Scottish Independence... What are your thoughts?

[astral276]

English, Welsh and Northern Irish voters should not be allowed to veto an independent Scotland sharing the pound, Alex Salmond has said.

While I agree there should not be a referendum on the issue, why is Alex so against it? He keeps telling us that Westminster is wrong and that the vast majority of the rest of the UK supports a currency union. Does he not believe what he says either?

[astral276]

Standard Life may quit Scotland in the event conditions post independence are not good for its business.

Countdown to the SNP using the word 'bullying'...

5...4...3...

CRAP! Didn't even have enough time to make it to zero.

[DandC_Warehouse]

That would be the same Standard Life that said it would quit Scotland if their was a yes vote for devolution in 1997?

[astral276]

That would be the same Standard Life that said it would quit Scotland if their was a yes vote for devolution in 1997?

Another unpalatable statement to be dismissed as Bluff, Bluster, and Bullying then? Is that to be the response to all such statements?

[DandC_Warehouse]

no just a fact

[HobbyHabitat]

While I agree there should not be a referendum on the issue, why is Alex so against it? He keeps telling us that Westminster is wrong and that the vast majority of the rest of the UK supports a currency union. Does he not believe what he says either?

nice to see uncle alex is speaking on behalf of me and the rest of the uk now.............sooooooooo glad he has our best interests at heart!!!!

[astral276]

no just a fact

A fact fact or an SNP fact? The two are not the same.

I couldn't find an authoritative reference to such a statement by Standard Life. Could you provide one?

[MPS16]

A fact fact or an SNP fact? The two are not the same.

I couldn't find an authoritative reference to such a statement by Standard Life. Could you provide one?

This appears to contradict the Fact Fact.

https://twitter.com/ScottishPol/stat...594304/photo/1

[astral276]

This appears to contradict the Fact Fact.

https://twitter.com/ScottishPol/stat...594304/photo/1

Yes, I found that but could not locate it on the Evening Times site. I also found an article in the Financial Times that appeared to contradict D&C's fact. Hence my request for them to supply corroboration.

[PetBazaar]

Yes, I found that but could not locate it on the Evening Times site. I also found an article in the Financial Times that appeared to contradict D&C's fact. Hence my request for them to supply corroboration.

It's possible that D&C is referring to the stance taken by both Scottish Widows and Standard life in the run up to the 1992 General Election where they both warned that constitutional change would cost jobs. Something mentioned towards the end of the picture in that Twitter link.

However can I, yet again, just point something out concerning the stories that the media are publishing and how they relate to real life. Read the two and then tell me that we're not being misled.

First the headlines:

• “Standard Life could quit Scotland” (BBC)
• “Standard Life warns it could quit an independent Scotland” (Telegraph)
• “Standard Life could quit Scotland if voters back independence” (Guardian)
• “Standard Life may retreat from independent Scotland” (Scotsman)
• “Standard Life could quit Scotland following independence yes vote” (Express)
• “Standard Life May Quit Independent Scotland” (Sky News)
• “Standard Life: we could quit Edinburgh for England if there’s a Yes vote” (Herald)

And then the reality (as published on their own website):
“27 February 2014
Scottish referendum

On 18 September 2014 a referendum will be held to decide whether Scotland should become an independent country. In recent months some of our customers have been in touch with us to ask what impact this would have on their savings and investments with Standard Life.

Our key priority is to continue serving the needs of our 4 million UK customers, wherever they reside and regardless of any constitutional change. The same applies to our customers in other parts of the world.

As a business we have a long-standing policy of strict political neutrality and at no time will we advise people on how they should vote, but we have a duty and a responsibility to understand the implications of independence for our customers and other stakeholders and to take whatever action may be necessary to protect their interests.

In view of the uncertainty that is likely to remain around this issue, there are steps that we can and will take now based on our own analysis. For example, we have started work to establish additional registered companies to operate outside Scotland, into which we could transfer parts of our operations if it was necessary to do so.

This is a purely precautionary measure, and customers do not need to take any action. We are simply putting in place a mechanism which, in the event of constitutional change, allows us to provide continuity to customers and to continue serving them, wherever they live in the UK.

Customers can find further details in our 2013 Annual Report and Accounts from our Chief Executive David Nish and Chairman Gerry Grimstone.”