I can just recollect my father telling us that he had signed the ‘Scottish Covenant’ in 1949 when 2 million Scots pledged themselves “In all loyalty to the Crown, and within the framework of the United Kingdom, to do everything in our power to secure for Scotland a Parliament with adequate legislative authority in Scottish affairs.” This was Home Rule as it was then, and as someone who had recently spent the best part of 5 years of his life in the RAMC with the Welsh Division of the British Army in Bedfordshire, France, and Germany, he saw no anomaly in signing.
He, as I was, would have been delighted when the Scottish Parliament was established in 1997 but I’m sure he would not have supported the total separation that is now being considered.
I myself spent 5 years of my early career in the exotic purlieus of London and Cambridge when my attitude to England and the English was formed.
I found both, with some exceptions, to be benign, relaxed and hospitable, and I continue to appreciate numerous good natured and cordial friendships I made at that time, and indeed I have sometimes benefitted from subsequent business connections. They recognise me as a Scot, but would hate to consider me a foreigner! It is mutual.
I also worked in Australia for some time and saw at first hand a federal system of government in operation, and the ability of State and Federal Governments to negotiate effectively even when politically opposite. There are areas of Britain that may benefit in due course from a federal system to offset the overweening influence of London, but I know that Scotland’s status as a nation will ensure that it will continue to develop its unique form of Independence within the United Kingdom.
Therefore, as this extravagant long referendum campaign enters its final lap for these very simple reasons I propose to vote NO in September.
I stress that these musings are personal reflections and are not intended to influence anyone in any way; and I am not on Facebook or Twitter.