Post by lavendersblue on Aug 17, 2014 20:35:00 GMT
Scotland’s most eminent historian has disclosed he is backing independence because he thinks the 307-year-old Union with England has run its natural course.
Sir Tom Devine said he was a No supporter at the start of the marathon referendum campaign, which started more than two years ago, but has recently decided to switch sides.
He told the Observer the Union was a “marriage of convenience” rather than love that benefited both countries until the 1980s but the stability it provided since the 1750s has “gone or been massively diluted”.
Sir Tom, who was knighted in this year’s Queen’s birthday honours list, claimed Scots are “wedded to a social democratic agenda” while the English have “embarked on a separate journey”.
But the historian said he had also been persuaded to vote Yes by the “flowering of the Scottish economy” despite the Nationalists have opposed George Osborne’s economic policies.
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The academic also argued that a separate Scotland would have a bright future because its universities receive 16 per cent of the UK’s research funding despite it having only 10 per cent of population.
“It is the Scots who have succeeded most in preserving the British idea of fairness and compassion in terms of state support and intervention. Ironically, it is England, since the 1980s, which has embarked on a separate journey,” Sir Tom said.
He said he had initially favoured ‘devo max’ – Scotland remaining part of the UK but with control over all tax powers and benefits – but had since concluded this would increase English antipathy.
Meanwhile, an ICM opinion poll for Scotland on Sunday found support for Yes has increased by four points to 38 per cent over the past month, with backing for No up two points to 47 per cent.
When undecided voters were excluded, 55 per cent of Scots oppose independence and 45 per cent support it. However, 52 per cent said they thought the Scottish Government’s currency plans were “unconvincing” – double the number who thought they were credible.
Sir Tom Devine said he was a No supporter at the start of the marathon referendum campaign, which started more than two years ago, but has recently decided to switch sides.
He told the Observer the Union was a “marriage of convenience” rather than love that benefited both countries until the 1980s but the stability it provided since the 1750s has “gone or been massively diluted”.
Sir Tom, who was knighted in this year’s Queen’s birthday honours list, claimed Scots are “wedded to a social democratic agenda” while the English have “embarked on a separate journey”.
But the historian said he had also been persuaded to vote Yes by the “flowering of the Scottish economy” despite the Nationalists have opposed George Osborne’s economic policies.
Related Articles
Alex Salmond links referendum with father's Churchill dislike
11 Aug 2014
Scottish critics are sheltering behind a comfy myth
10 Apr 2013
Church 'bungling' blamed for mould attack on Mary Queen of Scots archive
03 Jul 2013
Cardinal's resignation 'worst crisis since Reformation'
26 Feb 2013
Cardinal Keith O'Brien's resignation casts shadow over Papal Conclave
25 Feb 2013
The academic also argued that a separate Scotland would have a bright future because its universities receive 16 per cent of the UK’s research funding despite it having only 10 per cent of population.
“It is the Scots who have succeeded most in preserving the British idea of fairness and compassion in terms of state support and intervention. Ironically, it is England, since the 1980s, which has embarked on a separate journey,” Sir Tom said.
He said he had initially favoured ‘devo max’ – Scotland remaining part of the UK but with control over all tax powers and benefits – but had since concluded this would increase English antipathy.
Meanwhile, an ICM opinion poll for Scotland on Sunday found support for Yes has increased by four points to 38 per cent over the past month, with backing for No up two points to 47 per cent.
When undecided voters were excluded, 55 per cent of Scots oppose independence and 45 per cent support it. However, 52 per cent said they thought the Scottish Government’s currency plans were “unconvincing” – double the number who thought they were credible.
