Michael Moore has been sharing his thoughts on the referendum on the US version of Huffington Post. He writes:
Scotland is facing an historic decision in 2014: whether to remain as part of the United Kingdom or to leave and go it alone. Scotland’s nationalist First Minister Alex Salmond is in America this week and will seek to persuade Americans that Scots want independence, that it is our destiny and that U.S. relations with Scotland will only improve should it happen. On all counts, I believe that this analysis is flawed.
…
With huge challenges facing the global economy, it doesn’t make sense to most of us to erect market barriers with our largest market and nearest neighbours — England, Wales and Northern Ireland. With a strong position in Europe, it doesn’t make sense either to have to negotiate new entry terms to the European Union, casting doubt over our opt-out from the euro. And with emerging security threats — North Korea, Iran, Syria — it doesn’t make sense to us to split up our Armed Forces and adopt a divided stance on foreign policy. I am part of the overwhelming majority in Scotland who believe we are stronger, safer and better off together within the family of the United Kingdom.
He concludes:
Next year’s referendum in Scotland isn’t simply a question of national pride, a Braveheart romantic moment. Of course, the nationalists do not have a monopoly on Scottish patriotism or sense of identity. But the decision in 2014 will be one for the heart and the head — and I believe that the case for the United Kingdom wins both. Scots have one of the strongest, proudest national identities in the world. But we are also proud of what we have achieved as the United Kingdom.
America too is made up of states and people with diverse identities and origins, bound together in a Union. Each of those states is immeasurably stronger and more prosperous in the Union than it would be in its own. That is a message which, I am confident, the people of Scotland will be keeping very much in mind as the referendum date approaches.
You can read the full post here.
Follow @LibDemVoice on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
Ed Davey calls for action on pollution of the Wye
Shrewsbury shopping centres plummet in value by two thirds - Shropshire Council shrugs off the loss
The Folkestone Haven
1945 Retro Hugo finalists for Best Novel
Is a u-turn on the cards for North East devolution?
Unwillingness to work with EU is unforgivable
PODCAST - Saving the party from disaster: lessons from Jo Grimond for the Liberal Democrats
Antony Watts
Peter Martin
Katharine Pindar
4 Comments
That is for the people of Scotland to decide not us English you say democracy rules so be it they will vote as to me I dont care one way or other I dont have a castle up their to go to or worried about losing
If I was Scottish I would vote to leave and be shot of bloody Trident
We can be shot of Trident by following Lib Dem policy and not replacing it on a like-for-like basis. The Scots do not have to leave the UK to do that.
Since there is virtually no chance of the Yes vote winning the referendum, I think this is a rather strange subject to be spending a great deal of time on. Most people in the country are going to be more affected by what happens in Cyprus than what happens with the Scottish referendum.