Kenny Farquarson has got around to the Newsnight debate on the Union and its imminent demise. It was on the 4th of July, the anniversary of that day in 1776 when the America threw off the shackles of Britain and ‘Britishness’ and proudly proclaimed their independence of the brutal empire, the Kingdom of Great Britain that was bleeding them dry to serve a lazy, corrupt elite in England.
I got my analysis, videos and comment How the English see Scotland's independence up early the following day.
Nonetheless, here is Kenny on July 10th, brushing a tear from his eye as he reflects on the delights of ‘Britishness’.
(I also managed another piece on July 6th, How the unionists share their identity crisis that explored, among other things, the well-established link between sentimentality and brutality in empires, fascists dictatorships and totalitarian regimes of all kinds.)
‘Britishness is about pop and fish ‘n’ chips’ is Kenny’s headline, and he fills me with delight with his sub-header -
I’ve never heard a Unionist argument this effective in 20 years of politics
For once, Kenny and I are in agreement. When it comes right down to it, this is what the public unionist argument is now reduced to, and it is feeble, sentimental and devoid of any true feeling.
If it’s the best they’ve got, then Scotland’s independence is well on its way.
I invite Kenny, and anybody else who might be tempted to give credence to this twaddle to revisit my two blogs, watch again the Newsnight clips and listen to the comments. We may expect more of this kind of thing as we approach the referendum. Get the sick bags ready …
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I think you're being rather complacent here. Anyone already convinced on the case for independence is not best placed to judge whether these arguments are effective or not. We're not the target audience. The intention is to speak to the Union-sympathetic or the uncertain. If it is a mistake for Unionists to dismiss the emotional, sentimental case for independence, it must also be an error for supporters of independence to do likewise.
ReplyDeleteEach side has arguments purporting to be based on facts showing that independence will be a good or bad thing. The average woman or man in the street isn't well placed to decide on the accuracy of such claims. Rightly or wrongly, and especially when the facts of the matter are unclear, feelings will play a major part in determining the outcome of a referendum.
I don't dismiss the argument, Angus - I think it is a feeble one, and the last refuge for unionists. I may be wrong.
ReplyDeleteI have just written additional material on the argument on my blog, and it is up now, 6.00 pm Sunday.
Thanks for your comment.