Warspite1ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd
ORIGINAL: axisandallies
I have read that there is a movement for Scottish independence. Granted I don't think it's as big as French Canadian movement. Can I be correct in saying that there must be some sense of national pride, I mean when Scotland plays England in soccer. Also would a Scot get harassed if he had a T-shirt that said Scotland #1 walking down the streets of London?ORIGINAL: Punk Reaper
Wales and Scotland have there own Parliament with some limited powers. They are also represented in the British Parliament in London where the main decisions are made about taxation, foreign policy etc... In my experience the Welsh and the Scottish are more nationalist than the English (Remember they have their own language) Ask a Scot what his nationality is and he'll probably say Scottish, ask an Englishman what his nationality is and he will probably either say English or British.
I believe that this is due to history. The English were invaded by Rome and Romanised while Scotland and Wales were able to resist and retain there culture. Same happened but to a lesser extent under the Norman invasion. The English invaded Scotland and Wales on numerous occasions suppressing the population, thus creating a stronger bond on nationalism.
In my experience we all get along fine however you will always find some people who are resentful of the past and present wrongs and are either rude or want independence. (There is to be a vote on Scottish independence some) but the majority seem to see the benefits of a United Kingdom.
Now over to Judge for his opinion
Now, on a political level, Thatcher did nothing to ease the tensions in the UK when she systematically reduced Scotland in the 80's. She poured a wee bit of salt into the wound by "trying out" a controversial tax on a people she showed little respect for. Those things alone alienated the Scottish people from Central UK Government rule. Hence the push for devolution and independence.
Just a word in response to JudgeDredd on this point. I guess I come from the other side of the political divide, and while I would not for one moment suggest Lady Thatcher got everything right, she did get many of the cruicially important things right to drag this country kicking and screaming into the 20th century.
One of the most obvious exceptions and one which I still struggle to this day to understand is the Poll Tax. Personally I think it was a good idea - why should a 30-year old on £50,000 a year pay no local tax just because he lives with his parents while a young family on £20,000 does?
However, this was clearly going to be a difficult sell to the populace and yet despite that, the Tory government made the most unbelievable error. They "tested" it out on the Scottish first!!! Incredibly poor judgement and one for which I 've never heard an explantion....still I guess they are still paying for that error to this day - how many Tory MP's in Scotland?
