On Thursday, September 18, Scots will be asked whether or not they think Scotland should become an independent country. With less than two days of campaigning left before this decisive vote, the Scottish National Party, the party leading the independence campaign, is spending large amounts of time and money trying to convince individual Scots that they would be better off as an independent country.
Independent? While a “yes” vote for independence may give Scotland political independence from the United Kingdom, it would not give them the freedom so many Scots expect. Alex Salmond, the leader of the SNP and the independence movement, does not share the sentiment of many true Scottish nationalists. Yes, Salmond wishes to cut ties with the U.K., but he has already stated he hopes the Queen will remain as the sovereign of an independent Scotland. He does not know which currency will replace the pound – one of the world’s strongest currencies – should Scotland completely sever its economic relationship with the U.K. An independent Scotland’s economic future is very shaky: numerous British banks currently based in Scotland having announced their intent to move back to London and numerous economists predict a severe drop in Scottish oil revenue in the upcoming decades. It seems that the only thing Salmond knows, or frankly cares about, is that independence would further his political career.
Ultimately, since this vote isn’t really about independence, the rest of the world should be watching closely. A “yes” vote for independence means that Scotland, as a somewhat independent country, will likely sign a treaty to become a full member state of the European Union. Once that happens, any aspect of true independence will become immediately lost.
The Scots have every right to be frustrated with the politicians in Westminster, the home of Parliament. But why would the bureaucrats in Brussels, the heart of the European Union, be any better at governing? Scotland would go from acting as a significant power within the U.K. to being simply a possession of the emerging European mega-state. An independent Scotland would be in less of a position to influence European politics. By remaining with the U.K., Scots remain part of one of the most influential European countries and remains in a position to negotiate Scottish interests in European politics, such as fishing rights, oil drilling and European immigration. Whatever negotiating powers Scotland has now, as part of the U.K., would likely be lost upon entering the EU as an independent nation.
By voting “yes” on Thursday, Scots would leave one of the most powerful countries in the world, with its leaders already promising them more powers should they stay, for an uncertain future within Europe. Scotland currently has the political leverage to become more powerful within the U.K., which would benefit the Scots much more than Salmond’s idea of independence. Big government may give the Scottish parties more political power, but it will not solve the problems facing the Scottish people. Please, Scotland, stay in the U.K. Demand more devolved powers. Then, if things still aren’t working out, start a real independence movement.
Joe Puchner is a sophomore studying mathematics. His column runs biweekly.
