You will be able to object to this processing on the next page and in all our communications. The “Union Dividend” disclosed in the Gers figures, worth £1,941 for every person in Scotland in the year 2019-20, is not predominantly the product of lower economic growth in Scotland. Over the last 50 years, supporters of independence have been crafting an effective critique of the British state, and Scotland’s place within it, which draws on scrupulously social democratic ideas about economic equality and popular sovereignty. What the Gers figures have done, once again, is make clear that that separation would only come at massive cost to our economy and public services. This is an extraordinary take for anyone with a background in economics, and suggests an argument that has been developed in response to the otherwise unanswerable Gers dilemma for nationalists, rather than a credible proposition. So, for example, a wealthier area such as East Renfrewshire is delivering fiscal transfers to more deprived areas such as East Ayrshire. Want to join the conversation? Alongside Boris Johnson’s adoption of the title “Minister for the Union,” the strategy seems to be to rein in the centrifugal tendencies of devolution by asserting a more muscular British state, which will deliver British-badged infrastructure projects to Scotland and extend a stronger sense of British identity across government. But 50% don’t. The rise in support for Scottish independence is not, as the Conservatives seem to think, due to Scots forgetting about the dynamic qualities of the British state. Four polls in a row since June 2020 have shown a majority support for Scottish independence. Posted on July 27, 2020 July 27, 2020. The problem for unionists is that this nationalist construction of the recent past continues to be sustained not just by the social memory of the 1980s but also by the presence of the Conservative Party in government at Westminster since 2010. PLUS you’ll find out about the big ideas that will shape our world with Prospect’s newsletter and receive our Top Thinkers e-book free.

Sturgeon’s argument relies heavily on the very area where it is weakest: the Scottish people must have a vote because 50% of them want seismic constitutional change.

Equally, the differences between Scotland and England could now be …

He is the author of The Case for Scottish Independence: A History of Nationalist Political Thought in Modern Scotland (2020). Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. This noisy new unionism bears testament to how poorly the British right understands Scottish nationalism. Login to post comments using social media accounts. The big ideas that are shaping our world— straight to your inbox. The magazine is owned and supported by the Resolution Group, as part of its not-for-profit, public interest activities. Your password will then be emailed to you.

Prospect subscribers have full access to all the great content on our website, including our entire archive. The divergence in voting patterns between Scotland and England during the 1980s and early 1990s heightened the appeal of the nationalist case for popular sovereignty, since opposition politicians, both Labour and SNP, found it irresistible to argue that Scotland as a democratic community had not voted for the policies being imposed on it. No, Brussels is not misreading the UK’s threats of no deal, Safeguarding London’s Standing in International Dispute Resolution: The Rule of Law and Judicial Independence in Practice, Watch: Cleaner skies – aviation’s role in a future of sustainable travel, Watch: Democracy and the Rule of Law in the Age of Covid-19, The importance of staying connected: how video games can help tackle loneliness, More people than ever now rely on a steady, fast internet connection, How Sellafield's Six programme supports social policy, Introducing Six – Sellafield’s new social impact programme. REGISTER NOW The introduction of devolution in 1999 was a serious attempt to answer the nationalist critique of Britain. Many unionists have spent so long greeting independence with condescension that they find themselves unable to empathise with, and rationally respond to, the attractive argument for democratic self-determination that underpins Scottish nationalism. Yet Wilson’s comments were enthusiastically endorsed by the SNP’s Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. PLUS receive a free e-book and 7 articles of your choosing on the Prospect website. Thank you for your support of Prospect and we hope that you enjoy everything the site has to offer. Despite all this additional spending power, the Scottish economy continues to perform more poorly than that of the UK as a whole, Scottish education is sliding down international league tables, and Scottish local government has been starved of resources. by Olaf Stando. the publication of the annual Gers figures would provoke a lively debate. This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Arthur Hutchinson: Former headteacher jailed for the rape and sexual abuse of a young girl, How SNP and their followers use dirty tricks against political opponents like me – Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP. The figures for 2019-20 only tell part of the story. Editor: Tom ClarkManaging Editor (Arts & Books): Sameer RahimHead of Digital: Chris Tilbury Production Editor: David McAllisterSenior Editor: Alex DeanCreative Director: Mike Turner Digital Assistant: Rebecca Liu US Writer-at-Large: Sam Tanenhaus, Editorial enquiries: 020 7255 1344Subscription enquiries: 0330 333 0173, Commercial Director: Alex StevensonHead of Marketing: Paul MortimerMarketing and Circulation Executive: Susan Acan Head of Events: Victoria Jackson Events Project Manager: Nadine ProspereHead of Advertising Sales: Adam Kinlan 020 3372 2934Senior Account Manager: Patrick Lappin Head of Key Accounts Harriet RadcliffeHead of Finance and Resources: David de Lange.