The Case for the United Kingdom

I am not going to lie. This post is going to be controversial. Hell, I am not even going to pretend that I am unbiased.

I have kept as mum as I could about Scottish Independence for a long time. After all, the decision is Scotland’s and hers alone. It would be completely asinine for someone who is not Scottish or even British to try and influence the vote. Nevertheless, I have seen such people dole out their opinions anyway, and therefore I cannot resist the urge to make my case.

If you are Scottish and plan on voting, then I emphasise that I hope I do not influence your vote. I do not know as much about what is happening in Scotland as you do. Make your choice, be it ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ and understand that your country’s fate is in your hands, for better or for worse.

As an aside, independence would make the Union Flag look ghastly.

Nevertheless, I am of the opinion that Kingdom should remain United. Some might say that the 1707 Acts of Union represents a subjugation of the Scottish people, a successful attempt by the English to subvert Scottish liberty after being rebuffed by years of guerrilla warfare during the Scottish War of Independence. However, nothing could be further from the truth. I have learned never to refer to the entire United Kingdom as simply ‘England,’ and feel the urge to pass the correct terminology onto my fellow Americans, who are privy to such mistakes. The fact that the Scots detest the UK being referred to as ‘England,’ attests to the fact that the Scots cherish their role in the Union.

Supporters of Scottish independence might invoke the memory of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce as they stood up to the tyranny of Edward Longshanks. Still, the ultimate irony is that an independent Scotland would end up under England’s thumb if the Scottish National Party (SNP) has its way.

The problem with the SNP’s blueprint for an independent Scotland is that it changes direction as often as the St. Andrews wind. Until recently, the SNP declared that Scotland would invite English troops to defend her borders. The SNP wanted to adopt the Euro when it was still popular to do so. However, with countries such as Greece, Italy, and Spain suffering the reality of having a common currency, Alex Salmond’s plans have shifted towards asking England to use their Pound Sterling in the event of a ‘yes’ vote. The Yes campaign believe that independence would safeguard the National Health Service, yet a leaked different tells a very different story, announcing billions of pounds in cuts.

Instead of having their interest rates determined by Frankfurt, an independent Scotland’s interest rates would be determined by London. While the shift in policy is understandable, given the Euro’s poor record in the past couple years, Scotland cannot hope to be self-reliant when it is still reliant on the English pound, which would defeat the purpose of independence entirely.

I nevertheless believe that the status quo is unacceptable. It is unfair that Scotland cannot enact its own economic policies, forced to accept tax rates determined by Westminster. It is surprising that Scotland still cannot set its own tax rates, given that Margaret Thatcher test-drove the notorious Community Charge in Scotland, thereby soiling the reputation of her party.

However, there will be a clear direction should Scotland remain in the UK. Whichever way the vote goes, things will never be quite the same. Even in the event of a ‘no’ vote, it might be fair to think that Scottish autonomy might be given the long overdue attention it finally deserves.

In digression, another complaint of the Yes campaign is that Scotland has been dragged into governments and, by extension, wars that are not of her own choosing. The facts, however, tell a different story. As a Labour stronghold, Scotland has helped the Labour Party gain power in 1964, 1966, 1974, and 1997. Accounting for only nine percent of the entire UK population, Scotland punches well above its weight with regard to politics.

Even with governments that she does not want, Scotland is not alone. Northern England and Wales were full of people who were against Tony Blair’s controversial decision to invade Iraq. Besides, it seems that the entire UK has learned its lesson, rejecting a similar intervention in Syria just a year ago.

The point is that secession would be a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Perhaps Scotland is stuck with a government in Westminster it does not want, but it will not be long until it has one that it does want. The UK is a country that can change on the inside, and it is one that is inclusive of all its constituent countries. Most of all, it is a tolerant nation. The same cannot be said of other countries, such as Yugoslavia and Sudan.

Scotland has a powerful position as part of the UK, a part of NATO and a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council. While some might argue that these perks are extraneous, it should not be forgotten that Scotland has great power-status.

It is without a doubt that Scotland could go it alone, but there are serious consequences to that path. Serious consequences that, in my humble opinion, the SNP and the Yes campaign have failed to address, at least convincingly. It could be fair to say that the promise of more autonomy by the three main parties is too little too late, but at least it’s a solid guarantee. The same cannot be said Alex Salmond’s plan for a post-Yes vote, promising the Euro one day and the Pound Sterling the next.

Whatever your choice maybe, do it with conviction. Do it with a well-informed mind. If you believe that the points above are completely invalid, do it in spite of what I have just said. Nevertheless, in a world that is growing increasingly unpredictable, I am of the opinion that Scotland is better together, as part of a United Kingdom.