So, before I flee Facebook again, I wanted to take a second to comment on the impending Scottish Referendum. Firstly, I do not consider myself anti-independence, but rather pro-Union. I have Scottish family, and a fair amount of Scottish heritage, and I firmly support the right of the Scottish people to decide their own fate. Im not here to get into an economic or political argument against a Yes vote. It has become clear in the past few weeks that the promises made by the Yes camp regarding Scotlands future economy are foolhardy at best. Scotland could certainly support itself alone, but never at the heights promised, and never with the welfare reforms they plan to enact. My reasoning comes not from my head, but the heart, if you would allow me to be so cliche. Over the past few days, as the polls have narrowed and the possibility of a Yes vote becomes possible, I have felt sick. Sick for completely selfish reasons, I do admit. Sick because it feels like a member of my family just decided they want to leave. Forever. To disown our bonds of fellowship. To announce that the history we have traveled through, the hardships we have endured, the victories we have won, all together, mean nothing. A slap in the face. Unintentional? yes. But there none the less. Scotland has very real reasons for wanting independence. I am very sad that it has taken this shock to show the majority of the UK that the Scottish deserve better from their government. They feel that Westminster no longer represents their views, and in that they are largely right. That must change. Devolved powers to Holyrood is no longer an option, but a necessity. Is it a bribe? You bet it is. But I cannot pretend that it feels like part of my identity is under assault. Britain, indeed the UK, cannot exist as an idea without Scotland. I cannot be British without it. The Union Jack loses its blue heart without St. Andrews cross. Yes, Scotland can exist on its own, and can probably do a better job right now of representing their own views. But why should they have to? This glorious Union that once ruled a full third of the world has always found its way through tough times. Independence cannot be the answer every time you dont like the government in Westminster, or the economy isnt doing well. Yes, change is needed, and soon, but we will always be better off together, and that is the only fact we can be sure of. This Island has stood together through so much that to throw that away now, to ignore the huge risks, to give in to Alex Salmonds dreams of power, would be an injustice to all. Therefore I dont ask you, but beg you: Vote for a Union together, not a world apart. We are truly Better Together
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 19:17:41 +0000
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