Prospect is an often intelligent source but like the Guardian, blinkered when Scottish independence comes up. As in the Scotsman , the Herald and on BBC Scotland, partisan Unionist affiliations are never mentioned for the likes of Brian Wilson (Labour), John MacLellan (Con), Brian Monteith (Brexit) and Hugh Pennington (Better Together).
Three days ago, Nick Butler was able to write the above ill-informed piece. Butler is long-time VP of the Fabian Society and former special adviser to Gordon Brown. That should be mentioned.
Most of the piece is all-too-predictable and not up-to-date on the growth in Scotland’s onshore economy but the section on renewables-based power is remarkable:
Why, post-independence, should the rest of the UK pay the added costs of transporting power from Scotland when wind farms could be built in different parts of the UK, including the north east of England, an area to which the current UK government owes its parliamentary majority? Why should the new clusters designed to establish the next low-carbon advances—in hydrogen and in energy storage—be based in an independent Scotland when they can be located in Teeside or Ellesmere Port or at Harwell in Oxfordshire? Why should the European Union—which last week announced a radical post-coronavirus recovery plan costing €750bn, including major investments to support low-carbon production and infrastructure—rely on power supplies from a country which is no longer a member when Italy, Spain and many others badly need the jobs that investment will bring?
Does he really think a right-wing, Tory or New New Labour Starmer-led government will invest in massive wind-farm development, fighting local voters to do so, rather than just do what is cheapest and most-convenient?
Does he really think Scotland will stay a non-member of the EU for long. Has he read nothing?
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Unionists tried to rubbish the value of oil to the Scottish economy when the North Sea was in full flow.
Now that it isn’t,they try to tell us that actually it would have been of great value to us but since Westminster has spent it,we are a continuing economic basket case.
So,under Westminster rule,Scotland’s economy has remained a basket case since 1707 with no improvement whatsoever.
Conclusion.
Scotland cannot have a successful economy so long as we are ruled by London and yes,there is stil plenty oil left around Scotland’s shores should we wish to exploit it.
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Ignore the North Sea it is a misnomer!
The Atlantic Margin has reservoirs larger than the biggest in Saudi Arabia just coming on stream.
Also tidal and offshore wind will be the big energy and revenue generators going forward.
Scotland had the potential to be the battery of Europe as it currently is the battery of the UK!
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Battered by the UK
Basket Case because of the UK
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I know its the Sunday Post but have a read.
https://www.sundaypost.com/news/did-mod-block-oil-boom-in-the-firth-of-clyde/
About carbon capture I mentioned on another thread what Rishi Sunak chancellor said about CC and how it would be great for the north east of England and the jobs it would create so Scotland will get shafted again.
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If the tax take on oil is high, Scotland is overly reliant on oil – and that’s very bad!
If the tax take on oil is low, Scotland can no longer rely on oil – and that’s vey bad!
So don’t come to me with nuanced, balanced economic arguments on this or any other topic concerning Scotland’s economy: I demand foresight with economic certitude now and forever. (But, but … Brexit? “That’s completely different”!)
Do you, dear reader not understand? Scotland does NOT have a mixed economy like every other nation of the UK and it is NOT like every other democratic nation-state or sub-state on Earth. It is unique – a world-renowned case study in economic ‘incapability’!
The most remarkable feature of Scotland’s economy – unlike that of any other place – is that it operates as a series of quite separate, sealed economic ‘units’ which never interact and will never respond to policy interventions (at least NOT ones devised in Scotland if that’s even a credible option) or to the international economic environment. They are stuck, fossilised. Well to be fair, not quite. There is one possible exception: economically they will probably get even worse in future, every future.
And each ‘unit’ functions by means of binary switches – on/off or good/bad or have/have not or all/nothing. And economic performance is completely predictable for any time hence and – this is especially remarkable – it is predictable with certainty at any and every time, and for every period of time, a commentator wishes it to be for their particular purpose. Uncanny!
Of course I do have sympathy: it must be especially dispiriting for supporters of Scotland’s independence to be located in their poor, wee place so close to THE world-leading – exceptional in everything imaginable – England as Global Britain.
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This is one of my most hated subjects, because of the British Nationalist government lies to Scotland, for decades, in fact centuries, it goes back much further than the 70’s. See Scotland’s history in oil shale being exploited for a start. https://www.scottishshale.co.uk/
I have a book, ‘Black and Green Gold’ by the Balmoral group. I haven’t read all of it, but it mentions how the EngGov were running down the industry, taxed it to the hilt, and closed down viable smaller oil fields, decommissioning viable rigs. This was happening in 2010, it would have been when the EngGov knew that an independence ref was set in stone.
One interesting thing to note is the ‘National Grid’, which seems to be owned now by the U.S. At least they own the English and Welsh arm of the distribution, but, Scot power and SSE I think, ‘own’ the Scottish arm, but, the U.S operate the Scottish part of the distribution, I think that’s how it goes, it’s not easy to find out on the website.
If you look at the NG website though, investment in energy infrastructure in the UK is taking place in England, ( poss Wales?) but not in Scotland far as I can see.
The infrastructure needs upgrading to cater for renewables such as wind power. There are some huge offshore wind turbines off the coast of England and I am sure some onshore too, they are investing (using Scotland’s oil money I am sure!) in renewables in England.
For Scotland, to not have their infrastrusture upgraded will impact hugely on the ability to supply rewewable energy as times goes on!
Scotland is charged £MILLIONS to connect the ‘National Grid’ while London is paid £Mlns to connect. The whole situation JUST on this subject must be tackled by the Scottish Government and made central to any future independence campaign.
England could literally cut power to Scotland! Of course while taking the energy FROM Scotland, it’s a ridiculous situation, and it’s immoral to say the least.
Here is the ‘National Grid’ website…if anyone is interested.
Feed back what you can make of it, I may have read things wrong…so do put me right if so.
https://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/electricity-transmission/
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I had a family member from NE Eng say, ‘what will yous do now the oil’s ran out like?’ re independence! When I told them that it would make no difference if there was not one drop left ( sadly there is masses of the damn stuff still, in Scottish territorial waters!) because England had taken the revenues and Scotland had seen not a penny from it really, he was shocked and said nowt more!
The myths and lies about oil, oil revenues etc, and the deliberate attempts to confuse people in Scotland and indeed in England, about which powers are reserved to Westminster has to be challenged, or we will go round in circles, again.
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Here is an ounce of gold.
Would you like it?
Over the last decade it has been worth between £700 and £1500 an ounce.
As the price varies, you are better giving it to someone else.
Here is a gallon of oil,
…………………………
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And why indeed should The English Government not then reclaim its Weapons of Mass Destruction from the beautiful banks of the Clyde, down the road from our largest, densest, city, and deliver them safely to the Thames Estuary , with all those lovely jobs that, we’re told, go with them? People would be lining the streets with roses.
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