Scottish Independence - A View From The South

Scottish Independence, yes or no?

Having now taken some time to look at both sides (and read what is actually some pretty racist and bigoted press from each view point,) it strikes me that it all comes down to 2 things: money or community.

Economically it'll be a disaster for a while (no idea if that's a long or short period of "while"). Forget the currency aspect for a moment and just consider that actually Scotland genuinely benefits from the wealth of the Union to a greater degree than it contributes. That's not to say that Scotland doesn't do its bit, but financially it doesn't do too badly out of the Union at all. It depends on how you wish to read the IFS reports on Scotland's ledger, I suppose, since you can do anything with statistics. But add the extra burden of cross border financing, exchange rates, tax and duties (which currently do not apply within the Union which is Scotland's biggest customer) and trade is going to become much more costly. There is no certainty that the EU will accept Scotland as an independent Nation, so any guarantees that Salmond is currently making to that effect are worthless. The economies of scale, special relationships and reputation of the Union to worldwide trading partners will also not be available. The generation of billions of (insert currency name here) of extra income from Trade will need to cover rising costs and paying the National finance requirements, including what is likely to have to be a vast start up debt. All of which, if your main criteria for a decision on Scotland’s independence is financial, points to a definite NO vote.

So, what about the emotional, social and historical impact that this debate has had? From that point of view, it appears, that Scotland has simply suffered centuries of allegiance to the crown and alliance with the Union, and certainly not gladly. “Anyone but England” is a favourite rant, and not restricted to Scots who live in Scotland, either.  The passion with which individuals talk about their national pride, their joy of being from Scotland, their sense of inclusion, socially and historically and their grounded belief in the power of their independent Nation is explosive, joyful, exciting, militant and celebratory and so it should be! That emotional attachment to independence is a strong enough reason to wish to separate from the Union to further the cause of Scotland; benefitting millions of Scots with an increased sense of Nationalism and community; standing out as a strong and exciting Nation, free from the adverse connotations of being part of a Union built on centuries of exploitation, murder, slavery and greed. That being the case your decision must be YES to independence, surely?

I read an article which talked not of giving anything up by leaving the Union but rather stopping the bad stuff; like going from being a smoker to deciding not to smoke anymore. You don’t think about what you lose, but rather what you gain, since you give nothing up if you stop doing something that harms you. The article (mirroring Alex Salmond’s last debate with Darling) spoke of no longer being forced into illegal wars, paying for unnecessary military hardware, making decisions about energy production and trade that only worked for Scotland rather than paying into the coffers of a wider Union. All of which is wonderfully emotive. Who wants to have to cowtow to a government that doesn’t have your specific interests at heart? And who wants to have to accept the corruption, game-playing, financial and political machinations of an elitist ruling class that has only the propagation of wealth at its heart? Does the voting populace of Scotland genuinely believe that their independent government will be free of any of that? God knows there are enough Scots in the UK Parliament and they’re not exactly looking to benefit the masses, are they! A Social Charter is only a name, unless it actually brings benefit. And that’s what the YES campaign is claiming. Alex Salmond’s rhetoric is forceful and jingoistic, as it will inevitably be, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing it’s just Nationalism. Can he and his party be believed? Is it enough for Scottish independence?

Hell, I’m English, what do I know about being Scottish (, or Welsh, or Irish)? And, even worse than that, I’m a Londoner, which even in England makes me an arrogant parasite, apparently. Lord knows I, along with all my other arrogant parasites in the Capital have been spun enough lies by any number of self-serving, self-interested politicians. Whatever happens on the 18^th September 2014, at least the people who should have the decision about their independence will have been given the chance to do just that.

Weirdly, I don’t have an opinion either way about Scottish independence. I did have. I was adamant that it was a stupid idea and would ultimately damage the Nation of Scotand, let alone the Union of Great Britain. Now, whatever happens on the 18^th, the debate that has been forced on politicians and individuals alike will, hopefully, produce wide ranging benefits.

I’ll just finish with 2 things.

Firstly, early on in his campaign, Salmond spoke of never getting the government we vote for in the UK, but that opportunity will come to Scotland if you say YES to Independence. Well, here’s a little something for the record, I’ve never actually got the government I voted for either. According to the statistics, only 39% of the UK got even close to what they voted for in the previous administration and NO ONE got what they wanted last time round, so what makes the Scots think they’ll definitely get it in the future?

Secondly, and this, I fear , is where I kick the hornets’ nest, there’s an awful lot of talk about Scottish independence from Scots living in the South. But they’re not resident in Scotland and therefore, as I understand it, ineligible to vote: yet they’re some of the most vehement voices in support of independence. Will they all be rushing off back up North as soon as the decision comes in or will they stay South and suck at the putrid teat of the UK’s corrupt, corporate, capitalist, greed-centred, mono-political, self-serving society; proud in absentia of “their” country’s independence?

I’d just like to say, Good Luck. If you don’t get what you want, Scotland, then I hope you get what you deserve. And I genuinely wish you success. (Not that what I say makes a blind bit of difference, but I just felt like saying it!)