By: Daniel Nardini
In 2014, a referendum will be held in Scotland asking the Scottish people whether they want independence or remain part of the union with England. Before I say anything else, I should mention how the union with England first began. Before the year 1707, England and Scotland were two independent countries. However, they both had the same ruler. When Queen of England Elizabeth I died in 1603, her Scottish cousin James VI was offered the English crown since Elizabeth had no heirs. King James VI accepted and became King James I of England. Although both England and Scotland had the same monarch, the two countries remained independent states.
Then in 1707, both countries passed the Acts of Union that made England and Scotland essentially one country—Great Britain. That is what Great Britain has been ever since, and this union has worked for both countries. Within the past 40 years, the Scottish National Party has been making considerable headway in convincing a growing number of Scottish people that Scotland should go its own way. Most Scottish people certainly want autonomy for Scotland, and a degree of self-rule. But complete independence? This has yet to be seen. The Scottish people will most certainly get the chance for it. Many people are not sure what an independent Scotland will entail. Not many know what it will entail for England either.
The British government is trying very, very hard to convince the Scottish people that it is in their best interests to keep the union with England and remain part of Great Britain. The Scottish National Party is trying to convinces the Scottish people of the opposite. Which argument will prove the most persuasive will probably determine how the vote will go. There is a possibility that a vote for Scottish independence may also cause the Welsh to vote for independence. This is highly unlikely—the desire for independence in Wales is very low, and there is not much chance that any Scottish vote for independence will affect Wales. For now, we are in a countdown to the possibility of retaining Great Britain or independence for Scotland.
An Independent Scotland?
By: Daniel Nardini
Then in 1707, both countries passed the Acts of Union that made England and Scotland essentially one country—Great Britain. That is what Great Britain has been ever since, and this union has worked for both countries. Within the past 40 years, the Scottish National Party has been making considerable headway in convincing a growing number of Scottish people that Scotland should go its own way. Most Scottish people certainly want autonomy for Scotland, and a degree of self-rule. But complete independence? This has yet to be seen. The Scottish people will most certainly get the chance for it. Many people are not sure what an independent Scotland will entail. Not many know what it will entail for England either.
The British government is trying very, very hard to convince the Scottish people that it is in their best interests to keep the union with England and remain part of Great Britain. The Scottish National Party is trying to convinces the Scottish people of the opposite. Which argument will prove the most persuasive will probably determine how the vote will go. There is a possibility that a vote for Scottish independence may also cause the Welsh to vote for independence. This is highly unlikely—the desire for independence in Wales is very low, and there is not much chance that any Scottish vote for independence will affect Wales. For now, we are in a countdown to the possibility of retaining Great Britain or independence for Scotland.