tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post6116343928140693665..comments2024-03-26T09:38:39.888+00:00Comments on Borthlas: Inconsistently consistentJohn Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-91172461482229171592014-04-16T09:40:56.702+01:002014-04-16T09:40:56.702+01:00In your last para you state
“I rather expected t...In your last para you state <br /> “I rather expected that the first independence referendum would fail, to be followed by a second in a decade or two”<br />I disagree, I think it will be within five years of a Yes vote.<br />Whatever , Scotland is going to get a shed load of money from HM Treasury in an attempt to buy off this next vote ,just as Northern Ireland has had money not to shoot at HM Forces.<br />Spirit of BMEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-77664307130030683062014-04-16T06:33:53.494+01:002014-04-16T06:33:53.494+01:00Anon,
I agree with Alex and Leanne - of course yo...Anon,<br /><br />I agree with Alex and Leanne - of course you can define a region or a territory; it's something that humanity has done for a long long time. My point is not that you can't; it's rather that any such definition is in essence temporary, and will always contain within it at least an element who think that the lines should be drawn in a different way. Change happens when a minority in an area becomes a majority, and such change is entirely normal and natural. It does, though, create new minorities... And so ad infinitum.John Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-49152240209766130092014-04-15T21:25:47.258+01:002014-04-15T21:25:47.258+01:00Quite so. How do you define a region? Or indeed th...Quite so. How do you define a region? Or indeed the territory of a new nation state? You can't. But people like Alex Salmond and Leanne Wood seem to think you can. <br /><br />I suspect Britain is due for a prolonged period of civil strife if not outright war.<br /><br />It serves us right for not for not outing the cancer that has lurked within our society for too tong. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-72266462971824043392014-04-15T14:34:31.110+01:002014-04-15T14:34:31.110+01:00"But, for sure, this will quickly be followed...<i>"But, for sure, this will quickly be followed by calls of separation from various regions"</i><br /><br />I don't think that such an outcome is as certain as you suggest; but it's obviously a possibility. And for those of us who believe that sovereignty grows from the bottom up, it's hard to argue that there could be grounds for denying any such wish if clearly expressed by the majority of the people in any area.<br /><br /><i>"... it might be wise to ask each region whether it would really wish to join a newly independent Wales or, alternatively, retain its ties with England"</i><br /><br />I certainly cannot rationally argue for the absolute right of people in any area to reclaim their sovereignty and decide for themselves how they wish to be governed (subject only to accepting the responsibilities which accompany such rights, and honouring obligations to the wider international community), and then also argue that such a right only applies to those areas which I define by lines on a map, such as Wales or Scotland. (Be careful though about referring to 'regions' of either Scotland or Wales. How do you define them; what lines do you draw on a map to hold such separate plebiscites, which don't raise exactly the same problem of incorporated minority views - on a different level?)<br /><br />Ultimately, such concepts as nationality or identity are subjective, even if collectively so, and remain valid only for so long as they command popular support. That's one of the reasons why all boundaries and borders are, in essence, temporary. So if people in any part of Wales want to campaign for unity with England, they are as entitled to do so as I am to campaign for independence for Wales. They 'merely' face the same problem as I do - convincing others to agree with them. John Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-77016219047753011802014-04-15T09:45:34.240+01:002014-04-15T09:45:34.240+01:00In truth, the Scots have got everything the wrong ...In truth, the Scots have got everything the wrong way round. Yes, Scotland might well achieve independence. But, for sure, this will quickly be followed by calls of separation from various regions of this newly formed country. One wonders for how many years will such voices be denied an equally lawful right of self-determination?<br /><br />Before Wales embarks upon such a journey it might be wise to ask each region whether it would really wish to join a newly independent Wales or, alternatively, retain its ties with England. <br /><br />I think we are in for fun times ahead. Cannot wait!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com