A Question for the People

Most of my blog readers know that I'm living in Scotland. Most of you also know that Scotland isn't an independent nation - it has been under English rule since 1707 when they dissolved the Scottish parliament and basically handed power over to London. It's been a cause of debate since then, and now, 300 years later, the question has come up again.

I knew that when I was planning on coming here that the question of independence was a hot topic. With the UK General Elections coming up (and the current Labour party not thought to return), the question of independence is becoming more and more of a hot topic. Today, one of the Scottish Parliament members (the parliament was reformed in 1998, though it has very limited powers), basically came out asking for independence. A member of the SNP (Scottish National Party), he wants to put out a referendum, giving the Scottish people a say in what they want. However, the SNP doesn't hold a majority power and the other parties have stated that they'll put the bill down.

Ok. So there's the explanation. Roughly. My question is - what are they afraid of? Ask the people what they want? There were interviews with several other MSPs tonight, and they were all so sure that the Scottish people don't want independence. They might want more power transferred to Holyrood from London, but they don't want to be an independent nation. One parliament member in particular was almost hostile about this.

But how do they know what the Scottish people want if they don't even ask the question?

I have plenty of friends who are all for independence. Some people have made the point that an actual dissolution of the Union might wait until the current economic crisis is over, but they want independence.

I know that I'm American, and this might flavor my opinion, but I firmly believe that in order to claim to be a real democracy, they need to represent this to the people. They need to get a say from those that it would most affect.

This wouldn't be the first time there was a referendum. London generously "provided" the opportunity for Scotland to vote for a chance to have their own parliament again, but the stipulations were so strict that it was impossible for it to pass. They finally succeeded in 1998. It's been 11 years, and I think that's enough time to ask the question, even if they do get a "No" for independence this time around. At least then they would know the actual answer.

Queen Elizabeth would still be the recognized monarch. There wouldn't be border controls put in place throughout the UK. Basically, the only thing that would change is that Scotland would be a recognized country in the EU and finally hold the power to run the country the way that they want to.

As a student of Scottish literature, I have spent two and a half years reading literature calling for independence. Others have praised the Union and tried to shore up a national identity for Scotland with a loss of political independence. I can tell you that this debate has been going on since 1707. It's not a new debate, and there have been stronger surges throughout the years, but I would take just the literature as a representation that the Scottish people want something else. When I was in Edinburgh in 2007, there were different graffitied signs of "Scottish Not British" and "End London Rule Now."

So, even though I'm outside of this debate, I poise the question - why not let the Scottish people decide - finally - what they really want? The fact that the majority of the Scottish Parliament don't even want to ask the question really worries me. Just as rich landowners decided to enter the Union in the 18th century, so the politicians are making a decision that should be left up to the people.

Updates

A lot has happened at home in the last couple of weeks. Two weeks ago today, my landlady had to put her 9 year-old dog, Breagha, down. She had renal failure, and Jenny nursed her and the vet tried everything they could, but in the end, there wasn't much they could do. Poppi, who's about 1 1/2, has never been on her own. She's obviously been missing Breagha, and she's been trying to figure out how her own little routines are now different.

Tonight Jenny went to go look at some puppies (she prefers Maltese Terriers) and came back with the cutest Maltese/Yorkshire mix! No name as of yet, but she's 10 weeks old and adorable. I love her already, and I'm sad I'm leaving in a week!

Two more essays to write within the next week, but then my semester is done and I'm headed back to the States. I can't wait!!!

I've Been Initiated

Apparently. I got splashed by a car on my way to work this morning, leaving me pretty much SOAKED. Getting to work with wet socks, soaked jeans, and damp hair just isn't all that fun when you know you can't change and get dry for hours. When I mentioned this drive-by assault, I was told that I am now initiated into Scotland. I guess I should be grateful, but it was awfully cold.

It's been raining so much that I was tired of never having dry feet. I noticed a pair of wellies on sale for only £5 at Shelter, a charity shop, so I stopped in and bought them. Funnily enough, another lady had the same idea, and we both got the same pair. The cashier thought this was hilarious, then preceded to ask me if I was going to be wearing them out of the store. By this point, I was on my way home from work, and Shelter is only about 3 blocks from my flat, so I kind of thought it would be ridiculous for me to wear them out. Plus, I was soaked already anyway, no point of sticking wet jeans and socks into dry boots. But I did wear them to class tonight, and I'm glad. My top is covered with my water-proof jacket and umbrella. Calves down are now covered. If only there was some way to keep my jeans and purse from getting soaked when I go outside over the next few days.

Another frustrating thing about all this rain is the flooding. I live on the hill, so I'm not terribly worried about house flooding or anything. As far as I know, there isn't that much flooding in Stirling, but I know there are several places farther south that are having a horrible time of it. And the rain's supposed to continue basically non-stop until next Monday at least.

But it's making the buses run much slower because the roads are filling with water. Tonight, when I got out of class, the bus was over ten minutes late. If I get out right at 9, I can run down the hill to catch the bus. But if we go slightly past 9, then I've got to wait until 9:30 for the next set. There's usually two or three that come around the same time, one of which was unusually absent tonight. I wonder if they've pulled that line altogether. It's just the Uni Link, which serves from the city center to the university, so they might have let the other lines pick up the slack for the night. And apparently, the road is flooded by some of the postgraduate housing, so the bus driver had to go down a side street and shout out to let these kids know they'd have to walk from there. Yuck.

I have to say, I knew about the rain here. That's one reason I love it. I love rain. But I didn't really realize how much it can upset the daily routines and lives of people in the UK. I just kind of thought that they were used to it and it wouldn't affect things like bus schedules. Goes to show how little I know!

I have to say, I'm looking forward to seeing some sun when I get home in about 2 1/2 weeks!

Essay Woes

My first postgraduate essay is due this week. I'm working on it, but having a hard time communicating the ideas from my head onto the page. This isn't a new phenomenon by any means, but it is frustrating every time. There are days I'd rather just talk than write. Those are rare, but they do happen. Today is one of them. Can I have a verbal test instead?????