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By Mark E. Saunders of “The Scottish Minuteman” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61575625542197

This week, our new ‘listening’ Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, took both Scottish independence and Irish reunification “off the table”.

Why?

I can only assume that a border poll in Northern Ireland, granted under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, would make Westminster’s refusal to allow Scotland another referendum increasingly difficult to defend — both domestically and internationally.

But there is something else about this that should alarm everyone living in the United Kingdom.

A Prime Minister hiding behind the hope that he can avoid something happening is not a legitimate position to take.

It’s cowardly.

If Westminster genuinely believes Scottish independence and Irish reunification are never going to happen, then fine. Talk about them. Explain why not. Make a political argument against both.

But if there is even a possibility that either could become a reality, simply declaring them ‘off the table’ doesn’t make that reality disappear.

Governments are supposed to prepare for difficult things they hope never happen.

The recent announcement by the U.K. government telling people to stock up on food and water in preparation for extreme weather, cyber attacks or war is just one example.

For Scots, we have endured decades of being warned that Scottish independence would be incredibly complicated. That it would involve difficult negotiations over debt, assets, borders, defence, pensions, trade and countless other things.

The more disruptive Westminster believes independence would be, the more important that preparation becomes.

You cannot argue that something would represent an unprecedented upheaval and, at the same time, refuse to prepare for it because you hope it never happens.

The fire brigade doesn’t refuse to plan for a fire because it hopes nobody sets the building alight.

And the British Government shouldn’t refuse to plan for the break-up of the Union simply because it hopes to prevent it.

I’m not suggesting there is no plan. There may well be one.

But there is remarkably little evidence of a publicly articulated, comprehensive plan for what happens to the rest of the UK if Scotland and Northern Ireland leaves.

Taking independence ‘off the table’ is not a plan. It is simply kicking the can down the road and hoping somebody else has to deal with it.

And this should alarm supporters of the Union just as much as supporters of Scottish independence and Irish reunification.

Because this could be another British Government disaster waiting to happen — and, let’s be honest, there have been plenty of those this century already. 

If Scottish independence and/or a united Ireland eventually happens, Westminster may discover that spending decades hoping the Union survives was never much of a contingency plan.

So, Mr Burnham, face up to your responsibilities as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Or continue to take those responsibilities off the table at the British Establishment’s peril.

Help Talking-up Scotland keep going

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Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421