Apparently not.I would like to highlight that, while I am a Scot, I entertain no particular thoughts of an independant Scotland. I am concerned, however, that Independence for Independence's' sake has become widespread through the machinations of the 'Tartan Tories', otherwise known as the SNP.
I believe that to the layman Independence is attractive, fed by their own sense of patriotism. However, I believe that the reasons for (and against) separatism are not well-publicised and that the SNP are not encouraging a fair and honest discussion.
My main concern is that the Scottish economy is by all accounts in poor shape. For the time being, at least, unity with Britain allows us to 'meet the needs of globalisation' or, less euphemistically, not become a third-world country. The SNP are talking about oil like its going out of fashion (which of course it is). Their reliance on Scotlands' homegrown industries is a blind hope - who can forget the failure of the so-called Silicon Glen, or the decline of the Scottish whisky? The SNP are at odds to assure us that Scotland can survive, fiscally, outside the Union - the recent White Paper on Independence contained no reference to the multi-million pound bailout of HBOS and RBS by the British taxpayer (I wonder what revisionist brush they would paint the Darian disaster with?). In essence it is downright silly for the SNP to be talking Independence during an economic crisis, almost as if Independence is worth Scotland becoming poorer than Poland. But its okay, because we'll have the EU to leech money off, right?
If now is the wrong time to even contemplate independance, then SNP is the wrong party to be the major player behind such a change. In short, they are embarrassing. It embarrasses me that this party sees themselves as the embodiment of Scottish nationalism. They comprise the most old-fashioned, Andy-Stewart-Biscuit-Tin view of Scotland possible. Even words like 'saltire' seem cringe-inducing falling off a SNP politicians' tongue.
To illustrate my point, the SNP recently released this party political broadcast. Watching it, I felt the most acute embarrassment for being Scottish... I don't know if it was the twee music, the man walking out the job center being snubbed, or the central character bellowing 'SCOTLAND!!!' like a five-year-old that'd just watched Braveheart. Then Alex Salmond cuts in with talk of a "fight for Scotland". The entire affair showed a kind of parochialism unbefitting a party that wants to transform Scotland into a successful, progressive country. To an outsider looking in it makes us look like a nation of backwards, shortbread-eating caber-tossers.
The worst thing is, hiding behind this twee, Biscuit-Tin Patriotism is signs that the SNP is very underhanded in their approach to securing Independence. We've seen them discrediting online commentators and journalists with the most vituperative language (the so-called 'cybernats'), attempt to get the voting age lowered to 16 (no doubt so that buckfast-swilling youths can move on from bus stops to committing vandalism on a nigh-on constitutional scale) and, in a frankly bizarre move, treat the Scottish public as if they are too stupid to understand their Independence referendums when the Scottish public shows an apparent lack of support for independance (19% in a recent YouGov poll, which the SNP has tried to discredit even though it relied on such polls during its initial popularity).
The other apparent dark side of the SNP is its inherent Anglophobia. There is no reason, 303 years after unification, we should hate the English. Alex Salmond is fond of political grand-standing with Westminster, and his party seem to love publicity stunts which serve only as two fingers up to the English - for example: supporting the Germans during the World Cup and the ridiculously prolonged celebration of the Battle of Bannockburn. In its own way this tactic seems to be contributing to the pro-Independence cause; English resentment is building to an extent where they are intolerant of the Scottish and, quite frankly, want rid of us.
The willingness to alienate our southern neighbours shows us Salmonds' willingness to say anything and do anything to wrench Scotland out of the UK. He will rely on the most scant and irrelevant arguments - he will say that Scotland was sold out by traitors 303 years ago, he will say that Scotland is an unwilling accomplice in an illegal war. In short, he will dredge up every petty grievance in order to further his cause, yet what he will not do is show the professionalism expected of him. His party is lacking in substance, relying on one common cause to hide a disarray in terms of policy, and holds a vision for the future of Scotland that could have grim consequences for years to come. He claims he will make history - but will history forgive him?
I believe that to the layman Independence is attractive, fed by their own sense of patriotism. However, I believe that the reasons for (and against) separatism are not well-publicised and that the SNP are not encouraging a fair and honest discussion.
My main concern is that the Scottish economy is by all accounts in poor shape. For the time being, at least, unity with Britain allows us to 'meet the needs of globalisation' or, less euphemistically, not become a third-world country. The SNP are talking about oil like its going out of fashion (which of course it is). Their reliance on Scotlands' homegrown industries is a blind hope - who can forget the failure of the so-called Silicon Glen, or the decline of the Scottish whisky? The SNP are at odds to assure us that Scotland can survive, fiscally, outside the Union - the recent White Paper on Independence contained no reference to the multi-million pound bailout of HBOS and RBS by the British taxpayer (I wonder what revisionist brush they would paint the Darian disaster with?). In essence it is downright silly for the SNP to be talking Independence during an economic crisis, almost as if Independence is worth Scotland becoming poorer than Poland. But its okay, because we'll have the EU to leech money off, right?
If now is the wrong time to even contemplate independance, then SNP is the wrong party to be the major player behind such a change. In short, they are embarrassing. It embarrasses me that this party sees themselves as the embodiment of Scottish nationalism. They comprise the most old-fashioned, Andy-Stewart-Biscuit-Tin view of Scotland possible. Even words like 'saltire' seem cringe-inducing falling off a SNP politicians' tongue.
To illustrate my point, the SNP recently released this party political broadcast. Watching it, I felt the most acute embarrassment for being Scottish... I don't know if it was the twee music, the man walking out the job center being snubbed, or the central character bellowing 'SCOTLAND!!!' like a five-year-old that'd just watched Braveheart. Then Alex Salmond cuts in with talk of a "fight for Scotland". The entire affair showed a kind of parochialism unbefitting a party that wants to transform Scotland into a successful, progressive country. To an outsider looking in it makes us look like a nation of backwards, shortbread-eating caber-tossers.
The worst thing is, hiding behind this twee, Biscuit-Tin Patriotism is signs that the SNP is very underhanded in their approach to securing Independence. We've seen them discrediting online commentators and journalists with the most vituperative language (the so-called 'cybernats'), attempt to get the voting age lowered to 16 (no doubt so that buckfast-swilling youths can move on from bus stops to committing vandalism on a nigh-on constitutional scale) and, in a frankly bizarre move, treat the Scottish public as if they are too stupid to understand their Independence referendums when the Scottish public shows an apparent lack of support for independance (19% in a recent YouGov poll, which the SNP has tried to discredit even though it relied on such polls during its initial popularity).
The other apparent dark side of the SNP is its inherent Anglophobia. There is no reason, 303 years after unification, we should hate the English. Alex Salmond is fond of political grand-standing with Westminster, and his party seem to love publicity stunts which serve only as two fingers up to the English - for example: supporting the Germans during the World Cup and the ridiculously prolonged celebration of the Battle of Bannockburn. In its own way this tactic seems to be contributing to the pro-Independence cause; English resentment is building to an extent where they are intolerant of the Scottish and, quite frankly, want rid of us.
The willingness to alienate our southern neighbours shows us Salmonds' willingness to say anything and do anything to wrench Scotland out of the UK. He will rely on the most scant and irrelevant arguments - he will say that Scotland was sold out by traitors 303 years ago, he will say that Scotland is an unwilling accomplice in an illegal war. In short, he will dredge up every petty grievance in order to further his cause, yet what he will not do is show the professionalism expected of him. His party is lacking in substance, relying on one common cause to hide a disarray in terms of policy, and holds a vision for the future of Scotland that could have grim consequences for years to come. He claims he will make history - but will history forgive him?
I'd have to agree with you on just about all counts. But then, so do all the other political parties. The SNP are a joke, but they seem to have the support of the ignorant.
ReplyDeleteThe union is essentially permanent now. There's no reason to ever seek independence, especially given the state of the economy.
But fear not. Even if his honeyed words can convince the ignorant, every other major party in Scotland completely opposes him, and members of his own party are resigning in disgust or being demoted for opposing him. It's a bill which doesn't stand a chance of making it past parliament.
Even if the SNP ultimately fails in its independence plans (given the steady decline in support) the actions of the SNP are harming relations between the States of the UK.
ReplyDeleteI have in the past supported the SNP, but not through patriotism or nationalism - I hate that stuff - rather through a desire to be dissociated from the militaristic madness (in my opinion) of British foreign policy. Economically, if Denmark and Norway and Ireland manage ok I reckon Scotland could, But I am in two minds, or several. Not sure how I will vote next time. I don't think I could be accused of being "ignorant", but perhaps a bit mixed up and confused :-)
ReplyDeleteMilitaristic madness - yes, that is a point. Around the time of the Glasgow Airport terror attacks I started wondering if secession would take us out of 'the firing line' so to speak. More cost problems insofar as we'd have to fund our own armed forces.. I too am a bit confused as Scottish politics has became a quagmire.
ReplyDelete