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| Liz Lochhead |
When Cameron
talks of the importance of the union, I sense he totally misunderstands the
Scottish perspective. Since the war the Scottish people have been treated as
second rate and we have had to fight for the survival of our heritage, culture,
arts, music, history, literature and more. It has been no easy path.
English
appointments have been routinely made to head Scottish Arts bodies for the past
decades since the 50s, who knew nothing of Scottish history or culture. Ireland
had to fight bloody wars for its nation’s independence. Scotland can achieve
independence I hope in today's world - by strong political argument, cultural
voices and positive campaigns. The SNP was formed in 1939 to fight and argue
for a Scottish Assembly (new Parliament). There was also a Scottish Convention set up in the 1980s, led by Jim Ross, and
carefully written up against the undemocratic practices of Westminster.
Yes OK we
have had the world renowned Edinburgh festival, but it has never been primarily
about promoting Scottish culture - it's history always focused on International
Arts (apart from the strictly military Tattoo).
In 2012
Scotland’s creative community fought back. Scottish writers such as Ian Rankin, Liz Lochhead and
others - were all signatories on a
letter to the then English director Alexander Dixon of Scottish Arts council,
complaining over the way the council was being run. As a result Dixon resigned
his post.
In 1992,
Timothy Clifford, Director of the National Galleries, planned to close the
Scottish Portrait gallery. There was such as public outcry, the plan was
changed and we now have a newly refurbished portrait gallery.
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| Ian Rankin |
At the
Glasgow Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in 2012, I watched all these small
and now independent countries enter the stadium and I wondered why Scotland
wasn't independent too.
The Britain
of today is no longer about Empire. Since the 1939 – 45 war there has been a
drive for small nations to separate from the bigger empires. All the British
colonies have been granted their independence and the right to self government.
Scotland is alone in still seeking it’s independence and while it has one of
the most ancient histories and our education has led the world with Scottish
professors teaching around Europe.
All these expressions are civic naitonalism and Scotland has
always been outward looking with it's a Bridge of Boats, as historian Tom Devine puts it. 'Narrow minded
nasty' nationalism on the other hand is fearful, bigoted, prejudiced and inward
looking.
An
Independent Scotland would have a bigger voice in Europe. Tiny countries like Malta and Luxemburg have 5
MEPS and countries the same size as Scotland, Finland and Denmark, have 14
MEPS. This is not sustainable for
Scotland. We need a strong voice in Europe to support our industries and
business – our voice on fishing has been lost.
Irish dancer
Michael Flatley, Lord of the Dance, in a recent tv interview spoke of exporting
Irish identity worldwide – and of Ireland’s writers, actors and musicians - such
as The Chieftains, U2, and it's many wonderful actors and writers. He said a strong cultural identity is good
for countries and for selling that country worldwide.
Young people
today will not remember when there was no Scottish parliament and no Celtic
Connections folk festival keeping Scottish folk traditions alive. In the 1950s
and 1960s the route to success was being an Anglicized Scot or moving to
London.
