Scotland entered the world stage as an independent nation when it ignored the UK and US Governments and freed Lockerbie bomber Abdel-baset Ali al Megrahi. The grounds Scotland gave for the bombers release prove not only that there are major differences between the Scottish and UK Governments domestic policies, but more importantly it appears that the boundaries of devolution are not stopping Scotland interfering and affecting matters reserved to the UK Government, in this case British foreign policy. Surely with the possibility of international repercussions if we still have a Union there is no way Scotland could have been allowed to release the bomber without the consent of the UK Government even if the matter was devolved, which brings up the question, did Gordon Brown actually give authorisation for it or is it what it seems a British embarrassment?
Perhaps this will bring home the realities of devolution to all those English doubters who think that devolution has been and is the saviour of the Union, when it is obvious it has given power to the factions that want to tear the Union apart and is turning bit players into international celebrities.
There is no way back now in reversing the devolutionary process and before animosities start getting to the stage of forcing separation instead of calling for a referendum on Scottish independence after the next general election, all four countries should be calling for a referendum on the creation of a new British Federal State and new ways of working together.
It takes courage to stand up for your beliefs and especially so if that belief is contary to that of the worlds superpower, and in that respect SNP's Kenny MacAaskill can either be seen as a Scottish hero or a Scottish fool and only time will tell.
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2 comments:
It's a pity they don't show real courage and have their referendum on idependence instead of postponing it time after time, for the sole reason of extracting even more English money.
The UK Govt were in it up to their eyeballs - why did the UK Govt recently sign a mutual prisoner transfer agreement with Libya when there is ONE yes ONE Libya prisoner in the UK .. hmm perhaps they wanted to transfer him home !
The Scottish Govt told the UK Govt to shove their transfer agreement where the sun doesnt shine and took steps under Scots Law ( different from English law ) to free the poor man on compassionate grounds .
Stephen Gash - we dont want YOUR money - just let us have ours please - all of it - not the poxy half measures suggested by Calman . Scotland contributes more revenue to the Uk than it gets out by a large margin - why do you think the UK govt hang on to us !
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