Scottish independence
Scottish independence is the name given to a movement of the Scottish people towards the creation of an independent sovereign state of Scotland, separate from the United Kingdom.
Before the promulgation of the Act of Union of 1707, Scotland was an independent kingdom ruled by its own monarchy and traditions, although the Scottish Crown had been in personal union with the Crown of England for a hundred years, since the accession of James VI and I as king of England. Scotland had maintained its independence for almost four centuries following a series of wars with English forces, now popularly known as the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Revival
The strength of a modern movement for Scottish independence was demonstrated by the results of the 1974 United Kingdom general election. Scottish voters surprised the British government in London by electing eleven members of the Scottish Nationalist Party to Parliament. This empowered the independence movement with greater leverage for the advancement of pro-independence agendas in the House of Commons.
The British government offered to create a semi-autonomous Scottish assembly to control some aspects of domestic policy, but set a high threshold on the numbers required to be in favour before they would act on their offer -- 40% or more of the electorate rather than a simple majority of those voting in the referendum. Although a majority of those voting in the referendum were in favour of the proposal, the 40% figure proved impossible to meet and so the offer was withdrawn. Further progress of the independence movement was stalled by the election of the noted Unionist, Margaret Thatcher, as prime minister of the United Kingdom as the head of a Conservative government.
Devolution
In 1997, the Conservative government was voted out of power and the Labour Party assumed control of the British agenda. Tony Blair became prime minister and was involved in an effort to accommodate the concerns of the Scottish independence movement. The result was a decision by Parliament to create a devolved government for Scotland granting control over most domestic policy to an elected Scottish parliament. In September 1997, a referendum was held and seventy-five percent of Scottish voters approved the devolution plan. In May 1999, Scotland held its first parliamentary election. The following July, the Scottish parliament was gaveled into session for the first time since a recess was declared in 1707. The Scottish parliament had one hundred twenty-nine members. The chief executive, comparable in power to the prime minister of the United Kingdom, was the first minister of Scotland.
In the spirit of the Scottish independence movement, an honoured Scottish poem called A Man's A Man for A' That was sung by activist Sheena Wellington at the opening of the Scottish parliament. The hymn by Robert Burns brought tears to the eyes of those attending. It continues to be the modern unofficial anthem of the Scottish independence movement.
- Is there for honest Poverty
- That hings his head, and a' that;
- The coward-slave, we pass him by,
- We dare be poor for a 'that!
- For a ' that and a' that,
- Our toils obscure, and a 'that,
- The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
- The Man's the gowd for a 'that.
- What though on hamely fare we dine,
- Wear hoddin grey, an a' that,
- Gie fools their siks, and knaves their wine,
- A Man's a Man for a ' that,
- For a' that, and a' that,
- Their tinsel show, and a' that;
- The honest man, though e'er sae poor,
- Is king o' men for a' that.
- Ye see yon birkie ca'd, a lord,
- Wha struts, and stares, and a' that,
- Though hundreds worship at his word,
- He's but a coof for a' that.
- For a' that, and a' that,
- His ribband, star and a' that,
- The man of independent mind,
- He looks and laughs at a' that.
- A prince can mak a belted knight,
- A marquis, duke, and a' that;
- But an honest man's aboon his might,
- Gude faith he mauna fa' that!
- For a' that, and a' that,
- Their dignities and a' that,
- The pith o' Sense, and pride O' Worth,
- Are higher rank than a' that.
- Then let us pray that come it may,
- As come it will for a' that,
- That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth
- Shall bear the gree, and a' that.
- For a' that, and a' that,
- It's comin yet for a' that
- That Man to Man the warld o'er,
- Shall brothers be for a' that.
Parties
Though the Scottish people achieved devolution and gained power over most of their affairs, a desire for complete independence continued. Nationalist political parties were strengthened with new supporters and efficient organizations. Scottish independence is currently supported most notably by the Scottish Independence Party, Scottish National Party, Scottish Socialist Party and the Scottish Green Party, as well as by a number of independent members of the Scottish parliament.
Criticisms
While the Scottish independence movement seems to have a large following, it does not lack criticism. Many Scottish citizens argue against independence for various reasons. A popular argument is that the Scottish economy wouldn't be able to flourish on its own. Others contend that since the inception of a revived Scottish parliament, nothing has been done to improve the lives of working class citizens and that the Scottish independence movement is a mere political game played by politicians bent on building prosperous careers rather than truly fight for self-determination. Some Scottish people who support the ideals of the European Union argue that there is no need to separate in a Europe that is trending towards unification, though others in the independence movement push for Scotland to be granted EU membership independent of the UK.
