Currency Economics of Independence Scotland's Economy

Employees should not be pressured by No camp’s biased bosses

Written by Ian McDougall

13-05-20Scotland’s referendum on independence is very important and voters need to be able to hear both sides of the debate before making up their minds.  The latest polls show that the result is too close to call but the momentum is with the YES side which has gained 8% in a month and only needs to gain just over 3% take to the lead.

This pressure on the NO camp has led to isolated incidents with some biased bosses sending letters and even making speeches to their staff telling them that their jobs are at risk unless they vote NO.  This has happened in companies where other bosses have said they are either for independence or unfazed by it.  We believe this pressure is completely and utterly unacceptable and undemocratic. Employers should allow employees to make up their own minds and not pressure them to vote in one way or another with threats and unfounded negativity.

Business for Scotland has over 2,650 members who believe Scottish independence is the opportunity of a lifetime for their business, employees, families and communities.  We believe that economic growth, job creation and shared prosperity will result from a YES vote and that jobs and pensions are likely to be far more secure in an independent Scotland.

Employers threats are unacceptable

This week we have been approached by a concerned employee of a company in respect of a recent staff notice issued to him and his colleagues.  Let us be clear – our members would not tell their employees how to vote or even hint that their jobs would be at risk with a NO vote even though we believe a YES vote is far better for our economy and for job creation and security.  This is a decision for the people of Scotland as individuals.  Companies should not be scaremongering, especially in direct and formal internal communications. Our members believe that happy employees are respected employees and it is disrespectful to try force your own political views on your employees.

We were extremely disappointed that this notice and other statements by the NO Campaign supporting business people have lacked balance, contained significant untruths and perhaps most disappointingly often contain threats to future employment prospects.

Statements implying that Scotland cannot afford to be independent flies in the face of facts agreed by both NO and YES campaigners.  Even Prime Minister David Cameron stated publicly that: “It would be wrong to argue that Scotland could not be a successful, independent country.”  Scotland more than pays its way.  Just consider, for example, that official figures show in every one of the last 33 years Scotland has paid more tax per head than the rest of the UK and that Scotland spends less per head on social items like pensions and welfare than the rest of the UK.

Threats not based on facts

Several issues have been raised by these biased bosses and we will respond here:

  • Currency – The Scottish Government and many others, including Nobel Laureate international economists, believe that the best thing for Scotland and the rest of the UK is a currency union.  A senior UK government cabinet minister has told a major newspaper, “of course there will be a currency union.”  Business for Scotland supports this view for several reasons.  Scotland is wealthier per head than the rest of the UK and has a stronger economy.  A continuing currency union is in the interests of England, Wales and Northern Ireland which would otherwise lose Scotland’s exports like oil, gas and whisky which underpin the value of the pound.  Moreover, businesses south of the border do not want to pay unnecessary transaction costs for exports to England’s second biggest trading partner north of the border.   In the recent debate between former Chancellor Alistair Darling and First Minister Alex Salmond, Mr Darling confirmed that Scotland can indeed use the pound and there is nothing to stop Scotland from doing so.
  • Credit Rating – The international credit ratings agency, Standard and Poor’s, has also confirmed that on day one of independence Scotland should compete for the highest level of economic assessment.  After all, according to the independent OECD, Scotland is the 14th richest country in the world, ahead of the UK, France and Japan.
  • Interest Rates – Most, if not all, Business for Scotland members and their companies have mortgages and use bank facilities.  We can see no reason why Scotland would have higher interest costs given the strength of Scotland’s economy and absolutely no reason why mortgage rates would be affected.  Business for Scotland knows, as the likes of President Bill Clinton’s former chief economic adviser has said, once the political posturing of the campaign is over, the Westminster government will need to negotiate a currency union because that is in the best interests of businesses in Scotland and the rest of the UK.  Indeed, without a currency union, interest costs in the UK could rise without Scotland’s economic strength to support the rest of UK’s credit rating.  However, if there is no deal on currency the rest of the UK will also have to accept all of the UK’s current debt and pay it back – this increases the debt for the rest of the UK as the size of the rest of the UK economy shrinks without Scotland.  This could mean that the rest of the UK will see its credit rating deteriorate and mortgages priced outside Scotland could rise.
  • The UK and EU Common Market – As I am sure you are aware, because we are part of the EU, Scottish citizens can travel through the EU without the need of a passport and if you have ever driven between northern and southern Ireland you will appreciate that you barely notice the border, never mind having to stop at a border control or use a passport.  The same situation exists between Belgium and Holland, France and Spain, France and Switzerland (which isn’t even in the EU), Belgium and France and so on.  Unimpeded trade is after all one of the fundamental building blocks of the EU.  As we will still be in the EU we will still be part of that common market and common travel area.
  • Energy Security – Scotland is the richest country in Europe in terms of natural energy resources; it has 60% of Europe’s oil and gas reserves, 25% of Europe’s tidal and wind energy and 10% of its wave energy, all from 1% of the population of Europe.  Scotland is a winner in the lottery of natural resources, not just once with oil but twice with renewable energy, and already produces more energy than it needs itself.  We are a net export of electricty.  One biased boss even suggested the lights would go out in an independent Scotland.  Even the NO Campaign which calls itself “Project Fear” has never suggested that Scotland would suffer electricity blackouts.  These false claims, amongst others, are designed to scare you and your colleagues into voting NO rather than to provide useful, objective information.  It is frankly ridiculous and insulting to the intelligence of the employees who have been told such rubbish.

All businesses that are successful succeed in no small part due to their dedicated workforces and many employees have told us they feel insulted by their bosses trying to scare them into voting NO with misleading and biased information.

Last week 200 business people, including some of the most successful business people in recent times in Scotland, put their names to a statement supporting independence on economic grounds.  We would suggest that in common with many large and small UK companies who deal internationally, the biggest danger in terms of business confidence is a possible British exit from the EU.  The in/out EU referendum promised by the Conservatives in 2017 could well see the UK leaving the EU, given public opinion in England and the rise of UKIP apparently in support of this position.

At present it would appear that a Conservative and UKIP coalition is a realistic possibility for the next Westminster government.  Business for Scotland consequently believes that the best place of businesses trading internationally is the safe haven of an independent Scotland as a valued member of the EU.

Scotland’s oil bonus will still last for generations before depleting but even without oil Scotland has a strong diverse economy that produces an income about the same per head as the rest of the UK.  With the bonus of oil, Scotland is a very wealthy nation.  We can be a wealthier society if we channel our best assets and huge resources in our own Scottish interests.  We are fortunate to have a strong and diverse economy with leadership and opportunity in sectors such as Food and Drink, Life Sciences, Education, Manufacturing, Tourism, Renewable Energy and Oil and Gas.  Indeed, Scotland’s economy is so strong that we paid £800 more tax per head last year than all the rest of the UK and if Scotland had been independent 5 years ago it would have generated a surplus of £8.3 billion over this period compared to being part of the UK.

We have a country blessed with hard working, well educated and proud people; our people are our greatest asset and all we need to do is believe in ourselves to be successful.  With less than 9% of the votes in Westminster, Scotland’s interests never have and never will be the primary concern of any Westminster government of any political leaning.  Once we return power to the people of Scotland, all decisions about Scotland’s future will be taken by those who care most and know the most about Scotland – the people who live and work here.  We firmly believe as business people ourselves that independence will be in the best interest of all businesses and their employees.

A version of this letter has been supplied to employees of some companies already and we will create bespoke responses for the employees of other companies who behave in this unacceptable manner.  Have you been pressured by your boss to Vote No with unsubstantiated threats and scare stories?  If so let us know and we will respond to you and your colleagues directly because democracy matters and you need both sides of the story.

Join Business for Scotland – Sign the business declaration

About the author

Ian McDougall

6 Comments

  • I work for a financial adviser firm and our managing director has sent daily articles via email prefaced by the comment “Not to influence anyone’s vote but….” and then puts on the most scaremongering, dire predictions about financial stability he can find. Also we have had thinly veiled threats that our salaries and jobs are at risk in the event of a Yes vote. This has led to employees in the office to suggest that in the event of the Yes vote, the employees who voted Yes should be penalised first. This is bullying and intimidation, pure and simple, and if anything comes of it I will be bringing it before an employment tribunal quicker than you can say “Alex Salmond”!

    • Contact us privately with the name of the company thanks and we will supply a response to the scare stories he is spreading.

  • This is good work from BfS. In the days when I worked in advertising agencies I had one boss who said when the doors closed at night and everybody went home the business was bankrupt because without your staff you have nothing.

    Too many businesses have been arrogant enough to think they can threaten their staff with their livelihood and interfere with the democratic process

  • I have a friend who works for Lloyd call centre in dunfermline they have supposedly been told if the vote goes yes that the company will move everything down south and they will all lose their jobs would you have any info regarding this cheers rab

  • Got sent this on 7th Aug 2014.

    Dear colleagues,

    This is just a reminder that we are only two weeks away from the beginning of the “purdah” period of 22 August leading up to the Scottish Referendum on Thursday 18 September 2014.

    Detailed guidelines will be issued in the near future. Please ensure you read and understand them.

    Thank you.

    Sent on behalf of Organisational Development, HR and Communications by,

    Corporate Communications
    http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk

    Not much in the e-mail but as a new council employee this made me worried about what I could and couldn’t do regarding the referendum particularly in regard to working on or getting people to visit stalls and encouraging fellow workers to vote yes. I am still awaiting the official line from Inverclyde Council, which was to be issued in the near future. Was this e-mail a subtle threat to all employees even though the official ‘purdah’ rules don’t apply to them?

    Stephen

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