IT was pleasing but hardly a surprise to see it acknowledged that, according to research from Sir John Curtice, the nationalism behind support for Scottish independence is a “rather different” concept of identity to the nationalism underpinning Brexit.
Focusing as it did on sovereignty and immigration, it is noted that the argument for Brexit was more exclusive in tone than a campaign for Scottish independence that suggested Scotland should pool its sovereignty with the EU, and which promoted a civic understanding of who is Scottish. For many generations, Scottish nationalists have been lambasted as being “anti-English”, “racist”, “narrow-minded” and “parochial”.
READ MORE: Scottish independence 'different type of nationalism' to Brexit, researchers say
Research from Professor Curtice now shows that in Scotland, 59% of those who oppose independence say that being born in Scotland matters to being truly Scottish. Among supporters of independence the figure is 50%. Indeed, 51% of Unionists say Scottish ancestry matters to being Scottish, while only 42% of independence supporters agree.
So, it appears that those who support independence are more inclusive in nature than those who oppose it and support a civic notion of Scottish identity.
The irony in all this is that supporters of the Union are more likely to bear the exclusive and unpleasant nationalist traits they accuse supporters of Scottish independence as having, and may want to pause and reflect given the findings of this report.
Alex Orr
Edinburgh
THIS year marks the centenary of the election of my great grandfather Samuel Clowes to the House of Commons.
“Honest Sam”, the son of a miner, worked his way from apprenticeship to active trade unionist. He negotiated wage increases and was active in the promotion of safeguards for workers’ health and went on to be the Labour MP for Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
The Fabian Society favoured a national minimum wage in order to stop industries lowering wages instead of investment, and the development of a health service so that we would be more productive rather than “stunted, anaemic, demoralised denizens”.
READ MORE: Labour must take inspiration from Scotland's 'fair' tax system, SNP demand
Now we have a Labour Party supporting two-child cap rape clauses and scrapping the Winter Fuel Payment.
Age Scotland report that 43% of people over 50 live in fuel poverty, 12% claim pension credit with many more eligible. 60% of our people are totally reliant on an inadequate state pension and one-quarter of people in their late 50s have stopped saving for retirement.
As a result of Tory and now Labour austerity we are now living in poorer health, for longer with less money.
READ MORE: Labour have 'done nothing less than cut UK pensions', policy expert says
Another man of the 1920s, George Orwell, wrote in Animal Farm that “the creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig … but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
Honest Sam would be aligned with a party that negotiated with unions, had the best public-sector pay and strived to improve the living conditions for all. He would not be in Jackie Baillie’s cardboard trough of a “Labour” party.
To quote The Wire, “it makes me sick to see how far we done fell.”
Rebecca Machin
Ardvannie
BRIAN Lawson in Tuesday’s paper writes about difficulty in getting GP appointments and goes on about those going private because of this. Recently many news articles have commented on the numbers of medical professionals emigrating. Take the two together and the cause of the first can be seen in part.
About 60 years ago I had a conversation with a young French person visiting Scotland in which the same subject cropped up – plus ca change!
He then informed me that in France, anyone whose higher education was financed by the state had to work for a period of time in public service or repay the cost of the education received. Could something similar not be done here? It would go someway towards solving the problems in health, care and education employee retention.
Drew Reid
Falkirk
I’M lost for superlatives to express my experience with our NHS Scotland. I had surgery at Glasgow Royal Infirmary last Sunday in theatre G, performed by Adam and a team of nurses Lynda, Lauran, Kay and Betty. They were all more by far than I could ask or hope for, or even think of.
A huge hug to them all and to the Scottish Government through the ether, and The National.
Liz Hannah
via email
IT would appear that the much-heralded GB Energy will not be an energy company. Is it just me or does that not seem stupid? Oops,
I just remembered that it comes from Westminster.
M Ross
Aviemore
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