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Showing posts with label Alex Salmond. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alex Salmond. Show all posts

Sunday 30 March 2014

Currency creates crisis – the Better Together meltdown after Guardian leak

A few facts -

QUESTION: What is the “optimal currency arrangement" for Scotland and the rest of the UK (rUK)?

Murdo Fraser put this question to five experts on 12th March. They disagreed on the answer. This on the same day that the Treasury Committee was grilling Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England and doing their level best – unsuccessfully - to bounce him out of his neutrality and objectivity on the the shape of a currency union after a YES vote, and on Scotland’s independence, as re-confirmed and re-asserted to Stewart Hosie MP.

UK’s answer isThe present arrangement is the best. Stay with the UK and keep the present arrangement – vote No!”

Scottish Government’s answer isWe like many aspects of the present arrangement but we don’t like a host of other aspects of UK – let’s keep the best of the present currency arrangement, improve it - and vote YES to Scotland’s independence!

Currency: Scotland’s currency after independence will be the pound sterling, either in a currency union with rUK (99% probability) or under sterlingisation - i.e. we will carry on using the pound as a tradable currency and peg it on a fixed rate to sterling.

Sunday 16 March 2014

A Marr interview with Alex Salmond, marred by simplistic questions – and a gaffe …

Marr, after trying to damn the YES campaign with faint praise on the polls, jumps in with the simplistic Better Together yah-boo mantra - Plan B!

He gets it partially right with "they're so hostile to Scottish independence that it's not bluff and bluster - they just determined to spike your guns" It may well be bluff and bluster (if it's not it's profound economic stupidity, allied to a craven fear of UKIP and their own badly-riven party and doubtful LibDem allies) but it most certainly is driven by hostility to independence and a desire to spike guns. He also observes that  there isn't good will on both sides. Again, Marr is half right - there is goodwill, albeit sorely tested on the Scottish Government side and a total absence of it on the UK side.

Marr's next point is that because "no one can say what's going to happen after a YES vote - if that's what happens - and therefore,  Scots are going to be left in the situation where they don't know what currency they will be using afterwards. Do you think it's sensible to have a Plan B ..." etc. He asks what's wrong with having a pound Scots or - and this is the mandatory Better Together sneer - "a groat, or whatever it would be called?"

Marr ignores completely the answer he got on his first outing with 'Plan B', and dutifully plays the BT broken record soundbyte. He gets a weary but patient repetition of the FM's first answer on the range of viable currency options, and a reiteration that 'Plan A' - a currency union - is in the best interests of both parties. The FM also reprises the requirement of the Edinburgh Agreement for politicians on both sides to act in the best interests of Scotland and rUK after the referendum.

It all falls on deaf - or uncomprehending - ears. "So why not a Scottish currency?" Any interviewer with any claims to professionalism would have had the Fiscal Commission report in front of him, or at least a key summary - but not Marr. Why bother when you can ignore detailed answers and repeat simplistic questions?

Marr conjures up Barroso. He claims that Barroso was "absolutely adamant in private and in the studio that it would not happen." In fact  Barroso said no such thing, since he is unable to speak for all the countries of the EU, and indeed he has been challenged by other heavyweight EU figures on what he did say. He then makes the extraordinary statement that Barroso "has no particular dog in this fight." No 'dog' except the Catalonian people's burning desire for a referendum on their independence.

The FM is too polite - or circumspect - to invoke Catalonia, but he does detail the reality of Barroso's current status and what his ambitions viv-a-vis NATO might be.

Marr then astonishingly offers his own opinion on Scotland's EU membership. "I think it will be quite hard to get back in, I have to say - but let's move on ..."

Let's not, Andrew- you don't get away with that so easily ...

FM: "This is what the Andrew Marr analysis says, as opposed to ... “

Marr: "Having talked to Mr. Barosso of the European Commission ...

FM: "As opposed, Andrew, to the weight of evidence that's been presented to the Scottish Parliament and its committees at the present moment. Is that the individual expression - or the BBC ‘s”

Marr blusters frantically, aware that he's in deep merde. "I've got no views on this, nor has the BBC.."

I'll leave the immigration bit - Marr was similarly simplistic on this topic.

A sad, sad performance from a once incisive political editor - in days gone bye. Long gone bye ...

Thursday 13 March 2014

The Clash of the Experts – What is the “optimal currency arrangement" for Scotland and the rest of the UK (rUK)?

UK’s answer isThe present arrangement is the best. Stay with the UK and keep the present arrangement – vote No!

Scottish Government’s answer isWe like many aspects of the present arrangement but we don’t like a host of other aspects of UK – let’s keep the best of the present currency arrangement, improve it - and vote YES to Scotland’s independence!

Murdo Fraser put this question to five experts on 12th March. They disagreed on the answer. This on the same day that the Treasury Committee was grilling Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England and doing their level best – unsuccessfully - to bounce him out of his neutrality and objectivity on the the shape of a currency union after a YES vote, and on Scotland’s independence, as re-confirmed and re-asserted to Stewart Hosie MP.

 

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THE SCOTTISH SECTION OF TREASURY COMMITTEE with MARK CARNEY, GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND – STEWART HOSIE MP SEGMENT

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THE SCOTTISH SECTION OF TREASURY COMMITTEE with MARK CARNEY, GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND – End of Stewart Hosie segment (the confirmation) and into the COMMITTEE MEMBERS QUESTIONS

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Saturday 8 March 2014

Ius Naturale – the Referendum and pre-negotiating positions

THE REFERENDUM

Some of the ideas here come from a two-year old blog – I’ve pulled out the essence that I believe is still pertinent.

The Act of Union was a treaty between two independent kingdoms. It doesn't take two to end a treaty or an agreement, it only takes one, either by negotiating the terms of exit - or unilaterally. The ius civile and the ius gentium are undoubtedly relevant, but so is the ius naturale, especially after 300 plus years. If the UK Government wilfully misunderstands this, and continues to act like the Romans in decline, then the Scots will become less civil and move towards acting naturale - take note, gentlemen ...

Independence is a beautifully simple concept, and needs no complex definition - it means a nation doing its own thing, in every aspect of its affairs. Full fiscal autonomy doesn't need Ming Campbell's version of the Steel Committee to tell us what it is - it's independence in everything except the ultimate sovereignty of Westminster, foreign policy and defence, the nuclear deterrent and membership of the EU and the UN.

If you really expect us to blow our negotiating hand in advance of the referendum outcome on the detail of the negotiation that will inevitable follow, dream on, UK. But by all means set out what you see as the detailed agenda for that negotiation, and we'll let you know what we think of the items that might be up for discussion. Most of them are self-evident as heads of negotiation – have a read at Scotland’s Future if you’re as bereft of ideas as you appear to be.

And lastly, Alistair Darling, David Cameron, George Osborne, Alistair Carmichael – and Gordon Brown(?) - if you want to go down in history as statesmen, rather than as pompous windbags, you might consider addressing the issues in an adult, statesmanlike fashion. Try and act in the spirit of the ius naturale. The Roman Empire first began to negotiate seriously when it was near to collapse - maybe the UK can make a better job of it in similar circumstances ...

We know what side you're on - the UK's side - and you know what side we're on - Scotland's - and England's and Wales's and Northern Ireland's. Talk calmly about the issues that lie ahead and stop your ridiculous posturing and grandstanding - it cuts nae ice wi' Scots. Frankly, it gie's us the boke ...

Monday 17 February 2014

The eminent group of advisers who opted for the pound sterling in a currency union with rUK after a YES vote

Fiscal Commission Working Group
(Membership drawn from the First Minister’s Council of Economic Advisers.

Crawford Beveridge CBE (Chair)

– a technology industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience.

Worked as an Executive at Sun Microsystems for over 15 years.  

1991: He left Sun Microsystems to become Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise. He returned to Sun Microsystems in April 2000 as Executive Vice President of People and Places and Chief Human Resources Officer. He is -

Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Autodesk,

Chairman of Scottish Equity Partners Ltd

Non-exec board  member of eSilicon and Iomart Group PLC.

Awarded a C.B.E. in the New Years Honours list in 1995.

Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett

Professor of Economics at University of St Andrews.

Professor of Economics and Public Policy at George Mason University in the US

Visiting Professor at Harvard University

Professor Hughes Hallett specialises in international economic policy and has acted as a consultant to the
World Bank, the IMF, the Federal Reserve Board, the UN, the OECD, the European Commission and central banks around the world.

Professor Sir James Mirrlees

Professor Emeritus at Cambridge University and
distinguished professor-at-large at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

In 1996 Sir James was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on economic models and equations about situations where information is asymmetrical or incomplete. In 2010, he led the Mirrlees Review of taxation which examined the principles and characteristics of good tax system for open developed economies in the 21st century.

Professor Frances Ruane

Director of Ireland's Economic and Social Research Institute and Honorary Professor of Economics at Trinity College, Dublin. She has published widely in the area of international economics and industrial development.

Professor Joseph Stiglitz

Professor of Economics at Columbia University.

Won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2001 and was a member of the US Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) from 1993-95, serving as CEA Chair from 1995-97.

Chief Economist and Senior Vice-President of the World Bank from 1997-2000.

In 2009, appointed by the President of the UN General Assembly as Chair of the Commission of Experts on Reform of the International Financial and Monetary System.

EXTRACT from REPORT AND CONCLUSIONS – (all highlighting, italicisation, colour and typographical emphasis is mine,and was not present in the original report format)

Monetary Policy

3.25  The choice of currency is a key determinant of the overall macroeconomic framework.

3.26  Analysis shows that it would be in Scotland’s interests to retain Sterling immediately post-independence. It is also the case that, post independence, this would benefit the rest of the UK given the scale of integrated markets, including in areas such as financial services.

3.27  Scotland’s economy is strong enough and sufficiently aligned with the rest of the UK that a separate currency would not be necessary. Retaining a common currency would promote the single market and help facilitate trade and investment to and from the rest of the UK and elsewhere.

3.28  There would be a number of ways to implement monetary policy within a formal monetary union, including options around the institutional arrangements for central banking.

3.29  The preferred model would be for Scotland to enter a formal monetary union with the rest of the UK with the Bank of England (the Bank) operating as central bank for the common monetary area (the ‘Sterling Zone’).

3.30  Ownership and governance of the Bank could be undertaken on an agreed shared basis, reflecting Scotland’s current implicit and historical share of the existing Bank’s assets as a UK institution.

This arrangement would be subject to negotiation with the UK Government. However a practical arrangement with shareholder rights allocated on a per capita or GDP
weighted basis would seem appropriate.

3.31  Monetary policy would be set in the Sterling Zone according to economic conditions in both Scotland and the UK –in the same way as is currently the case.

3.32  The Bank would remain operationally independent to set monetary policy.

3.33  This would involve little change in the day-to-day operations of the Bank or in its discharge of monetary policy. The common payments and settlements system would continue, as would the efficient use of inter-bank money markets as the principal means of providing liquidity. The Bank’s balance sheet could remain unified, albeit indemnified by two fiscal authorities.

3.34  As part of this arrangement, the framework proposes that the Scottish Government should seek input into the appointment process to key positions within the Bank (for example the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and Financial Policy Committee (FPC)) and an input into its remit and objectives. A representative from the Scottish Treasury could also attend MPC meetings in a capacity similar to the existing HM Treasury representative (i.e. in a nonvoting capacity and to ensure that monetary policymakers were fully informed of developments in Scottish Government economic and fiscal policy).

3.35  Related to this, and as an explicit shareholder of the Bank, the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament should seek a role in providing oversight of the Bank and its activities.

3.36  This would create an appropriate system of accountability and representation for both governments.

3.37  Matters of collective decision making on governance and accountability could be addressed within an overarching agreement on the functioning of the Sterling Zone.

A shared institutional arrangement, such as a ‘Macroeconomic Governance Committee’, could be established to oversee matters which require coordinated input and/or agreement from the respective governments.

This practical arrangement could cover not just monetary policy, but also issues of shared interest in fiscal sustainability and financial stability. Such an arrangement would also provide a forum for knowledge transfer and the sharing of key information

Thursday 6 February 2014

David Cameron panics, wraps the Union Jack around him – and Alistair’s naebodies Darling …

Scottish Labour's partner and pal in Better Together, David Cameron, terrified by the polls, by today's Spectator article, and by the prospect of debating with Alex Salmond, clutches at the straw of the 2012 Olympics, Team GB and Britishness, and plans to wrap himself in the Union Jack. It may prove to be his political shroud.

"Oh, Danny Boyle! Help me with another spectacular! Can we have Alistair Carmichael in a kilt parachuting on to Lord's Cricket Ground, singing Rule Brittannia? A couple of Royals? Maybe another baby? Are there muffins still for tea?"

The other Alistair is now nobodies Darling. Derided by his own side, a joke to YES campaigners, he seems set for the dustbin of history. Maybe Johann "wee things" Lamont can help, if she can escape the mud flying from the Unite/Falkirk debacle?

May you live in interesting Scottish times, Dave - Eton was never like this...

And a couple of golden oldie flag-wrapping disasters!

Thursday 30 January 2014

One of a parcel of Scottish Lords, Baronesses and God knows what else tries to defend the indefensible – Lord Lang’s smear against Scotland’s democracy

 

One member of the unelected gang of Scottish Lords, Baronesses, Tory and Labour, Lord Forsyth - Thatcher's man - supports his parcel of 800+ unelected former/failed politicians, party donors, Church of England bishops, hereditary peers and God knows what else in their disgraceful exploitation of Scottish dead on the field of battles and wars - just and unjust - by attacking and smearing a legal democratic process by a legally elected Parliament and Government - a referendum to ascertain the will of the Scottish people on the independence of their country - Scotland.

Keith Brown - a Falklands veteran - was a model of calm dignity and impeccable logic, putting to shame the desperate, self-serving emotional exploitation of the parcel of Lords.

The formidable powers of an independent Scotland that Johann Lamont thinks are “wee things”: Scottish Labour’s nadir at FMQs

Scotland doesn't control the currency or interest rates at the moment. Neither does UK - they're controlled by Bank of England. We won't control them under a currency union either, but we'll have more influence than we have at the moment, as an independent country, a partner in a currency union.

ECONOMIC LEVERS: Excise duty, air passenger duty, VAT, capital gains tax, oil and gas taxation, national insurance, income tax, corporation tax, competition law, consumer protection, industry regulation, employment legislation, the minimum wage, energy markets and regulation, environmental regulations.

ALL THESE THINGS ARE CONTROLLED IN LONDON UNDER UK

ALL OF THEM WILL BE CONTROLLED IN SCOTLAND AFTER INDEPENDENCE.

We'll be able to set the minimum wage, abolish the Bedroom Tax (not just mitigate it). We will be able to transform childcare.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO REMOVE WEAPONS  OF MASS DESTRUCTION FROM SCOTLAND

WE WONT HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN ILLEGAL WARS

Bur all of these things - which we can only do with independence - are, to Johann Lamont, "wee things".

The prospect of this woman and her cohorts leading  even a devolved Scottish Government is not to be contemplated.

Friday 24 January 2014

One day’s tweets, RTs and links – and it ain’t over yet …

Tweets

  1. Peter Curran@moridura 1m

    @FewArePict I do my best, as do thousand's of YES supporters. Get the fact out, the buttons on - buttonhole the voters!

     

  2. Peter Curran@moridura 3m

    No independence movement can afford to be bland, blinkered, bashful or blasé - or it's buggered ...

     

  3. Peter Curran@moridura 7m

    @FewArePict 307 years of UK propaganda, Labour blatant lies and compliant media are bound to influence many against logic, Debra. Info, info

     

  4. Peter Curran@moridura 9m

    Pete Ramand and James Foley have produced a formidably insightful analysis of core dynamic of Scottish referendum http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/23/scotland-labour-traditions-yes-vote-independence …

     

  5. Peter Curran@moridura 12m

    @1982Nick No, I don't - it's here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/9728171/Poll-72-per-cent-of-businesses-oppose-Scottish-separation.html …

     

  6. Peter Curran@moridura 15m

    @hannada39 Yes, it's critically different: this time the people have real power - for 15 hours on 15th September 2014 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pOHfkKI52M …

     

  7. Peter Curran@moridura 17m

    The key referendum issue is increasingly becoming the have-nots (and those who care about them) versus the haves - the I'm Alright UK Jocks.

     

  8. Peter Curran@moridura 20m

    @SovereignSadie Means what it says, Anne - policies such as NATO, monarchy, economy and military that mainly targeted that demographic group

     

  9. Peter Curran@moridura 22m

    GUARDIAN: "A hardcore of Scotland is rich, authoritarian, or militarist" - "Salmond's team has sacrificed far too much to them already"

     

  10. Peter Curran@moridura 23m

    @1982Nick Have a look at the polls for their impact. It may not have surprised you, but it seems to have escaped YES strategic planners.

     

  11. Peter Curran@moridura 26m

    Guardian: "A hardcore of Scotland is rich, authoritarian, or militarist; where these households vote yes, they are statistical flukes"

     

  12. Peter Curran@moridura 29m

    GUARDIAN:"For decades, poorest voters, most dependent on govmnt aid, have seen constitutional change as better guarantee .. than Labour vote

     

  13. Peter Curran@moridura 32m

    GUARDIAN:"Contrary to views of many Labour supporters, .. referendum is not about blood and soil separatism" It's about "societal divisions"

     

  14. Pat Kane@thoughtland 37m

    .@KennyFarq will it have same will-sapping Unionist misinfo, vacuous Cal-Max lifestyle options, + underpowered cultural punditry as usual?

    Retweeted by Peter Curran

     

  15. Peter Curran@moridura 36m

    @KennyFarq @EddieBarnes23 @scotonsunday It's come out unequivocally for YES, Kenny? I'm delighted ...

     

  16. Peter Curran@moridura 37m

    Scot.SocialAttitudes Survey: Wealthy Scots are resolutely hostile, 72% of business leaders are hostile to independence. And morally bankrupt

     

  17. Peter Curran@moridura 40m

    SSAS survey shows strong correlation between a YES and social class. 40% of households earning under £14,300 are likely to vote YES. YES!

     

  18. Peter Curran@moridura 42m

    Yes is . keeping what remains of social democratic decency. Scot Labour traditions are real battleground for YES vote http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/23/scotland-labour-traditions-yes-vote-independence …

     

  19. Peter Curran@moridura 45m

    Dolina said it all http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io81u0wC9xI … Jim Sillars says Carpe diem! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pOHfkKI52M … . and Brian Wilson of 7-84? Lost in UK fantasy

     

  20. Peter Curran@moridura 50m

    Sillars sees that Scottish Left, lost for a century in an international socialist UK dream, will hold real power for 15 hrs only on 15 Sept.

     

  21. Peter Curran@moridura 58m

    "One-fifth of Scots households below basic income level" A national disgrace, directly attributable to 3 UK parties http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/one-fifth-of-scots-households-below-basic-income-level.23256880 …

     

  22. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    Scot.Sec.Alistair Carmichael is accused of doing too little on sex abuse allegations while he was Lib Dem chief whip http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/carmichael-accused-of-inaction-over-lib-dem-claims-1-3280694 …

     

  23. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    @moridura I should make it clear on my last tweet that I meant that the Telegraph was owned by the Barclay Bros - not Johann Lamont MSP

     

  24. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    How the Telegraph, Johann's favourite paper, owned by the Barclay Brothers, handles the Ryder Cup expenses rubbish http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10593197/Alex-Salmond-rejects-luxury-hotel-spending-criticism-as-ridiculous-frippery.html …

     

  25. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    "Yes vote could be making of right wing in Scotland" Only the intelligent centre-right. Bonehead right is UK-fixated http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/columnists/a-yes-vote-could-be-making-of-the-right-wing-in-scotland.23240613 …

     

  26. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    They just won't let this crap go - "Scottish independence: Border passport check claim http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-border-passport-check-claim-1-3280801 …

     

  27. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    UK Gov's lack of support for Scotland’s renewable energy industry is putting jobs and investment at risk. 'Scottish' Sec.Carmichael no help.

     

  28. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    @Indy4Scotland I know many who are well-informed but will still vote No - out of either selfishness or irrational emotional Brit attachment.

     

  29. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    @Indy4Scotland I have music and video of Scotland after a No vote, Bill. Perhaps just a little bit pessimistic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hko1TNkgUUE …

     

  30. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    @Shiny02 On pause, except for improving the economy, reducing unemployment and crime, tackling alcohol abuse, increasing tourism, etc. etc.

     

  31. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    @ShonaMcAlpine I did my best, Now I'm in the huff ...

     

  32. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    Over 500 hits in a day - people like a comedy horror clip. Johann Lamont stars at FMQs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqh8NLmAC7o …

     

  33. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    @billyfish_66 I'm sure it reflect reality in key Labour areas. I've been at meetings where people who're anti-SNP were committed to YES vote

     

  34. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    @billyfish_66 You know the answer, Billy - the SNP canvassers on the doorstep with their standard canvass cards. Similar results elsewhere.

     

  35. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    @nataliemcgarry Result was probably inevitable, but your candidacy and canvass made a huge contribution to YES - and your day WILL come soon

     

  36. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    @BBCPolitics "I acted immediately - I did sweet **** *** !" Clegg

     

  37. Peter Curran@moridura 1h

    @ShonaMcAlpine Have a cold to jazz piano - with advice! Get better soon ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3y71XZM7-U …

     

  38. Peter Curran@moridura 2h

    Please don't offer rude alternative versions of Ian Davidson's SAF committee of 15 Jan with academics. SAF means Scottish Affairs Committee.

     

  39. Peter Curran@moridura 2h

    This is the 'uncorrected' report of Ian Davidson's SAF committee. Only a YES vote could correct this lot ... http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmscotaf/uc140-xiii/uc14001.htm …

     

  40. Peter Curran@moridura 2h

    @SovereignSadie It's not more nuanced than I think, Anne http://moridura.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-unions-and-scotlands-independence.html …

     

  41. Peter Curran@moridura 2h

    @ShonaMcAlpine Of course you can! Stop feeling sorry for yourself and concentrate. Take a dictionary into the shower with the Cragganmore.

     

  42. Peter Curran@moridura 2h

    You saw the horror move - now read the full script, as Davidson's Academics prance and dance to his Brit.Empire cues http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmscotaf/uc140-xiii/uc14001.htm …

     

  43. Peter Curran@moridura 2h

    If you're doing OK, I'm Alright UK Jocks - spare a thought for 1 in 5 Scots who can't maintain an acceptable standard of living. Vote YES!

     

  44. Peter Curran@moridura 2h

    @ShonaMcAlpine Where is your head soaring to, Shona? But apart from that - awww, puir wee thing - there, there ... Drink a large Cragganmore

     

  45. Peter Curran@moridura 2h

    GMS Dr.Peter Lynch says Labour know that their voters might be "susceptible" to voting Yes. Dr.Lynch makes it sound like catching a cold ...

     

  46. Peter Curran@moridura 3h

    @andrew_harrop @thefabians @edballsmp UK has no economic and fiscal future - it won't exist after 2016: dead de facto from 19th Sept = rUK

     

  47. Peter Curran@moridura 3h

    Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Almost 400,000 households in ­Scotland are living on incomes too low to afford an adequate standard of living ­.

     

  48. Peter Curran@moridura 3h

    Cowdenbeath voting intentions demonstrates how vital Jim Slllar's message is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pOHfkKI52M … AND http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKDZTqxANqA … @NAEFear

     

  49. Peter Curran@moridura 3h

    11,727 Cowdenbeath voters: referendum voting intentions: 41% Yes, 36% No 23% undecided. Still Labour, but more indy Labour than UK Labour.

     

  50. Peter Curran@moridura 3h

    LibDems beaten by UKIP in Cowdenbeath. 5th place.

     

  51. Peter Curran@moridura 3h

    @scott_eff @NaeFear Thanks, Scott - and my thanks to Jim Sillars for cutting to the essentials of the referendum.

     

  52. Peter Curran@moridura 4h

    ROBERT McNEIL Herald "The idea that 16-year olds have the vote is almost as chilling as the idea that over-16s have it .." Gaun yersel, Rab!

     

  53. Peter Curran@moridura 4h

    @AlexRowleyCllr Congratulations Alex - do a good job for people of Cowdenbeath - and think hard about Labour and independence @labourforindy

     

  54. Peter Curran@moridura 4h

    Lawyers divided over Scotland's EU plans http://euobserver.com/news/122856 UK is clear Scotland WILL conform to EU rulebook - the acquis communautaire

     

  55. Angus Robertson@MorayMP 4h

    Welcome cross-party Syria @refugees motion with @UKLabour @theSNP @Plaid_Cymru @SDLPlive @TheGreenParty pic.twitter.com/CR4bJvBcYA

    Retweeted by Peter Curran

    Embedded image permalink

     

  56. Peter Curran@moridura 4h

    Danish friend on SNP and EU: "SNP's idea seem rather good, they are just notoriously bad at communicating what it is.." Tae see oorsels, etc

     

  57. Peter Curran@moridura 5h

    @mgreenwell Thanks!

     

  58. Peter Curran@moridura 5h

    Alistair Carmichael, Scottish(?) Sec. wants to move Scottish shipyard work to England, describing Portsmouth as a “well placed” contender.

     

  59. Peter Curran@moridura 5h

    @NaeFear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pOHfkKI52M …

     

  60. Peter Curran@moridura 5h

    @mgreenwell Alistair Darling will be talking more rubbish to James Naughtie and an audience in Mitchell Theatre in Glasgow on Mar 13th, Mike

  61. Peter Curran@moridura 5h

    @pilaraymara Jim Sillars on a decisive moment in Scotland's history http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pOHfkKI52M …

  62. Peter Curran@moridura 5h

    @TheHeraldPaper Have a whip round among those who lost their homes due to Games and Accord mothers, who lost a centre for disabled children

     

  63. Peter Curran@moridura 5h

    BAE's Ian King says the firm has “no contingency plans” to take work away from Govan and Scotstoun in the event of a Yes vote this September