Saturday, September 20, 2014

Scotland

Scotland's referendum on independence resulted in a yes-vote of 45% and no-vote of 55%. Scotland remains part of the United Kingdom. God Save The Queen, some would say, that the marriage did not become a 'painful divorce', a term used by Prime Minister David Cameron, in warning what the U.K. would become if a yes vote had won.

What does it mean, that Scotland is still part of U.K.? It means many things. For one, although the marriage has not resulted in divorce, it is no longer the same. Cameron has promised to devolve more power to Scotland, but then millions of Scottish independence seekers (the 45%) remain unhappy. It is like an unhappy spouse agrees to stay married and stop seeking a divorce, while the other spouse makes all kinds of promises to prevent the marriage from falling apart. How would U.K. feel, now that Scotland said, " Darling, I used to love you 100%. Now I only love you 55% " ?

I am not Scottish, but if I were Scottish and lived in Scotland, maybe I would have voted yes to separate from the United Kingdom.Why? Well, just look up the reasons given by Alex Salmond and the 45% Scottish population who said yes. Of course the pro-union Brits have their reasons, too, to say no. I bet you the elites, the billionaires, the bankers, the London Stock Exchange, the City of London, the rich and powerful,  and the 1% would have said no.

Certainly the Queen and the noble family would not like to see Scotland go.The pro-union supporters would have voted with much of their head, while the pro-independence seekers would have voted not only with their head, but also with much of their heart. Please don't get mad at me, if you disagree with me and think otherwise. I believe in freedom of opinion, freedom of choice and freedom of speech.

Each case is different, and the only common rule we should follow is to settle any conflict and problem by peaceful means. For example, I am a Canadian, and I don't like to see Quebec separate from Canada.
" What is Canada without Quebec? ", I often ask myself this question. But what then if Quebec really wants to separate ? Then so be it ! They have the right to choose. 

Anyway, we now have a new, or rather a survived United Kingdom. Who are the true winners, the Scots or the Brits? What do you think?

I think the true winner is Freedom and Democracy. There were no bullets flying in Scotland. There was no fighting, no violence, no killing, and no civil war. It was a peaceful process of referendum and freedom of choice. To that, I salute !      

 

No comments:

Post a Comment