Unionists just don't view the status quo the same way we do
To those that have voted for Labour in Scotland and have never switched to the SNP, as well as Tory, Reform UK and LibDem voters, they don't see England, even politically, as a foreign country. Generally they don't have the burning antipathy that most of us lot have about being governed, and abused, by a much larger neighbouring country. In other words, as we would see it, they just don't bloody get it!
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Clearly, if there was a totally fair press and media we would definitely get many more of them on board. However, the day we get a totally fair press and media in Scotland and the UK in respect of Scottish independence is the day pigs will be flying past my window and gieing me a knowing wink!
Apart from the press, though, there are other factors. Somebody in the know clearly told Nigel Farage not to visit Hamilton, but to head for Larkhall, which let's just say is a place where there is an abundance of fans of Rangers Football Club. I guess we have to admit this was pretty clever as, generally, Rangers fans are not exactly associated with Scottish independence (I reckon that is one of the biggest euphemisms I've used in my life!)
OK, so historically, that side of Scottish society has been overwhelmingly in favour of the Union and that can't be ignored. There is another aspect though. Many of us Scots, since time immemorial, have gone doon tae England tae make oor way in the world, for what we think is a better standard of living, and in many cases probably is.
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Many don't come back, have bairns who end up having English accents and many of whom probably feel English, but leave behind family in Scotland that are proud as punch that their wee Johnny or Jeannie made good and made the family proud. Something tells me these ties to England won't dispose said family left back in Scotland to independence any time soon! Ye cannae upset the grandbairns!
I've only touched on the factors that mean so many folk in oor great country are just totally addicted to being lorded over by the English state (although they don't see it that way, and that is the point!)
So how can this mindset be changed? That's above my pay grade I'm afraid! Personally, I'm hauding oot fur oor young folk, far mair disposed tae independence, tae overwhelm Scottish public opinion at some point in the future, and make it happen. I'm almost 65 years old now, so reckon I probably won't witness this in my lifetime. But, hey, when it does, I'll be looking doon fae heaven (hopefully – fingers crossed!) and daeing the biggest fist pump in my life (well, maybe death!).
Ivor Telfer
Dalgety Bay, Fife
SUSAN Forde's timely reminder of the sacrifice made by the 51st to help the Dunkirk evacuation proceed (Letters, June 12) should also remind all Scots (assuming they are the least bit interested) that between 1746 and 1940 the British establishment still held to the view attributed to James Wolfe. Post-Culloden he suggested that Highlanders would make a valuable contribution to British arms, yet if they were sacrificed it would be 'no great mischief'.
No surprise, then, that the 51st were ordered to guard the retreat.
Jim Butchart
via email
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