Relax Essex Man
Well, it's been a really busy day what with work and printing off 4000 leaflets and folding and delivering millions etc etc. But I will always make time for my family and my brother in law is quite upset that I haven't posted today which is pretty handy because what I had planned to do was a special posting just for him.
Paul reads my blog with interest (which I appreciate) and then loves to tell me that the SNP has no chance. Coming from Essex and living in Manchester he's got his finger on the pulse of Scottish politics obviously and last night, in response to my posting he told me: "your country is the UK, get used to it". I don't know if he realises that my sister passes on his words of wisdom but he will now 
.
So, I just want to reassure Paul because I know he's worried about losing Scotland. I want to reassure him that I have no doubt in my mind that England CAN go it alone. The English people have the intelligence and the resourcefulness to make a success of their country as an independent nation. It's not good for you to be dependant on us and it's not necessary. How many nations in the world can't run their own affairs? Now Paul will think I am being facetious but I'm not. Not at all. As Alex Salmond said recently, when Scotland becomes Independent "England will lose a surly lodger and gain a good neighbour". And Paul, that silly rumour that Scots wouldn't be able to visit their granny in Blackpool if we had the nerve to run our own government - not an ounce of truth in it, I'll still be able to pop down and visit 
.
England will be going it alone?. How about the Welsh and Northern Irish? They probably wouldn't take too kindly to the 'English' label.
Would you not say that Scotland is an integral part of the UK?. The Union of the Crowns occured over 200 years before the formation of the German and Italian states so it's a pretty long stay for this 'lodger'. Bear in mind that many Scots would possibly say they had taken out a mortgage with their English neighbours, co-habited happily and had now become part of the happy family.
The Tories, who are strangely strong in Scottish Parliament elections, Labour and Lib Debs are all pro union. My and their point is that independence will not necessarily be beneficial to the average Scottish citizen.
I'm all for devolution of the areas of the UK - which you lot have already achieved and which gives you a good deal of autonomy in several key areas but I'm entirely unconvinced by this 'running our own affairs' line. The logical conclusion to this argument is that all nation states should fracture into ever smaller parts, including the fracture of an independant Scotland so that the government better reflects the constituent parts.
Are you not still looking forward to the first friendly match at Hampden between the UK football 11 and France. I reckon Ferguson will be chosen as manager. (Comment this)
Very nice of you to support devolution ;-) but it's too restricting. You are right about one thing though, post Independence I DO see further devolution of decision making to local communities as a logical step. Power to the people Paul - it's an old cliche but one I firmly believe in.
Oh the other thing you were right about - we've bunked up together for too long. Love the mortgage analogy but the beauty of a mortgage is that you can move it around, you don't have to stay with the one bank forever. I appreciate you will probably never find a lender with the same value and flexibility as Scotland, but remember, we're friends so I'm sure we'll be able to advise on home improvements etc ;-) (Comment this)