The Union forever?
I must admit to be a bit stunned by the recent poll favouring a formal split between England Scotland (nobody seems to have asked Wales, but Scotland still has more separate systems (such as the law and education). The basic summary seems to be that the Scots resent rule from Westminster, while the English resent the additional per capita spending Scotland receives.
A bit of background, especially in relation to this article. I grew up in the north of England, and remember the resentment towards Westminster and the jokes about joining an independent Scotland. I then moved to Scotland for five wonderful years for University. I then moved to London for a year and have spent the rest of my life trying to move back to Scotland, but never quite making it.
It's a long time since I looked closely at the economics of this (its more than just the oil). But I think its daft.
Nobody expects all the residents of a nation or even a city to be best pals all the time. One of the wonders of Britain is the diversity that has been with us for ever. One of the reasons the Romans found it so easy to invade was because the British tribes fought each other more than the invader (and remember that Hadrian's wall was built to control trade and stop the border tribes fighting each other, rather than to keep anyone "out").
Since then northerners have resented the south, Lancastrians aren't too keen on yorkies, Blackburn fans hate Burnley and people in Longridge thought there was something about the residents of Ribchester.
Who would want to claim the language of Shakespear and reject Burns and Dylan Thomas? Who'd want the Lake District and not want to see the Highlands and Snowdon as well, and see all three as part of their country? Who could marvel at Shearer or Charlton and not want to see Dalglish and Giggs as well (and Best for that matter)?
I love bring British, as much as I cheer England on and love all the days I have ever spent in Wales and Scotland, and want to spend more. (I've only been to Northern Ireland for a week, but it was very nice).
The present situation is clearly not perfect, but a split would make us all worse off. Let the people decide, but please make them think first.
A bit of background, especially in relation to this article. I grew up in the north of England, and remember the resentment towards Westminster and the jokes about joining an independent Scotland. I then moved to Scotland for five wonderful years for University. I then moved to London for a year and have spent the rest of my life trying to move back to Scotland, but never quite making it.
It's a long time since I looked closely at the economics of this (its more than just the oil). But I think its daft.
Nobody expects all the residents of a nation or even a city to be best pals all the time. One of the wonders of Britain is the diversity that has been with us for ever. One of the reasons the Romans found it so easy to invade was because the British tribes fought each other more than the invader (and remember that Hadrian's wall was built to control trade and stop the border tribes fighting each other, rather than to keep anyone "out").
Since then northerners have resented the south, Lancastrians aren't too keen on yorkies, Blackburn fans hate Burnley and people in Longridge thought there was something about the residents of Ribchester.
Who would want to claim the language of Shakespear and reject Burns and Dylan Thomas? Who'd want the Lake District and not want to see the Highlands and Snowdon as well, and see all three as part of their country? Who could marvel at Shearer or Charlton and not want to see Dalglish and Giggs as well (and Best for that matter)?
I love bring British, as much as I cheer England on and love all the days I have ever spent in Wales and Scotland, and want to spend more. (I've only been to Northern Ireland for a week, but it was very nice).
The present situation is clearly not perfect, but a split would make us all worse off. Let the people decide, but please make them think first.
posted by Toby Scott at 11/30/2006 01:10:00 PM
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