THE words “Union” and “Commonwealth” are highly deceptive, propaganda words. The British empire was never about “common wealth” for all or a democratic or equal union – it was always about divisive imperial rule. Words fool us.
It is this UK Union that is divisive. It has divided people in Ireland, by encouraging sectarianism and suppressive orange troops. It has divided people in Scotland, with remote landlords, forced emigration, elitism, suppression of Scots language, dress, history and culture. Those who talk of “divisive votes” are trying to deny us our democratic right for a voice. Ruth Davidson is right, “Unionism” has been imposed on us by outside forces, but Unionism is a false, divisive word.
By contrast, democratic will and votes are never divisive: they mean government by the people for the people. Democratic votes must be welcomed and embraced. This year we celebrate women’s suffrage, and also male suffrage in 1918 after the great war. There was no democratic vote 300 years ago and only landowning men (around 5% of the population) had any say. The union between Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England was divisive. It was about imposing one religion at a time when religious wars were raging across Europe early 18th century. Religious divides are no longer central and religion has no part to play in modern governments.
Some may say we are stronger united, but we are not united! But we can all be united in building a better Scotland – where all races and creeds pull together – that works closely with our neighbours and is united with our European neighbours. Europe today is united in goals for peace and trade and working together. The EU is not about centralising control, but about all sovereign nations pulling together. I noticed on remote Western Isles the European money for infrastructure, to protect Gaelic, and to protect endangered species.
And where does sovereignty lie here – with the people or with a centralising government? In America each state is sovereign, but their borders are also fluid. I assume they have regulatory alignment and a customs union! Each state has its own constitution and is sovereign, and then comes together with the federal government for defence and federal roads. Federalism works from the ground up, compared to devolution which is handed down from a centralised control. The imposition of old-fashioned centralised control causes great dissatisfaction and divisions.
My contention is that it is the “Union” that is divisive by centralising control. It is Unionism that pits well-heeled pensioners against young families, that encourages them-and-us beliefs, divides border towns against northern coastal villages, or pits Edinburgh and London against each other. We must find common cause for all who live in Scotland: for a country that works for all citizens and not only the privileged. Where all have a free voice.
The young Robert Burns admired independent-minded freedom fighters such as Hannibal and William Wallace, and from his writing it is clear he supported democratic values and votes for all men. Equality means we all deserve equal rights, but it does not mean we are all the same. Humans have succeeded because of their diversity and also from co-operation. I believe in some capitalism (as in Sweden) but also far more social programmes to benefit all.
There is strength and unity in pulling together for a more forward-looking, modern Scotland. One not centred on Edinburgh or Glasgow but that embraces all constituent parts – from isolated, beautiful Highlands and islands to the rolling hills of our border towns.
Pauline Keightley
Glasgow
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