Sam in Oakland wrote:
It's such an interesting moment in Scotland's relationship to England. I find it very interesting that the MPs at Whitehall defend the union by continually making reference to the economic risks that independence would entail. 'Better together' primarily means better together solely in an economic sense. That really seems to be the only argument that south England politicos are able to level against a Yes vote.
From my perspective, if the government of the UK is only able to provide some sort of security as an economic zone, it's a very small carrot indeed. The UK's common Protestantism means little in a secular age (at least outside Northern Ireland). The career opportunities and financial benefits of the empire are long gone. Worse still, Thatcher and Blair dismantled the welfare apparatus that bound Britain together since the second world war. Why should they stay?
All this being said I get really worried when people start making ethnic claims for territory. *ahem, eastern Ukraine* 1914, anyone? Also is it worth noting that the United Kingdom is 70 years older than the United States?
I half-agree with this, in that the entire debate seems to have been framed in terms of economics - which is why the Yes to Independence campaign has tried to ignore it and appeal to the heart instead of the head. If it's about economics, no sane Scot would vote to secede.
However, there is a stronger, more visceral argument that actually, the United Kingdom, for 300 years now, has actually, on balance, been a force for good in the world and it is listened to more than any of the separate parts would. We believe in liberal values, freedom, tolerance etc etc. And Scotland makes the United Kingdom stronger than we would be without them.
In some senses, as an Englishman who is currently doing poorly in purely utilitarian terms out of the current arrangement (see my previous post), I should be happy if the Scots vote to secede. But I wouldn't be. I like the Union and think it has served all Brits well.
If Scotland votes itself independent, I shall wish my friends north of the border well, but I think they're going to find independence a tough haul, with no currency, no central bank, no Armed Forces, it's share of the UK's National Debt, no Diplomatic Service, no tax policy etc etc.
