Like they say, be careful what you wish for as you might get it.
Assuming the main purport of this move towards independence is not because Scotland sees itself as an oil-rich territory that need not share this benediction with anyone else on a fraternity basis, but only on a strictly business basis, then it’s good to ‘go independent’.
Then, the good people of Scotland will have to work hard to make real all of their better desires, and there is no harm in that. Could be, this will more equally distribute the wealth, especially if a socialist system is established.
An important part of that would be general and open participation in government at all levels. Also, to have unions that are responsive to the union members and not led by the nose by unionists more intent on keeping their jobs – in fact the unions should be voluntarily run, not staffed by paid unionists.
The oil companies should be nationalised – as should all essential utilities – and because London and the Conservatists would be out of the equation, big business would not be able to subvert the great potential of state run enterprises. There is no reason that the ‘iron bread-board’ would be instituted, not with truly democratic, co-operative style operations; not with independent unions and all levels active on company management boards.
I agree with the Scottish Nationalist Party’s intent to remove the nuclear war machines from their deep water harbour and indeed further, hope that that initiating party will enter the world stage and seek the total dismantling of all nuclear weapons and machines. As an independent country Scotland will have its own voice. Who would want a nuclear target on their own doorstep?
It is fundamental though that to achieve independence the country must be totally united. It is worth recalling that when Norway wanted independence 99.5 per cent of the population voted Yes.
A Spanish friend from Barcelona is still amazed that London allowed this referendum to take place, saying Madrid would never allow such referendum on his region, Catalonia, where 1.5 million marched asking for independence in 2012.
These separatist movements make centralised governments nervous, as seen in Flanders, Padania, Madeira, Bavaria, Scania – and that’s just in western Europe. Always it is the same complaints, taxation without adequate recompense, no respect for the minority culture and language, unequal treatment.
While centralised governments want to keep control over their fringe regions for reasons of enhanced centralised power and for greater economic earnings alone, there is a good case for loosening those controls to allow more autonomy, at least, if not complete independence. When a region looks after itself and there is a beneficial relationship, it is good for everyone, state and region. Getting that balance right is the quest. One recurring danger of all independence movements is the creation of yet another minority – of dissenters – within what once was a minority in a larger unit. If it’s fifty-one to fifty the new nation is born really divided!
I personally do not want Scotland to leave the UK. But it is up to the Scots.
