There has been a lot of fuss this week about the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the proposed referendum in Scotland. Apparently this will be held in the autumn of 2014 and will be to decide if Scotland will remain part of the union.
Many questions have been posed, such as which currency, what taxation, what will happen to oil money and will the Queen still keep Balmoral.
The question that hasn’t been asked, however, is how come only the Scots are going to be able to decide their future. Why won’t the residents of England, Wales and Northern Ireland get a chance to have their say? Why can’t I throw my hat into the ring as I may have strong views as to whether or not they should stay or go as well?
Is it right in any marriage or partnership that only one side has the right to say whether they split or stay together? I don’t think so.
Modern democracy should be about the right of all people to have a say in the running of their government – universal sufferance. A referendum only in Scotland is un-democratic.
Whether or not you care about the Scottish question, you should care about the dilution of your democratic rights.
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 
It is up to the Scots alone to decide whether or not they wish to remain part of the union.
Imagine the relationship between Scotland and the Rest of Union as a relationship between a couple (I know, far-fetched but bear with me…). If one of the partners (partner A) wishes to break off the relationship it would be grossly unfair for the other partner (partner B) to say “I’m not going to let you break up the relationship because I don’t us to break up”. All the other partner could do is put forward a case for keeping the relationship going.
We might say Partner B was being unreasonable and couldn’t possibly prevent Partner B from terminating the relationship.
The relationship between Scotland and England – because that’s what its really about – is no different to the relationship between Partners A & B. Its more complicated but at its basis is a contract. Contracts like every other legal arrangement can be put aside.
BTW, I would like Scotland to remain part of the UK. Ultimately though, its for the Scots to decide.
Thanks, you are right of course but my argument is that shouldn’t partner B aslo have a say? What if, for example, the Welsh would like Scotland to leave the union? Should they not have the right to have a say? It might be, though I doubt it, that if the whole of the United Kingdom held a referendum, Scotland would be asked to leave.
BTW, I don’t really have a view other than I think the concept of nation states is a little past its sell by date. I just thought it might be of interest.