes currency union.....
Well it's not Carmichael, unless he's being particularly disingenuous.
Tom Gordon @ScottishPol 21 mins Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael says tonight's Guardian story on indyref and currency "does not represent the position of the govt"
But, but, but someone made a post below the article, damn it! A post!!!
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
Why not work on getting your activity levels up? People evolved to eat a lot to fund exercise. I took up running at 46. Download C25K onto your smartphone, and when you can run for 30 minutes non-stop, start going to your local parkrun on Saturday mornings. With the lighter evenings you can easily find routes to run after work and burn 4-500 calories in half an hour. And you will improve your cardiovascular fitness, live longer and healthier, and afford to eat and drink nice things.
(Although I do find crisps utterly pointless. Unsatisfying, loads of fat & calories, and a way of making you pay shedloads for the humble potato).
Simply eating fewer calories has more proven health benefits and is more likely to lead to health benefits - exercise is great once you fit target weight but I'm unconvinced it's the best strategy for losing weight vs an aggressive calorie controlled diet for a limited time period.
'The chaos it would cause in the short term with the operations of businesses and the like with dual interest would put too much pressure on a long term weak economic position and undermine our ability to play the long game. IMHO of course'
So why wasn't that the case when the Euro was launched?
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
"The UK wants to keep Trident nuclear weapons at Faslane and the Scottish government wants a currency union – you can see the outlines of a deal.", they quote the minister as saying. My impression is that "no nukes" is non-negotiable for frinstance malcolmg and at least one other nat who used to post here.
Seems a sensible idea to me to begin discussing exactly what a currency union will mean. If it causes consternation in the Yes camp, isn't that the point?
Aye, it wouldn't be amicable. And no currency union. Any politician advocating it after they all said absolutely not will get slaughtered at the General Election.
Faslane will piss off one side or the other massively, likewise currency union and I'm sure many other areas.
As for not being enemies, it would not surprise me if the Auld Enemy, after a few years, vied with the French for our favourite nation to have a go at. Salmond's divisive approach has ensured that a Yes vote will lead to an acrimonious separation.
And don't forget that this would likely leave England, Wales and Northern Ireland lumbered with 100% of the debts taken on due to Scottish Chancellors and banks. There will be (if it happens) significant anger and bitterness about that, unless Scotland takes its fair share (currency union seems to be the chosen excuse to avoid this).
It'll be a tremendous shame, if it happens.
Eck should pick up the "conscious uncoupling" motif. It has the nauseating ring of his phraseology.
If Scotland does decide to vote Yes, it may find those on the opposite side of the negotiating table are under pressure not to strike an overgenerous deal to their departing northern neighbour.
This is I think something the Yes side is well aware of, but is keen to play down, not that a tough negotiation would dim their desire for independence of course (if you want independence, you want it whether it would make you richer or poorer). There are many positions where the Yes side might well be correct that their view would be good for both sides, in the event of a seperation, and those in power on the No side might even agree (though not necessarily).
But for all the positive reasons Yes want independence, and for all many in England are, sadly, apathetic about the Union, and for all that of course we will remain hugely close allies, politically agreeing to such positions in the aftermath could be tricky (I know it would take a year or more to finalize details, that is still short term).
I don't know enough to make an assessment about whether claim x or claim y would help or hinder both nations in the event of independence. But if a Yes vote occurs, as I believe it will, it will be a giant middle finger to all those in the rest of the Union who support the Union. It may well not be intended that way, but that is what it will be. In those circumstances, there will be some inclined to strike a harsh deal out of spite, but the danger to the Yes side is not those people, it is that many will genuinely believe that no more cooperation than is strictly necessary should occur and will simply not want the government to engage further than that. I strive to remain objective on the matter, but as I said, I am certain my reaction will be that rUK should make it as hard as possible once the decision has been made. I would get some perverse satisfaction from that, but I will have to hope the mandarins are able to keep cooler heads and make sure rUK gets the best deal out of it it can, even if that does mean some cooperation.
Mr. Lilburne, gah. Now you've got me contemplating forgoing crisps.
Indeed, Mr. Johnno. This is why we need an English Parliament.
Miss Vance, not only that, *every* political party nailed their colours to the 'no currency union' mast. It'd be a bloody outrage (as well as electorally stupid) to do a 180.
Mr. Maaarsh, I have vague memories of learning that women need to exercise and diet to lose weight, whereas men can lose weight only doing one. I think it's because of the varying metabolic rates, and perhaps also related to the divergent fat and muscle content of male and female bodies (men have approximately twice the muscle and half the fat of women, on average).
And don't forget that this would likely leave England, Wales and Northern Ireland lumbered with 100% of the debts taken on due to Scottish Chancellors and banks. There will be (if it happens) significant anger and bitterness about that, unless Scotland takes its fair share (currency union seems to be the chosen excuse to avoid this).
It'll be a tremendous shame, if it happens.
Not if Scotland wants to join the EU.....no agreement on debt, no agreement on independence, no application to join the EU, and even if it did, one very pissed off veto-holding member lying in wait.....
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
Why not work on getting your activity levels up? People evolved to eat a lot to fund exercise. I took up running at 46. Download C25K onto your smartphone, and when you can run for 30 minutes non-stop, start going to your local parkrun on Saturday mornings. With the lighter evenings you can easily find routes to run after work and burn 4-500 calories in half an hour. And you will improve your cardiovascular fitness, live longer and healthier, and afford to eat and drink nice things.
(Although I do find crisps utterly pointless. Unsatisfying, loads of fat & calories, and a way of making you pay shedloads for the humble potato).
Simply eating fewer calories has more proven health benefits and is more likely to lead to health benefits - exercise is great once you fit target weight but I'm unconvinced it's the best strategy for losing weight vs an aggressive calorie controlled diet for a limited time period.
You certainly have to do one or the other, you can't do exercise on an aggressive low calorie diet. But if you burn more, you can eat more, and if you can make the exercise a regular and non-negotiable part of your life, it is more likely to be sustainable. Surely once the aggressive diet is over, people are likely to go back to their old ways.
'Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign. The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote. "Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
Taking my ball home with me. Great strategy. Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
Why would rUK be intolerably damaged by not having a currency union?
The chaos it would cause in the short term with the operations of businesses and the like with dual interest would put too much pressure on a long term weak economic position and undermine our ability to play the long game. IMHO of course
Most large companies deal in multiple currencies anyway. But they might well insist on contracts in GBP anyway so they don't take the currency risk. It's just a little bit more work for the treasurer. Small and mid-sized companies will manage it fine too.
Mr. Lilburne, gah. Now you've got me contemplating forgoing crisps.
Indeed, Mr. Johnno. This is why we need an English Parliament.
Miss Vance, not only that, *every* political party nailed their colours to the 'no currency union' mast. It'd be a bloody outrage (as well as electorally stupid) to do a 180.
Mr. Maaarsh, I have vague memories of learning that women need to exercise and diet to lose weight, whereas men can lose weight only doing one. I think it's because of the varying metabolic rates, and perhaps also related to the divergent fat and muscle content of male and female bodies (men have approximately twice the muscle and half the fat of women, on average).
Very possible.
I've always had great success just not eating on my intermittent retrencments, and i'm greatly encouraged by the evidence this will render my coat glossy and healthy!
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
Why not work on getting your activity levels up? People evolved to eat a lot to fund exercise. I took up running at 46. Download C25K onto your smartphone, and when you can run for 30 minutes non-stop, start going to your local parkrun on Saturday mornings. With the lighter evenings you can easily find routes to run after work and burn 4-500 calories in half an hour. And you will improve your cardiovascular fitness, live longer and healthier, and afford to eat and drink nice things.
(Although I do find crisps utterly pointless. Unsatisfying, loads of fat & calories, and a way of making you pay shedloads for the humble potato).
Simply eating fewer calories has more proven health benefits and is more likely to lead to health benefits - exercise is great once you fit target weight but I'm unconvinced it's the best strategy for losing weight vs an aggressive calorie controlled diet for a limited time period.
You certainly have to do one or the other, you can't do exercise on an aggressive low calorie diet. But if you burn more, you can eat more, and if you can make the exercise a regular and non-negotiable part of your life, it is more likely to be sustainable. Surely once the aggressive diet is over, people are likely to go back to their old ways.
Fair. At the moment I go for an 8 week period of 3-4 dieting a year to stay around my target weight, but I'd like to manage a 1-6 diet with exercise after this latest effort and stick to it.I did used to go to the gym every lunchtime and it lasted a while, but ultimately wasn't much more durable for me once I hit the weight I wanted and got comfortable.
'The chaos it would cause in the short term with the operations of businesses and the like with dual interest would put too much pressure on a long term weak economic position and undermine our ability to play the long game. IMHO of course'
So why wasn't that the case when the Euro was launched?
Well they all entered a union, they didn't divorce from one internally. Similar situation but long in the planning, and from a different aspect - going into rather than splitting out from.
It's very simple. In the run up to the Independence vote, what matters is what 8% of the UK thinks - the other 92% is irrelevant. After an independence vote, the positions pretty much reverse.
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
Why not work on getting your activity levels up? People evolved to eat a lot to fund exercise. I took up running at 46. Download C25K onto your smartphone, and when you can run for 30 minutes non-stop, start going to your local parkrun on Saturday mornings. With the lighter evenings you can easily find routes to run after work and burn 4-500 calories in half an hour. And you will improve your cardiovascular fitness, live longer and healthier, and afford to eat and drink nice things.
(Although I do find crisps utterly pointless. Unsatisfying, loads of fat & calories, and a way of making you pay shedloads for the humble potato).
Actually, I didn't notice the bit where you said you were doing an hour's exercise twice a week. But I still recommend running. I'm not very fast, but I can do half marathons now.
No, indeed. The exercise is a key part, and I haven't felt fitter for 10 years. But for me laying off the choc and crisps and not chugging a couple of glasses of wine of a midweek night have been equally important. I'm late 40s and 5 ft 11 and basically want to get back to a little over 12 st. It was the blood pressure that was beginning to worry me.
'Tiny to us, massive to then. It's a laughing matter south of the border but life or death above it. The entire Scottish financial sector is a spectre resulting from UK underwriting.'
We can manage when 18 countries with a total population of over 300 million change their currencies,but when one country with a population of 5 million changes their currency business will be thrown into chaos..
'Tiny to us, massive to then. It's a laughing matter south of the border but life or death above it. The entire Scottish financial sector is a spectre resulting from UK underwriting.'
We can manage when 18 countries with a total population of over 300 million change their currencies,but when one country with a population of 5 million changes their currency business will be thrown into chaos..
Quite. This whole nonsense is just petulant spite from a small child which objects to the reality of its powerlessness. They can only spite themselves, and I very much hope they do, given it would necessarily result in the most valuable elements of their economy moving South unless we were to engage in an act of charity to the mouth which bites the hand that feeds. Fortunately I can see no electoral logic for that to happen.
Well I stand ready to be corrected if my assertion on chaos is incorrect. I'm no expert after all. Having said that I'd still share the currency as an act of faith in the new nation and affection for what we've been through together. After all, if I'm wrong about splitting, clearly staying together is not problematic either?
A Unionist speaks once again (I'll leave the URL visible just in case anyone thinks I'm trying to hide his identity):
'Scotland – currency union obvious, ‘No’ campaign messages of hate a disaster
...Some prominent members of the No campaign are calling for the sacking of the minister who’s dared to speak the simple truth. Well let’s not be rose-tinted lensed about politics, but seriously – actually sack someone for saying something which is not only the truth but which most Scots agree is the truth? The No campaign is simply a disaster. Its purpose seems to be to champion hate and negativity about Scotland. Naturally the polls are going the other way in response. It’s patently ridiculous to everyone, it’s treating Scots like inferiors and fools, to argue that Scotland couldn’t hack it as an independent state and that all our neighbours would harm themselves in order to disrespect an independent Scotland.'
A Unionist speaks once again (I'll leave the URL visible just in case anyone thinks I'm trying to hide his identity):
'Scotland – currency union obvious, ‘No’ campaign messages of hate a disaster
...Some prominent members of the No campaign are calling for the sacking of the minister who’s dared to speak the simple truth. Well let’s not be rose-tinted lensed about politics, but seriously – actually sack someone for saying something which is not only the truth but which most Scots agree is the truth? The No campaign is simply a disaster. Its purpose seems to be to champion hate and negativity about Scotland. Naturally the polls are going the other way in response. It’s patently ridiculous to everyone, it’s treating Scots like inferiors and fools, to argue that Scotland couldn’t hack it as an independent state and that all our neighbours would harm themselves in order to disrespect an independent Scotland.'
Very wise. I find going on the wagon is a very effective diet. Apart from missing out on the calories, you are more inclined to exercise, and much less inclined to have pudding.
Much as I am fond of crisps, they are empty calories and salty. A low sodium diet is really quite effective for blood pressure.
In terms of exercise if you want to get fit, then measure your maximum possible heart rate, then exercise to maintain 75+% of it for at least ten minutes three times a week. It doesn't matter particularly how, but for us older guys running is not good for the knees, better to go cycling as much less prone to injury, for those who have got out of shape.
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
Why not work on getting your activity levels up? People evolved to eat a lot to fund exercise. I took up running at 46. Download C25K onto your smartphone, and when you can run for 30 minutes non-stop, start going to your local parkrun on Saturday mornings. With the lighter evenings you can easily find routes to run after work and burn 4-500 calories in half an hour. And you will improve your cardiovascular fitness, live longer and healthier, and afford to eat and drink nice things.
(Although I do find crisps utterly pointless. Unsatisfying, loads of fat & calories, and a way of making you pay shedloads for the humble potato).
Actually, I didn't notice the bit where you said you were doing an hour's exercise twice a week. But I still recommend running. I'm not very fast, but I can do half marathons now.
No, indeed. The exercise is a key part, and I haven't felt fitter for 10 years. But for me laying off the choc and crisps and not chugging a couple of glasses of wine of a midweek night have been equally important. I'm late 40s and 5 ft 11 and basically want to get back to a little over 12 st. It was the blood pressure that was beginning to worry me.
A Unionist speaks once again (I'll leave the URL visible just in case anyone thinks I'm trying to hide his identity):
'Scotland – currency union obvious, ‘No’ campaign messages of hate a disaster
...Some prominent members of the No campaign are calling for the sacking of the minister who’s dared to speak the simple truth. Well let’s not be rose-tinted lensed about politics, but seriously – actually sack someone for saying something which is not only the truth but which most Scots agree is the truth? The No campaign is simply a disaster. Its purpose seems to be to champion hate and negativity about Scotland. Naturally the polls are going the other way in response. It’s patently ridiculous to everyone, it’s treating Scots like inferiors and fools, to argue that Scotland couldn’t hack it as an independent state and that all our neighbours would harm themselves in order to disrespect an independent Scotland.'
Mr. Divvie, why should the UK (without Scotland) be lender of last resort to Scottish financial institutions? Why should an independent Scotland want the country they're leaving to set interest rates and determine fiscal limits?
If the Coalition went along with that, in the event of a Yes, I'd have to decide whether to vote for a minor party, not bother at all, or spoil my ballot. I'm not backing a party that would u-turn on saying no to a currency union.
A Unionist speaks once again (I'll leave the URL visible just in case anyone thinks I'm trying to hide his identity):
'Scotland – currency union obvious, ‘No’ campaign messages of hate a disaster
...Some prominent members of the No campaign are calling for the sacking of the minister who’s dared to speak the simple truth. Well let’s not be rose-tinted lensed about politics, but seriously – actually sack someone for saying something which is not only the truth but which most Scots agree is the truth? The No campaign is simply a disaster. Its purpose seems to be to champion hate and negativity about Scotland. Naturally the polls are going the other way in response. It’s patently ridiculous to everyone, it’s treating Scots like inferiors and fools, to argue that Scotland couldn’t hack it as an independent state and that all our neighbours would harm themselves in order to disrespect an independent Scotland.'
A Unionist speaks once again (I'll leave the URL visible just in case anyone thinks I'm trying to hide his identity):
'Scotland – currency union obvious, ‘No’ campaign messages of hate a disaster
...Some prominent members of the No campaign are calling for the sacking of the minister who’s dared to speak the simple truth. Well let’s not be rose-tinted lensed about politics, but seriously – actually sack someone for saying something which is not only the truth but which most Scots agree is the truth? The No campaign is simply a disaster. Its purpose seems to be to champion hate and negativity about Scotland. Naturally the polls are going the other way in response. It’s patently ridiculous to everyone, it’s treating Scots like inferiors and fools, to argue that Scotland couldn’t hack it as an independent state and that all our neighbours would harm themselves in order to disrespect an independent Scotland.'
A Unionist speaks once again (I'll leave the URL visible just in case anyone thinks I'm trying to hide his identity):
'Scotland – currency union obvious, ‘No’ campaign messages of hate a disaster
...Some prominent members of the No campaign are calling for the sacking of the minister who’s dared to speak the simple truth. Well let’s not be rose-tinted lensed about politics, but seriously – actually sack someone for saying something which is not only the truth but which most Scots agree is the truth? The No campaign is simply a disaster. Its purpose seems to be to champion hate and negativity about Scotland. Naturally the polls are going the other way in response. It’s patently ridiculous to everyone, it’s treating Scots like inferiors and fools, to argue that Scotland couldn’t hack it as an independent state and that all our neighbours would harm themselves in order to disrespect an independent Scotland.'
Well I stand ready to be corrected if my assertion on chaos is incorrect. I'm no expert after all. Having said that I'd still share the currency as an act of faith in the new nation and affection for what we've been through together.
Politically would there be the will to do that, though? Demonstrating affection for shared experiences may not be popular immediately after a statement of there being no affection for remaining together despite those experiences.
Again, sharing a currency may be the best option, hopefully I will learn enough to assess that at some point, but I see no reason that rUK should permit it without extracting a major price. It's not because I want to punish Scotland (my heart will want that in the immediate aftermath, but that would hardly be good for rUK either), but because though we will remain close friends and allies, if you take the step to become independent and all the risks and rewards that entails, you have to be prepared to stand up on your own two feet - clearly Scotland believes it can, and I do too for that matter - and part of that means no favours, at least not right away.
They make the choice knowing there may be bumps in the road, I am sure they are prepared for such an eventuality. If they were ever in serious trouble, let us hope that does not occur, rUK would of course be more generous, but until that day comrd, unless it also benefits rUK (as Yes say a currency union would, while others disagree), nothing should just be granted out of affection.
Scotland does not think it can thrive and prosper as an independent nation only if latent affection from rUK means they get a generous deal. They think it will thrive and prosper whatever rUK does, and so they would not, I trust, want a deal from rUK which was not fair to rUK as well. They just disagree about where the fair line is. As such, rUK taking a tough negotiating position to ensure each side gets a fair deal, is right and proper for both, and the independent nation will not start out morally indebted to an overly generous former partner.
About that Coalition minister - he's talking through his rectum if he thinks that extending the life of Trident at Faslane is practicable. Any SNP government which agreed to that would be instantly overthrown by Ms Lamont + Co who would all of a sudden have discovered their CND roots, anything to get their revenge on the SNP, and likewise the LDs (now also independent of London Control). There would even be a few people voting out of principle, i.e. the Greens and independents, plus some SNP, and perhaps even the Scottish Tories. Exactly the same applies to the true nightmare scenario of Labour in charge thereafter.
saying something which is not only the truth but which most Scots agree is the truth?
In the event of a "yes" vote, what "most Scots agree is the truth" is really neither here nor there. The people who will decide on a currency union will be south of the border.....
I thought you were serious until you posted the article was by Eric Joyce.
Don't discount it on that basis. It has been one of the more pleasant surprises of the Falkirk affair sensu lato how cogent and sharp his articles have been now he is, so to speal, independent of Labour.
Edit: it was not his postings on indy that drew me to that opinion, but on the Falkirk affair - on which they threw some light carefully obscured by the Labour and union nomenklatura.
Mr. Divvie, why should the UK (without Scotland) be lender of last resort to Scottish financial institutions? Why should an independent Scotland want the country they're leaving to set interest rates and determine fiscal limits?
If the Coalition went along with that, in the event of a Yes, I'd have to decide whether to vote for a minor party, not bother at all, or spoil my ballot. I'm not backing a party that would u-turn on saying no to a currency union.
Hey, I'm only reporting the news and others' views.
Perhaps if Osballs and Alexander do a reverse ferret after 18/09/14 and make a joint statement telling everyone that a currency union is in the interests of all, the English electorate will be as sceptical as the Scots are about the triumvirate's current bollocks. Who knows?
If the Coalition went along with that, in the event of a Yes, I'd have to decide whether to vote for a minor party, not bother at all, or spoil my ballot. I'm not backing a party that would u-turn on saying no to a currency union.
I doubt I'd go that far as I am so indecisive anyway, but it's close. There are red lines in politics. For some, the LDs can never regain honour for reneging on their tuition fees pledge regardless of all the excuses that can be made or illustrations of the legions of u-turns all parties of government have committed, people regard it as egregious.
For me, the rUK parties were unequivocal to a most unusual degree, which helped sell it as something they were cast iron on. If it turns out Yes were right and it was just bluster (and I would remind crowing Yes supproters that what we've heard is in no way 'proof' that the whole thing was bluster and will not happen and you know that, any more than a statement from a single person against their party position is proof that party will not pursue that option) I will be incredibly furious. Probably the most disgusted I will have been at politicians in general since the vote for 90 day detention.
Well I stand ready to be corrected if my assertion on chaos is incorrect. I'm no expert after all. Having said that I'd still share the currency as an act of faith in the new nation and affection for what we've been through together.
Politically would there be the will to do that, though? Demonstrating affection for shared experiences may not be popular immediately after a statement of there being no affection for remaining together despite those experiences.
Probably not. Which saddens me. I'm not firing from a position if expectation, more from a position of desire. I'm usually rather pragmatic politically, voting in my own interest and what I see as the long term interest whilst I do a Mr Bumble and wait for something (the popular revolution) to turn up. On this, my heart rules my head. Yes to independence and yes to harmony and generosity in our parting. It won't happen, like the MORI Tory 52% was never going to happen.
Comments
Ozzie won't be PM and I doubt wants it that much. He's happier being the eminence grise
Sorry, I didn't follow up on your reply last night, but I was interrupted by a man from Porlock.
I think I must have conflated two posts of yours in my memory as I do recall your account of the memorial cricket match. I think I also recalled a comment you made, in the context of a quality of life in London conversation, about the low cost of buying a Queen Anne house in Lincolnshire.
Finding estate agent particulars of Ufford Hall, the late Lord Airedale's dilapidated but grand house, and then putting two and two together and getting five, I thought this might be the house you were referring to.
http://bit.ly/1gKn1BE
A snip at £2.5 million which would hardly buy you a two bedroom flat in Kensington. A bit later than Queen Anne though and rather curiously overdeveloped on its roadside elevation in the 19th century, but elegant nonetheless.
The cricket field is leased to the village club.
The fact that others have jumped on the band wagon doesn't change the original findings. Nor is it necessary to buy a single product or book in order to follow the diet.
'Two jokers.'
Don't remember any forecasts from Fischer in 2010,however Rod & JackW were the only PBers that called it right just a couple of seats out.
The NHS page also suggests limited evidence on the diet (and this reduces further if you want studies that published before Mosley promoted the diet on horizon).
It isn't necessary to buy the book (although in the age of the internet that's true for so many books of that type) but since at least one of the books (I didn't check through them all) has hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list it's clear that plenty of people are.
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/01January/Pages/Does-the-5-2-intermittent-fasting-diet-work.aspx
http://thefastdiet.co.uk/fast-books/
1/4 and 3/1 would be about right?
As to the 5:2 yes I think it evolved as a user-friendly alternative to complete intermittent fasting which I understand did have some health benefits aside from weight loss.
Most people will lose weight if they cut out alcohol.
Having reached 14st after Xmas I basically adopted the prospectus of trying to cut out midweek drinking, no chocolate, crisps or sweets at all and trying to do an hour of exercise twice a week. Otherwise, not that much change, but I've lost 16lb in about 12 weeks, and am still able to blow out a bit on the beer and wine at weekends. And 4 days of Cheltenham.....
The reason Britain and America off-shored more industry than the other industrial countries is the over-dominance of their financial sectors.
That's how French nationalized utility companies came to own the UK's privatized ones.
Go back on the crisps and chocolates, Monksfield, and you will find the slimming continues and the psychological damage is mitigated.
Amused and impressed by BA's latest marking ploy.
They just sent me an email saying "Congratulations, you have just completed 950,000 miles flown with BA. Only 50,000 to go to reach the million mark!"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2591577/Campaign-save-UK-crisis-Pro-Union-chiefs-stage-emergency-summit-support-independence-grows.html
Beginning to think a yes vote looks possible and becoming probable. Movement dear, movement
A currency union will eventually be agreed between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK to ensure fiscal and economic stability on both sides of the border, according to a government minister at the heart of the pro-union campaign.
The private admission comes amid increasing jitters at Westminster, after opinion polls showed an increase in support for independence despite the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all arguing that Scotland could not keep the pound after a yes vote.
"Of course there would be a currency union," the minister told the Guardian in remarks that will serve as a major boost to the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, who accused the UK's three main political parties of "bluff, bluster and bullying" after they all rejected a currency union.'
http://tinyurl.com/oqcbrdb
Of course there will be currency union. Anything else would damage both nations intolerably.
The absence of a currency union would force every worthwhile financial institution in Scotland to move to England. A currency union would be an act of charity on the part of the English, and as an English voter I'm in no mood to give it.
I was fortunate to draw Turkey in the first match, rather unhistorically a good draw in the game, only to get Italy in the Deathmatch. Que sera sera!
I think we have not seen the last of Austria, Russia or France, just yet.
I'm more than happy to share my currency with an Independant Scotland and allow free movement, trade and right of entry and settlement between the two nations. We're looking at an amicable divorce, not a street fight. At least that's how I see it.
Frankly any business with significant exports would continue to operate in £ either way so I struggle to see the downside for the English in that scenario.
Lucky I'm in the yes camp ;-) go for it my Scottish friends.
As we are in the realms of the Scottish Liberal conference then it has to be safe to assume its a liberal minister in question. The ability of liberals to set the course for anything is not great running at 10% polling support. Chances are in 2015 the individual will be a minister no more.
Given the way opinion is running in rUK, it will be a "brave" minister who proposes currency union.....
We will work it out for the best of all concerned if it comes to a yes, that's what nations do.
Why would rUK be intolerably damaged by not having a currency union?
If independence is the wish, each side will have to look out for itself. We're intertwined in many ways which will not change, and we will never be enemies, but neither will either side feel the need to take the word of the other side that X or Y will harm both of them if they don't do it. Currently one side says 'this is in both our interests', the other says it isn't. If they continue to feel that it isn't, then they should not give an inch even if the other side disagree.
The 'No' camp is looking increasingly in disarray.
Reading that Grauniad article it looks like a currency union will see rUK control Scottish monetary and fiscal policy, and retain nukes at Faslane. The first was always going to be the case; the second is a new one. Top class mischief making by Mr Alexander - it's clearly him, isn't it? Looks to me to be a good strategy to open up the possibility of a union and to begin a discussion on the full implications of that. Throwing Faslane into the mix may not best please a few on the Yes side, but the fact is that if there is to be a currency union the rUK sets the terms.
'The cost of dealing with Scotland in a different currency would be disastrous for all and wee Eck knows it.'
Your having a laugh,the trade between UK & Scotland is tiny compared with trade between UK & RoW,which is often in foreign currency.
Quite why Salmond and the SNP are quite so keen to have the English in charge of their fiscal and financial policy is not so obvious. I suppose it is because they know that they will not be able to control their urges without an English lock on their chastity belt.
Always cling on to Nurse, for fear of finding something worse...
Yes, agree entirely
We might anticipate that one possible consequence of growing opposition in England & Wales to Scottish independence is increasing reluctance to acquiesce in the SNP’s vision for close relations between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK. This certainly seems to be what has happened so far as sharing the pound is concerned. Indeed George Osborne’s statement that this would not be possible seems to have had rather more impact on those resident in England & Wales than it has done on those at whom it was primarily aimed, that is the voters of Scotland.
Back in November, before the Chancellor’s statement, almost as many people in England & Wales (38%) supported allowing an independent Scotland to continue to use the pound as were opposed (43%). But in a poll conducted immediately after the statement YouGov found that only 23% were in favour while as many as 58% were opposed. The company then found much the same result a week later, with 25% in favour and 58% opposed, in response to a slightly differently worded question on the subject.
Of course the voters of England & Wales will be but bystanders when Scotland decides its future on 18 September. But they will get a chance to express their views on the fallout from the referendum when the UK as a whole goes to the polls the following May. If Scotland does decide to vote Yes, it may find those on the opposite side of the negotiating table are under pressure not to strike an overgenerous deal to their departing northern neighbour.
http://blog.whatscotlandthinks.org/2014/03/is-the-rest-of-the-uk-becoming-more-concerned-about-scottish-independence/
Tom Gordon @ScottishPol 21 mins
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael says tonight's Guardian story on indyref and currency "does not represent the position of the govt"
(Although I do find crisps utterly pointless. Unsatisfying, loads of fat & calories, and a way of making you pay shedloads for the humble potato).
Aye, it wouldn't be amicable. And no currency union. Any politician advocating it after they all said absolutely not will get slaughtered at the General Election.
Faslane will piss off one side or the other massively, likewise currency union and I'm sure many other areas.
As for not being enemies, it would not surprise me if the Auld Enemy, after a few years, vied with the French for our favourite nation to have a go at. Salmond's divisive approach has ensured that a Yes vote will lead to an acrimonious separation.
And don't forget that this would likely leave England, Wales and Northern Ireland lumbered with 100% of the debts taken on due to Scottish Chancellors and banks. There will be (if it happens) significant anger and bitterness about that, unless Scotland takes its fair share (currency union seems to be the chosen excuse to avoid this).
It'll be a tremendous shame, if it happens.
Another master strategy bites the dust, poor old Osbrowne. How well suited would you say the following are to being PM, indeed? You think?
*chortle*
ROFL
'The chaos it would cause in the short term with the operations of businesses and the like with dual interest would put too much pressure on a long term weak economic position and undermine our ability to play the long game. IMHO of course'
So why wasn't that the case when the Euro was launched?
Daniel Hamilton @danielrhamilton
Busy day on the campaign trail tomorrow: North West @Conservatives team meeting in #Salford in the morning, then campaigning in #Liverpool
The VC brigade ;-)
But for all the positive reasons Yes want independence, and for all many in England are, sadly, apathetic about the Union, and for all that of course we will remain hugely close allies, politically agreeing to such positions in the aftermath could be tricky (I know it would take a year or more to finalize details, that is still short term).
I don't know enough to make an assessment about whether claim x or claim y would help or hinder both nations in the event of independence. But if a Yes vote occurs, as I believe it will, it will be a giant middle finger to all those in the rest of the Union who support the Union. It may well not be intended that way, but that is what it will be. In those circumstances, there will be some inclined to strike a harsh deal out of spite, but the danger to the Yes side is not those people, it is that many will genuinely believe that no more cooperation than is strictly necessary should occur and will simply not want the government to engage further than that. I strive to remain objective on the matter, but as I said, I am certain my reaction will be that rUK should make it as hard as possible once the decision has been made. I would get some perverse satisfaction from that, but I will have to hope the mandarins are able to keep cooler heads and make sure rUK gets the best deal out of it it can, even if that does mean some cooperation.
Indeed, Mr. Johnno. This is why we need an English Parliament.
Miss Vance, not only that, *every* political party nailed their colours to the 'no currency union' mast. It'd be a bloody outrage (as well as electorally stupid) to do a 180.
Mr. Maaarsh, I have vague memories of learning that women need to exercise and diet to lose weight, whereas men can lose weight only doing one. I think it's because of the varying metabolic rates, and perhaps also related to the divergent fat and muscle content of male and female bodies (men have approximately twice the muscle and half the fat of women, on average).
Dual interest rates not an issue
I've always had great success just not eating on my intermittent retrencments, and i'm greatly encouraged by the evidence this will render my coat glossy and healthy!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4875614.stm
Similar situation but long in the planning, and from a different aspect - going into rather than splitting out from.
Ireland and Britain - more connected than you think #IrishStateVisit pic.twitter.com/uUcwA30d0u
twitter.com/dfatirl/status/449624888920506368/photo/1
Even the Irish foreign ministry could do a better job than the No campaign for Scottish independence ;-)
'Tiny to us, massive to then. It's a laughing matter south of the border but life or death above it. The entire Scottish financial sector is a spectre resulting from UK underwriting.'
We can manage when 18 countries with a total population of over 300 million change their currencies,but when one country with a population of 5 million changes their currency business will be thrown into chaos..
Nicola Sturgeon ✔ @NicolaSturgeon
'Of course there would be a currency union' says UK govt minister to Guardian. The bluff & bluster of #projectfear is now totally exposed
Surely it isn't Alistair Carmichael ?
Having said that I'd still share the currency as an act of faith in the new nation and affection for what we've been through together.
After all, if I'm wrong about splitting, clearly staying together is not problematic either?
'Scotland – currency union obvious, ‘No’ campaign messages of hate a disaster
...Some prominent members of the No campaign are calling for the sacking of the minister who’s dared to speak the simple truth. Well let’s not be rose-tinted lensed about politics, but seriously – actually sack someone for saying something which is not only the truth but which most Scots agree is the truth?
The No campaign is simply a disaster. Its purpose seems to be to champion hate and negativity about Scotland. Naturally the polls are going the other way in response. It’s patently ridiculous to everyone, it’s treating Scots like inferiors and fools, to argue that Scotland couldn’t hack it as an independent state and that all our neighbours would harm themselves in order to disrespect an independent Scotland.'
http://ericjoyce.co.uk/2014/03/scotland-currency-union-obvious-no-campaign-stumbles-on/
Much as I am fond of crisps, they are empty calories and salty. A low sodium diet is really quite effective for blood pressure.
In terms of exercise if you want to get fit, then measure your maximum possible heart rate, then exercise to maintain 75+% of it for at least ten minutes three times a week. It doesn't matter particularly how, but for us older guys running is not good for the knees, better to go cycling as much less prone to injury, for those who have got out of shape.
Alistair Darling warns independence referendum is an 'uneven contest' thanks to SNP access to public purse
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10720156/Alistair-Darling-warns-independence-referendum-is-an-uneven-contest-thanks-to-SNP-access-to-public-purse.html
If the Coalition went along with that, in the event of a Yes, I'd have to decide whether to vote for a minor party, not bother at all, or spoil my ballot. I'm not backing a party that would u-turn on saying no to a currency union.
And I'm not a Tory.
I thought you were serious until you posted the article was by Eric Joyce.
Again, sharing a currency may be the best option, hopefully I will learn enough to assess that at some point, but I see no reason that rUK should permit it without extracting a major price. It's not because I want to punish Scotland (my heart will want that in the immediate aftermath, but that would hardly be good for rUK either), but because though we will remain close friends and allies, if you take the step to become independent and all the risks and rewards that entails, you have to be prepared to stand up on your own two feet - clearly Scotland believes it can, and I do too for that matter - and part of that means no favours, at least not right away.
They make the choice knowing there may be bumps in the road, I am sure they are prepared for such an eventuality. If they were ever in serious trouble, let us hope that does not occur, rUK would of course be more generous, but until that day comrd, unless it also benefits rUK (as Yes say a currency union would, while others disagree), nothing should just be granted out of affection.
Scotland does not think it can thrive and prosper as an independent nation only if latent affection from rUK means they get a generous deal. They think it will thrive and prosper whatever rUK does, and so they would not, I trust, want a deal from rUK which was not fair to rUK as well. They just disagree about where the fair line is. As such, rUK taking a tough negotiating position to ensure each side gets a fair deal, is right and proper for both, and the independent nation will not start out morally indebted to an overly generous former partner.
Edit: it was not his postings on indy that drew me to that opinion, but on the Falkirk affair - on which they threw some light carefully obscured by the Labour and union nomenklatura.
Perhaps if Osballs and Alexander do a reverse ferret after 18/09/14 and make a joint statement telling everyone that a currency union is in the interests of all, the English electorate will be as sceptical as the Scots are about the triumvirate's current bollocks. Who knows?
For me, the rUK parties were unequivocal to a most unusual degree, which helped sell it as something they were cast iron on. If it turns out Yes were right and it was just bluster (and I would remind crowing Yes supproters that what we've heard is in no way 'proof' that the whole thing was bluster and will not happen and you know that, any more than a statement from a single person against their party position is proof that party will not pursue that option) I will be incredibly furious. Probably the most disgusted I will have been at politicians in general since the vote for 90 day detention.
On this, my heart rules my head. Yes to independence and yes to harmony and generosity in our parting.
It won't happen, like the MORI Tory 52% was never going to happen.