Scottish Referendum

2014-09-27

Methode Quebecoise

It seems that we've seen this before somewhere else. In Canada there were several elections for an independend Quebec, which all failed. Maybe in 10 or 2o years there will be another go in Scotland.

I'm glad Scotland votet against independence. In the wake of this the Catalans demonstrated for independence from Spain, and even here in Germany the Bavarians had the idea of splitting up from Germany. This development has the power to destabilise the European Union, from my point of view Europe should rather get together than split up into miniature states.

But if the UK ever decides to quit the EU, then I'm all for Scottish independency. I hope that never happens. But if it does I'm sure the Irish will take this present gladly, as that would be a giant economical boost program for Ireland. What's left then for the UK I'm not so sure.

Original Article (before der Vote)

On the 18th of September 2014 the Scottish residents will vote wether Scotland is to become an independent State, or remain within the United Kingdom.

If the question "Should Scotland be an independent country?" gets a majority of "yes" answers, then some questions of constitual law have to be answered that concern the international status of the new country, like e.g. the EU membership. Some politicians argue wether Scotland will automatically become a EU member state, or if it has to go down the long way as a candidate state. Similar issues arise with memberships in the NATO and the United Nations.

It is also unclear what currency an independent Scotland would have. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, already announced that it would be unlikely that Scotland could keep the pound, at least not the one that is controlled by the Bank of England. And if Scotland could enter a currency union with the United Kingdom it would not be independent in financial politics. The adoption of the Euro, which is the idea of some people, is linked with tight criteria and would not be quick.

A lot less important, but still interesting, is the flag question; not the Scottish one, but the one of the United Kingdom. The "Union Flag", better known as "Union Jack", is a successful combination of the English flag, the St. George's Cross, and the Scottish flag, the St. Andrew's Cross.

Union Flag
Flag of the United Kingdom
St. George's Flag
Flag of England
St. Andrew's Flag
Flag of Scotland

An exit of Scotland out of the United Kingdome would strip the flag of essential parts, that is the blue background and the saltire cross. In consequence, the now "not-so-United Kingdom" would need to think of a new flag.

Welsh Flag
Flag of Wales

The remaining UK would consist of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Both countries haven't been represented in the flag; this would be the opportunity to make up for this. Northern Ireland doesn't really have a flag of its own, but is using the Union Jack. In former times there used to be the "red hand of Ulster", which might be used now.

Typical for the Welsh flag is the red dragon and the green background. Since Ireland is also known as the green island, the application of a green border to the English flag could represent the two countries. More clear-cut would be the integration of the Welsh flag and the red hand of Ulster into the St. George's Cross. The third version is a combination of the first two.

Neue Union Flag 1
UK neu Entwurf 1
Neue Union Flag 2
UK neu Entwurf 2
Neue Union Flag 3
UK neu Entwurf 3

As you can see, the flag of the leftover United Kingdom would have to look completely different. These are just some weird ideas of mine, but even this minor issue shows that a vote for a Scottish independence would have a major impact on Great Britain in many ways. The existing flag in itself is already an appeal against a separation. This leads to the question what sense this whole independence business makes. I can't really see the point of it, and I hope that the majority votes with "No".