Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): What do the Government propose should happen to the shared debts and the shared membership of the European Union were Scotland to leave the Union?
The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore): The right hon. Gentleman asks an important question. I am sure that it is one of many that will be at the heart of the debate about Scotland’s future when we come to the referendum itself, but for now I want to ensure that we can get on with the proper substantive debate.
January 11, 2012
well, that told you.
January 11, 2012
Yet debts and the EU are big parts of the substantive debate and they must be addressed before a referendum so that the question on the ballot can be helpful and people know what they’re voting about.
January 12, 2012
The Scots might better consider how any growth or almost as likely contraction of GDP might be shared.
And, of course, wether division will simply lead to two parts whose attributes and relevant quantities will add up to the original aggregate. Unlikely.
January 12, 2012
The two points mentioned are very important ones. However, my concerns are the reality of separation. How will Scotland pay for it’s self. It as a very high proportion of unemployment which as to be paid. Housing costs, social services, NHS, police, defence, if it’s included. Additionally, we have recently put the RAF bases into Scotland, will they be charged for being there, if so we should remove them. The airspace above Scotland is penetrated and tested, frequently by the Russians, so defence is important. Will they be able to meet this challenge, I don’t think so.
There are lots of questions Mr Salmond is not answering and telling the Scottish people, he’s not entirely honest with them in explaining the full costs they may incurr once separation takes place. This is where he should be challenged, make him come clean and let the people know the full consequences of independance. It will be more expensive for those who do work, will they be able to afford to pay for those who don’t and everything else. I don’t think this as been debated enough, and Mr Cameron is right to take it to the Scottish people and let them see the that this idea is for one mans ‘ideals and dreams’ which in the long run, they will have to pay and suffer for. I hope they see through him and his party before it’s to late. Iike Scotland and it’s people, and don’t begrudge the extra money we pay per head of people than England, but this man, Salmond is in it for his own ends and certainly not for the Scottish people.
January 12, 2012
Totally agree with Paul Danon, is Michael Moore a Euro Fanatic? We get into all our messes because we have no proper public debates before a referendum is discussed. I am not in favour of a referendum until all the questions are answered by the proposer. By the way what largesse is Scotland expecting from their devolution, and will we ditch all the Scottish MP,s? I think they will be cool unless they are given their pound of flesh by their new paymasters.