Wales Independence. What about the border?

Will there be a hard border? How will I get to work in England? Will I be able to shop in England? How am I going to move my goods?

All voiced as concerns that life would be more difficult after Independence. And all stated as if Wales was the only country to ever face these issues

The border is defined as hard or soft, not because of walls or fences, but as to the degree of restriction to trade and freedom of movement..

However it is futile to pretend that nothing will change.

The question is. How much of a change and will the benefits outweigh these changes.

First some context.

Wales is the begging bowl of the UK!

Wales is the begging bowl of the UK. So says a Times journalist.

Wales is being subsidised by the English taxpayer. This from the Guardian.

Wales relies on financial transfers from the wealthy regions of the UK to pay for its public services. That from a Welsh Labour MS

These are commonly held and often quoted views, dominant because supporters of keeping the Union intact,  continue to dominate the economic narrative.

It's to their advantage that Wales is seen to be dependent

Wales Independence. Will the the State Pension be safe ?

One of the major concerns around Wales Independence. What will happen to the State Pension?

People are understandably uncertain, even fearful, when the income on which they depend, has always  been provided by the Westminster government.

How secure is their pension, when Wales goes Independent?

Will they get the same amount of pension under the new regime?

Overcoming these concerns is vital, not only to satisfy the pensioners, but for the progress of Independence.

Pensioners make up over one fifth of the Wales population and they are also the least enthusiastic sector for Welsh Independence.

Welsh public duped again

Are you fed up with being duped?  Do you lose sleep over it? No, well that's normal, for being duped is a way of life in Wales..

First of all by being told we are better off in the Union, despite the hardship, poverty, state of health, social services, education, in fact almost everything is a problem.

Then we are told that Wales cant afford to be Independent, when all the evidence is that Wales can't afford not to be,

It's not only the Westminster government. The Welsh government for example says they no longer have the money to support the poorest children during the summer break.

Of course the financial arrangements with Westminster are detrimental to Wales, but under the present system it's about priorities and if looking after the poorest children is not a priority for a Labour, socialist government. Well.

Incidentally, they should hang their heads at supporting a constitutional arrangement, that leads to such poverty in Wales

And  the latest dupe shows why..

Saving the Union. The Gordon  and Mark show.

A new show was launched recently.

A new group took to the stage.

Not a boy band or a new leftover from Britain's Got Talent. These were old hands. 

They chose Edinburgh, appropriate as the home of the Fringe.

They haven't indicated whether there is to be a tour. Performing before audiences of tens of tens.

The group ‘ The Alliance for Radical Democracy' is headlined by the UK ex- Prime Minister Gordon Brown, assisted by the soon to be ex- First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford. Also in the group is the ex- Leader of the LIb Dems in Scotland, a couple of English mayors and a comedian [  tempting to say another comedian ].

Now that's a lineup to catch the attention.

What to do about England.

England is a problem.

England isn't pulling its weight in the UK ‘ Union ‘.

Despite Having millions of pounds worth of free water from Wales.

Wales supplying them with billion of pounds worth of electricity [ Wales getting no financial gain] 

Wales handing over all its income to the UK/English government.

Despite being able to print the money it needs, from its own bank. The Bank of England.

Despite having the pick of inward investment

Despite all that  ,the English economy is going down the drain and as it is 86% of the UK, the UK economy is following..

So wouldn't Wales be better keeping these resources for itself?

How to resolve the problem.

Historically, England is a bit touchy about such negative views. Usually citing Wales [ 4.8% of the UK economy ] or Scotland [ 7.4% ] for the ails of the UK..

So, what to do about England.

The runners and riders in the future of Wales.

So the interim report from the Commission on the Constitution in Wales has been released and surprise surprise the Commission finds that the present system of government in Wales is not sustainable.

Neither are the three alternatives a surprise.

A reformed devolution, the preference of the First Minister.

The  not quite halfway house of Federalism.

Independence.

The Commission has identified these as the three viable options. 

Not unexpected, but interesting that Independence has at last been conceded as an option by an official report.

The constraints on the Commission means that it gives no more weight to one option over the others, nor does it appear it will recommend one option over the others at the completion of its work.

This piece has no such constraints.