Scottish Discussions.

[f4f3]

I'll probably be talking quite a bit here about Scottish Independence. I'll warn you off with an appropriate subject line. This should be an interesting couple of years, politics wise, and despite my best intentions the Scottish Independence campaign is probably the issue that will concern me most.

I say despite my best intentions because I've always seen Independence as a bit of a side issue. A nice to have. My primary concern has always been that we have a society that attempts to serve its members in the fairest way possible. I'm much more concerned about the equitable division of resources than what box those resources come out of. 

That's meant that I've always thought Scotland should stay in the UK, and help make the whole of that political unit the best place it can be. You can imagine how that felt between 1979 and 1997, when Scotlan consistently voted for social democracy, and got Tory governments. 

However, there's a window of a couple of years now when the game can be changed. So this, for me, is a time for tactics, the tactics of Independence, as part of the strategy for a fairer society. I'll write, later, about what I'd imagine the Scottish political landscape would be post-Independence, but for now I'll be writing about the immediate tactics of setting up a referendum which isn't controlled by Westminster. 


I'm not sure how interested any of you will be in this. I've been struck, though, by how a lot of arguments I've considered settled are being raised in the English media (I use English here in a narrow sense, and with apologies to Welsh, Irish and indeed Scottish friends). I'd forgotten that a lot of issues we debated intensively in Scotland leading up to the Scottish Government election last year are new to a wider audience, so I'll be recapping some of that here. 

I'll use my Brave Cow icon (thanks Keef, thanks Frankie) for these posts. 

Comments

[ravurian]

I am so entirely ignorant about the issues surrounding independence, I'll be grateful for any posts you make on the subject. Can Scotland afford to be independent, in purely fiscal terms?

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

The worst case scenario I've seen so far has Scotland running a 10% deficit, at current spending and tax-take levels.

[danieldwilliam.livejournal.com]

10%, which is about what the whole of the UK is running at the moment.

An important factor is the business creation rate, which is pretty low in Scotland compared to England and the Scandinavian countries we may want to emulate.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Yes - I wonder if a one or two percent difference in Corporation Tax will change that? It seemed to work in Ireland in luring companies in, at least initially.

[danieldwilliam.livejournal.com]

I don't think a change in Corporation Tax would make the difference to the business creation rate.

Issues of tax incidence suggest that CT rates probably affect established multi-nationals with diversified shareholders. I think the Irish example shows that many companies with global operations "re-located" to Ireland rather than many indiginous businesses starting up.

The reasons for people starting a business are many and complex and often not primarily to do with short term money making (which is where CT would have an impact).

[parthenia14.livejournal.com]

It always kind of worries me as a topic, like I might wake up one day and need a passport to go back, yet not actually get a Scottish passport because actually, I was born in England.

Like a weird anxiety dream, LOL.

I've really lost track of the arguments within Scotland. I would rather Scotland be part of the UK, and worry about the combination of the Tories and Alex Salmond making something quite different happen.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

I'm not a natural fan of the SNP, but do see them as a means to an end. I think the passport thing is a huge red-herring. We're all Europeans now...

[deililly.livejournal.com]

I realise I am getting a bit growly at the endless discussion over the legality of a referendum. I don't give a shit about the class whatevermabob. We are entitled to be asked what we want and give an answer. We know this, they know this, so why aren't we at the next bit? What independence means, how would it work? What is Devo Max?

My instincts say Devo Max is the thing I want for us. More responsibility for ourselves but not a divorce. Then England can have THEIR own assembly too.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

I was at a lecture by the Advocate General last night - he set out Westminster's view of the constitutional position on a referendum, which is probably pretty accurate, but swerved all over the place on the political element. I mean to post about that tonight or tomorrow.

[deililly.livejournal.com]

So it is actually quite clear cut then under the political dancing? Figures. (class in my first comment was supposed to be clause. Oops)

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Well that will depend (see, I can sound like a lawyer too). I want to see the Scottish Government's opinion which they say they'll put out next week.

[danieldwilliam.livejournal.com]

I would worry about belonging to a nation that was not born under the rule of law.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Yes, that was Wallace's line. However, it was backed with a possibly overstated confidence that the opinion the Westminster Government gives of the law is the definitive one. Briefly, it turns on their interpretation of the clause in the Scotland Act which reserves powers to Westminster on constitutional matters. I think the opinion is pretty persuasive, but it's only an interpretation. The provision isn't completely clear, as Wallace mentioned himself, referring to some discussion on the point that was had in Parliament in 1998, when the Scotland Act was being drafted.

I really need to write the post on his lecture, don't I?

[jen-c-w.livejournal.com]

Tick tock.

I've got a load of notes on my netbook I can wing across to you if I remember. Or more pertinently if I get chance as at the moment I'm told I must be sorting shit out when I'm at home ahead of it going back in the FUCKING WARDROBES that have now been repaired.

Sorry. As previously discussed, it's always all about me ;)

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it's all about the wardrobes...

[danieldwilliam.livejournal.com]

I see your post on his lecture - thanks for that.

I'd say I find Wallace's view persuasive but the fact that there is doubt is the most important thing. The last thing this process needs is for a it to end up in the courts for a few years.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Yes - I think he was not-so-subtly making that threat. To tie up the process, either directly or, much more likely, through a "concerned Scot" proxy. Much hilarity after the lecture conjecturing who that might be - Brian Soutar?

[danieldwilliam.livejournal.com]

Could be anyone -either a front man for an organised group or a genuine concerned citizen.

I'd bet on Rod Stewart or perhaps the chap who is offered up as the Rightful Stuart King of Scotland.