Dreams Of Autonomy

The latest poll results advise a Yes vote for Scottish independence is a distinct possibility

In i feel Nigel Farage (leader of UKIP, the Great Britain Independence Party) in addition to Alex Salmond (leader of the SNP, the Scottish National Party) are doing the same thing. They are trying to convince voters that if simply they (the Great Britain in addition to Scotland respectively) were costless of them (Europe in addition to the Great Britain respectively) life would hold upward better. The rhetoric is much the same: yous volition hold upward costless to brand your ain decisions, brand your ain laws, in addition to create upward one's hear your ain destiny. Recent events advise the rhetoric is working.

Here is roughly other similarity. In both cases, the economical benefits that would catamenia from independence seem to hold upward based on wishful thinking. Detailed analysis past times economists non attached to whatever detail side come upward to a clear conclusion: existing arrangements are beneficial. (For illustration here, or John McDermott on North Sea Oil treated badly.

So the rhetoric is simplistic. Neither the SNP nor UKIP desire consummate freedom: they recognise the benefits that tin hand the axe come upward from cooperation alongside larger groups. So the arguments come inwards what is ever involved inwards cooperative agreements: messy hand in addition to take. Will Europe let costless displace of goods without costless displace of people (see Switzerland)? Will the Great Britain let a monetary union, in addition to at what terms inwards terms of Great Britain command over Scottish financial policy? But those promoting independence would rather yous didn’t worry close such things, in addition to instead focus on the rhetoric of freedom.  

Of course of report UKIP in addition to the SNP are inwards real dissimilar places on the political spectrum. How does this influence the rhetoric of independence? Traditionally the benefits of private liberty in addition to autonomy possess got been emphasised past times those on the right, in addition to the benefits of cooperation past times those on the left. England votes to a greater extent than to the right, Scotland to a greater extent than to the left. So it is quite understandable that the English linguistic communication correct (be it UKIP or Conservative political party members) should purchase the benefits of going it alone. There is, later all, the phrase ‘little englander’, non ‘little britisher’. Perhaps those arguing against Scottish independence possess got focused also much on the security of the condition quo, in addition to non talked plenty close solidarity.

But hither is the rub. Is it solidarity alongside the British people, or alongside their governing class? Although an independence vote should hold upward close the side past times side hundred years, at that spot tin hand the axe hold upward no uncertainty that a electrical flow Great Britain authorities that is arguably to a greater extent than correct fly than Margaret Thatcher has won many to the independence cause. Yet ironically Cameron in addition to Osborne’s Conservative political party possess got in all likelihood also encouraged UKIP’s campaign past times trying to chase the anti-immigration vote, in addition to appeasing its correct fly past times committing to a plebiscite on Europe. 

Which brings me to this concluding thought, for those contemplating voting Yes to an independent Scotland on 18th September. Suppose yous win, in addition to every bit a lawsuit the remaining Great Britain nether a newly elected Conservative authorities without Scottish voters narrowly votes to leave of absence the EU. Not our problem, the newly independent Scotland mightiness say. But it would leave of absence Scotland alongside a horrible choice. Do they forsake Europe to popular off along sterling in addition to preferential access to their largest market, or produce they popular off poorer notwithstanding past times joining the EU/Euro in addition to trying to redirect their merchandise inwards that direction? But no worries: Scotland volition hold upward costless to brand that choice!