Scots on the rocks
12 Sep 2014 10:57 PM GMT
On 18 September, a three hundred-year-old union between England and Scotland can be dissolved if the latter votes, in a referendum, to become free of the clutches of a London-based United Kingdom administration. Alex Salmond-led Scottish National Party (SNP) in a 2011 landslide mandate had earned the right to a separate parliament and seceded from House of Parliament in London’s iconic Westminster Square.
That was considered the stepping stone towards fuller and complete independence from the imperial UK, so unfairly overwritten with English identity. Scotland, which is sitting on barrels of oil, with abundant North Sea oil and gas reserves, can easily sustain itself. In fact, with less population and enormous natural resources, Scotland could easily be one of the wealthiest nations (in terms of GNP) in the world.
Even though British politicians like former UK prime minister Gordon Brown has said that over one billion pounds would be cut off if Scots go for self-rule, that would only be a fraction from what the Scots would generate from their oil and gas fields. Moreover, Scotland is keen to keep pound sterling as the national currency, much to the chagrin of the UK. In addition, Scotland’s links with the European Union, despite London’s apprehensions, which considers the euro a sinking currency, have raised eyebrows in the corridors of British elite.
While the Queen has decided to stay out of this, it seems PM Cameron’s throwing the ball directly into Salmond’s court has made the English an unhappy lot. Naturally, Scottish independence will pave the way for Ireland and Wales and this could deal a bodyblow to UK as a global power. Only concern at this point is a popular mandate obtained via a referendum. Let the will of the people triumph.Â
That was considered the stepping stone towards fuller and complete independence from the imperial UK, so unfairly overwritten with English identity. Scotland, which is sitting on barrels of oil, with abundant North Sea oil and gas reserves, can easily sustain itself. In fact, with less population and enormous natural resources, Scotland could easily be one of the wealthiest nations (in terms of GNP) in the world.
Even though British politicians like former UK prime minister Gordon Brown has said that over one billion pounds would be cut off if Scots go for self-rule, that would only be a fraction from what the Scots would generate from their oil and gas fields. Moreover, Scotland is keen to keep pound sterling as the national currency, much to the chagrin of the UK. In addition, Scotland’s links with the European Union, despite London’s apprehensions, which considers the euro a sinking currency, have raised eyebrows in the corridors of British elite.
While the Queen has decided to stay out of this, it seems PM Cameron’s throwing the ball directly into Salmond’s court has made the English an unhappy lot. Naturally, Scottish independence will pave the way for Ireland and Wales and this could deal a bodyblow to UK as a global power. Only concern at this point is a popular mandate obtained via a referendum. Let the will of the people triumph.Â
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