With the turmoil of war, and economic chaos, gripping the global arena, let's throw some more kindling on the bonfire, shall we?
Scotland, according to a recent poll, has a lot of people thinking that the northern kingdom is ready to exit the United Kingdom, and become its own, sovereign entity. The support for secession is not quite enough to get the job done, but support for the idea is increasing.
Among the greatest concerns is whether, or not, to keep English currency. The pound is not exactly performing brilliantly, but pollsters are not necessarily convinced that a Scottish currency would fare much better.
Supporters of the "Yes" movement are travelling for a meeting to the seaside town where the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320 in a highly symbolic move that recalls the historic document signed by Scottish nobles rejecting English rule.
Independence campaigners welcome the rise in Yes support, calling the poll "encouraging," and proclaiming that as an independent country, Scotland could put its wealth to work in ways that is not possible as part of the United Kingdom.
Critics of the campaign for Scottish independence questions why the Scots are not offering a positive vision of Scotland within the United Kingdom. Those that oppose independence assure voters that a "No vote" would secure more powers for the Scottish Parliament.
Better Together, a group supporting a "No vote," has placed a lot of importance upon the need to keep the currency together. "The currency matters. It matters to our jobs. It matters in terms of how much we pay for our rent and our mortgage and it matters to our pensions, savings and benefits."
Fears also fuel the drive for rejecting independence. "This poll shows people are rejecting, by a margin of two to one, the risk and uncertainty of independence. If we say No thanks, we can have the best of both worlds in Scotland: a strong Scottish Parliament with more powers guaranteed and the strength, security and stability of the UK."
The vote is about two weeks away.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
Yes Vote Advancing Despite Currency Fears - The Scotsman
1 comment:
'...and become its own, sovereign entity.'
I presume that you are referring to the concept of national sovereignty. There is, however, another aspect of sovereignty which is not addressed - where sovereignty lies. In English constitutional law sovereignty lies with parliament - the supremacy of parliament - whereas in Scottish constitutional law sovereignty rests with the people (the registered electorate).
A 1954 legal finding by Lord Cooper in the Scottish Court of Session contains the following -
'...The principle of the unlimited sovereignty of Parliament is a distinctly English principle which has no counterpart in Scottish -constitutional law...'
- MacCormick v Lord Advocate 1954 (1953 SC 396).
'Its [the devolved Scottish Parliament] claims to original authority are twofold: its basis in the referendum of 1997 as an act of self-determination; and the residual traditions of Scottish constitutional law and practice which never accorded untrammelled sovereignty to Westminster.'
SOURCE: 'SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE: A Practical Guide', by Jo Eric Murkens with Peter Jones and Michael Keating, p.296, ISBN 0-7486-1699-3.
'...If the Scottish people expressed a desire for independence the stage would be set for a direct clash between what is the English doctrine of sovereignty and the Scottish doctrine of the sovereignty of the people,'
SOURCE: 'The Operation of Multi-Layer Democracy', Scottish Affairs Committee Second Report of Session 1997-1998, HC 460-I, 2 December 1998, paragraph 27.
Michael Follon
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