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You always talk about the UK. How are Wales and Ireland doing?
41 sats \ 12 replies \ @xz 13 Aug
Together with Scotland and Northern Ireland, Wales is part of the UK. They have a degree of parliamentary autonomy (Wales and Scotland) but essentially are not autonomous in any real sense of the word. Ireland (rep. of) is very much a completely separate state (which I feel is totally how it always should be) However, for better or worse, it is now part of the EU.
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Scotland and Wales are UK. Ireland is EU? Which one is doing better?
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88 sats \ 10 replies \ @xz 13 Aug
Hmmm, difficult question. I've been to Ireland, Scotland and England recently. From my view, it's not so different in terms of the problems and the general outlook.
For Ireland and Scotland, places outside of the capital or largest cities, Dublin (ie) Edinburgh (scot) are generally still pleasant but sleepy, quaint, and until recently, low population density. Some argue this is still the case. Comparitively to somewhere like Bangladesh, it could be said to be true. But there's growing vitriol, and the way I see it, this is likely to increase as the previous ways of life begin to change with the change in demographics, and lack of infrastructure or vocational options for everyone.
Dublin and Edinburgh probably see much more international tourism, and home price valuations tend to keep wealthier property owners sweet. Similar to London, I guess, which to me seems largely unrecognizable socially and culturally.
Just steady but large increases in living costs, crime and restrictive policies in the larger cities, over time. Suburban and rural areas, less so, but noticibly so.
It's a toss up between the GBP and Euro and the policy decisions at the central banks fiscal policies, buraucracy in trade, restrictive social policies, which all are problems.
Maybe a Welsh and Scottish Pound backed my some Welsh and Scottish central banks might be a prudent move. I think there are many Welsh and Scots who see that independance wouldn't hurt, and I feel I understand.
Ireland seemed to have gained her autonomy and quickly lost it again.
Maybe the question is, which currency do you see has the most life left?
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I say let Scotland declare independence and they will join EU. Send all the immigrants to Scotland
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21 sats \ 4 replies \ @xz 13 Aug
Yeah, I think that's the other side of it.
Under a 'truly conservative' (the good meaning of conservative) small c or whatever, a United Kingdom would be a reasonably stable thing. In that scenario, they'd be a conservatism of culture and local decision making would have to be a thing. I guess the argument is made, if it came to a north south split, Scotland might actually fair better, resources to population ratio.
But yeah, I don't think Scotland would be happy with a 40% shipment of culturally estranged pirates rocking up to its shores. Not even from England. they need more Gaelic!
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The most important person from Scotland in the last 25 years is Andy Murray who won Wimbledon.
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68 sats \ 0 replies \ @xz 13 Aug
You're probably right there. Historically, there's some more talent.
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21 sats \ 1 reply \ @TomK OP 13 Aug
And of the last 250 years Adam Smith
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What about Ewan Mcgregor?
Eyyyyy. You are not allowed to critizise our commie overloards from Brussels!
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The pound has been around for a long time. But I do think bitcoin is the best bet.
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41 sats \ 1 reply \ @xz 13 Aug
Pretty accurate ZH op-ed on UK.
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41 sats \ 0 replies \ @xz 13 Aug
Maybe more accurate report
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