The crash in pump prices is giving the UK economy — already Europe’s strongest — a shot in the arm which will benefit every household in the land. … All this will give the Coalition Government, and the hard pressed taxpayer, a happy New Year as businesses take a boost, tax revenues flow and the deficit finally starts tumbling.
Yet the very basis for Mr Salmond’s reputation as a political prophet has been shattered by the crash in oil prices, which is literally tumbling by the day:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/11308952/Opec-Oil-plummets-after-Saudis-says-20-crude-is-possible.html
Tough to argue with this commentary. And remember Scotland's independence was meant to be secured on permanently high oil prices. The honest truth is that Alex Salmond has zero economic credibility.
Showing posts with label Alex Salmond. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alex Salmond. Show all posts
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Catch a Salmond once, throw it back, then catch it again
So Alex Salmond wants to return to Westminster. Despite having lost the Referendum by a significant margin he is putting himself forward for the Gordon seat. This is no shoe in for the ageing former SNP leader, as many of the papers have made clear:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/11278658/Watch-out-Westminster-Alex-Salmond-wants-back-in.html
However, if he wins, the House of Commons will, I am sure welcome him back.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/11278658/Watch-out-Westminster-Alex-Salmond-wants-back-in.html
However, if he wins, the House of Commons will, I am sure welcome him back.
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Six months until the Scottish independence referendum. We are Better Together
I know of noone who does not love Scotland as a country, for its characters, for its history and for its whisky, amongst many other things. I hope all would agree it is a special place, with lovely people, gorgeous purple moors, great white beaches and the worlds finest golf courses. It has made a stellar contribution to Western thought and civilisation, from Adam Smith, Alexander Graham Bell, Robert Burns, Watt, Sean Connery, all the Flemings from 007 to the creator of penicillin, and comedians from Billy Connelly to Andrew Neil [ok he is not a comedian, but he dices and slices politicians, and that can be very entertaining].
But the reality is that the union between England and Scotland – a gigantic political fact for over 300 years – is under threat. Now we face divorce, and like all divorces this is going to be messy and expensive. The prospect is of liberation – a new beginning. I know a few English who want to get rid of the subsidy of the Barnett formula, but these people are few and far between. Most English I know are strongly of the view that we are Better Together.
The Scottish government has published a White Paper explaining how on earth it is supposed to work.
On the issue of the pound and currency they are unravelling before our eyes.
On immigration and their status as a nation state they fail to realise that we would need border control at Carter Bar.
On Europe they do not want to be a member of the EU or Euro, yet want all the benefits.
What about Britain’s nuclear missiles, and the need to use submarine bases in Scotland?
What about Scottish regiments in the British Army?
The British Broadcasting Corporation?
Answer came there none.
Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, spelt out some truths on his visit to Scotland. If Scotland wants to become independent then bizarrely it will need to come cap in hand to the rest of the UK on so many things:
- will the rest of the UK continue to act as a bank of last resort?
- will the rest of the UK continue to subsidise Scotland?
- The SNP need to recognise that you cannot spend 30 years saying England and the rest of the UK are terrible, parsimonious and do not let Scotland have its own way... and then want the rest of the UK to bail them out after they have won independence.
The economic argument against independence is won. That may well not be enough to win the Referendum, but Salmond and his crew are devoid of the economic facts of life.
One thing is clear: If there is to be a divorce it will be unutterably wretched and painful, and it will eliminate the most successful political union in history.
So phone your Scottish friends and make the case. This fight matters to us all. We are Better Together.
But the reality is that the union between England and Scotland – a gigantic political fact for over 300 years – is under threat. Now we face divorce, and like all divorces this is going to be messy and expensive. The prospect is of liberation – a new beginning. I know a few English who want to get rid of the subsidy of the Barnett formula, but these people are few and far between. Most English I know are strongly of the view that we are Better Together.
The Scottish government has published a White Paper explaining how on earth it is supposed to work.
On the issue of the pound and currency they are unravelling before our eyes.
On immigration and their status as a nation state they fail to realise that we would need border control at Carter Bar.
On Europe they do not want to be a member of the EU or Euro, yet want all the benefits.
What about Britain’s nuclear missiles, and the need to use submarine bases in Scotland?
What about Scottish regiments in the British Army?
The British Broadcasting Corporation?
Answer came there none.
Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, spelt out some truths on his visit to Scotland. If Scotland wants to become independent then bizarrely it will need to come cap in hand to the rest of the UK on so many things:
- will the rest of the UK continue to act as a bank of last resort?
- will the rest of the UK continue to subsidise Scotland?
- The SNP need to recognise that you cannot spend 30 years saying England and the rest of the UK are terrible, parsimonious and do not let Scotland have its own way... and then want the rest of the UK to bail them out after they have won independence.
The economic argument against independence is won. That may well not be enough to win the Referendum, but Salmond and his crew are devoid of the economic facts of life.
One thing is clear: If there is to be a divorce it will be unutterably wretched and painful, and it will eliminate the most successful political union in history.
So phone your Scottish friends and make the case. This fight matters to us all. We are Better Together.
Thursday, 17 October 2013
£20 Grand spent by Salmond on a doc that did not exist? You can't SNP make it up!
Can the SNP prove a separate Scotland would automatically inherit the UK’s EU membership and opt-outs? They have admitted it would not. Worse still they have spent 20 grand of taxpayers money fighting in court when asked to show their advice. Then they admitted they had no such advice. Why then fight the case!! It is bizarre.
This row is now widening and is all about the SNP inability to join the EU, and what kind of country an independent Scotland would be.
Background:
During an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Neil in March last year, Mr Salmond appeared to confirm that he had sought advice from his law officers on this issue, saying: “We have, yes, in terms of the debate.”
Unsurprisingly people wanted to see that advice and did a Freedom of Information request
The FOI commissioner agreed and ordered the SNP government to disclose it.
But in July 2012 the Scottish Government announced it was appealing this ruling by the FOI commissioner that it disclose whether or not advice had been sought.
Ministers then used taxpayers’ money to contest the case all the way to the Court of Session but then dropped their action in October that year after admitting the advice did not exist.
Now the figures have emerged. According to a parliamentary answer, the Scottish Government’s legal costs totalled £3,960 and law accountant fees were £1,680.
In addition, Scottish ministers agreed to pay the Information Commissioner’s fees of £13,812.92.
A total just shy of £20 grand!
Now they admit spending a load of money protecting a document that does not exist.
The reality is that if they fail to tell voters what kind of independent Scotland will be then voters will wonder where they are going.
Full story here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10367759/Alex-Salmond-spent-20000-keeping-secret-non-existent-EU-legal-advice.html
This row is now widening and is all about the SNP inability to join the EU, and what kind of country an independent Scotland would be.
Background:
During an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Neil in March last year, Mr Salmond appeared to confirm that he had sought advice from his law officers on this issue, saying: “We have, yes, in terms of the debate.”
Unsurprisingly people wanted to see that advice and did a Freedom of Information request
The FOI commissioner agreed and ordered the SNP government to disclose it.
But in July 2012 the Scottish Government announced it was appealing this ruling by the FOI commissioner that it disclose whether or not advice had been sought.
Ministers then used taxpayers’ money to contest the case all the way to the Court of Session but then dropped their action in October that year after admitting the advice did not exist.
Now the figures have emerged. According to a parliamentary answer, the Scottish Government’s legal costs totalled £3,960 and law accountant fees were £1,680.
In addition, Scottish ministers agreed to pay the Information Commissioner’s fees of £13,812.92.
A total just shy of £20 grand!
Now they admit spending a load of money protecting a document that does not exist.
The reality is that if they fail to tell voters what kind of independent Scotland will be then voters will wonder where they are going.
Full story here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10367759/Alex-Salmond-spent-20000-keeping-secret-non-existent-EU-legal-advice.html
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