Scotland
Sept 19, 2014 10:59:10 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2014 10:59:10 GMT -5
I should perhaps confess that I wrongly forecast Scottish independence. Alex Salmond is to step down as first minister of Scotland after voters decisively rejected independence. He will also resign as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) after the "No" side won Thursday's referendum by 2,001,926 to 1,617,989 for "Yes".
BBC News - Scottish referendum: Alex Salmond to quit as first minister
Glasgow voted 'Yes' to Scottish independence. When the polls closed last night, I commented that if the vote was close, Glasgow could swing it, but in the event, the Glasgow turnout was relatively low, and independence was already a lost cause. Writing for BBC News, Nick Robinson points out that the people have spoken. But it's not over. "English votes for English laws". It was a promise made in the last Conservative manifesto. It was and is very popular in England. There is a reason, however, why it hasn't been enacted. Nick concludes thus:
In the chapter on the evolution of Irish independence in the 20th century from his book 'Vanished Kingdoms: The History of Half-Forgotten Europe' (2011), the historian Norman Davies forecasts, with what some might consider a certain glee, Scotland’s secession and the break-up of the UK. In terms of World government, it is interesting how much the world seemed interested in avoiding Scottish independence. I suppose that it would have opened a can of worms, Sydney?
BBC News - Scottish referendum: Alex Salmond to quit as first minister
Glasgow voted 'Yes' to Scottish independence. When the polls closed last night, I commented that if the vote was close, Glasgow could swing it, but in the event, the Glasgow turnout was relatively low, and independence was already a lost cause. Writing for BBC News, Nick Robinson points out that the people have spoken. But it's not over. "English votes for English laws". It was a promise made in the last Conservative manifesto. It was and is very popular in England. There is a reason, however, why it hasn't been enacted. Nick concludes thus:
" ... It could create two classes of MP. It might mean a government has a majority to pass certain laws but not others (if, for example, the next Labour government did not have a majority of MPs in England).
What's known as the West Lothian question hasn't been answered since it was first asked in 1977. (The question was, Why should the MP for Blackburn in West Lothian in Scotland be able to vote on English matters when the MP for Blackburn in Lancashire can't vote on Scottish issues?)
This referendum may have ended one debate in Scotland - for now. It has, however, lit the touchpaper on the explosive question of where power lies in the UK."
What's known as the West Lothian question hasn't been answered since it was first asked in 1977. (The question was, Why should the MP for Blackburn in West Lothian in Scotland be able to vote on English matters when the MP for Blackburn in Lancashire can't vote on Scottish issues?)
This referendum may have ended one debate in Scotland - for now. It has, however, lit the touchpaper on the explosive question of where power lies in the UK."
In the chapter on the evolution of Irish independence in the 20th century from his book 'Vanished Kingdoms: The History of Half-Forgotten Europe' (2011), the historian Norman Davies forecasts, with what some might consider a certain glee, Scotland’s secession and the break-up of the UK. In terms of World government, it is interesting how much the world seemed interested in avoiding Scottish independence. I suppose that it would have opened a can of worms, Sydney?