A selection of front pages following the Governor's speech [pic by Better Together]
Aww, poor wee Alex. His dreams of a nice fluffy currency union, where two friendly neighbours - Scotland and the rest of the UK - willingly share the pound sterling and live happily ever after, have been trashed.
This week saw the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, confirm what nearly every monetary expert and their granny has been saying for donkeys - that Scotland would have to agree to the UK's terms regarding tax and spending and that it would have to give up control of its interest rates.
When Little Britannia was even more little, we had our own wee savings account at the local TSB. We were given a shiny blue book with a smiling squirrel on the front and a nice sticker that said we were "members" of the bank. Despite that, plus the added bonus of a free pen, we couldn't exactly pop in on our own and withdraw cash whenever we wanted the next Beano annual. Little Britannia's Mum or Dad would have to come in with us and sign something - and that was only if our latest tantrum had managed to persuade them first. Ultimately, we had no control over my finances.
To put it into plain English: a vote for independence would actually mean more dependence, certainly where our money is concerned. A currency union would result in less powers for Scotland; the very opposite of what the SNP are trying to achieve. This is totally mind boggling - but then again, they have changed their minds about NATO and the EU enough times so who knows what they want now?
Perhaps the most astonishing outcome after Carney's speech was the way the Nats tried to spin what he said into a deluded win-win situation for them.
Every Nat we have spoken to seemed to dismiss the Governor's stern warnings and cling entirely to one statement: that a currency union was possible.
A volcanic eruption is possible. Eating an entire hippopotamus at one sitting is possible. Being knocked unconscious by a melon hurled through the air is possible. It doesn't mean these things are good for you or that you would want them to happen.
Salmond even went as far as to grin and pretend everything was all fine and dandy by pointing out that the Bank of England is an independent body. That is true, but it is also answerable to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. As part of the UK - and like them or not - we do have our own Scottish MPs fighting our corner for us down in Westminster. Independence would leave us with NO representation within the UK Government, and hence with no control over our finances.
It doesn't matter how the Nationalists twist the Governor's words, the facts still point to a ludicrous scenario like a giant dart in Salmond's independence balloon. By separating and keeping the pound, Scotland is effectively walking away from the UK, leaving all its benefits and security behind, while one foot remains chained to Westminster. It seems that it's independence at any cost.
