Is it Really Celtic's Lion?

Alex Salmond, the politician formerly known as Shrek, has set out his plan to create a "Celtic Lion" economy in Scotland on the final day of his trip to the United States. In his speech in New York he outlined his ambition to emulate the economic success of the Ireland's Celtic Tiger. "We have everything it takes for a Celtic Lion economy to take off in Scotland. What we require is vision and leadership to enable us to make it happen. Ireland has shown what is possible and there is no reason why we could not match their tiger with our lion.”

Not quite Mr. S. There’s the little matter of the EU help that kick started the Irish economy. He went onto say. "The cumulative effect of my government's proposed targets and policies is Scotland will be among the most business-friendly countries in Europe and one of the most competitive in the world.” He’s clearly caught the Nu-Labour bug of confusing targets with some definite action. There’s also the little matter of salary levels, which will hardly compete with China and India. Then again I guess the Scottish economy is to be built on financial services as there’s absolutely no evidence that we have anything to offer manufacturing industries.

Then again what’s it all about Alex? Nothing more than yet another opportunity to peddle the independence is best slogan. “My message to the world is simple - Scotland is open for business and flourishing; an independent Scotland will be open for business and an even better place to do business."

That is tosh and of course he’s going to say it but please don’t expect everyone to fall for it. Then again his speechwriters have got a hold of a copy of ‘Teach Yourself Political Platitudes’ and have trawled through it for some serious crap. "My hope for Scotland is that we will be honest about where we are and ambitious about where we can go. And, perhaps, within the next generation, we can introduce the world to a new marvel - the Scottish Celtic Lion."

Finally I wonder what Rangers' fans have to say about all this? Very bad idea to call it the Celtic Lion rather than the Scots Lion.

I'll Resist the Obvious.....

According to a New Economic Foundation (NEF) report it's all Britain's fault that China is producing increasing levels of carbon emissions. Over the last year, UK imports from China rose by 10% nearing 6.5 million tonnes and China's factories produce more CO2 per item than British ones. "Every time we hear a government minister talking about climate change, they seem to be drawn towards scapegoating (sic) China and its rising emissions," said NEF's policy director Andrew Simms.

Oh great! Let's now beat ourselves up over this shall we. We'll have the Saviour of the World - Gordo, son of the manse and all round Mr. Perfect suggesting we should consume less in order to help China reduce it's emissions.

You know you're going to love NEF when it says on the introuduction to their web site - nef is an independent 'think and do' tank. We believe in economics as if people and the planet mattered.