First thread the uk and Scotland

Hi pacifico

You're correct in that respect. The favourite to win the first election would be the labour party.

I believe that scotland - or the uk if scotland stays in the UK - does have the potential to be an energy superpower. In renewables not fossil fuels. Either the uk or Scotland just have to be clever enough.

Hi pacifico

I've said from the beginning that it would be better if the uk fixed itself. Scotland on it's own would find it more challenging. But not close to impossible.

The energy would be so valuable that someone would buy it.

What's left of the uk would surely not cut off their nose to spite their face.

The whole renewables technology has a long way to go before it becomes as mobile and easy to access as oil and gas. But it'll get there. So eventually, everyone will want it.

On the other side, why do you assume that scotland and what's left of the uk - should it go that way - will be hostile to each other. ?

Scotland and the rest of the uk have to work together. Whatever the constitution including full Scottish Independence. Like the Scandinavian countries tend to work together.

I dont think they will be hostile but events this year have shown the foolishness of being dependent on foreign sources of energy irrespective of how 'friendly' those sources are.. The UK has the capacity to be fully self-sufficient in energy production and I would hope that soon that will be the case.

So an independent Scotland would need the technology to convert wind and hydro power into something that can be easily and economically exported to countries around the globe - and at the moment I dont really see what that would be.

Let me make this nice and simple for you.  In 2022 Scots paid 40 - 50% more on energy bills than the south of England.  Energy is a retained power and is part of the National Grid that runs the entire length of the UK and across the channel. Business all over the world are in business of making money and do not give a rats crap where they source there products to run that business. On average renewable costs 3.7 pence per KW hour to produce  While on average Nuclear and fossil fuel costs around 50 pence per KW hour to produce.  Scotland can now produce all it needs and more to spare on renewable. On wind and wave power alone Scotland  holds some 30% of the European  capacity. It's a power house. To cut a long story short.  When renewable enters the national grid. That 3.7 pence turns into 50 pence on that product that Scotland exports by the bucket load. On indy the Scottish Government will operate two markets.  On singular to Scottish needs and the other to the national grid. That 3.7 pence will give a return to the Scots of 50 pence. Simple mathematic. If business can produce a widget for 3.7 pence.  Then the one that costs 50 pence to make is going to have a problem. That is the scale. 

Next. England is simply going to be reliant on Nuclear and fossil fuel for ever. Although it is clear despite the fanny there is more left in the North sea than has been taken out. That is why the Westminster wankers have issued over 100 licences to explore, and plunder more of Scottish assets. . The question the English need to ask.  Not the Scots. What will happen when the North sea finally runs out. Buy it from Russia. Now the reality.  England has to close down 8 existing out of date nuclear power plants.  And rebuild 9 new ones. Going by Hinkley Point,owned by the French  now 5 years overdue and billions over cost.  Will come in at around £600 billion.  Plus a never ending £1 billion a year decommissioning. You put your cost on it. Not to mention.  That when Hinkley point does come on line.  It has now been established that 50 pence will now cost in the region of £1 for it to make a profit. Now if you cannot see the difference between 3.7 pence and £1pound.  I cannot help you.

That is the good bit. That £600 billion.The way the wankers in Westminster have put it of since they took power. By the time it happens.  Double it. That  is to be paid for by the UK tax payer. That's me and that's you.  Paying for a product that Scotland exports by the bucket load. On top of that.  The wankers in Westminster signed the deal.  That when, not if, a nuclear disaster happens.  That will be funded by the UK tax payer.  That's me and that's you. When Sellafield came on line decades ago. A slight leakage occurred.  It has not made a profit since. Many have died of cancer in the area.  Well over the national average.  The Irish Government are in the process of suing and it has cost millions on lawyers fees.  Paid for by you.  And paid for by me. Not to mention.  Acres of ground have been cordoned of for the next 10 million years half life. As cows produce milk that glows in the dark.

As an aside and as Thomas has pointed out. Scotland holds some 90% of the UKs fresh water. There is more fresh water in Loch Ness than the entire UK put together.  Including Scotland. Take Loch Ness out of the equation and the same applies to Loch Lomond. Take those two out of the equation and the same applies to Loch Katrine which supplies Glasgow,. The point I am making is this.  England is going to run out of water in the next 25 years. It has two choices. Build desalination plants and produce shitty water.  Going by America.  That will come in at around £3-£5 to fill your average cold water tank in the attic. Do not forget.  Many rural areas in England as well as Scotland simply do not have access to gas. And before stupid Englishmen start ranting.  They are not my figures or facts.. They are from the ONS. And the best reason known.  Why Scotland can no longer afford bankrupt England. 

inews.co.uk/news/environment/england-run-out-of-water-25-years-scotland-is-the-answer-270651

 

Hi jaydee

That's a lot of detail!

I don't believe, however, that England is actually bankrupt, or would be, even without scotland. The uk, however, is, I think, a slowly declining economic power and my OP hinted at what it could do to fix that, whether it would ever, be up for it, and what scotland should do about it.

The reason scotland overpays for its energy and gets no benefit from energy exports, is the reason stated in my last post. It might be produced in Scotland but it's not scotland or the UK's property. It's been given away.

What do you not believe?.  And if you think England is not bankrupt. Give me another name for a £2.8 trillion debt.  Yes that really is £2,800,000,000.000 and rising at over £5,000 per second. Once Scotland goes its merry way.  England will have to borrow at a minimum £100 billion more than it does now. just to stand still.  That PSBR stood at £321 billion last year. Double like the debt.  From the day they took power. They are the most incompetent clueless bunch of wanker ever to take power. That  level of incompetence has nothing to do with Putin or covid. It has a QE problem of over £800 billion that will have to be paid back by your grandkids grand kids grand kids.  On top of the £600 billion energy problem about to descend. I have just posted.  And the reason I gave you for the Scots pay more in energy is exactly as described. It does not take much mathematic to work out a two tier energy system.  One singular for Scottish need and one for export. Not to mention England and lets be frank has the worst performing economy in  the G7.  Beaten only by Russia.  On local authority in England on the NHS alone.  The PFI debt is over £300 billion.  That local author NHS  debt in England on its own is more than the entire gold reserves held by the BofE.  And the Scottish tax p;ayer is paying for this. On top of its own NHS.  That does not cost the English tax payer one penny. Let me put it another way.  Image if the Scottish water had been put in the hands of the Westminster wankers. It is going to take billions south of the border to sot out. Like energy  Paid for by you.