I doubt it. You never see a Union Jack up here save on official buildings and Rangers football fans; you see many, many saltires.
Yes, this is the preferred flag of Scottish nationalists.
That is no saltire.
Yes. They wanted to gain independence, just like Nigeria did in 1960. Biafra, a secessionist state in Nigeria gained independence too, between 1967 and 1970. The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra is still active. For instance, in 2009 MASSOB began to issue the Biafran International Passport.
In light of the fact that in a couple of decades Niageria will become the third most populous state in the world, this information on the secessionist Biafra may be a bit more relevant.
… what?
Let me elaborate a little. In 2011, South Sudan became independent. No one worried about a domino effect in Africa, which is way more volatile than Europe. The biggest impact Scotland’s independence on Europe (not the world) may have is that certain regions on the landmass between Asia and the Atlantic Ocean may want to secede too. The European Union has been frustrating many of its members for so long that it’s no wonder certain people believe that in isolation they will have a better chance to thrive. In the long run the world’s course will be the same, with conglomerates like Russia, China or the USA taking the cream of any future developments.
The nationalist author of this thread does not want to “thrive” in “isolation”. He would prefer continued EU membership for iScotland and probably some monetary union with rUK.
Correct about the EU. But any currency for the time being. I expect that in years to come it will be obvious why the whole of Europe eventually chose the Euro.
You rarely see them down here either. Nonetheless, complaining about the flag of the UK being on a document issued by the government of the UK is idiotic. Especially as Scotland confirmed its desire to remain in said Union only a few months ago, as I alluded to earlier.
I travel regularly between England and Scotland. The Union Jack is far more prominent in England and the St George Cross is far less seen than the Saltire in
As I noted this is going to cause unnecessary offence up here and will probably not be implemented anyway.
I am concerned that the lame duck coalition may try to make gesture politics to the UKIP faction in England, and that this will in some cases be seen as a neo-colonialist attitude. Not that this will be unwelcome to nationalists as it will alienate many fence sitters as well and the polls still show that nationalism is galloping ahead.
Oh, I thought you said saltine.
Nevermind.
It’s not a fucking neo-colonialist attitude. Scotland is part of the UK, the Union Flag is its flag. Putting the flag of someone’s country on their documents cannot cause offence - if offence is taken, there is another cause. That cause probably being an unwillingness to accept that Scotland is, and wishes to remain, part of the UK.
Nationalism is not “galloping ahead”, it was rejected at the referendum. Do you remember that? You started, and participated in, a rather long thread about it. The issue is settled, Scotland wishes to remain part of the Union. Flag and all.
Also, “lame duck” coalition? As far as I’m aware, they still have a functional majority in Westminster… what are you referring to?
At it again with your straw man shtick. I said ‘might be seen as…’ The north of Ireland is also part of the UK yet they will be excused the union jack.
Check the political meaning of “lame duck”. There is now insufficient time to pass any opposed legislation before the election. The administration is now a lame duck one.
Scottish opinion polls have shown a massive majority for further devolution than is being offered, and even regular majorities for independence. There will be a further referendum soon enough- certainly within the decade.
“Lame duck” means a politician who will be replaced at the next election.
By “lame duck”, do you mean this Burns guy?
There’s a common connotation of his being ineffective, or less effective, because of this. I don’t know if it’s a necessary or definitional connotation, but it’s very common in usage.
It’s much less appropriate in a situation where the politician/government isn’t restricted by term limits and thus could still get re-elected.
It’s a tempest in a sheep’s stomach.
Ah, again with the false equivalence between Scotland and Ireland. That’s unbelievably insulting to the Irish, and shows how little you understand of politics or history if you think Scotland’s participation in the Union - which has benefited Scotland greatly, and in which they have had (and still have) a huge, arguably disproportionate, amount of power - is comparable to Ireland’s, which consists of war, bigotry and effective genocide. The UK’s treatment of Ireland was horrific up until maybe 20 years ago, and is one of the greatest shames on this country. The UK’s treatment of Scotland is exemplary, and any complaints about it are imaginary.
I can hear it now "straw man straw man! I never said Ireland was like Scotland. I merely said that Ireland is a great example to show how Scotland is getting screwed by comparison! "
And that is rather insulting to Scots who identify with Scotland rather than with Britain- a majority of the population. There is a solid and increasing sense of national and state identity here that is causing the trappings of union to be seen as negative, even among those who are not independence minded.
Forcing people in Wales and Scotland to display the Union flag rather than their own national flag would end in bad feeling and sullen rebellion as with car licence plates displaying the EU flag or union flags against their will.
I expect a series of such small and unthinking affronts to Scottish nationalism to gradually increase the nationalist support.
Have you ever actually visited Scotland and experienced the strong perceived cultural difference? A little indication- last night there was only news coverage of London’s New Year celebration- TV and radio coverage was of Scottish events alone. There is noticeably less identification with London over the last decade.
The best gift to the nationalists would be a further Conservative government in London; that would even outweigh the benefits of being the kingmaker in a hung parliament.