Conference tallis::celt

>    "SUPPORT in Scotland for independence has fallen sharply over the past
>     decade, although most Scots still favour some form of devolution,
>     according to a Gallup Survey for The Daily Telegraph."

I wonder why?  I'd have thought that support for independance would have 
increased over the last few years, given the London-centricity of the UK 
gov't.

Chris.

From The VOGON News Service (5/10/96):   
 
    JOHN MAJOR intensified his attack on Labour's plans for Scottish
    devolution yesterday warning that it would be a "staging post" towards
    the break-up of the Union. Speaking in the Commons in advance of his
    visit today to the Scottish Conservative Party conference, the Prime
    Minister said Labour had not properly thought through its proposal for a
    tax-raising assembly in Edinburgh.

[Posted by WWW Notes gateway]

>I wonder why?  I'd have thought that support for independance would have 
>increased over the last few years, given the London-centricity of the UK 
>gov't.


I don't want to sound condescending about this, but Scottish nationalism is in
many respects influenced by factors other than raw political ones.  The last
major growth in popularity seemed to be inspired primarily by a beer commercial
(though I'm willing to accept that the commercial was responding to the times).
Either way, the images presented, of a young man leaving London for the nation
he loved, seemed to fuel a nationalistic sentiment.

The case fir independence is neither stronger nor weaker than it was four years
ago (I believe that a very strong case can be made forit, I don't believe it
would be a Good Thing).  However, the fickle nature of the electorate means that
fads are more important.

Another point is that - quite surprisingly, really - the Tories are doing quite
a good job of both rubbishing devolution and tying independence into devolution.
The claims of a 3% Tartan Tax are sticking.  The SNP has come up with some
feeble attempt at retaliation, claiming that Scots make 8.x% of the population
but pay 9.x% of the UK's tax, but when you ask an SNP supporter whether water
and sewerage charges are counted the same way in Scotland or England, they all
go quiet and scratch their heads.

I am sure that things will change in the run-up to the election, but for now the
Tories do seem to be making the running, with the other parties reacting rather
than being (shudder) proactive.

All this is, of course, MHO.

regards,
//alan