Jews for Scotland

"..I like being in Britain with Scotland in it, as someone with my kind of background". 

David Aaronovitch from Dateline London

I don't want to make too much of this statement, and the blog title is not a serious one*. David Aaronovitch is a liberal, right-of-centre columnist. He isn't a signatory to the Euston manifesto, but he is a blood brother. He may have a typical London Jewish background, but he is publicly atheist - all of which I can relate to. I'm sure I understand his statement to mean that it is more comfortable for minorities to live in a country not defined by a race or creed (like, em, Israel), and that a union of countries better exemplifies this.

But I'm afraid that is a very strange yoke to throw around the Scots. Very kind as that would be, nevertheless the Scottish have no responsibility to help the English be more cosmopolitan. Indeed the Scots have every right to become a little more flag flying and partial as their inevitable independence would encourage. There will still be as many Scots in London, no matter what currency is used in Edinburgh. In fact, I suspect more bright Scots will head for London if they are forced to narrow their identity.

There isn't much doubt about the strength of London as a trading nation and liberal force is due to the relative comfort afforded to folk without deep Anglo roots. And London, as one of the main cog's of the UK, has indeed broken free of any English/British questions and is just another World City.

Elsewhere, there has been a confusion between British values and English values - but that is because England has been part of Britain within folk memory. Arguments about relative value of "the North" vs "the South" may well get a bit more heated. Behind this, we all recognise that the great unifying force of World War II will finally dissolve for the next generation.

But if we haven't persuaded the Scots after this length of time that they are better off in a union, then one side or the other must be deluding themselves. So it would be better if the divorce were amicable, giving us more time to persuade Wales to stay put.


(*There is, rather oddly, a Jews for Jesus organisation, and the post title is really a play on that.)