Brexit
Watch this postIs this the start of a brave new future for Great Britain?
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1.Two Unions
There were in fact two Unions , the Union of the Crowns in 1603 and the Union of the Parliaments in 1707. The former occurred when Elizabeth 1 died childless and was succeeded by James Vl of Scotland (a second cousin ) who became James 1 of the United Kingdoms of Scotland and England . Both countries continued to have their own Parliaments and separate legal systems .
2. The Darien Scheme
In 1632 Scotland lost Nova Scotia – her only colony – as a result of the English war against France. England’s Dutch wars subsequently compromised valuable trading privileges upon which Scottish merchants had previously relied. Scottish overseas trading activity was further hampered by the Navigation Act, which cut Scottish ships out of international trade by forbidding the import of goods into England or her colonies unless carried in English ships or ships from the goods’ country of origin.
Beginning in 1651, the goal of the Act was to force colonial development into lines favourable to England, and stop direct colonial trade with the Netherlands, France, Scotland and Spain. This law was enacted despite the Union of Crowns, and effectively meant that Scots merchants were boycotted for trade in England and all her colonies. To make matters worse two powerful English trading companies – the East India Company and the Royal African Company – claimed monopolies on the rich trades with the East Indies and Africa and jealously guarded these territories.
This situation gave rise to the reasoning behind the Darien Scheme – access to trade. The architect of Darien was a man called William Paterson, who would the following year be instrumental in the foundation of the Bank of England. He devised a plan aimed at bringing financial prosperity to Scotland, proposing in 1693 that the Scottish Parliament should grant a Scottish monopoly on overseas trade to a trading company, enabling it to harness the lucrative and relatively available Far Eastern market in the same manner as the English had achieved with Africa and the Indies. Key to the plan was the establishment of a Scottish colony in Central America, at a place called Darien (now part of Panama), so that goods could be transferred from the Pacific to the Atlantic without having to make the long and perilous journey around Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope. Instead, goods would be transported to the colony at Darien, on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus of Panama, and carried across to a port on the Pacific side, where ships with exchange cargoes from the East Indies and Asia would be waiting.In 1695 the Bank Of Scotland was established and the Company Of Scotland was born, with its capital intended to be £600,000 raised by public subscription, of which half was to come from within Scotland and the rest from elsewhere. Investors in England, Amsterdam and Hamburg quickly raised their share, but the East India Company – fearing that their monopoly would be broken – used their influence on the king and English Parliament to persuade them to act against the venture.
The English government of King William III – anxious to be on good terms with Spain – didn’t need much persuading, as the proposed Scottish colony would be located on land the Spain had its own designs on. England was at war with France and hence didn’t want to offend the Spanish, who claimed the territory as part of New Granada. The East India Company threatened legal action on the grounds that the Scots had no authority from the king to raise funds outside the English realm, and obliged the promoters to refund subscriptions to the Hamburg investors, with English investors also quickly withdrawing their money.
This left no source of finance but Scotland itself, yet so fierce was the resentment at the duplicity of the king and English Parliament that Scots resolved to raise all the capital alone. Thousands of Scots put their own money into the enterprise alongside money from the nobles, and the Company raised just under £400,000 in a few weeks, with investments from every level of society and totalling roughly a fifth of the wealth of Scotland. This was an enormous sum for the time, amounting to about half the country’s available capital, despite it being a fully private venture.The first fleet (Saint Andrew, Caledonia, Unicorn, Dolphin, and Endeavour) set sail from the east coast port of Leith so as to avoid observation by English warships, which they feared would capture or sink the traders. The plan was to make the journey around the north coast of Scotland, with the settlers below deck to hide the intent of the voyage. At a time when the total Scottish population amounted to only about one million, the amount of manpower committed to the venture was every bit as staggering as the financial commitment.
The settlers christened their new home “New Caledonia”.
There they built Fort St Andrew and began to erect the huts of what they hoped would become their permanent town, New Edinburgh. They cleared land for farming, but successful agriculture proved difficult. The local indigenous people proved unwilling to buy the combs and other trinkets offered by the colonists, and no fleets of merchant ships arrived to use the trade route.
The lack of trade was not an accident, as the English colonies in the West Indies and North America had been forbidden to communicate with the Darien colonists or offer them any help or assistance, by order of William and his government in London. By the onset of summer the following year, the climate, disease and hunger had led to a large number of deaths in the colony. The settlement had intended that many of the settlers would be dispersed across the continent ferrying goods from coast to coast, not all holed up in one place. The confined living conditions combined with poor hygiene and little food led to an epidemic of dysentery. Eventually the mortality rate rose to ten settlers a day.
After eight months the colony was abandoned and the settlers began the journey back to Scotland. One ship, desperate for aid, arrived at the Jamaican city of Port Royal but was refused assistance in response to the king’s standing orders not to help the settlers. Dejected and betrayed by their own monarch, the settlers continued onwards with only 300 of the original 1,200 settlers returning on a single ship to Scotland. It was a disastrous gamble which failed and nearly bankrupted the Country . England was a bout to embark on tjhThe settlers christened their new home “New Caledonia”.
There they built Fort St Andrew and began to erect the huts of what they hoped would become their permanent town, New Edinburgh. They cleared land for farming, but successful agriculture proved difficult. The local indigenous people proved unwilling to buy the combs and other trinkets offered by the colonists, and no fleets of merchant ships arrived to use the trade route.
The lack of trade was not an accident, as the English colonies in the West Indies and North America had been forbidden to communicate with the Darien colonists or offer them any help or assistance, by order of William and his government in London. By the onset of summer the following year, the climate, disease and hunger had led to a large number of deaths in the colony. The settlement had intended that many of the settlers would be dispersed across the continent ferrying goods from coast to coast, not all holed up in one place. The confined living conditions combined with poor hygiene and little food led to an epidemic of dysentery. Eventually the mortality rate rose to ten settlers a day.
After eight months the colony was abandoned and the settlers began the journey back to Scotland. One ship, desperate for aid, arrived at the Jamaican city of Port Royal but was refused assistance in response to the king’s standing orders not to help the settlers. Dejected and betrayed by their own monarch, the settlers continued onwards with only 300 of the original 1,200 settlers returning on a single ship to Scotland . Darien nearly bankrupted Scotland and weakened her hand internationally and with England . They (England ) were about to embark on the War of the Spanish Succession and required Scotland as an ally . A union of Parliaments and an amalgamation between the two was important .
Just read May's latest panocea !!!!!!
Half the food we consume is imported; 80 per cent of that imported food comes from Europe and 90 per cent of that comes through the Dover corridor. Daaaah !
The English Parliament passed the Aliens Act of 1775 primarily to weaken Scotland’s hand . Amongst other things it forbade Scottish aristocracy to hold land in England as well as Scotland . Most of them did historically and this persuaded them to agree to an Act of Union The Alien Act provided that Scottish nationals in England were to be treated as aliens (foreign nationals), and estates held by Scots would be treated as alien property, making inheritance much less certain. It also included an embargo on the import of Scottish products into England and English colonies – about half of Scotland's trade, covering goods such as linen, cattle and coal
4.The Act of Union - 1707
The Scottish Parliament was made up of what was termed the Three Estates Members of the Parliament of Scotland were traditionally elected from three "estates" or classes: the clergy (bishops), the nobility and lairds, and the burgesses (representatives of the royal burghs).It was the”nobility and lairds”who forced the poassage of the Bill through the Parliament as noted below .
It was widely believed at the time that a handful of landed and affluent Scots took Scotland into a Union of Parliaments with England purely for their own advantage .Even though it has since proved to have been a mainly benign and often beneficial political twinning for Scotland as well as England , the Union remains a painful subject in many quarters .What is not in doubt is that there was an unprecedented degree of public opposition to it in the months leading up to it , , a wave of well – argued dissent – and some mob activity- that the authorities ought to have taken into consideration.
The writer and government agent Daniel Defoe was sent by the English parliament to act as a spy in Scotland in the run – up to the Union of the Parliaments . His role was to mingle widely , in disguise , and urge the Scots to back the proposal , which he genuinely thought would benefit their Country as well as his own . He was taken aback to discover the strength of feeling against the proposed merger , as witnessed here in Edinburgh
“ I had not been long in Edinburgh when I heard a great noise and looking out saw a terrible multitude coming up the High Street with a drum at the heads of them shouting and swearing and crying out – all Scotland would stand together – No Union ! – No Union ! I cannot say to you I had no apprehensions. particularly when a part of this mob fell upon a nd took gentleman who had discretion little enough to say something that displeased them just under my window . He defended himself bravely and called out lustily also for help to the Guard who being within hearing and ready drawn up in close order in the street , advanced , rescued the gentleman and took the person he was grappling with prisoner .
The city was by this time in a terrible fright . The Guards were insulted and stoned as they stood , the mob put out all the lights , nobody could stir in the streets and not a light be seen in a window for fear of stones “
The Bill was passed and the Union was created on the 1 May 1707 The danger to England from France a cross the Channel had been averted .
Fears are growing at Westminster that there is now no Brexit deal – not the Chequers plan, nor David Davis’s Canada-style trade deal, nor a no-deal scenario – that could command the backing of a majority of MPs.
Had the ERG amendments been pushed to the vote, it would have given the government a sense of the likely rebellion it could face from hardliners, if it brings a soft Brexit deal to the Commons in the autumn.
A senior Labour source expressed surprise the government had not postponed debate on the customs bill and another Brexit bill, the trade bill, when it announced planned parliamentary business at the end of last week, rather than face the risk of a series of embarrassing defeats.
They said you were too wee, too poor
That you would never survive on your own
204 years later
You look pretty rich to me
Best wishes to my old pal Thor in Aros
Trust we can follow your example !!
Seriously, I hope the people that voted 'out' voted for the right reasons, and not just because you don't like Brussels etc.
I would have voted 'out', but two weeks before, I thought, this shit is getting real, so, started a reasonable in depth look at the pro's and con's and how many EU companies run, co own etc, things that we use on a day to day basis - power, transport, retail, pension funds etc etc. And it's not until you get to the nitty gritty you realise just how much damage this is going to cause.
Hey ho the deed is done, let's get on with it, but don't forget to hedge your bets, get dual nationality (Spain, Canada and Norway are good options).
The EU have published guidelines/wish list which should be read by all who have an interest in Brexit. It is 9 paragraphs over 4 pages so an easy read.
This is the link to it. http://consilium.europa.eu/media/32236/15-euco-art50-guidelines-en.pdf
The BBC have their own analysis here.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-42367532
We know that Britains head negotiater David Davis wants a Canadian plus, plus, plus trade deal. I am looking forward to that being put down on paper by March.
We have tried to forget Blair and his disaster but - lo and behold he wishes to get back into the limelight. What a neck, he should still face a court and jury , paid in full out of his earnings as an after dinner speaker - crowing about how he had to engage Suddem Hussain !!! As a so called Christian, he should go to hell finally.
The negotiations start in June a few days after the election.
We now (think) we know that the negotiations will be in two phases.
1) The Divorce
2) Britains new relationship with the EU.
Has anyone thoughts on how long this will take and what will be on the agenda for phase 1)
I believe Mr Barnier from the EU has said
1) EU and UK citizens rights
2) Irish Border
3) Financial settlement.
There are many other things to discuss.
I noticed in the debating chamber of the Brussels spendthrift academy, there were two speakers who were urging some sort of reform of the EU ! [not too much so that our perks would dissapear ]
So who blanked out Cameron when he went to see those twerps and asked for just a little bit of reform - yes the same mob who had cotton wool in their ears. Now suddenly some of these other nations have come to realise that the EU can not continue with it's wasteful ways !!
Scotland voted to remain IN the Union at the last referendum because you were afraid to go it alone without English subsidies.
Now you want another referendum on independence but with the cushion of the EU to subsidies you instead of England.
So vote OUT in the referendum if you are brave enough, for us here in England most of us don't really care, it's your choice just go for it !
And as for you finding my views offensive, some people just can't handle the truth!
Interesting you LIVE in England though !
I voted 'Remain' in the Brexit referendum because that was my personal choice. Most Scottish people voted 'Remain' because Scotland has historically always had a very healthy relationship with Europe and particularly with the French.
I don't have any problems with English people at all, only rude, anti-Scottish people who consider their view to be 'the truth' when in fact it's only a 'a view'.
Much the same as it was never our intent to see the EU destroyed, (although Juncer is doing his best from the Polish president's reaction to his threats), we hope to see Scotland amicably taking the path the Scots choose, be it aligned with us or aligned with Europe.
If that means another referendum so be it, but that will be exactly what NS wants, whether she gets a "Remain and a Break with the UK" vote, I would not like to predict !
Juncer has really frightened the smaller EU countries with his threats against leavers and this has caused a Right Wing backlash that could unzip the EU (not what we wanted really) but his "Superstate" announcement with all control in Brussels was a severe tactical error and his undong.
Merkel realises the German car market needs us and is under pressure to give us exactly the same trading terms as we have now, and this will ensure her popularity and eventually depose Juncer and lead to a more democratic era for the remainder of the EU.
So, we win in as much as we will have our freedom and still trade both inside and outside the EU, London will become an even more important financial centre.
Interestingly I just found out that my children (who are so bitter that I voted Leave) voted to Remain because being socialists they believed only the EU lawmakers could control the Tory Government from repealing any of the "gains" made in favour of the "Workers" and against the "ruling classes"...... What a dozy, parochial reason for voting Remain, I tried to explain that repealing labour laws would cause strikes, and that was the last thing we ex-business people wanted to cause in the coming years of going forward......wasting my breath.
They (my family) would be more useful trying to sort out their Labour Party and give us a decent opposition to control potential Govt excesses, not voting Remain. No foresight, no understanding of strategy and long term gains, looks like 40 years of EU indoctrination has left a generation bereft of any ability to look beyond their latest "selfie" !
Until, one day in the 80's I received an mail from a Shalom Elkin in Israel welcoming me back to the tribe and asking if I was still practicing my religion !
Shalom was very old and decided to seek out all tribe members before he died, which catastrophically happened before he was able to fully document his research, his son had some of the data but 90% if his work was I believe lost.
One of our American cousins had paid de Bretts to do research, and not found the info on my Dad's two brothers that died in the trenches of the first World War.....and as I had this info we swapped the data from free.
Turns out in 17 xx the family of Romanian / Polish Jews emigrated from some pogrom or other to England as barge builders, then worked their way down the rivers/canals over a period of centuries till they resided in London.
As one of my customers once said to me..."Finishing up as a salesman was a good job for the Bastard son of a Pirate and a Jewish Grandfather, I will make sure to count my fingers from now on when we shake hands !"