When is one ever politically objective? I wonder whether my political beliefs will ever afford me true clarity on any political issue of the day, least of all the debate on Scottish independence from the UK...
The Scottish wing of the three main British political parties, Labour, The Liberal Democrats and The Conservatives (plus these 200 celebrities no less) are all putting their considerable weight behind the 'Better Together' campaign for the continuation of the union, based, primarily, on the perceived economic benefit of remaining in the UK.
The opposing 'Yes' campaign counters that the Scottish economy is strong enough not only to sustain but boost the nation's prosperity under independence. Whilst still in the union, they suggest, Scotland is diluting its wealth into a wider British economy.
The Scottish wing of the three main British political parties, Labour, The Liberal Democrats and The Conservatives (plus these 200 celebrities no less) are all putting their considerable weight behind the 'Better Together' campaign for the continuation of the union, based, primarily, on the perceived economic benefit of remaining in the UK.
The opposing 'Yes' campaign counters that the Scottish economy is strong enough not only to sustain but boost the nation's prosperity under independence. Whilst still in the union, they suggest, Scotland is diluting its wealth into a wider British economy.
Understood, but regardless of the economic, social and cultural points both sides raise, surely the crux of the debate should be the opportunity the referendum will afford Scots to finally choose self-empowerment as a nation. Something which many feel is long overdue.
The evidence does indeed bear this out. The Conservative party has won eleven UK general elections outright since 1900. That's an approximate total of 55 years they have ruled Scotland in the past century or so, devolution notwithstanding.
Scotland as a nation has never voted a Conservative majority within its borders in that time. No wonder there is anger the ultimate power broker in Scottish politics remains a perceptibly distant group of politicians in Westminster.
True self empowerment has clearly not been apparent for Scots through the union. Scotland is not governed by those who reflect the ideals of its people.
However, if I extend that same argument to the UK’s membership of the European Union surely you would find me supportive of David Cameron’s call to renegotiate our ties within Europe..?
And yet, that a continent twice rent asunder by war can come together to support itself economically, as Europe has done during the recent recession, feels to me like a wonderful achievement more than justifying an ongoing togetherness. "Ah", I hear you say, "but surely this togetherness comes at the cost of ceding power to a similarly distant group of politicians in Brussels? Furthermore, isn't the United Kingdom also an example of once opposing nations coming together to support each other?"
I realise I am arguing for decentralisation of power in one instance whilst supporting the ongoing centralisation of power in another. How can I pick and choose when I am for and when I am against a community of people governing themselves? I understand there are obvious differences between the structure of the UK and the EU but in principal there's surely a valid comparison to be made?
Inevitably, my argument is swayed by my own politics - I am for Scottish independence because I believe that it will give rise to a more socially conscious, leftist Scotland. I am against repatriation of powers from Europe to the UK because I believe it to be motivated by a desire to manoeuvre the country to the right.
An argument for Scottish independence on any other basis, I concede, is objectively poor and, worse still, dishonest.
Are my views fed by a desire for self-empowerment above all? Evidently not, though they probably should be. Instead, I admit, they are driven by my wish to see a more socially democratic world, one more in tune with my own beliefs. Not necessarily a bad thing - obviously, I hold these beliefs because I consider them to be right - but I wonder how far one might be capable of using the economy or any other facet of the argument to attempt to justify a stance that forwards a hidden cause?
Let's be honest with ourselves when we argue the case for Scottish independence (or indeed our relationship with the EU). For dangerous it would surely be to allow the smoke screen to purvey, especially when considered in the context of our past (and future) history...
http://bettertogether.net/
http://www.yesscotland.net/
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/18/britain-europe-eu-essential-guide
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20314150
I realise I am arguing for decentralisation of power in one instance whilst supporting the ongoing centralisation of power in another. How can I pick and choose when I am for and when I am against a community of people governing themselves? I understand there are obvious differences between the structure of the UK and the EU but in principal there's surely a valid comparison to be made?
Inevitably, my argument is swayed by my own politics - I am for Scottish independence because I believe that it will give rise to a more socially conscious, leftist Scotland. I am against repatriation of powers from Europe to the UK because I believe it to be motivated by a desire to manoeuvre the country to the right.
An argument for Scottish independence on any other basis, I concede, is objectively poor and, worse still, dishonest.
Are my views fed by a desire for self-empowerment above all? Evidently not, though they probably should be. Instead, I admit, they are driven by my wish to see a more socially democratic world, one more in tune with my own beliefs. Not necessarily a bad thing - obviously, I hold these beliefs because I consider them to be right - but I wonder how far one might be capable of using the economy or any other facet of the argument to attempt to justify a stance that forwards a hidden cause?
Let's be honest with ourselves when we argue the case for Scottish independence (or indeed our relationship with the EU). For dangerous it would surely be to allow the smoke screen to purvey, especially when considered in the context of our past (and future) history...
http://bettertogether.net/
http://www.yesscotland.net/
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/18/britain-europe-eu-essential-guide
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20314150
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