NORMAL LIFE: Scottish Nationalism Threats Unity

Despite developments within the European Union, nationalism seems to be becoming more prevalent than ever; this is exacerbated by increased immigration and the taking up of employment which would otherwise remain with the 'natives' of such countries. Even Scottish nationalists, not satisfied with having their own assembly, want Scotland to become an independent country.

If anything, I would like to think that the United Kingdom serves as an example of how countries can cooperate together. In the UK, we have an official language that serves it's purpose: to unite the people during the course of everyday activities, be it trade, politics, education, health and whatnot. I'm no big fan of the current labour government (Indeed, one of the reasons I left that UK was because there was no government support for young people such as myself to buy a home of their own), but Gordon Brown rightly pointed out that the future will be 'characterised by interdependence'.

This interdependence is already observable throughout Europe with swathes or labour and sources of goods crossing the numerous borders. For Scotland to start pulling away from it's closest border, England, would be catastrophic, not just culturally and economically but for the families who have relatives in both countries. Worst case scenario, what if Scotland went one further and pulled away from the European Union? Would England then be forced into a position to decide whether or not they were Europeans or would they choose to salvage what was left of Britain?

What really gets to me is how political Europe has become. Gordon Brown refers to the 'Balkanisation of the UK', comparing Scotland's possible split from the UK to the split of the former Yugoslavio into five distinct countries. Overseas, the UK is recognised - perhaps inaccurately - as a single entity. This view is supported by a Chinese colleague who, a few years ago, asked me: "Why do you and your Scottish colleagues sound so different when you speak?". You wouldn't believe how difficult is was for me to explain that we are actually from different countries. In her mind, the UK was viewed as a greater entity combined than viewing Scotland or England in isolation.

Given the influx of foreigners to my native homeland, I can somehow understand why Britishness itself may need redefining. And I somehow understand why Scottish people would like to stand up and make a point, given the way the English have treated Scotland in the past. However, we can't let such political correctness get in the way of destroying what is a unique set of shared values and traditions which the world admires.

Read more here and here.