Just Let Them Vote!
The SNP have launched a “national conversation” in Scotland on the issue of Scottish independence. Very simply, we should just let them vote. It took me a while tor each this decision because my gut, knee-jerk reaction was to say “no” simply because it could be divisive. But I have moved away from that opinion.
I am a Unionist, but the debate over Scottish independence seems that it needs to be had - and sooner is better than later. Opinion polls are showing that the majority of Scottish voters do not favour independence from the United Kingdom. They should have this referendum, held with a caveat that this decision would be final if the vote came out against independence. Another caveat that should be added in is that for independence to be voted for, it would require a minimum of 40% or so of the entire electorate, whether or not they voted - either that or compulsory voting [something which I am usually against] be required.
I don’t think that the SNP would win a referendum on independence. I think that the majority of the Scottish population wants the Union to continue, and so if they have their referendum and lose, then they will at least content themselves with the current level of devolution.
Another reason that I support the idea of a referendum on Scottish independence is that it is likely to stir English nationalism up as well,. and could very easily lead to the establishment of an English Parliament with the same powers as the Scottish one.
Sources: BBC, The Times, The Telegraph
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Nothing is ever final. Politics and national identity are a constant state of flux, so the best you could hope for is to shelve the question for a generation.
That’s pretty much what I meant, final for this generation of Scottish nationalists.
I suspect it is not fully appreciated in Scotland nor in the Westminster political class of all parties that opinion in England is moving past the situation with Scotland and onto the government of England .
Many people in England think that whatever does or does not happen with Scotland is now irrelevant and want to concentrate instead on their own country ie not the United Kingdom .
This is still not very well articulated but a real feeling nevertheless .