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| Britain |
| A Yearning to Get Away English-Free |
| 2007-05-01 |
More at the link. The article runs long. Also you need to subscribe to view the rest of the story. Anger Over Britain's Role in Iraq Bolsters Support for Scottish Independence DUNDEE, Scotland -- Douglas Murray Thomson, a proud Scot who wears kilts, would very much like to see Scotland break away from England and become independent. He said his oil-rich nation of 5 million people would fare better without being taxed and ruled by politicians hundreds of miles south in London. Many Scots agree with him, and opinion polls show that an overwhelming majority want the issue put to a vote. While the cry to go it alone is as old as the heather in the Highlands, the passion with which it is now being debated suggests the strength of rising nationalism here, and the uneasy relationship between Scotland and England on the 300th anniversary of their political union. Alex Salmond, center, head of the Scottish National Party, discusses his party's goals with John Nicoll, a Scottish voter. Many concede that an independent Scotland is unlikely soon. (By Mary Jordan -- The Washington Post) A desire to be Scottish, not British, is behind the calls for an independent Scotland. So is outrage that the British Parliament voted Scottish troops into the Iraq war. There is also the stunning economic success of Ireland, Scotland's smaller neighbor, which won independence from Britain nearly a century ago. "No doubt we could manage our own country," said Thomson, 73, a retired tire inspector. He was sitting in an outdoor cafe in this seaside city, where a medieval castle along the coast stands as a reminder of the long-ago time when Scots were ever-vigilant against English invaders. Many here concede that an independent Scotland is unlikely anytime soon, if ever. But the Scottish National Party, once a fringe group dedicated to Scottish independence, is expected to be the top vote-getter in important local elections May 3, and that is causing more than a wee bit of political heartburn in England. Scottish actor Sean Connery, who once served "queen and country" in the role of Her Majesty's most famous secret agent, 007, supports the SNP and says he would move back from his adopted home in the Bahamas if Scotland broke away from England. "There will never be a better opportunity than now," Connery, 76, said on the party's Internet site. |
| Posted by:Clineger Theck8297 |
| #4 The sooner the Scots leave Westminster, the better. Let them foul their own nest if they wish but not others. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2007-05-01 19:16 |
| #3 They aren't. Scottish politics are heavily leftist. It would be a good deal for England proper though, as the political balance would jump way to the right apparently. |
| Posted by: Crererong Bonaparte1378 2007-05-01 19:09 |
| #2 How many English tears will be shed? |
| Posted by: ed 2007-05-01 18:11 |
| #1 --There is also the stunning economic success of Ireland, Scotland's smaller neighbor, which won independence from Britain nearly a century ago. -- Thanks to common sense tax policies and American companies - but how willing are the Scots to do that? |
| Posted by: anonymous2u 2007-05-01 17:13 |