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Political Critique
asks:
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James Bloodworth
answers:
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While explaining the referendum to Americans, British comedian John Oliver said: when you haven’t been nice to someone for 1,000 years, it’s very difficult to suddenly start.
What happened in the relationships between Scotland and the UK? What brought us here?
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The roots of this referendum can be tracked back to prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s reign and the poll tax precedent combined with social and economic policies implemented in Scotland. Would you agree with this perspective?
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Will the Scottish National Party break with the neoliberal and conservative political agenda?
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The SNP continually wrestled with what kind of party it was. Could we take a closer look at the Scottish National Party? What is the SNP today?
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The SNP clearly sensed Labour’s weakness in Scotland. Is it true, as some commentator suggest, that the Westminster’s “establishment” parties only have themselves to blame and they didn’t treat Scotland right ?
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Scotland is predominantly a liberal country which is frequently been governed by a conservative British government. The Tories are in power, though the majority of Scots vote for the opposition. Isn’t this a valid argument for the referendum?
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Scotland wants to have the British Trident nuclear weapons removed from Scottish territory. The YES campaign claims that England have turned Scotland into the nuclear dump of Europe. They call it “an affront to basic decency”.
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The NO campaign claims that Scotland is stronger within the union, and can share in the whole of Britain’s prosperity, resources and international reputation. Do you agree with their point?
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How Scotland would be treated in relation to the European Union?
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Under Mr Salmond’s proposals, Scotland would seek a currency union with the rest of the UK. Meanwhile Mr Cameron warns YES vote will deprive Scotland of shared currency. Mr Alex Salmond calls it scaremongering. Who’s right?
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The US economist and Nobel Prize laureate Paul Krugman warns an independent Scotland could face an economic strife. Quoting: “You may think that Scotland can become another Canada, but it’s all too likely that it would end up becoming Spain without the sunshine.”
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But is Scotland be one to be afraid? In case of Scotland’s departure, England would lose 8% of population, 10% GDP, 30% of territory and 90% of natural recourses in the North Sea.
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Mr Salmond says this: “I think what is best for Scotland is to have the people living in Scotland making the decisions about Scotland. That’s the essence of democracy.” Is he sincere in advancing democracy?
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97 percent of the adult population have registered to vote in the referendum. The numbers are unprecedented in Scottish electoral history. We should not undermine that, should we?
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Do you believe that, despite of its outcome, Scottish referendum can prove to be an emancipatory force for the democracy in Britain?
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Again, despite of its outcome, how would this referendum change the British politics?
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Tom Nairn’s „The Break-Up of Britain” prediction is unlikely, but a more federal model seems to be unavoidable. Do you believe that this referendum would change the British political or electoral system?
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Some commentators say that, whatever Scotland decides on 18 September, first minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond has already won. Do you find this opinion to be justified?
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Mr Salmond pledged not to bring back another referendum if Yes campaign fails. Would he keep his word?
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Do you think that Scotland’s scenario could inspire other European separatist movements: in Catalonia, Basque Country, Belgium or Italy?
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Some commentators say that Scottish independence will automatically strengthen far-right parties in Britain and eventually lead to Brexit in 2017. Would you agree with this point of view?
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Britain would be more likely to leave the European Union, since Scots are better disposed to Europe than are the English. Would England leave the EU if the referendum was tomorrow?
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How can this affect both the Westminster and European Union leaders? What lesson is to be learned by them?
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What is your prediction for the referendum’s outcome?
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James Bloodworth
– is the Editor of Left Foot Forward. He has previously written for the Times, the Independent, the Guardian, the Spectator, the New Statesman and the New Republic. James previously worked as a data journalist in the business-to-business sector and has a masters in political journalism. He often appears on the television and radio as a political commentator.
Follow: @J_Bloodworth
Featured photo: Brennan Cavanaugh, Flickr, CC
