Scottish Secession: A Beacon of Hope in an EU Intent on Dissolving National Identity
Kevin MacDonald
Talk of secessions has become more frequent at TOO of late and perhaps the one which is closest to reality at present is that of Scotland’s upcoming Referendum on independence from the UK, a Union which dates from the 17th Century (when King James VI of Scotland became James I of England, thusmerging the crowns of the two ancient kingdoms) and in parliamentary terms since 1707, when the ruling classes on both sides agreed to merge. However, despite devolution of power over the last decade and a half (which has seen the UK go from a centralised, London-centric Westminster system, to an arrangement which has seen the formation of regional assemblies in the other constituent states of the UK — namely Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), there have been increasing calls in the north for full independence, with polls showing up to 38% support, with 15–20% undecided, the gap is narrowing and secession is looking like a real possibility. This scenario has culminated in a forthcoming Referendum, which is to take place on 18 September 2014 and which will involve a simple In/Out question “Should Scotland be an independent country?” with a transitional period of 18 months, in which to make the necessary negotiations, before a proposed declaration of independence in March 2016.
The on-going debate will be of interest to many regular TOO readers, for a myriad of reasons. Interesting to note from the outset is that the movement for separation has been entirely democratic and peaceful, despite the overt hostility from the British establishment and smear campaigns against those in favour, with respected public figures even invoking Godwin’s Law of Nazi Analogieson more than one occasion (here and here. In order to further analyse what lessons, if any, can be learned, it is important to understand the background which has led to this paradigm shift in allegiances and the people who are behind it. . . .
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