It’s no secret that Scottish nationalism is on the rise, with the SNP using every opportunity to blame Westminster to stoke an independence movement.
We all thought the referendum in 2014 would have put the issue to bed for at least a generation – but alas, here we are.
Connected via families, trade and heritage, the United Kingdom has stood strong for over 300 years, yet now faces the illness of nationalism. The SNP constantly use the rhetoric of wanting Scotland to be able to set their own path and be independent of the “English Colonialists”, despite the fact they have their own devolved administration, seats in Westminster and the love of the strongest Union in history.
A brief look at history shows us that Scotland was the origin of the United Kingdom. It was proposed by a Scot initially, and then it was the Scottish political establishment that made the successful push to the Union. Now, how many of us knew that?
Something needs to be done to quash the rise of nationalism – and not just by the Tories. The SNP are polled to take a majority of Labour seats next year, and yet the Scottish Labour party continue to attack the Conservatives, who have a dwindling holding.
Labour needs to move away from identity politics and begin to do some real work for the working-class people of Scotland to maintain the Union, before it is too late.
The end of the union is not something I want to see in my lifetime, and it is down to all of us to hold our friends from all sides of the political spectrum to account on this. Making a noise about the greatness of a united Great Britain publically, and pushing our MPs to continue to make the case for us sticking together.
By doing this, we can begin to show those undecided on Scottish independence that the rest of the United Kingdom appreciates them just as much as anyone else from other corners of our great country.
Let us keep the Unicorn of Scotland together with the Lion of England, and never let it slip.
Not forgetting Wales and Northern Ireland, which are also crucial members of the United Kingdom.
