I grew up in a Scots community in Canada going by the name of Kincardine, Ontario. I believe, the Scots should stay as part of the UK, not that they could not make a go of it as an independent nation. My view is based on the mathematics of it all coming from the tradition of the policy economist Jan Tinbergen. There simply are not enough policy instruments in the independent Scotland to make a wonderful go of it. Like it or not, the UK and its currency are small potatoes and getting smaller. Eventually, one has to wonder whether an overvalued currency like the pound is really going to survive as a meaningful entity. Even the US dollar is losing its lustre.
The real problem in my view has to do with a loss of trust in the leadership of the UK's many elites, particularly its banking, industrial, commercial, religious, political, and royal elites. There has been such faith given to multiculturalism in the UK that many think too many fifth nation people are calling themselves British. Its all about trust and the failure of the elites to mobilise trust.
Distance and the aloofness of London means that its charm as a golden hub are waning. The gold seems tarnished and debased. While the Scots are extraordinarily wonderful in the way they support the royals, there are misgivings about the potential new leader, Charles. Queen Elizabeth cannot reign for ever bless her soul, and the departure of familiar elderly faces will require massive new loyalties that Charles ascendency would only diminish. However, if a Scot lineage can be introduced meaningfully into the future, that would be a plus.
Another issue is foreign influence over policy emanating from London. That so many English want out of Europe is pretty scary. The Scots may see things very differently, being a bit Irish in their attitude to Europe. If Britain wants to stay together there has to be meaningful large scale investment in industry in Scot emerging from the halls of London. Few doubt that the Scots education system is not superior to that of England in educating Brits. So many British universities are financed by foreign enrolments losing that trickle down effort if there ever was one.
Ah! I have changed my mind. The Scots should vote yes! Will ye no think on that...
