Scottish independence: Does the currency clash matter?

The pound has been a big issue throughout the battle for Scottish votes in the independence referendum campaign during 2013-14, but as the date of the referendum in September 2014 approached increasingly the currency issue it dominated the debate above all else. Why does it matter?

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: The rejection of the euro has left the SNP caught between competing visions over an independent Scotland’s future http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-rejection-of-the-euro-has-left-the-snp-caught-between-competing-visions-over-an-independent-scotlands-future/

ESO: Scottish independence referendum, 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/scottish-independence-referendum-2014/

ESO: Background information: Independence vote: Yes vote 'means no money union' says Osborne http://www.europeansources.info/record/independence-vote-yes-vote-means-no-money-union-says-osborne/

BBC News, 26.08.14: Scottish independence: John Swinney says 'No currency, no debt' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28943041

Yes Scotland: What currency will an independent Scotland have? http://www.yesscotland.net/answers/what-currency-will-independent-scotland-have

The Conversation, 27.08.14: Salmond’s plan B currency alternatives clarify nothing http://theconversation.com/salmonds-plan-b-currency-alternatives-clarify-nothing-30984?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+28+August+2014+-+1879&utm_content=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+28+August+2014+-+1879+CID_0149a384a8e269bb2be3b1677e46ea8d&utm_source=campaign_monitor_uk&utm_term=Salmonds%20plan%20B%20currency%20alternatives%20clarify%20nothing

EUObserver, 03.09.14: Choose between pound or EU membership, Rehn tells Scots http://euobserver.com/political/125451

The Guardian, 03.09.14: Can Scotland be independent and keep sterling? http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/03/can-scotland-be-independent-sterling

The Guardian, 02.09.14: Independent Scotland could not join EU without central bank, expert says http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/02/indepdent-scotland-not-join-eu-without-central-bank

EurActiv, 03.09.14: UK government: Independent Scotland can't both rejoin the EU and keep the pound http://www.euractiv.com/sections/euro-finance/uk-government-independent-scotland-cant-both-rejoin-eu-and-keep-pound-308177

Deutsche Welle, 08.09.14: The currency options for an independent Scotland http://dw.de/p/1D7hz

The Guardian, 09.09.14: Scottish independence: currency union 'incompatible with sovereignty' http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/sep/09/currency-union-independent-scotland-unworkable-bank-governor

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