End of the Union? Great Britain sliding into a constitutional crisis
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...d-removed.html
The Disunion Jack: The national flag with Scotland removed
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Sun
Nearly 400 years of history may be lost if the blue and white St Andrew's Saltire is removed. The UK would be left with an odd-looking white flag with two red crosses — the St George's Cross of England and Ireland's Cross of St Patrick. The revelation came as Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and Deputy PM Nick Clegg clashed over Scots' independence yesterday.
Mr Salmond accused London of trying to "intimidate" Scotland as he arrived in Dublin for a British-Irish Council meeting. He told Irish radio: "Many people in Ireland will remember that sometimes people in leadership positions in big countries find it difficult not to bully small countries."
When the two men appeared at a press conference in Dublin later, Mr Clegg told the Scottish National Party leader not to be so "jumpy". Mr Salmond also invited David Cameron and Mr Clegg to formal talks on an independence vote. Northern Ireland's deputy first minister Martin McGuinness joked that the two sides could hold "peace talks" in Belfast. Education Secretary Michael Gove, a Scot, warned independence would change life in Scotland forever.
I feel so sad its coming to this, we must try everything we can to stop the end of the our nation which has started disintegrating because of the ridiculous Labour Party which brought in devolution in the first place as an attempt to hold power bases around the country when they got booted out of office.. and the Conservative and (& ridiculously named) Unionist Party which has failed to defend the Union and reverse devolution as it should have done.
Meanwhile, our real leaders and government who make 75% of our laws sit back in Brussels rubbing their hands with glee as the country breaks apart making it easier to absord into a new European superstate (see the maps the EU itself published, with Scotland as a 'Euro region' and Wales also, with England divided into Euro regions thus weakening national central governments).
I'm consider myself British and I feel British, i'd hate to see what I see as my nation break up and have its beautiful flag defaced, its Monarchy put at risk and its superb consititution in danger.
This post on the Telegraph sums it up;
Quote:
Originally Posted by Telegraph comment
For me (a Scot) the most disappointing thing about the pro-union arguments is that they portray the decision are one of pure convenience.
Of course there are many valid arguments about our place and influence in the world, finances and what-have-you.
But, for me, the first and foremost thing about the disaster of independence would be the destruction and loss of what I see as my culture and identity.
I am sure many Scots feel the same, yet this is never brought up in the discussion. The fact that WE are British, that the English & Welsh are our kith and kin, that our cultures and blood are so intermingled as to be one, but with different expression.
I am proud of my Scottish identity and history, but so too I am proud of my British identity and history.
Waterloo, Trafalgar and Rorke's Drift are no less romantic for me than Bannockburn or Stirling bridge.
Give me Tennyson any day over Burns.
I prefer roast beef and yorkshire pudding over haggis.
G&T over whiskey.
The Scotland of SNP myth is just that. Many Scots couldn't tell you the date of St Andrews day. No-one really knows any ceilidh dancing. Essentially no-one speaks Gaelic, or ever did. The Gaelic signage now in all (or most) Scots train stations are alien, bogus and laughable - pure propaganda. If you attempted to use the Gaelic station names to buy a ticket, the conductor wouldn't have a scooby what you were on about and you would be put off the train for taking the p*ss.
Kilts are very modern English invention, made for the purposes of the British Army. No-one wears kilts or tartan, except at the stereotypical "Brigadoon" style of Wedding. Very few had even heard of William Wallace, before Mel Gibson took an interest.
The Uk is the 5th richest country in the world.
It is a permanent member of the UN security council.
It has a permanent UN veto.
It is a prominent EU member, one strong enough not to be eclipsed by France and Germany.
It has far reaching and disproportionate influence, thanks to the Common wealth.
It is a nuclear armed power.
It has modern, strong competent and respected conventional armed forces.
It has a strong and stable independent currency.
Its language is the global language and influence of its culture far reaching.
As part of the UK, that's what Scotland has. Scotland would have literally none of this as a stand alone nation.
What are we to give it all up for?
Ba' Face Salmond his fishing boats and windmills, coupled with no global influence and subjugation from the EU?
Ye Gods. My Grandathers didnt fight in North Africa and Merchant Convoys for this.
Please can we hear more about our precious British identity and culture from the pro-union camp. Lets not pretend it is a mere argument of convenience.
Lets hear also of the global prominence, stability and security we would be throwing away, in favour of being an irrelevant and anonymous socialist basket case. I warn you, Scotland, there will be no spectre of Edward Longshanks / Maggie Thatcher / other favourite English bogey(wo)man to attribute our problems to.
If the battle is not fought decisively, the incompetence of the pro-union parties in Scotland could easily mean we destroy ourselves "by accident". I can easily see independence happening by default, simply because the pro-union politicians made an arse of their arguments.
How far the great have fallen, from a global Empire which is the largest the world had ever seen to the very nation that created that Empire possibly ceasing to exist.
Thoughts?