So here I am, sipping on a ginger beer, having a quiet night in to recover from my recent excesses, and writing my first blog post.
What a day to start, given the political developments of the last 24 hours. On the BBC's wonderful interactive map, England is awash with blue - a good, solid performance from the Tories which, although not quite as 'stunning' as Cameron would like us to think (the much hoped for breakthrough in the north did not materialise), will certainly put them in good stead for the future. Ming the Merciless spoke of a 'mixed bag', which was putting it mildly, whilst Tony wins the prize for the most ludicrous quote of the day when he told awaiting journalists that the results were a 'good springboard' for future success. No doubt Gordon will be thinking otherwise, especially with developments north of the border - something I would like to elaborate on briefly, if I may.
Given the SNP's dramatic successes, there will most certainly be a plethora of column inches being dedicated over the coming days to the big 'What if?' question, the various pro's and con's of Scottish independence and its implications for the UK. I'd like, therefore, to get in there with my own thoughts and ideas before these materalise, thus allowing me to legitimately adopt a supercilious smirk on the tube whilst reading that pinnacle of journalism, the Metro, on my way to Liverpool Street.
I've been trying to think how I would feel if, and its a very big if, Scotland does take the path to independence. As an Englishman, my feelings are somewhat mixed. Economically, I have no real issues. No matter how much the SNP spouts on about the proceeds of oil and gas exploration heading south of the border, the bigger picture is clear - Scotland does rather well out of the union when it comes to pennies and pounds, and the precious offshore reserves will not last forever. Diversification from its industrial past has not been easy, and the nation may well find itself increasingly reliant on other top earners, such as whisky and tourism. Politically, it will mitigate one of my own pet hates in the British political system, whilst at the same time removing many of my least favourite Labour MP's from Westminster.
Militarily, it will create huge ruptures. Most significantly, Britain's strategic nuclear deterrent is based there, not to mention vital links in our air defence network and some of army's most historical and prestigious regiments. The former point in particular will cost serious amounts of money to relocate, whilst at the same time removing a not inconsiderable income stream from the Scottish coffers.
Then we come to the more woolly and emotive sticking points. The independence of Scotland would ultimately sound the death knell of an overarching British identity, and, quite possibly, the British nation. It would not be long, in my humble opinion, before the term 'British' was dropped and each of our respective nations' populations began to call themselves after their birth country. I for one would be far more eager to identify myself as English than British should Scotland decide to plough their own furrow, even if Wales and Northern Ireland still remain within the union, bizarre as that may sound. It just wouldn't be the same.
This would be a shame, as I rather like being not just English, but British as well. I like the fact that relatively distinct cultures share an overarching set of ideals that allow us to muddle along quite nicely together. I like the fact it irritates foreigners that we're allowed to enter 4 teams in international sports competitions compared to their one, yet we still take the piss out of each other at every available opportunity and pray for their downfall before our own (whilst still secretly supporting them should they ever play the Germans or the French). I like being able to travel the length and breadth of the British Isles with all its cultural varieties and treasures, and not have to show a passport. But above all, I like the fact that if the shit really hits the fan, then all our little differences and foibles are put to one side, and we'll back each other to the hilt. Then, once we've kicked some arse, we'll take them out of the box and start annoying each other again. We also possess, without any question, the greatest flag ever created.
I started this blog planning to create a rational and enlightened viewpoint as to why both England and Scotland might well be better off as separate nations, but in doing so, I have in fact come to the contrary conclusion. We are each of us stronger as a unified nation, and some of the problems highlighted, such as the West Lothian question, can easily be solved without the need to resort to such drastic measures as independence.
They make you think, these blogs!
