Well yer a boring bunch a fannies . . .

[Aja]

On the Scottish Independence point that you make, I don't agree that it would be an SNP, or socialist, bankrupt outcome. I believe that the SNP would have their wings clipped post independence and hopefully we would see the rise of new parties and the destruction of Labour as a political party. Post independence I would be voting for more enterprise focussed parties that supported less state intervention. I am not a believer in big government although there is some sense in centralisation where economies of scale can be better achieved.

Love to share your vision, BoB, but post independence, SNP will still rule the roost - I don't see any fledgling parties standing in the wings and no-one with the political clout to start anything new off. Conservatives are unelectable (don't know why, anyone hazard a guess?), Labour will struggle. Scotland post independence will be bankrupt, it only depends how quickly they spend the money, There will be a post independence honeymoon glow that when it wears off, big financials will back off - or the interest rates will just not be available at a competative rate. it will be a one-off sum of money which will burn a hole in the political pockets of ministers.

Now. Where's Nick to tell me that's going to be a load of pish?

Donald

[marisca]

If you have not bought your new anchor, buy the Knox, ............ Plus it's made in Scotland.

Though they were galvanised in Englandshire ...... maybe that has changed recently?

[SteveN]

If you have not bought your new anchor, buy the Knox, ............ Plus it's made in Scotland.

Though they were galvanised in Englandshire ...... maybe that has changed recently?

Fabricated in Forfar, galvanised in Cumbernauld I believe - although don't take my word for it, Geoff (mm5aho) will give the exact details shortly I'm sure.

[mm5aho]

Re Knox Anchors:

Designed in Scotland (Patented)
Tested in Scotland
Fabricated in Scotland (yes Forfar, Ritchies, previously fabricated in Cumbria)
Galvanized in Scotland (Cumbernauld)

You can buy off the website or from various chandleries.

I was thinking of a "Made in Scotland" sticker, but wonder if some might think that a political statement. I'm not very political!

[Aja]

My anchor already has 'Made in Scotland' on it!

Donald

[DaveS]

Love to share your vision, BoB, but post independence, SNP will still rule the roost - I don't see any fledgling parties standing in the wings and no-one with the political clout to start anything new off. Conservatives are unelectable (don't know why, anyone hazard a guess?), Labour will struggle. Scotland post independence will be bankrupt, it only depends how quickly they spend the money, There will be a post independence honeymoon glow that when it wears off, big financials will back off - or the interest rates will just not be available at a competative rate. it will be a one-off sum of money which will burn a hole in the political pockets of ministers.

Now. Where's Nick to tell me that's going to be a load of pish?

Donald

Well, to insert my tuppence worth, I would agree that the SNP would likely form the government for at least the first post independence parliament, but that other political groupings would grow and perhaps replace them. A valid criticism of the SNP is that they talk radical but act quite conservative. However, real politics is the art of the possible. It is obvious that supporting a Scandinavian style benefits system requires higher taxation, but the SNP's "penny for Scotland" pitch back in 2002(?) went down like a lead balloon. The fact that "Scottish" Labour now think that would be a good idea simply shows their lack of awareness. Additional taxation is required, because the Scottish economy would be in deficit (not 15 Bn, but a deficit nevertheless) and that's unsustainable. Raiding income tax is not the only option though. The Greens have some interesting ideas involving wealth taxation.

[claymore]

Love to share your vision, BoB, but post independence, SNP will still rule the roost - I don't see any fledgling parties standing in the wings and no-one with the political clout to start anything new off. Conservatives are unelectable (don't know why, anyone hazard a guess?), Labour will struggle. Scotland post independence will be bankrupt, it only depends how quickly they spend the money, There will be a post independence honeymoon glow that when it wears off, big financials will back off - or the interest rates will just not be available at a competative rate. it will be a one-off sum of money which will burn a hole in the political pockets of ministers.

Now. Where's Nick to tell me that's going to be a load of pish?

Donald

Well, to insert my tuppence worth, . A valid criticism of the SNP is that they talk radical but act quite conservative..

Aah yes - which supports my theory that there is not really any such thing as radical if you want to remain electable. Mr Blair was smart in that he took Conservative policies and re-badged them as New Labour and then the electorate saw through it all, saw that it wasn't sustainable and after a decent run, back came the Conservatives. Welsh and Scottish Nationalists have been around for a while, of course but to describe them as radical would be quite a claim.

[BlowingOldBoots]

.... but to describe them as radical would be quite a claim.

No one is describing the SNP as radical. A spilt from the UK would be a radical decision of the Scottish electorate.

[Aja]

Love to share your vision, BoB, but post independence, SNP will still rule the roost - I don't see any fledgling parties standing in the wings and no-one with the political clout to start anything new off. Conservatives are unelectable (don't know why, anyone hazard a guess?), Labour will struggle. Scotland post independence will be bankrupt, it only depends how quickly they spend the money, There will be a post independence honeymoon glow that when it wears off, big financials will back off - or the interest rates will just not be available at a competative rate. it will be a one-off sum of money which will burn a hole in the political pockets of ministers.

Now. Where's Nick to tell me that's going to be a load of pish?

Donald

Well, to insert my tuppence worth, I would agree that the SNP would likely form the government for at least the first post independence parliament, but that other political groupings would grow and perhaps replace them. A valid criticism of the SNP is that they talk radical but act quite conservative. However, real politics is the art of the possible. It is obvious that supporting a Scandinavian style benefits system requires higher taxation, but the SNP's "penny for Scotland" pitch back in 2002(?) went down like a lead balloon. The fact that "Scottish" Labour now think that would be a good idea simply shows their lack of awareness. Additional taxation is required, because the Scottish economy would be in deficit (not 15 Bn, but a deficit nevertheless) and that's unsustainable. Raiding income tax is not the only option though. The Greens have some interesting ideas involving wealth taxation.

Dave

Other than what the Greens have up their left sleeve, the only way forward is taxation? That's a promising future. As I said once the windfall money post devolution is spent no one will invest at rates that are available as a part of the UK. Middle income earners will not be particularly happy when they get taxed to support an ever increasing financial hole.

Now. Swinney can wave his arms about and laugh all he likes on Assistant FMQ's but he didn't answer the question yesterday. The SNP INdependence debate relies on including oil revenues.
Donald

[Nick]

Love to share your vision, BoB, but post independence, SNP will still rule the roost - I don't see any fledgling parties standing in the wings and no-one with the political clout to start anything new off. Conservatives are unelectable (don't know why, anyone hazard a guess?), Labour will struggle. Scotland post independence will be bankrupt, it only depends how quickly they spend the money, There will be a post independence honeymoon glow that when it wears off, big financials will back off - or the interest rates will just not be available at a competative rate. it will be a one-off sum of money which will burn a hole in the political pockets of ministers.

Now. Where's Nick to tell me that's going to be a load of pish?

Donald

erm . . . that's a load of pish, Donald . . .

. . . if a long way from the ethics of Amazon issue

[Aja]

Love to share your vision, BoB, but post independence, SNP will still rule the roost - I don't see any fledgling parties standing in the wings and no-one with the political clout to start anything new off. Conservatives are unelectable (don't know why, anyone hazard a guess?), Labour will struggle. Scotland post independence will be bankrupt, it only depends how quickly they spend the money, There will be a post independence honeymoon glow that when it wears off, big financials will back off - or the interest rates will just not be available at a competative rate. it will be a one-off sum of money which will burn a hole in the political pockets of ministers.

Now. Where's Nick to tell me that's going to be a load of pish?

Donald

erm . . . that's a load of pish, Donald . . .

Great answer Nick.

. . . if a long way from the ethics of Amazon issue

[BlowingOldBoots]

Is that the smell coffee?

[wully]

Is that the smell coffee?

Should be the smell of fresh saw dust as you crack on and get yer boat finished!

When are you back up?

[BlowingOldBoots]

Up on Wednesday! The kettle will be on.

[wully]

We leave Wednesday to go and start sailing new boatie home

It might take more than a few days.....