Charlie StrossJul 5, 2023

Arguments for/against Scottish independence:

Every single argument against Brexit—except ONE—also applies in miniature to Scotland leaving the UK (a smaller nation leaving a larger free trade zone).

The exception was the Tory complaint that laws in the UK were dictated from afar by an unfriendly foreign power.

In the case of Scotland, s.35 orders, reserved issues, and Henry VIII orders prove this assertion to be true—a right-wing English nationalist party has a choke-hold on Scottish policy.

Show threadCharlie StrossJul 5, 2023

If we (Scotland) get independence, the near-term economic disruption will be ghastly.

But in the longer term, we'll no longer be run from afar as a Tory-controlled colony: there will be scope to improve things, if we can do so.

Control over immigration policy means we could import the skilled workers we're so short of, and regain freedom of movement with the continent. Control over trade and fiscal policy means we could rejoin the EU and adopt the Euro. Frictionless trade! Stable currency!

Show threadNik ButlerJul 5, 2023
@cstross well you will have tourism, whisky, some oil industry, orkney exporting renewables, salmon , and video game developers. I think Scotland will bounce back happily in about 5 years. Undo Brexit and Scotland will be flying.
Show threadCharlie StrossJul 5, 2023
@loudmouthman It's not just Orkney with the renewables: if North Sea oil dried up tomorrow, Scotland would still be a significant (and growing) energy exporter. There's also a high tech sector here, creative industries, and a lot more. Scotland is more productive than any part of England outside London.
Show threadNik ButlerJul 5, 2023

@cstross yep .. down here in Horsham ( home of Creative Assembly ) I note that its Leeds then Scotland that drive a large amount of digital creative content . I think the only export in media we have in the UK is
Pinewood/Sheraton/WolfHall

Could you imagine Scotland with its Wind /tidal resource leaning heavy into renewable and clean energy export. tell Shell to goto Hell.

Show threadCharlie Stross
@loudmouthman Scottish electricity grid interconnect fees are the highest in the UK ... because there isn't enough high tension capacity to let Scotland export all its wind power as it is.
Jul 5, 2023 at 5:55pmWeb