"SCOTLAND will continue to use the pound sterling at the point of independence, establishing an independent Scottish currency as soon as is practicably possible through a careful, managed and responsible transition when an independent Scottish Parliament chooses to do so.”
WITH the publication of Building a New Scotland this week, we have started on the road to the referendum. The paper is very good. I have become used to hearing economists describing the Scottish Government’s approach to economic and social development as more imaginative and more persuasive than the UK Government’s – with the latter’s habit of alighting upon meaningless slogans: “Big Society”, “Strong and Stable”, “Brexit means Brexit” and “Get Brexit Done”.
IT is some time since Michael Fry’s old column appeared in these pages and that has led me to the horrific realisation that I might now seem to be the token right-winger writing for The National, kept on purely to maintain an impression of balance.
I WROTE last week about research based on the idea of markets having minds, with changeable moods
IN the 18th century, to accuse a clergyman of enthusiasm was to suggest that he was a ranting fundamentalist. Many in polite society aspired to moderation in religion. In our rather more secular society, we can see much the same division within the Yes movement.
MANY years ago, a local councillor assured me there were two questions on which she would never willingly express an opinion – clearing up dog mess in a local park and the need to close a local primary school because of falling rolls.
"IN your opinion, how will independence affect the Scottish economy?”
WHEN we talk about economic policy, it is very easy for us to concentrate on managing resources which we already have. Like a good government, a just economy should be “of the people, by the people, for the people”.
FOR many years UK governments have subordinated the interests of every region, and every sector of the economy, to those of the City of London. Those Brexiteers who argued that the UK could essentially become Singapore-on-Thames were simply saying the quiet bit out loud.
