Scotland’s independence

Scotland’s independence

I)         Background

   Scotland was united with England in 1603 by the accession of Jacques VI of Scotland to the English throne after the death of Elizabeth I. Since the 1930s the Scots want more autonomy from the central government. Scot already possesses certain autonomy because they possess their own government and their parliament however subjected to the British authority.

II)         The arguments for the separation of Scotland

   Much of the Scottish population claims its independence. This decision can be explained by their sense of being Scottish rather than British.

Furthermore, Scots are traditionally more to the left than English. Indeed, the Scots are opposed to liberalism advocated by the British. Indeed, Scots are set against the liberalism that advocate English. They prefer a social policy by making for example the schools’ free. The candidates for "yes" for the independence suggest removing the nuclear weapons of the Scottish territory. Scots also wish to get closer to the European Union while the British wish on the contrary to remain there distant.
We can also say that this demand of the independence is connected to Scottish traditions different from those English and to their desire to assert their national identity.
To finish, Scotland possess natural resources such as oil and gas, even if these are on the decline, as well as the only military base of Great Britain.

III)         The disadvantages of the separation of Scotland

   Firstly if the separation of Scotland takes place it will cause great economic difficulties as the English and Scottish banks are interdependent. So this would cause very large deficits in Great-Britain as in Scotland.

This separation also requires the Scots to adopt a new currency since the British are set against the obtaining of pound sterling by Scots. Their currency would be lower.

The state would also be financially unbalanced because rural areas depend on government spending and government expenditures are greater than revenues.

There is also the problem of integration with the European Union arises: there should be 3 to 4 years to join the European Union.

IV)         Referendum Results

Friday, September 19, 2014, the Scots have said "no" to independence. However, they obtained tax advantages of this "no" and the right to a referendum if ever the British decided to leave the European Union.

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