I don't think 'Unionists' (that sectarian term so beloved of the gentle politics of Northern Ireland) wish to ignore North Sea oil. We know it exists.
With all respect to Mr Stiglitz, Scotland has, and had, bills to pay. What he's proposing is the equivalent of the OAP sitting with a cardigan on in the winter, not wanting to put the heating on so that she can leave her wealth to her cat.
I'm not against the idea of a sovereign fund but it does not solve all of our problems nor should it be exclusively a nationalist proposal. Scotland is not Norway (and nor, thank the merciful Lord, is it Ireland) and does not have the economic, social and financial circumstances of Norway - nor should we expect to re-create them.
There were some a long time ago in England who felt that somehow or another the revenue surplus from North Sea Oil should go into real long term investment of one sort or another for the future. It was not a case of Unionists spend and Scots save, alas there were far too many in all places who wanted the easy money then and since. The problem now is not just using what surplus there is as a sinking fund for the future but whether there will actually be much of a surplus after Big Oil has taken its cut and written off the higher levels of cost of extraction of the future. Do not forget all those people who want to turn Edinburgh into a tax haven and who will want their pockets filled.
yes, time this was back on the agenda. SWe've seen what the greedy have done to the economy and the we're all in it togdether club doesn't do it for me. Time for Scotland to stand up on it's own two feet, take it's fair share of debts and assets and kiss the union goodbye.
Sorry you find the word unionists rather erm... tainted William. I'm rather like that about the word nats.
Anyway, don't you realise many OAPs have been sitting in their cardies and even coats for the past couple of years. Not because they want to leave their wealth to their cats -because they've none left after the hike in utility prices.
That's the fault of the unionists. The UK could have been like Norway but chose to spend the lot.
NS oil is something never mentioned by Westminster these days Demetrius - unless the SNP take a decent lead in polls. They don't want to remind us just how badly they've handled the economy.
Neither do they want to remind us whose pockets are being filled.
It's principle Rosie, I know. I think though that this is going to be a nervous conference and some gumption is required. Doesn't hurt to put some fire in the belly..
I'll be firing off some more primers between now and then..
SUBROSA - Please contact me if you have any ideas, stories or complaints: subrosa.blonde AT yahoo.co.uk Replace AT with the @ symbol. My profile can be viewed here.
Posts
15 comments:
I don't think 'Unionists' (that sectarian term so beloved of the gentle politics of Northern Ireland) wish to ignore North Sea oil. We know it exists.
With all respect to Mr Stiglitz, Scotland has, and had, bills to pay. What he's proposing is the equivalent of the OAP sitting with a cardigan on in the winter, not wanting to put the heating on so that she can leave her wealth to her cat.
I'm not against the idea of a sovereign fund but it does not solve all of our problems nor should it be exclusively a nationalist proposal. Scotland is not Norway (and nor, thank the merciful Lord, is it Ireland) and does not have the economic, social and financial circumstances of Norway - nor should we expect to re-create them.
Ah William,
You remind me of Frank Spencer. You remember 'Some Mothers Do Have Them'?
Thanks Rosie! With a particular conference coming up, getting the troops fired up and the subject onto the agenda etc..
I've blogged a bit on this over on the Edinburgh Uni SNP blog - http://eusna.blogspot.com
Iain Gray's poor grasp of economics may be amusing to watch being exposed, but it's worrying to think he may be FM this time next year.
There were some a long time ago in England who felt that somehow or another the revenue surplus from North Sea Oil should go into real long term investment of one sort or another for the future. It was not a case of Unionists spend and Scots save, alas there were far too many in all places who wanted the easy money then and since. The problem now is not just using what surplus there is as a sinking fund for the future but whether there will actually be much of a surplus after Big Oil has taken its cut and written off the higher levels of cost of extraction of the future. Do not forget all those people who want to turn Edinburgh into a tax haven and who will want their pockets filled.
I was going to watch it but then i thought nah! I'll just ignore it instead
yes, time this was back on the agenda. SWe've seen what the greedy have done to the economy and the we're all in it togdether club doesn't do it for me. Time for Scotland to stand up on it's own two feet, take it's fair share of debts and assets and kiss the union goodbye.
Sorry you find the word unionists rather erm... tainted William. I'm rather like that about the word nats.
Anyway, don't you realise many OAPs have been sitting in their cardies and even coats for the past couple of years. Not because they want to leave their wealth to their cats -because they've none left after the hike in utility prices.
That's the fault of the unionists. The UK could have been like Norway but chose to spend the lot.
I'd forgotten about the conference Alex.
Thanks for the link EUSNA. Gray's lack of economics is concerning to say the least and if he becomes FM I can't see us ever prosper.
NS oil is something never mentioned by Westminster these days Demetrius - unless the SNP take a decent lead in polls. They don't want to remind us just how badly they've handled the economy.
Neither do they want to remind us whose pockets are being filled.
Your choice Niko. :)
How I wish they would Dram.
It's principle Rosie, I know. I think though that this is going to be a nervous conference and some gumption is required. Doesn't hurt to put some fire in the belly..
I'll be firing off some more primers between now and then..
Always happy to help Alex.
Post a Comment