back again,
Sean said - "Alfie
I am not sure what has gotten into you. You very well know that the SNP is a party which stands for Scottish independence and that this party has slowly gained momentum until at the last election they became the largest political party in Scotland. Thats fine. I have no problem with the Scots controlling the destiny of Scotland. My question is why does Parliament have Scottish representatives voting on issues that have nothing to do with Scotland and when Scotland has their own Parliament (of which the building cost a huge amount of money)? I pay enough tax and ANY added layers of government which hike my tax bill are not appreciated.
Many Scots want it three ways: UK taxpayer cash (essentially subsidies), representation on UK issues and not allowing London to interfer in Scottish politics - a measure of autonomy special to Scotland. I don't know why you think this is arrogance on my part not to be in favour of indulging the above to Scots. I don't mind if Scotland wants to go it alone - what I do mind is Scotland riding the fence at my expense. Its purely a pragmatic position - nothing whatsoever to do with arrogance and everything to do with keeping my money in my pocket. If you took my position as arrogance I apologize, but believe me, its the furthest thing from the truth."
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Sean,
What has gotten into me, is the typical Little Englander perpective that we Scots have been subjected to for far too long. 300 years to be precise ! You know, that was when England (Queen Anne) suppressed a Union onto Scotland who were "sold out" by our Scottish peers at that time, 1707. The Darien disaster had a little to do with it.
The question you ask re - Scots voting in Westminster has been brandished around these quarters since Devolution was being negotiated for Scotland. It's called "The West Lothian Question", which was raised by Tam Dalziel MP (Labour) in opposition argument against devolution. I'm surprised so few people in England have actually heard of it, because it was / has been a big, big, hugely massive, humungous constitutional topic in Scotland for the past ten years !
The question itself, which you now also raise, I have personally agreed with in principle since auld Tam brought it up. But I'm a nationalist seeking independence for Scotland which incidentally, would be good for both halves of the Union, so the actual question of why Scots should vote on English affairs is really none of my business. That problem is the remit of Unionists IMO.
re - costs ? Scottish Parliament Building = £500million or thereabouts. / renovation of a railway station, in London = £700million or thereabouts ?
To hosting of Olympic Games - present estimate £11billion or more like £15 - £20billion when it arrives ? Keep buying those Lottery tickets ! And probably a good time for me stress that ; nor do I like my Tax bills being hoisted courtesy of items of luxury for London !
And then, of course, we have the old and mythical reference of Scotland being a "subsidy junky" ? As an equal partner in this so called Union, I would appreciate greatly, if the good people of England began to realise that Scotland has more than paid it's way in buidling the Empire and a multitude of significant contributions in both Life & Death !
You may not realise this, but Little England attitudes are serving the Independence cause marvellously well.
To finish, I'll apologise right now for this political broadcast on a golf website, but I hope you will all understand that I had to reply to Sean's comments.
For those who may be interested, the Scottish Independence cause is not about hating the English, such as we nationalists have been portrayed by the fearful Unionists over the years as a scaremongering trick that has fell on it's face at last.
My late father was a Brummie (Birmingham) and I have countless relations and good friends south of the border, whom I would never wish to offend in any way !
BTW. A good solution to the West Lothian Question and being rid of the costly Scots - would be English independence
Alfie.