In the 50s, the British Empire spanned the globe. Now it has been reduced to just four 'home' nations. Since WW2, successive Tory governments with their carnal capitalist policies, interspersed with the Trade Union movement's wilful destruction of the very businesses which employed their members, and a pitiful resistance to both from a whining Liberal party, have lost that glorious, multi-cultural, politically powerful, diverse, and very precious entity, all in the name of ‘Independence’. Well, I dislike Cameron and his toadies as much as anyone, but that spitting weasel Milliband and his mafia of Labour Dons are hardly an appropriate alternative. The Liberals have been labelled ‘middle-class’- which has somehow become an insult, as if some arbitrary class system actually exists. Sure there are those on lower incomes and those with grossly inflated unearned incomes, but the fact is that for al their rantings down the pub, the average low-paid worker would be very happy to have a grossly inflated unearned income, live in a swish mansion or designer apartment. However, the majority of people in the UK do have to work for a living, and many make a reasonable fist of it. Many own their own houses, as the huge amount of new builds testify. Those in Housing Association accommodation are able to call upon the Association’s resources for help in times of trouble. People on benefits are at least able to claim those benefits in this country. Few, if any, other countries in the world look after their less-able citizens better than the Brits.
If Scotland left the Union, the overall fund available nationally to cover benefit claims would be slashed. The huge numbers of people claiming benefits in Glasgow, for example, would be hit the hardest. That’s the reality checkpoint. What would the Scots be voting for? "Ma ain identity?” You already have that. Scots are renowned the world over. The world loves the Scottish. I agree that Westminster is a long way from Edinburgh, and there are not enough Scots in the cabinet. In fact, a Scottish Prime Minister sitting in Downing Street, (especially if he had a beard), would be a tonic to this country. Scots have an image of being honest, industrious, friendly, and tough. That’s a great image for a PM. Let’s push for that.
As for UKIP, the British Nationalists, and all those other wannabe parties, they are all too single-policy orientated.
So now, a power-hungry leader in Scotland wants to completely undermine the United Kingdom. I should pause before saying that Salmond is only pushing for this so that he can be titled the first President of Scotland. Is he looking for a place in history as the man who gave Scotland its freedom? More likely he will go down as the man who destroyed the UK. Bah.
Together this country of Great Britain will be strong. Divide it and the rest of the world will swallow us up.
Judging by the post time I see you were stewing rather than sleeping. Nicely put.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marc. I wrote this ages ago, but it was time someone tried to put a lid on this man. He talks to his supporters about 'new jobs'. And where, pray, would they come from? Without support from the rest of the UK, there are no 'jobs'. Even the big banks are making serious plans to move their business bases from Scotland to England or Wales. The big talk is of the Oil. Well, will there be that many new jobs? And how much of that is American owned? Salmond talks of union with Europe. Ireland did that and their buoyant economy was crushed within a couple of years, reducing the Irish government to the level of street-beggars in Brussels. Let's face it, whatever political stripe you are, no-one in GB really likes the Westminster government. People in the North East and South Wales have exactly the same gripes as Glaswegians. Farmers in Yorkshire and East Anglia complain that Westminster doesn't understand their needs: Labour is too trade union factory-orientated, the Conservatives seemingly have abandoned their agricultural roots for the rolling seas of international finance. Teachers in the West Country and Manchester don't like the 'Torified' system imposed on them by a previous Labour regime- despite the fact that most teachers are socialists (in my experience). These are the opinions of people I meet through my work, usually expressed as 'You want to do a cartoon about...' and then choose any of the foregoing, not to mention other issues. The more people we have fighting for a democratic change the better the UK as a whole will be. Split the Union, and we will have a smaller, less effectual England/Wales/Northern Ireland combo, and a divided and politically unsound Scotland.
ReplyDeleteA genuinely passionate and proud response to the present predicament. As a family we are proud of our Welsh heritage but I'd say we are also proud to be truly British. Just think two years ago the entire nation celebrated together as the 4 corners of our Kingdom roared on Team GB in unity. Have things really changed that much in two years?
ReplyDeleteToo true! The whole of the native British Isles was behind Team GB, who did us all proud. I for one was delighted when fellow Brit Andy Murray won Wimbledon. Salmond is playing on a different emotive (if that is the correct word). I'm not speaking with my heart but with my head. To devolve the UK would be a disaster for all the countries involved. I was a Welsh Nationalist in my youth, but realised that a devolved Wales would be a poor country indeed. Scots! Kick this pretender out!
DeleteSo the vote was NO.
ReplyDeleteI understand the YES voters' point of view. I don't agree with it, but I can understand the passion. The only overwhelming Pro-secession vote was in greater Glasgow and Dundee where there are a great many unemployed and those on low incomes. This is understandable as there are so many people in those locations who feel they've had no fair deal from Westminster for generations. These are the same feelings as those in other parts of the UK, such as the North East and South Wales. All these areas were built on coal, steel, low-cost manufacturing and shipping, industries which are now uneconomic or redundant. These industries also relied on a great deal of manual labour and such labour can be bought cheaper elsewhere. Unfortunately, although a central government of any stripe can do its best to ease the burden of the millions left on the slag-heaps of redundant industries, government does not run industry. It can legislate, but it can't create. That is up to business people. 'More money' is a great rallying call. And ultimately that is what nearly all politics is about. In the UK we believe we have a duty of care to our citizens, which is one good reason why this land is so attractive to immigrants, but the costs of supplying benefits and healthcare are all escalating so that Health and Benefits at point of delivery have become industries in themselves. This doesn't help the low-income folk in Glasgow. But you can't blame Westminster or Edinburgh entirely. The ships that are Coal and Steel have moved on and left in their wake thousands of stranded families with nowhere to turn. Salmond offered them hope, but that's all. Their situation wouldn't have changed with independence, but I for one hope that Westminster will listen hard to the Yes voters and take their views into account.
So, Cameron, Milliband and all your stooges: listen to the people. 45% is a significant number. You only just saved Scotland by the skin of your teeth. And perhaps you can thank Gordon Brown for that. Stepping in at the last minute and talking his case with a charismatic passion and no trace of sound-bite or stage-management. Just for once, I have praise for the man.