The Scottish National Party wants to hold an independence referendum in 2014, to end 300+ years of union with United Kingdom. It was by the Act of Settlement 1707, that the union was created. This was followed by two rebellions, when the Scots supported challenges to the Protestant Hanoverian rule , and ended with the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charles at the brutal battle of Culloden in 1745.
2014 is significant for two reasons. Firstly, the Commonwealth Games are to be held in Glasgow, but more importantly. it marked the 700th anniversary of the Scottish victory at Bannockburn, where they defeated the English army. The glow from these two events are supposed to rub off on the Scots, raising pride and nationalism. Prime Minister Cameron, himself of Scottish descent( as were many other British Prime Ministers and high office holders over the centuries) is opposed to independence and would prefer that any referendum be held no later than next year. "If Alex Salmond ( leader of SNP)wants a referendum on independence,why wait until 2014", he told Sky News, saying also that waiting is not good for business. The SNP won an overall majority in Scottish elections in May and promised to hold a referendum in the second half of the parliamentary term which ends in 2016 (the Conservatives of Cameron won only 15 ot the 129 seats).
Scotland has many of the trappings of an independent nation.....its own legal system, flag, sports team, achievements in science and literature and since 1999 (devolution) control over health, education and prisons for its 5 million. It wouild have a strong claim to the lion's share of the North Sea oil revenues, though this would be strongly contested by the Brits.
A victory in the referendum is unlikely. The great majority of the Scots are satisfied with the present arrangement. It was 'devolution"( granting of more powers......that is weakening the unitary system of centralised powers), in 1999 that was the key to keeping the separatists movement from growing. As well there are so many examples of Scots holding key positions in government, business, labor and in every part of British society. In a poll conducted in December, by Ipsos MORI, only 38% would vote for full independence, while 58% were opposed.
Pass the Scotch. Hold the ice.
2014 is significant for two reasons. Firstly, the Commonwealth Games are to be held in Glasgow, but more importantly. it marked the 700th anniversary of the Scottish victory at Bannockburn, where they defeated the English army. The glow from these two events are supposed to rub off on the Scots, raising pride and nationalism. Prime Minister Cameron, himself of Scottish descent( as were many other British Prime Ministers and high office holders over the centuries) is opposed to independence and would prefer that any referendum be held no later than next year. "If Alex Salmond ( leader of SNP)wants a referendum on independence,why wait until 2014", he told Sky News, saying also that waiting is not good for business. The SNP won an overall majority in Scottish elections in May and promised to hold a referendum in the second half of the parliamentary term which ends in 2016 (the Conservatives of Cameron won only 15 ot the 129 seats).
Scotland has many of the trappings of an independent nation.....its own legal system, flag, sports team, achievements in science and literature and since 1999 (devolution) control over health, education and prisons for its 5 million. It wouild have a strong claim to the lion's share of the North Sea oil revenues, though this would be strongly contested by the Brits.
A victory in the referendum is unlikely. The great majority of the Scots are satisfied with the present arrangement. It was 'devolution"( granting of more powers......that is weakening the unitary system of centralised powers), in 1999 that was the key to keeping the separatists movement from growing. As well there are so many examples of Scots holding key positions in government, business, labor and in every part of British society. In a poll conducted in December, by Ipsos MORI, only 38% would vote for full independence, while 58% were opposed.
Pass the Scotch. Hold the ice.
