tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post983397992998159133..comments2024-03-22T07:20:37.601+00:00Comments on Dave MacLeod blog: Scotland - what to decide? A starting place in the decision making processDave MacLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-28058376419941449862014-09-16T13:04:13.627+00:002014-09-16T13:04:13.627+00:00John, the relevance of suicides is the success of ...John, the relevance of suicides is the success of the political system in promoting wellbeing of the people. And it's failing. The fact that the suicide rate is high across the UK is by the by - it's the high rate that makes us want to change something, at a deep level. <br /><br />The policies of Alex Salmond aren't relevant - we will have a Scottish general election to choose the appropriate government after the referendum. The point is, we have an opportunity to cut away the dead wood of an archaic political system of the UK and reset many of the unhealthy aspects of the way the UK is going. I am not planning any currency union (yet). I am deciding whether I want to live in Britain or Scotland. Once all the political bluffing ahead of the referendum is passed, we can start to make choices about specifics. The currency, while not unimportant, it not the be all and end all of life. Is it really what you would decide on given that business and politics is there to use it as a tool to scare us to death into avoiding having to change.<br /><br />In response to your last point - again, it's not just about the level of representation (although it is one ingredient in a big picture). The entire political and societal system needs reformed. We may not lack an identity but so many of us feel that we cannot fully express it. And we also feel that the many strengths of the Union are outweighed by it's drawbacks. The relationship would be much healthier as equals in a European Union.Dave MacLeodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-75357874189832885552014-09-16T12:48:23.633+00:002014-09-16T12:48:23.633+00:00Ian, I agree it's not inevitable. I'm not ...Ian, I agree it's not inevitable. I'm not sure how that changes the argument, since it is still much more likely than in the UK. I'm not sure about Scottish Labour disintegrating after a Yes vote. Surely it would have a chance to make a comeback since it wouldn't have to be Tory anymore. And even if it doesn't, a demise of a party doesn't alter the feelings of the people - a new political landscape will emerge. Dave MacLeodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02442169589581067050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-87985985077033448182014-09-16T12:34:27.766+00:002014-09-16T12:34:27.766+00:00I think that the notion that Scotland will be left...I think that the notion that Scotland will be left-leaning is not inevitable. Current and proposed SNP policies are not at all left-leaning (freeze council tax, lower business taxes) and it is quite likely that Scottish Labour will disintegrate after a 'yes' vote, leaving space for a Tory revival. My guess is that not much will change but if it does it will be to the right rather than the left.Ian Sommerville.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08250241252861339865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-38902498833310060702014-09-15T12:21:21.777+00:002014-09-15T12:21:21.777+00:00Many of the problems you mention are significant a...Many of the problems you mention are significant and real, but I am not convinced the answer is the divisiveness of divorce. Scottish people do not seem to lack an identity, and there are positive strengths to the Union. Membership of Union did not prevent the Scottish Enlightenment happening. Already Scotland has much more control over its own affairs as a result of its membership of the Scottish Parliament (which endorsed the government's actions over the Iraq War). There was widespread opposition from across the UK to the Iraq War, and of course Westminster Parliament blocked Cameron over action in Syria. Not persuaded that the Scottish Parliament is less likely to get involved in wars; Salmond has already said that Scotland will join NATO.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07628532437907997596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-14663837721373095832014-09-15T12:14:35.588+00:002014-09-15T12:14:35.588+00:00Also not sure what makes you think that this will ...Also not sure what makes you think that this will create a more representative and progressive society? The SNP is proposing a 3% cut in corporation tax to lure large companies. It also opposed a 50% top rate of tax, bankers’ bonus tax, the mansion tax. Alex Salmond has a close relationship with Rupert Murdoch. You will lose a democratic imput on decisions made by the rest of the UK, despite the fact that they will have a massive impact (and that you are planning to be in a currency union with them).Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07628532437907997596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-41263664518802732032014-09-15T10:44:52.676+00:002014-09-15T10:44:52.676+00:00Not sure of the relevance of suicide rates to the ...Not sure of the relevance of suicide rates to the argument. The higher incidence of suicide seems to be more to do with poorer access/attitudes towards appropriate mental health services than in other parts of the UK, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-18374755 Mental illness in Scotland is no higher than in the rest of the UK. Of course, the fact that this is the biggest cause of death in the age group you mention partly reflects the success in reducing other causes; the incidence is still low (and comparable with Norway, Sweden).Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07628532437907997596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-22803378898035408662014-09-15T10:40:57.520+00:002014-09-15T10:40:57.520+00:00Not sure that Scottish ideals are that different f...Not sure that Scottish ideals are that different from the rest of the UK, see: http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2014/09/the-myth-of-meritocratic-scotland/Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07628532437907997596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-17858029303768624502014-09-08T19:26:12.588+00:002014-09-08T19:26:12.588+00:00Hi Dave,
I posted the following to some friends an...Hi Dave,<br />I posted the following to some friends and one lead me to your posting. I agree very much with your rationale,will and sentiment. Here's an English perspective that surprise surprise has little air time:<br />For me: a Brit, an English Man, A European or a world citizen the vote on who represents you should always be about who represents you most fairly and justly. The argument for the most part has been framed by the English establishment in terms of economic sensibility because they thought they could rig that boxing ring. If the Scots have the confidence to better represent themselves, good on them. This referendum represents a miraculous opportunity born from the fact that your enemies will always make a mistake; so long as you wait patiently and are ready to act. The debate has finally turned to the realisation that this now represents a unique opportunity to divorce Scotland from the opulent and corrupt nature of the Tories vision for the UK. The focusing of the discussion was achieved not by what Salmon or Darling brought to the table, in the last debate, but by what the speakers from the audience had to say. They spoke in isolation but they spoke as one; and they were spot on. If they vote 'yes', I won't stop being a Brit and neither will they. The powers that be use notions that Scotland will become a foreign land to whip up our clasping hand. For most of us our sense of who we are, in relation to where we are, is born of our experience. My interaction with the lands that extend north and theirs south will be no less free than those that extend throughout Europe, in fact more so because our land is one. Instead of turning away from Europe, which we are all too often encouraged to do, shouldn't we be looking at it as the positive force that it was designed to be; providing an equitable structure which frames local decision making. // The Scots know how much Labour turned to the right in '97. Darling acknowledged this; he literally shook and his voice quivered in response to the attacks from the audience. Yes the rest of the UK will lose many Labour seats; but the Labour seats in Scotland that will have to face a new political consensus that rejects corporate greed and the destruction of our compassionate structures. The consciences of north and south have always been intertwined with or without political overlord. Scotland's independence could prove a critical juncture in terms of revitalising the intelligent and compassionate agenda in the south. // Paths need to be walked down to exist. For the strength and liberty of the Albion, go for it. But don't forget, that the battle has not been won with a victorious 'Yes'; it's what you do next that counts, it always does after a decision has been made. And it counts as much for us the people in the southern lands as it does for yours in the north. If the answer is "No", be sure of one thing, the political establishment in Westminster will never be so foolish to present this opportunity again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-67456140534430560352014-09-06T09:22:42.837+00:002014-09-06T09:22:42.837+00:00Great piece Dave...good on you!
John ApplebyGreat piece Dave...good on you!<br /><br />John ApplebyFootless Crowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08545519120244657632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-69812092951919712652014-09-05T15:58:08.548+00:002014-09-05T15:58:08.548+00:00Well writ and reasoned, Dave. I will share massive...Well writ and reasoned, Dave. I will share massively, if you don't mind.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Dayton (formerly of Tiso!)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474324057645871612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-72678791413289040112014-09-04T19:38:29.568+00:002014-09-04T19:38:29.568+00:00Nice piece, Dave... so much more thoughtful than t...Nice piece, Dave... so much more thoughtful than the interminable mudslinging!Peter Dugganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16785384885138013463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29070294.post-43735786895445539852014-09-04T19:16:19.560+00:002014-09-04T19:16:19.560+00:00Great post Dave. Very well presented. We dont need...Great post Dave. Very well presented. We dont need to be scared of doing what we feel is right.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12140009100075426940noreply@blogger.com