tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22403989.post4630772761666571528..comments2024-01-18T10:54:54.459+00:00Comments on Iain Macwhirter Now and Then: There's no greater enthusiast for the euro than...David Cameron.iain macwhirterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486911281896217461noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22403989.post-68614229750076471062011-10-27T13:21:47.557+01:002011-10-27T13:21:47.557+01:00Having to choose between the Euro and the Pound St...Having to choose between the Euro and the Pound Sterling at this moment in time would be the equivelant of being caught between a rock and a hard place.<br /><br />But we Scots should not allow ourselves to be rushed into making a decision prematurely - we have the resources, both intellectual and natural, to support our own currency, should we decide to do so.<br /><br />Take Norway, for example; a country that at the outset of the North Seaa oil bonanza was lower down the economic league table than Scotland at that time. The reverse is now the case. <br /><br />Through self-interest and good governance its economy supports one of the strongest currencies in the World. <br /><br />Scotland on the other hand finds itself shackled to a currency that has devalued by more than 25% against the major world currencies; even though,like Norway, it is rich in natural resources.<br /><br />Fundamental to Norway's succes is the decision, taken early on, that the natural resources (oil) underneath its patch of the North sea would be part of the 'common weal'.<br /><br />The dividends arising have been reinvested, over the intervening period, on diversifying the Norwegian economy.<br /><br />Norway's national currency is the kroner. One suspects this will not change any time soon!Ian Innesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22403989.post-55604409810012493792011-10-27T11:47:13.029+01:002011-10-27T11:47:13.029+01:00I wish I could write like this. It seems to me tha...I wish I could write like this. It seems to me that you say what I think, but lack the ability to put into coherent English.<br /><br />There were titters around parliament recently when Annabel asked the First Minister what currency Scotland will use (she said would, but she's an old fashioned girl). After pointing her in the direction (perhaps because he feared the titters) several times, he eventually had to say out loud that Scotland would/will continue to use the pound until a decision is made about whether or not to join the €uro.<br /><br />Now, however, just a few weeks later, if your analysis is right (and I think that it is) it seems that to NOT join the €uro would be putting yourself in a situation where, despite being prey to every ill that afflicts it, you would have no say in its governance.<br /><br />Scotland and Scots should perhaps think about this very carefully before making a decision.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22403989.post-18304593157892026192011-10-27T11:00:39.314+01:002011-10-27T11:00:39.314+01:00Then why doesn't he support the 'Tobin'...Then why doesn't he support the 'Tobin' tax on financial transactions proposed by the Eurozone countries..<br /><br />If I, as a private investor, am required to pay a half percent on any share purchases I make then what is good for the goose should be good for the gander.<br /><br />But the last thing the banks want us to know is what they do with our money.<br /><br />They must be brought to heel.Ian Innesnoreply@blogger.com