25 October 2006

Jack's Big Idea

A policy of 'no change' was never likely to set the heather on fire. Nevertheless, the First Minister did his best to convert a negative into a positive. Will it be good enough? The Scotsman reports:
"Rather than saying Scots couldn't afford to be independent, or that Scots are incapable of going it alone, as some will argue, my argument is more positive," Mr McConnell said. "The ground on which I stand, the ground on which I'm confident most Scots will join me, is quite different. I believe there is a prize to partnership and collaboration. By the strength of our common endeavour, we achieve more than we do on our own. That is true for individuals, but it is just as true for nations. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have access to the 'Union dividend' by virtue of being part of a strong UK."

So just what is this 'prize to partnership and collaboration', this 'union dividend'? We are allowed to participate in adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan? We get to host trident submarines? We have to tolerate immigration policies designed to placate The Daily Mail? We benefit from interest rate decisions geared to the economy of south-east England?

It's not really going to play, is it?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"We benefit from interest rate decisions geared to the economy of south-east England?"

Ah yes, but the SNP would sign us up to the Euro without a 2nd thought, and then we would get to 'benefit' from decisions made for the German economy.

Under those circumstances the old 'its awe the fault o the Inglyshe' rhetoric will be pretty useless.