In the aftermath of the Jubilee and before the Olympics descends, Miliband is wringing out more flag waving, speaking at the site of the 1951 Festival of Britain to compel England to be a bit more interested in the break-up of the British state.
Singling out arch agent provocateur Jeremy Clarkson, who has likened Scotland leaving the UK to “waving goodbye to a much loved, if slightly violent, family pet”, Miliband criticises those in England for narrow nationalism and ignoring multiple identities and allegiances. He criticises the SNP too for the same crime of narrow nationalism, of making people choose to be Scottish over British.
It’s not the SNP who are making Scottish people choose to identify as Scottish instead of British: 14 years of polling data indicates only 19% of Scots choose to describe themselves as British first.
Likewise, I’m not convinced persuading the English of the need to take more of an interest in Scottish devolution and independence is a good strategy for Miliband either. I believe Scotland’s future should be a matter for people living in Scotland alone when it comes to voting in the independence referendum, but that said I remain interested in what people living in the other UK nations think, and how that affects their own attitudes to living on this island.
But I don’t think those attitudes are in the direction Ed Miliband wishes them to be facing in. According to the IPPR’s Future of England survey, published in January 2012, most people in England are decidedly relaxed about Scotland’s departure from the union. A relaxed position developed and strengthened by a simmering resentment at an increasing feeling that England herself gets a raw deal from the union.
As Slugger details today, British identity and English identity are no longer co-terminous. Miliband may have electoral interests in building a strong English identity among English voters, against the far right and to tackle Tory toffs unable to talk to common people, but I fail to see where such a feeling becoming fervour for retaining Britain translates into defending the union.
Whether the English are indifferent or passionate about retaining Scotland in the UK, their influence will always be minor on how Scots vote in the independence referendum. It’s nice to be wanted of course, but it’s equally nice to be respected to make up our own minds.
Miliband’s aides say he’s brave for not going for the obvious topic of addressing national identity in Scotland; but I’m not convinced trying to persuade the English about their identity instead is a show of strength.
For Scottish independence, much like Scottish nationalism, identity itself is only one factor. The desire for independence goes further and deeper than notions of whether one is a Scot or a Brit, but rather how we want to be governed and how we see our country and economy, schools and businesses, being run. It’s safe for Miliband to talk about identity, but it will have no impact on the referendum result. Perhaps, like Mr Clarkson, he too should ditch such a narrow outlook.
#1 by Durotrigan on June 7, 2012 - 1:15 pm
Do not fear, Ed may be talking about the Cross of St George and even referring to the English, but the content of his speech today was very much the usual open borders globalism that we have come to expect. He’s evidently rattled at the prospect of the dissolution of the Union and the consequent near certainty of a minority Labour position in a truncated Union/independent England. You are correct in noting that this is not a show of strength on Miliband’s part.
#2 by Callum Leslie on June 7, 2012 - 2:52 pm
“It’s not the SNP who are making Scottish people choose to identify as Scottish instead of British: 14 years of polling data indicates only 19% of Scots choose to describe themselves as British first.”
What about people, like me, who think that they are equal, or put British second? Bit of selective use of statistics there. I also think your assertion of why people are interested in independence is similarly selective in the use of facts.
#3 by Ben Achie on June 7, 2012 - 6:20 pm
As far as I am concerned, I’m a citizen of the World, domiciled in Scotland. I want to live in a just and caring society, that is rooted in the principles of egalitarianism, mutual respect,
maintaining strong communities, and freedom of movement and expression.
I’m not sure I choose to live here for the weather, and although I love the scenery and the culture, many other places are attractive too. Being in a non-nuclear state has strong appeal. Authoritarianism is a big turn off, and, in many respects, the UK is making itself an increasingly unattractive place to live, despite claims it remains the home of freedom.
Westminster politicians need to get it into their heads that we are not captive, and moving over to mainland Europe may increasingly become an attractive option for many.
#4 by Doug Daniel on June 9, 2012 - 3:14 am
“in many respects, the UK is making itself an increasingly unattractive place to live, despite claims it remains the home of freedom.”
Indeed, which is partly why I’m currently teaching myself Norwegian, on the off chance that Scotland passes up this massive opportunity in 2014 and I’m left with the choice of spending the forseeable future in the most unequal society in the world, or moving to a country that shares my ideals.
#5 by Freoboy on June 7, 2012 - 6:49 pm
We’re told that we can choose to be both Scottish and British. Fine, where do I get my Scottish passport then?
At which point, of course, it all breaks down. Its clearly not a level playing field. We may choose to say we are Scottish, but we have no choice about, legally, being British.
#6 by Iain Menzies on June 8, 2012 - 2:35 am
so when can i get a west coast passport?
#7 by Doug Daniel on June 9, 2012 - 3:16 am
When the west coast is recognised as a country in its own right?
#8 by Longshanker on June 7, 2012 - 7:11 pm
I’m definitely Scottish before I’m British and have always felt quite strongly about that despite my British passport.
I disagree with you about the English attitude. I think it’s quite important that the English are either indifferent or welcoming of Scots independence as alluded to in the piece.
My fear of independence, should it be achieved, is a polarised English nationalism with Scotland as its focus.
The McCrone report alludes to this assertion.
It could seriously hinder the much needed cordial entente essential for both countries to flourish.
It’s also why, at this moment, I’m a committed undecided.
#9 by Derrick McGuire on June 7, 2012 - 7:56 pm
Ed Milliband has a pretty ropey grasp of basic geography. When Norway achieved Independence, did Sweden stop them referring to themselves as Scandinavian ?
He`s done his sums though, as is shown by his admission that England would be worse off “economically” if Scotland votes for Independence.
#10 by Nikostratos on June 7, 2012 - 8:26 pm
‘I believe Scotland’s future should be a matter for people living in Scotland alone’
Yep you’l take a polish/Lithuania/Slovak/Czech in fact any eastern European who presently ‘reside’ in Scotland.But who have no intention of staying long term and exclude any Scots living in England to earn a living have all their family in Scotland and will retire in their once homeland.
well thats due to the snp belief the eastern Europeans will vote for separation now if they thought the vote was going to go the other way the snp would be excluding them asap.
Not sure how an Independent Scotland would be able to govern the Scottish Economy what with still being under English Bank OF England hegemony
#11 by Anonymous on June 8, 2012 - 2:43 pm
Always good to see someone keeping ethnic conceptions of nationhood alive and well…
#12 by Galen10 on June 8, 2012 - 7:21 pm
If you want a vote… move back; it’s hardly rocket science.
I’ve lived in England for 20 years, and don’t feel in the least aggrieved at not having a vote, much as I’d like to see an independent Scotland as I’m convinced it would be good for both countries.
I may never return to Scotland to live, but I’ll certainly want a Scottish passport, as would (I believe) be my right. Anyone legally resident in Scotland who is eligible to vote should have a say; to maintain otherwise is simply bigotry.
#13 by Doug Daniel on June 9, 2012 - 3:23 am
Either the Bank of England is just the erroneously-named bank of the UK, in which case Scotland owns a percentage of it and has every right to continue using it post-independence… Or it is indeed the bank of England alone, in which case you’re tacitly admitting that it cares not a jot for Scotland currently, thus we’ll be in no different a position post-independence.
Can’t have it both ways, Niko. Which one is it?
And, erm, since when did people have to declare how long they intend to live in a country before being allowed to vote? Comments like yours make me glad Scottish nationalism is not about ethnicity.
#14 by NConway on June 8, 2012 - 1:19 pm
Britain a geographical name for the island that I live on just like Canada,Mexico,USA are America and Norway Sweden Denmark are Scandanavian