Pearl of Tyburn: I’ll now be speaking Mr. G. Wright of Glasgow.
How are you, Mr. Wright?
G. Wright: Well, thanks.
P.T.: Could you please explain what your British
identity means to you?
G. W.: For me, a Scotsman, to be British is to enjoy
a unique and special identity. Most people only have one culture and one
history; but we British are lucky to have a share in several other cultures, as
well as our own. I love all things Scottish, but I'd still prefer a Dry
Gin to a Whisky, a Shakespeare over a Burns and a St Thomas More over a John
Knox. And despite these things being English in origin - they have become
very much part of my culture - thanks to the UK. This is part of
the beauty of the UK - as to be British is to be enriched in this way.
P.T.: What is an analogy that you might use to
describe the Union?
G.W.: Our very successful Union is like a family,
in that the Nations are close and affectionate of one another, but also
distinct in identity and at times rivals. There is nothing quite like the
UK, and - should the worst happen in September, God forbid - there never will
be anything quite like it again. For it is more than just a bland Union of
Nations - like the EU - it goes way beyond that, via having unity of language
and a shared and lively history too. The Peoples of the UK Nations are
not simply mere 'partners', but kith and kin. To be British is to be part
of a family.
P.T.: Do you ever feel like your British identity
takes away from or diminishes your Scottish identity in any way?
G.W.: Unlike some, I do not feel like my British Identity is an unwelcome "bolt on" to my Scottish Identity. For me, it is a complimentary aspect - not a rival one. Like two luxurious room in a large Mansion. The rooms are not competitors, but each is wonderful and interesting on its own merits. You can flit from one to another, or place them alongside one another. It is fascinating to see how they compliment one another.
P.T.: What do you feel it is to be British, on an
international level?
G.W.: To be British is to belong to a Nation which
has done more than any other, over centuries, to shape the modern World.
I think this is shown by the enduring successor of the Empire, the British
Commonwealth. That the vast majority of former Empire States choose to
remain part of this family of friends today, is a testament to how the bonds of
brotherhood and friendship have ultimately prevailed over conquest and
domination. These friendships are the real legacy of the Empire.
P.T.: What did you think of the Commonwealth Games
recently held in Glasgow?
G.W.: The recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow were
a lesson in how blessed we are to be British, to enjoy links and friendship
with so many different People and Nations from across the globe. And the
enrichment of Britain, through contact with these friends, was clearly visible
- not least by the welcome presence of Men from the Gurka Rifles, at the
security points! It may not fashionable to boast of Empire in the modern
era, but the size of the British Empire was impressive by any standards. I
believe that, one day, historians will talk of the British, the way they talk
about the Romans today. And so to be British is to be International.
P.T.: How would you answer some of the negative
charges made against the British identity by separatists?
G.W.: Some separatist extremists try to extrapolate
neo-fascism from a simple pride in, or admiration of, British identity and the
United Kingdom. But in spite of this, many people continue to be proud of their
British identities. We are not especially vocal about it - that would be quite
un-British indeed - but that doesn't mean its not there. We have just as much
to be proud of as Britons, as we do as Scots. One cannot blame keen fans of
British culture for admiring the more romantic aspects of an exceptionally rich
tapestry of history, as others do with the Romans, etc. As a Scottish Briton
myself, I cannot help but share their sympathies!
P.T.: What do you think has contributed to the
antipathy towards the British identity on the part of many Scots?
G.W.: Sadly, many Scots today define themselves by
what they decide to dislike - be it the English, or the Catholics – instead of appreciating
the fullness of their heritage and important historical events. Many Scots
think resenting these groups is what it means to be Scottish - it’s very sad. This
kind of negative, or inverse identity is a phenomenon I have not encountered
elsewhere.
I think in part this "negative identity" explains the
verses in The Flower of Scotland which
attempt to create a sensation of loss or grievance - rather than pride in our
own nation, our anthem is all about whom we dislike and how hard-done-by we
feel. The end result of all this is an ignorant and divided society. Most
people have no real sense of themselves and are simply unthinking clients of
cheap, imported pop culture. And that which is thought of as being genuinely
Scottish (kilts etc) is in the main a modern and contrived caricature of an
identity.
P.T.: What do you think of the claim that the
British army used Scottish soldiers as cannon fodder?
G.W.: The type of Scot who can seemingly see
nothing but ill-will and exploitation in the United Kingdom strikes a chord of
frustration with me. I hate the "cannon fodder" argument you
often hear, about Scots in the British Army. It’s just not true. On the
contrary, Scots Regiments have always been an important and illustrious part of
the British Army. The Royal Scots were the oldest British Army Unit, till they
became sadly defunct. Now it is the Coldstream Guards. And where is Coldstream?
That’s right, Scotland! I also strongly dislike the bogus notion that Scotland
is an English colony, rather than a partner of the English. It’s just
absurd.
P.T.: If Scotland were to become independent, what
do you think the Scottish people could expect?
G.W.: I think people would get a shock in an
independent Scotland. We would have no G8 seat, no permanent UN Security
Council seat, no permanent UN veto, no major EU influence, no major global
influence, no nuclear deterrent, no conventional military power, no fiscal
control over our own currency, etc. As part of the UK, we currently have all of
that. I don't think our coffers would be able to support the large number of
public sector jobs the country depends on.
Before recent cuts started 1 in 4 employed by the State in
Scotland, compared to 1 in 5 UK wide. And this is before all the extra ones
needed if independent. Let’s not forget the many Scots communities, often
isolated, who depend heavily on local British bases and military installations
to drive their economies. All that would be gone if we split from the UK.
P.T.: What’s your
opinion on the currency debate?
G.W.: Control of our currency is another major
issue that ceding throws up. We have to either take the euro (assuming we even
got into the EU - not guaranteed) and let the EU control our currency, (that's
going really well for Greece right now), or we keep the pound and let the Bank
of England control our currency. The Bank of England currently controls our
currency, but does so while taking us and our economic circumstances into
account (along with the rest of the UK).
Post independence, they would still be in full control, but
the Scottish economy would not feature in their considerations whatsoever, as
they no longer have any duty to us. This then has grave implications for
anything our Government would try to do: fiscal plans, the economy etc. Why
would sane person, who was not intoxicated or under duress, freely vote to give
up fiscal control of their own currency? If people think seriously, they can
only credibly vote no, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens almost "by
accident"!
P.T.: Can you please give me your closing thoughts,
and what you see as the heart of the referendum?
G.W.: Ultimately, the
name of the "no" campaign - Better Together - sums it all up.
Were it not for the UK and its centuries of history, none of the constituent
parts could ever have expected to have such an eventful history, or range of experiences
and opportunities. We know from the work place that working
together achieves more, and so it is with the UK too. To be British is to
have broad horizons.
This whole referendum comes down one
major question: do Scots want to be part of a nation which helps to shape the
world (The UK), or do they want to be part of a nation which is shaped by the
world? No Scotsman worth his salt would choose the latter! Here's to a
prosperous + proud Scotland within a happy + strong UK!
P.T.: Thank you very much for your taking part in this
project.
G.W.: Sure, no problem.
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