Teaching Comparative

Devolution to Independence

Devolution is one thing. Dissolution is something else. Where will the British draw the line? The BBC and the Guardian (UK) reported on the issues.

SNP campaign

"On Tuesday [today] it will be 300 years since the Anglo-Scots Union was passed through the Scottish Parliament.

"The anniversary of the new country of Great Britain falls on May 1st - just two days before Scots go to the polls to decide the makeup of the Scottish parliament.

"The SNP, which has long declared that independence is on the horizon is hoping to replace Labour as the largest party..."



Break-up of Union will sell both sides short

"With the 300th anniversary of parliamentary union, and four months to go until elections to the Edinburgh parliament, the question of Scottish independence is very much alive.

"Public opinion gives a mixed picture: the Scottish National Party is doing well - several surveys have suggested it could win a majority in the Holyrood parliament in May - but polls last week suggest more Scots are in favour of the union than are against it..."




UK's existence is at risk - Brown

"The identity of the United Kingdom is threatened by an 'opportunist group of nationalists', Gordon Brown has warned.

"The chancellor told the Fabian Society that some groups were 'playing fast and loose' with the union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"He said the UK was a country 'built on shared values' which served as a 'model for the rest of the world'...

"'It is very important to recognise that Britishness and Britain itself is not based on ethnicity and race,' he said. 'It is founded on shared values that we hold in common: a commitment to liberty for all, a commitment to social responsibility shown by all, and a commitment to fairness to all.'

"He said there was now a dividing line in Britain which pitted 'those of us who are prepared to support the shared values of the union' against 'those who are prepared to play fast and loose with the union and put the whole future of the union at risk'...

"Earlier, he had written an article in the Daily Telegraph where he criticised the Conservatives for siding with the nationalists over constitutional issues.

"In it he warned: 'It is now time for supporters of the union to speak up, to resist any drift towards a Balkanisation of Britain and to acknowledge Great Britain for the success it has been and is.'

"He attacked today's Conservatives for embracing 'anti-unionist positions' in collusion with nationalists - contrasting them with Lady Thatcher's determined support for the union.

"Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the chancellor was right to highlight the 'Faustian bargain' between the nationalists and the Tories.

"'They may have different motives but their actions will jointly lead to the same conclusion - the break-up of the union,' he said."

posted by Ken Wedding @ 8:16 AM