I want the status quo of devolution.
I want all UK citizens to be treated equally.
I want independence.
I refrained from saying devolution inequity. Equality would end devolved government and special benefits for two out of three countries.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Do we want the UK?
Click on the title for news of the SNP's thinking on an independence referendum. Surely England and Wales should also have a referendum too if the UK is to be destroyed? Here are three questions for the ballot paper
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4 comments:
I think Graham, you grossly misrepresent the situation.
There is no need for an English referendum unless England wants to secede.
It is a matter for each constituent part of the UK to independently decide whether they want to be part of an ongoing union. An English majority to retain a union with Scotland is meaningless, unless Scotland wants that union too.
No. You are continuing the present inequity. If Scotland is to chose to go or stay why not give the same choice to England and Wales? Then we will know if England or any other part of the UK wants to secede. How do you know without a referendum? I should add that I do not believe in government by referenda but by representative democracy.
If there is desire by England or Wales to secede - then there should obviously be a referendum for these countries. Is there such a desire? I have not seen such desire expressed widely.
What I am objecting to is that an English majority should decide on Scotland's independence, i.e. an UK wide referendum majority wanting to retain the union while a Scottish majority wanting to secede - this simply can not be. Vice versa, an English decision to secede should leave thee Scottish/Irish/Welsh union untouched.
Oh I think I have heard mutterings from Plaid Cymraig. England has an amazing capacity for tolerating the inequities of the present fiscal system to say nothing of the West Lothian question.
I can assure you there is no way I want to keep the Union against the wishes of the Scots or any other interested party. To be accurate in terminology the UK is two united countries plus a principality and province (I am uncertain as to the minor islands' status). If any part wants to go its own way, let it. I agree one hears little grumbling from England. We bear inequity with a patient shrug. It is the Emglishman's burden.
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