“Scottish – British” three century old union in final relationship crises for “continuity or divorce” from the BRITISH FAMILY OF NATIONS. “Old Indian masters” displayed respect for global human values of the day to settle the Challenge by Vote culture?
The significant- 9% members of British family, living in Scotland will hold referendum by ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ deciding, continuity of relationship with U.K. The ‘Yes’ by Scots for independence would mean the end to a political union that began in 1707. This development may have lot of direct/indirect impact across the world. The Scotland is a diverse country of 5.3 million people. Its major industries are Oil and Gas, Whisky, Financial services, Tourism. While it is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture, it is a modern country with great potential. Scotland is of great significance to the US as a component part of its greatest ally, the U.K. The Scotland’s economy depends a great deal on the American market; in turn love Scottish locations for holiday destination therefore its future is important to Washington.
The population of Scotland is 0.53 Cr which is less than 9% for total U.K. population of 6.41 Cr. The Scotland has 1/3 of the total area of the UK, covering 78,772 square km out of total UK area of 2,43,610 sq. km. The first devolution referendum favoring Scottish was held in 1979, second in 1997 and now crucial referendum for Independence on 18th Sept 2014. The Scottish population density per Sq Km is 68 against 413 for England, 149 for Wales & 135 for N.I. The Scottish population in U.S.A. connecting their ancestry is referred to be around 20 million and similar number for Scottish-Irish, Australia 5 ml, Canada 4.5 ml, Brazil 1 ml, Netherlands 0.75 ml, Poland 0.5 ml and other parts of U.K. housed 2 million. The religious breakup of Scottish has; Church of Scotland 32.4%, Roman Catholic- 15.9%, Other Christian-5.5%, Islam-1.4%, Hinduism-0.3%, Buddhism-.2%, Sikhism-0.2%, Judaism-0.1%, Other religion-0.3%, No religion-36.7%, Religion not stated-7.0%.
The opinion poll surveys reflect a surge in support for independence in the recent weeks, raising the biggest internal challenge to the UK since Irish independence almost a century ago. The “Sun & Times” newspapers put the Scottish support for the union at 52 % versus support for independence at 48% excluding those who said they did not know how they would vote. The Guardian/ICM poll published showed for the union on 51% and separatist on 49%. Mr Cameron made emotional speech in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh saying,” ‘he would be heartbroken if the Scots opted for divorce. “I don’t want my children to grow up in world where if they choose Edinburgh University, they are going to be in a foreign country.” The political elite in Britain believe that Scotland could vote to leave despite Queen having told well- wishers outside the church in West minister, “Well, hope people will think very carefully about future”.
The natives of New Punjab have an opportunity to introspect events shaping up on former Lords of India. The events refresh memories connecting their relationship history of 65 +100 years for Punjab v/s New Delhi especially on ill founded profiles constructed in 1947 platform by amalgamation of many state nations. The Red Fort arrogance with times resumed absolute centralized authority, though intermittently challenged by few, but New Delhi continues the display of “Governance Might”, on most of the subjects, on the lines of the past inheritance of British colonial culture. “British” are readjusting themselves, but we are dreaming to practice on the medieval times. Our worthy Minister for External Affairs in a Media response last week for the upcoming referendum 18TH Sept 2014, for independence of Scotland Province, U.K. ,innocently shared inner voice saying “I don’t think any possibility of that, God forbid it should happen,” but made quick comeback with the help from Foreign Secretary, seated beside her, “It’s for Scotland to decide.”
The British are making every possible democratic effort to avoid “divorce” between their Union for Scotland. The Scottish otherwise enjoys a large measure of devolution, having had their own parliament since 1999 with the power to legislate in policy areas such as education, health, housing and justice. Further devolution, often referred to as ‘devo max’ could see all other powers handed over to the Scotland except defense and foreign affairs. The chancellor of the Exchequer expressed opinion that,” we will not share the Pound if Scotland separates from rest of the UK” and sharing the currency after independence may be equivalent to “couple divorcing” but keeping a joint bank account. Mr Cameron, the British P.M. stated that,” We do not want this family of nations to be separated. The former PM. Mr John Major (Premier from 1990 to 1997) said,” We face constitutional revolution” though many could have cried, stating conditions for constitutional crises.
Therefore, few expressed that the campaign for Scottish independence is not borne out of whimsical misty-eyed sentiments, nor is driven by “anti-Englishness.” It is instead driven by a gradual loss of faith in the capacity of UK governance to deliver democracy and fairness for Scots. Independence advocates, disillusioned by seeing government in London that Scotland did not vote for, and increasingly concerned about the socio-economic decisions they take, have looked to the success of devolution, seen the difference that Scottish governments in Edinburgh have made in taking decisions for Scotland, and have deduced that the time has come for the Scottish Parliament to have “full” – rather than “partial autonomy.”
Some of other conflict areas brought out by media, such as; British fails to recognize Scotland’s unique needs, values and aspirations-Scotland’s interests are always secondary to England’s. The UK is run by parties which Scotland rejected. Scotland willingly agrees to take responsibility for the taxes it spends, and mould policies to its needs and raise the taxes to match its spending but British is apposed with reasons that giving Scotland control over taxation and welfare would heavily impact all parts of the UK, require reform of the UK Parliament and undermine “internal unity”. But refuted by Scotland that there is no reason why they “cannot control their own destiny,” become equal to England, and take its “suitable place” in the world. The England cautioned that the Scotland would face greater financial risks, lose the security of UK, and gain little that further devolution would give. It would rely on a foreign bank and be in damaging competition with “larger neighbor” etc.
India’s Punjab province, despite being Federal Member Nation of Indian Union is not yet in reckoning on such parallel equations of IreLanders or Scottish. The new lessons under evolution may finally be educative for re-positioning “inter-relationship” within Indian Union linked to “Scottish – British” mutual respect & dignity for solutions displayed. The emotional crises involving war on the human minds may one day invite attention of the “Red Fort”. British in present home conditions have not dared to evoke “under belt hit” methods invented & experimented earlier on “Indian colony”. They did not allege that there is foreign hand in Scottish demands. British while Governing India, used to insert stage managed events to divide communities and hurt segregating them on religious or other grounds but now “facing music” by turn of natural Scottish challenge on their own land. New Delhi, could learn lesson by not getting paranoid on the use of world Nation by partner states for their cultural-linguistic survivals for being a Tamilian, Maratha, Andharite, Kerlite, Punjabi, Bengali nations etc.