It’s good to represent those you disagree with accurately. Unfortunately, the very word ‘Nationalist’ leads to people who want independence being misrepresented. Motives slandered. The following is an excerpt from a BBC website analysis piece by top UK Psephologist, Prof John Curtice of Strathclyde University.
‘In the absence of a major English nationalist party the nearest we can come to identifying a group of “English nationalists” south of the border are the one in six people in England who say they are English and are not British. The views of SNP supporters and our “English nationalists” are often very different from each other. No less than 70% of “English nationalists” say that “England was better in the past” and only 13% that its “best years are still in the future”. In contrast, just 16% of SNP supporters believe that “Scotland was better in the past”, while as many as 64% feel that the country’s best years are yet to come. Perhaps the optimism of SNP supporters is sustained by the prospect that one day Scotland will become independent and their belief – disputed by others of course – that Scotland will be better off as a result.
“English nationalists” tend to be older voters, some of whom perhaps are inclined to think that Britain was better when they were young. However, SNP supporters and “English nationalists” also differ in what they think it takes for someone to be Scottish or English. The SNP has long argued that it promotes an inclusive sense of Scottish identity – anyone who comes to live in Scotland has the right to be regarded as Scottish, irrespective of whether they or their parents were born in Scotland or not. In England, however, politicians have tended to promote Britishness rather than Englishness as the identity to which all living in England can lay claim. This contrast is reflected in the views of SNP supporters and “English nationalists”.
True, not every SNP supporter takes their party’s perspective to heart. Only about half (47%) say that someone who has lived in Scotland for more than 10 years makes someone Scottish. However, that is nearly twice the proportion of “English nationalists” (25%) who say that having lived in England for more than 10 years makes someone English. SNP supporters also seem relatively happy with the idea that they live in a culturally diverse society.
❝But ‘nationalism’ means something different in Scotland❞
Half say that Scotland’s “diverse cultural life” adds strongly to their sense of belonging to where they currently live, whereas only 22% of “English nationalists” do so. Against this backdrop, it is perhaps not surprising that SNP supporters are also more willing to embrace things European. As many as 44% of SNP supporters say that they feel “strongly European” while 8% of those of “English nationalists” do.
Other surveys have shown that most SNP supporters voted to Remain in the EU, whereas “English nationalists” mostly voted to Leave. However, there is one thing on which SNP supporters and “English nationalists” agree – that their country is better than most others. Three in five SNP supporters (60%) and almost two in three “English nationalists” express that view.’
‘Feeling Scottish is something that most people in Scotland share in common, whereas feeling British or not can be a source of division.’ – Prof.essor John Curtice.
“Is a movement for Scottish nationalism crazy? It depends what form it takes. If it takes the form of expressing cultural values and integrating people in a more full life, that’s fine.” – Professor Noam Chomsky
Scottish ‘nationalists’ seek a respectful alternative to the UK state. A natural friendship and a Scandinavian-style, geographic and cultural, British identity. The UK state’s character tends towards the overbearing and elitist, to over-the-top, manufactured, Union Jackery. Though others obviously disagree. Fine. People who support independence aren’t trying to confiscate anyone’s identity. Everyone wants the social bonds to remain strong. As they naturally will.
Still in doubt? Perhaps a reminder about the franchise (and unremarked upon consequences) for the 2014 and 2016 referendums.
*The survey was conducted for the BBC by YouGov. The sample size in Scotland was 1,025 adults.
