Given the effort it took to get Northern Ireland off thedaily national news agenda, with its relentlessly negative focus for all those yearsof murder and mayhem, it would be a matter of huge regret if we were back inthe spotlight for the wrong reasons. As we stand, the residents of the southerncounties of England hardly spend their waking hours obsessing over Barnett consequentials.I imagine most are blissfully unaware there was ever a Chief Secretary to theTreasury by the name of Joel Barnett, or that he came up with the formula fordistributing funding around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. No,it would take someone or something of massively newsworthy proportions to putthe size of the Block Grant into focus for your average Englishman or woman.Unfortunately, there is someone and something: Alex Salmond and his call forIndependence for Scotland.
Be in no doubt thatthis is an existential threat to the future relationships of all the componentcountries of the UK, and as with most things I life, money will play its partin the outcome. Interestingly, Mr Salmond feels Scotland could pay its share ofthe national debt. As the national media start working out what that means, thefocus may broaden to embrace Wales and Northern Ireland. We all know how itwill work; a red top tabloid will calculate what we cost the UK and then reportit in terms of hip replacements, new school builds, or Eurofighter aircraft.
From there, it isa short step to the archive of abuse some of our politicians directed at the Governmentfor “Tory cuts”, as if this part of the Kingdom should not be askedto take its share of the economic pain.
How long before the economically active of the south east ofEngland start asking questions, like what is a Barnett consequential, and whydo they have to pay for it? Or why David Cameron, the most overtly pro-UnionPrime Minister in a generation, has been so vilified by a unionist politicalparty?
So, what is the solution? As we move towards NorthernIreland’s second century, we need to speak out confidently about the Union, andour contributions, in people, ideas, and sacrifices, not least in the two WorldWars. What we can add now is a long-term, aspirational vision for our economy,to become net contributors to HM Treasury, by growing a private sector so bigand profitable that we no longer need the Block Grant. That is a massive ask,but at this time of huge threat to the Union, we need to think big.
As the debate on thepotential re-configuration of the Union begins, all unionists would do well toconcentrate on what we can offer the rest of the United Kingdom, rather than onwhat we believe we are owed. It is a conversation I and my colleagues have beenhaving with the Conservative Party and others for some considerable time.
Extremely well said Mike. I just hope that the dangers to our Union with the UK are fully realised by everyone here. Scotland is behaving badly, IMO, and risks being smeared as Traitors to our cause by greedily breaking the Union. If they do indeed breakaway, where does that leave NI? Should we also break away and join with Scotland? Would Salmond McSmug countenance such a move? I doubt it. Perhaps the UUP was just a wee bit too quick to refuse the offer of joining with the rest of the Conservative party? I note there was no democratic vote on the subject. The Union is vital for all of the UK, not just Scotland. It increases all our powers of influence world wide and particularaly within the EU. If we lose our bargaining powers due to Union breakup, then Scotland will carry the blame. It seems she couldn’t care less, sadly. However, I am forever hopefull that sanity will prevail. We DO have to fight our cornere effectlively though.
Mr Salmond believes the offshore oil industry based mostly in Scottish waters and brought on shore via Aberdeen, will be his saviour but he needs to get real that is only a short term solution when England was oil-rich they weren’t so keen to break up the union.
Mr Salmond may have a point but if Scotland loses it’s oil wealth they will be in greater danger of poverty on a grand scale. Remember, united we stand divided we fall, the little green eye may be in operation and maybe detracting from common sense. There has been a campaign over the last 40 years when a dissolution of the Union was sought eventually common sense prevailed the aspiration may still be there but practicality determines we need the union to preserve our standards of living.
Political aspirations are grand and great for flag waving but the economic practicality determines the ‘grass root’ opinion, economics whilst we may not like their practicailty determine the food on the plate – ever tried eating a flag
I agree whole heartedly with what you say. What IS the point of trying to break up the UK, which is what will happen if Salmond gets his greasy way. Scotland will have far lesser voting, debating, or negotiating rights on the world stage, whereas the UK does have plenty of clout. If SNP supporters really think that they will be truly independent, then they are remarkably naieve! They won’t be! Furthermore, should they be forced into using the Euro as their currency, they will lose all their soverenty in one fell swoop! So much for independence then. As you rightly say – ever tried eating a flag! – The real problem that we have is that, if this foolishness should succeed, then the rest of the UK will be mortally wounded also and lose status and power in world dealings. What are Wee Yuk and his Nationalist compadres’ thinking about! However, I doubt that it will succeed in the end, such selfish and disloyal activities do usally get their come-uppance, do usually fail in the end. However, the arguments must be forcefully put and the road made extremely rocky!