Tomorrow is arguably the most momentous democratic event in the western world for nearly a century, and as such, even though Ive tried to avoid it, my conscience wouldnt let me stay silent on a topic that is so important to me. Tomorrow weve been told that a vote for yes, is a vote for greater sovereignty, is a vote for progressivism and is a vote for Scotland. Tomorrow, however, I will be voting No, and I will be doing so because I believe it is best way of achieving and maintaining all 3 of those things. I personally identify as left wing and to me, being progressive means supporting liberal values, the belief in the equality of all and hence the rights to equality of opportunity for everyone, and importantly the ambition and drive to try and improve our current standard of living and not simply equalise what we currently have; all of which I believe is better achieved as part of the United Kingdom. Much of debate so far has focused on whether Scotland will be better off or not, but to me this totally misses the point. I dont care whether Scotland subsidises the UK or vice versa, I am simply proud to be either contributing to parts of the country worse off than ourselves or to be part of a nation willing to aid us when we are down. Regardless of which of these situations is currently true I know both have been the case in our shared history and continuing this supportive relationship is surely the most progressive option? Being progressive also means a respect for liberal values such as democracy and equality. The arguments of nationalism however rely on the belief of differences and in Scotland this has taken the shape of arguing that there is a separate national & political identity in Scotland. To me this strikes of trying to create division where there is none, I personally notice less of a difference in identity travelling between Bristol & Edinburgh than between the East & West Coast of Scotland and though I personally dont support the current Westminster government I accept its legitimacy just as I hope those living in the rest of the UK have respected the legitimacy of the numerous previous governments that have relied on Scottish MPs. Responding to failing to get your way by simply segregating the electorate into ever smaller units of like minded voters to me seems hardly democratic and trying to divide a nation with a shared culture, history, language and character on purely geographic lines seems hardly equitable either, and the question is where does one stop? As part of the United Kingdom, Scots have had, and will continue to have a huge influence over Scottish, British and international affairs. Through the Scottish Parliament we have complete control over agriculture, education, environment, health, social services, housing, law and order, local government, sport, the arts, economic development and Transport, which combined with the ability to vary income tax by 3% (though never used) already gives us almost complete control over every aspect of day to day life. Through Westminster we have had a disproportionate say in the running of the UK as a whole (in terms of number of prime ministers, cabinet ministers, Peers, or MPs per population) and through the West Lothian question we even have a say on purely English matters. And through our membership of international bodies such as the EU, NATO, UN security council, G8, G20 etc. we have and continue to influence the future of global politics, supporting UN peacekeeping, tackling global corruption, campaigning against the death penalty, campaigning to remove trade barriers and fighting to improve human rights across the globe. Sure there are costs for this influence, in return for influence in shared UK decisions we grant influence to the rest of the country, however that is simply how a nation works; you may not like the erection of wind farms near your home in Scotland but it massively aids those in England source clean, renewable & secure power, just as those in London may dislike the expansion of Heathrow but accept that it is an economic lifeline for Scotland. By sharing our sovereignty with the rest of the UK we dont diminish it but increase it, by giving ourselves a say in the ever increasing issues that despite lying outwith our borders have an ever increasing impact in our ever increasingly globalised world. Tomorrow is basically a vote on what kind of country you see Scotland being, a vote for Yes might be a vote for Scotland but I believe it would be a vote for a smaller, more insular Scotland, where we mind our own business, simply follow our larger neighbours and stay quiet about injustices both close to home and far afield. Whereas a vote for No is a vote for Scotland that continues to be part of one of the largest and most influential countries in the world; a Scotland Proud of its past and confident in its future; a progressive Scotland committed to equality, social justice, and the tenants of democracy; a Scotland proud to stand up against injustices both at home and abroad; and a Scotland proud to believe that people are better together not driven apart.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 22:28:13 +0000
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