The Positive Case For The Union

 Why do English establishment supporters support the union? Supporters of Scotland's statehood often ask their detractors to give them a positive case for the union. There is seldom ever anything positive put forward in its defence rather it is the same old lies that have been used against every country that sought to re-establish it's statehood that are often parroted back. But there is a positive case to be made. One that they have made in various guises. RESPONSIBILITY.

The English government, love them or loathe them, take responsibility. They exercise their sovereignty and treat England as an independent country. They make international treaties, join international organisations and represent themselves in international trade agreements. They go where they view themselves as needed to promote England's needs, desires and policies. They determine their own budget and spending priorities. They use all the levers of a sovereign country and assert their right to do so. When matters pertain to England the English government does not permit foreign governments to interfere. They enact policies to prevent it from happening. Whether they are popular or not. When it comes to talks with Scotland, the English government will only do so if they believe it will advance their position, needs or desires. In short, the English government, no matter who is in office, takes full responsibility for the running of England. They didn't ask permission from Scotland to do so. They didn't shy away from their responsibilities and if they needed levers to do something then they simply created them and enforced it. 

Contrast that with the Scottish government who shirk away from responsibility. They refuse to treat Scotland as a sovereign independent country. They seek permission to do almost everything. They defer governance to the English government and permit English policies to be used in Scotland. They have the English government represent Scotland in international treaties, organisations and trade agreements. And often have Scots representatives stand out in the corridors awaiting the results of agreements made between the English government and various international partners or organisations. Even militarily, the Scottish government permits the English  government to do as they please with Scots regiments, air forces etc even permitting the English government to take Scotland into illegal wars. When it comes to the budget and spending the Scottish government relies on the English government determining the vast majority of it for them. When the English government place economic levers back in the hands of the Scottish government the Scottish government refuse to take responsibility for them and defer them back.   In short, an almost complete abdication of responsibility. Not just to the Scots but internationally. 

Why wouldn't an English establishment supporter want to maintain the union when they already have what the Scots seek? Full independence. Even if it is through a foreign country's government. 

The Scots cannot even bring themselves to call the English government English for fear that it would look xenophobic. They have a million excuses to maintain the status quo while claiming they need to convince more folk to support Scotland's statehood Well, perhaps the Scots could take a leaf out of the English government's book and just get on with it. Do the job they were elected to do. Take full responsibility for their own country. If the Scots want to be taken seriously they need to step up not step back.