Saturday, 23 August 2014

Alex Salmond unprepared for Independence


Alex Salmond unprepared for Independence

Know body from the SNP has approached The Bank of England about using the UK £.
It's a shocking revelation that the SNPs are so badly prepared for Independence that with the referendum days away, they haven't got an agreement on what currency an independent Scotland will use. Read the blog Scotland's Currency Debate

It looks as though Alex Salmond still expects the Scottish public to blindly follow him into Independence, without him revealing hard facts and the truth on all the key issues.

It is obvious that he intends to use the UK pound informally until such time as he negotiates entry to the EU, if he is able to do so. The biggest problem with this is that Scotland doesn't have a lender of last resort.

Last week, the First Minister refused to name his Plan B on currency in an STV debate with Alistair Darling . He repeatedly said that a separate Scotland would keep the pound, as part of a Euro style currency zone with the rest of the UK, despite everyone involved in the decision saying that this would not happen if we left the UK.

It really is time for him to stop playing about, and tell the Scottish public the truth about whether he has costed any plans properly, or whether he is going to leave it to see if he wins the vote, then start running round like a headless chicken trying to repair the damage he has done to Scotland and the people of Scotland, who are going to pay for his inability to come clean on his policies.

He will be relying on the UK to lend his government money, some chance! He might be able to go to the I.M.F. or the Euro Central Bank, but without proper policies and costings in place, why should they help? Why should the EU change the rules about entry just for him? And why should all the other countries in the EU vote for his Independent Scotland joining.

Running a country is like running a business, the only difference is the consequences are much greater, and they end up with the Scots paying for his inabilities.

Alex Salmond should have had all his plans costed and approved long before he announced his bid for Independence. You would have thought that he would have had more sense than to launch his idea of Independence, during one of the longest periods of depression and recession.



He talks the talk, but can’t walk the walk.

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Saturday, 31 May 2014

Scotland's Independence Campaign Officially Started

The UK treasury has produced a set of figures which show that every person in Scotland will be £1,400 better off by staying in the UK, while the Scottish government has produce a conflicting set of figures showing that by 2029/30 every person will be £1,000 better off.

Although the figures are conflicting, they are taken over different time periods as the basis, then used for the projections. There is a link on the article page for the BBC Scotland Economics Correspondent, Colletta Smith’s break down of the figures.

Alex Salmond told the BBC that the ‘Yes’ campaign was gaining ground, he also said he had changed his style of campaigning after previous defeats in national elections.
He quoted “Since November, when we launched the White Paper, the average support in all opinion polls for "Yes" has gone from 37% to 45%."
In terms of the independence vote, the polls have been picking up that more women are undecided.

Alex Salmond has announced that junior ministers Shona Robison, who oversees equality and Angela Constance, who has the youth employment brief, would be made full Scottish cabinet members.
He added: "Subject to parliamentary approval, with these two outstanding ministers in the Scottish cabinet, we practice what we preach.
The two new ministers will be joining Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop at the cabinet table, making four women in total of Mr Salmond's 10 cabinet secretaries being women.
"The cabinet is our board as a country, and women will make up 40% of the members of the Scottish cabinet."
This is a direct response to Labour's Margaret Curran pledge for a 50% quota of women on public boards, and she also said that she wanted companies to be forced to publish pay differences between male and female workers.
The Scottish government also announced a women-only Scottish cabinet event to debate issues related to the independence referendum.

The Scottish Office


The Scottish Office put forward a compelling case for Scotland staying in the UK with 5 facts supporting the argument.


The SNP and the Liberal Democrats both held their conferences recently, while Alex Salmonde was still claiming that the UK had turned it’s back on Scotland, he now seems to be the only person to think that Scotland leaving the UK, is the same as the UK turning it's back on Scotland.

In short The Liberals and Danny Alexander put forward a passionate plea, where as Alex Salmonde carried on with his true blue Tory attitude of mud throwing.

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Related Articles: Scotland's YES campaign gaining ground : Scottish Parties Conferences : Scottish Referendum Probabilities and Possibilities: Salmond chases Female vote: Scottish CBI Back 'NO' Vote : Billions of pounds will flow from Scotland with 'Yes' vote : Alex Salmond reckless Gamble with Scotland : Scottish Independence,is it viable? : Salmonds Dream Shattered | Blog | Scotland the Brave : Blog | Gordon Brown and Dream Team :Transport and an Independent Scotland : Scotlands Referendum

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Friday, 18 April 2014

Scotlands referendum could be NO vote



Scotlands Referendum could be NO vote

Scotland’s Independence vote is fast approaching, and the signs are that it could well be a ‘NO’ vote

An analysis by the UK Treasury revealed that an independent Scotland would have the second highest deficit among “advanced economies” in its first year.

The fiscal deficit of 5.5 per cent in 2016-17 would be equivalent to £9.5billion, or £1,760 for every man, woman and child in Scotland, the calculations suggest. The total would be about £1,000 more than the UK ¬deficit per head in the same year.

The prediction contradicts Scottish Government estimates of a deficit between 2.5 per cent and 3.2 per cent.

Earlier this week the National Institute for Economics and Social Research warned that an independent Scotland would immediately have to repay a £23billion first installment of its share of UK National Debt in its first year.

The £9.5billion, added to the £23billion totals £32.5billion – more than the Scottish Government’s annual budget.
Alex Salmond is still confident he will be able to use the British pound in the event of a ‘Yes’ vote, but that is only because he expects he won’t be able to use the Euro.
A recent survey covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland found that 53% of the public are opposed to Scotland using the British pound.

Only 18% of those polled believed that Alex Salmond had a plan ‘B’
BBC Scotland headed to Orkney to give voters a chance to quiz politicians and commentators at the heart of the debate on Scottish Independence on 18th September.

Sally Inkster, chief executive of Orkney Housing Association, asked: "A recent poll shows less than a third of women support independence. Does the panel have any theories on why this might be?"

"Could it be that less women want independence because they are the more intelligent sex?"

Caz Dodds on the issue of female voters.

"Wonder what Wilson and Carmichael would cut to pay for childcare reform under the Union?"

How the panel responded to Sally Inkster's question on support for independence among women

Alistair Carmichael: "I think that women are more drawn to arguments of the head rather than the heart."

Angela Constance: "Irrespective of whether you're a woman who stays at home to look after your children or whether you're a working mother, quite often you've got quite a lot on your plate as it is in terms of childcare."

Brian Wilson: "I think women are better at recognising bluff, bluster and bad patter."

Lesley Riddoch: "The utter game-changer that surely must come, whichever vote, 'Yes' or 'No', wins and whichever party wins the next election: we have to get childcare, affordable childcare as an absolute benchmark of society in Scotland because we're lagging so far behind."

Meanwhile in America former Nato secretary general Lord Robertson, addressing a meeting in Washington DC said that the “forces of darkness” would love to see the UK torn asunder, and pleaded with Scots to think long and hard about separation.

He told a Washington DC audience: “The loudest cheers for the break-up would be from our enemies. For the second military power in the West to shatter would be cataclysmic in geopolitical terms.

“If the United Kingdom was to find itself embroiled for several years in a torrid, complex, difficult and debilitating divorce, it would rob the West of a serious partner, just when solidity and cool nerves are going to be vital.”

The loudest cheers for the break-up would be from our enemies. For the second military power in the West to shatter would be cataclysmic in geopolitical terms.
Lord Robertson pleaded with other countries to speak out and added: “If people are worried about it, and I know they are, then I would hope that they would give the message that they would like the United Kingdom to stay together.”
He said Scottish Government plans to remove Trident nuclear submarines could make it “very difficult” for Nato to accept them as a member.

“They wouldn’t just be disarming an independent Scotland, they would effectively be disarming the remainder of the United Kingdom,” he said.

“I don’t think that would be viewed with any great satisfaction by those in the alliance who believe Britain’s nuclear deterrent is part and parcel of the West’s security.”


I have put up a Free blogging platform, to be used for your views on Scotland’s proposed Independence. All we ask is that you ‘Facebook Like’ the blogs, and ask your friends to do the same.

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Sunday, 16 March 2014

Alternative Plan For Scotland

Alternative Plan for Scotland

The answer to Alex Salmond's reckless gamble.

In an interview Sir Menzes Campbell lays out a 7 point plan, if the Scottish people vote No to the referendum in September.
These leads on from his report on the substantial transfer of fiscal and constitutional powers to Holyrood.

• The 2015 Queen's Speech should include provisions to strengthen Scotland's powers.

• Political parties should commit to this in their UK election manifestoes.

• The UK government should look at all options to make the plans a reality.

• The Scottish government should make available its referendum research to inform the Campbell II proposals.

• The Scottish Parliament should ensure Scotland's new fiscal body can cope with further devolved financial powers after a referendum "No" vote.

• The Secretary of State for Scotland should convene a meeting within 30 days of a "No" vote to secure consensus for the devolution of more powers.

• Further devolution of tax powers should be made through a further Scotland Act
The Democrat Home Rule Commission, chaired by Sir Menzies, previously backed a substantial transfer of financial and constitutional power to Holyrood in a report in October 2012.
George Brown' address in Scotland vd, followed by Sir Menzies Campbell interviewWatch the BBC video for George Brown, followed by Sir Menzies Campbell interview.
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Sunday, 9 March 2014

Scottish Independence Pros and cons.


Alex Salmonde has a grand plan to turn Scotland into an independent nation, but unfortunately for the Scots and Scottish businesses, his grand plan isn’t a grand plan, just an idea built on his dream, with no clear indication how it will work.

Alex Salmonde wants to make Scotland Independent and, still use the British Pound, and then he wants to join the EU.

It is these two fundamental principles that he wants to build a new Scottish nation. It is these two fundamental pillars that will support a new Scotland, but both these fundamental pillars will be denied to him.


Lets take the First Pillar, using the British Pound as part of a Stirling area.


Mark Carney of the Bank of England said, “Opting to be independent within a successful currency union would represent a very constrained form of independence. A Scottish government would have far less ability to tax and spend as it chose, than if it had its own currency.”

It would appear that it is possible to use the British Pound, but not desirable. It would mean that the UK would have to bail out Scotland in the event of a crises. The British Government have decided this would not be the best course for the rest of the UK, and have told Alex Salmond that he can’t use the British Pound.


The second pillar, joining the EU.


Alex Salmond is under the impression that this would be a forgone conclusion, as he says, Scotland is a rich nation, and he assumes that all 38 states would want him in. Unfortunately working on assumptions that all 38 countries would welcome Scotland because they are rich isn’t a sound foundation on which to build a new nation.
There is every expectation that Spain will block Scotland’s application to join the EU.

If Scotland does find itself outside the EU on the day independence is declared, there has long been a fear that Spain, opposed to separatist movements in Catalonia and the Basque Country, will be unsympathetic and could veto Scotland’s EU membership bid.

And sources have told Channel 4 News’s Political Editor Gary Gibbon that Mr Barroso thinks it’s not just Spain who might block entry for Scotland: Germany and Belgium have misgivings too.
Alex Salmonds problems don’t stop here.

There is an EU directive that banks Head Offices should be in the country they do most business in. [That’s putting it very simply]

Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Bank of Scotland would all have to relocate their Head Office in the UK.

Gerry Grimstone, Chairman of Standard Life says Scotland has been a great base for the company but that, "if anything were to threaten this, we will take whatever action we consider necessary - including transferring parts of our operations from Scotland - in order to ensure continuity and to protect the interests of our stakeholders"."This is a precautionary measure to ensure continuity of our businesses' competitive position and to protect the interests of our stakeholders."

Shell and BP are also considering their position, while the airlines are all for a yes vote, because they suspect the Scottish government will abolish air passenger duty.

With so much uncertainty surrounding the gaps in Alex Salmonds plans, it is making business large and small nervous and apprehensive. The Scottish public are the ones to decide the fate of Scotland, one wonders if they will be given all the facts, or just told about possible tax cuts. We will have to wait and see.

With big business considering re-location into the UK, Alex Salmond will have to recalculate the amount of lost income and jobs from theses companies, in order that the Scots can re-evaluate the impact on services, tax etc,etc.

If it all goes wrong, at least the Scots know they will be welcome in the UK.
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Saturday, 22 February 2014

Money no Object for Floods


Money no Object


David Cameron said in his speech which will haunt him for a long time, that “Money is no Object” to support the clean up campaign. Each household will be eligible for payments up to £5,000 to support the clean- up operation. Money is no object, because the UK is a rich nation, said Cameron.

Cameron said the Government were taking decisive action across the board. About 6,500 homes have been affected by flooding since December, and the prime minister has said "money is no object" to support the clean-up operation.
The government's Repair and Renewal Grants of up to £5,000 will be open to all homeowners and businesses affected by flooding between 1 December last year and the end of next month.


They will not cover the damage or losses already suffered.


Claimants will be eligible for payments of up to £5,000, to help cover future protection for properties. Work will begin after a survey has been completed by "a competent professional."

Cameron said "We are helping people who need help now and protecting communities who need protecting in the future." By that I think he means the 3 month period when people who have suffered, will not have to pay council tax.
The scheme will be run and funded by local councils, who will expect to be reimbursed by the government in the future.

Details of the £10m fund for farmers to help restore their waterlogged land, has not been announced yet. Presumably if the government leave it long enough, the land will have been restored naturally.

If the total number of properties affected by the flood stays at the level of 6,500, and the government doesn’t go back on its word, it will cost the government just £32.5m sometime in the future.

If you are of the opinion of the majority, that the floods wouldn’t have been as bad had the government not cut the Environment Agency Budget by £100m, you may also consider that we aren’t the rich nation Cameron says we are, but at least we have a caring government, that is if you believe what the coalition said when they came to power.
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Wednesday, 5 February 2014

Slow Start to 2014

Slow start to 2014.


Although the UK has started to show growth, all be it not across all sectors, the rest of Europe is lagging behind.


Caution is still the watchword.

At RFT Express we have one company where we would expect to see 150,000 garments in the warehouse, they are just dipping their toe in the market with a mere 300 men’s suits in the 2014 range coming in.

RFT are just receiving bookings for the N.E.C. Moda and Beta exhibitions in mid February. These are from companies who have missed the last couple of years from showing at this venue. Normally these exhibitions are filled months before, which just prove how bad take-up of units in these exhibitions has been, and still is.

High end Fashion News


The top end high fashion has done very well during the last 5 years, and yet according to Pambianco, Prada shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange have fallen 30% to 22 Hong Kong dollars.

They also report that according to an unnamed source Avon France is to enter receivership.
Meanwhile Argentina is to bring in new taxation to curb online sales from outside of Argentina.

Light at end of tunnel


Back in the UK and we could be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but I still think caution is the word for 2014. For those companies who have struggled on through the recessions, 2013 was probably the hardest for most companies.
A lot of companies could tell we were coming out of the downturn created by the austerity plan, but with austerity expected to go on for another generation, it seemed to be that companies decided not to follow the coalition lead of cuts, but rather to create prosperity and growth instead.
We are still struggling with red tape in the UK, take a quick look at the amount of red tape involved in applying for an operator’s license to put a trailer on a transit van, in order to reduce delivery costs.
The UK is going through a dificult time, with David Camaron's proposed 'in-out referendum' on the EU, and the possibility of Scotland leaving Great Britain, both creating instabiity in cvompany planning.

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p.s.
If you are stuck for something to buy your loved one this spring, Louis Vuitton is launching a new range of handbags, starting at 40,000 dollars. The dearest being a black crocodile leather handbag with a goatskin lining for a mere 48,000 dollars.
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