This September, voters in Scotland will be asked whether or not the nation should leave the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. And according to a recent poll, support for Scottish independence is at 46% (once undecideds are removed). The poll also found that two-thirds of people across England, Scotland & Wales expect the bid for independence to be rejected.
This poll, the first conducted on the question, comes on the heels of a statement by President Obama during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron. Obama said, “With respect to the future of the United Kingdom, obviously ultimately this is up to the people of Great Britain. In the case of Scotland, there is a referendum process in place and it’s up to the people of Scotland. But I would [like] to say the United Kingdom has been an extraordinary partner to us. From the outside at least, it looks like things have worked pretty well. We obviously have a deep interest in making sure one of the closest allies we will ever have remains a strong, robust, united and effective partner.”
The Scottish Express reports, “Until now American diplomats have said their country would remain neutral over the independence issue.
However, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has previously warned Scots not to back independence as it would bad for Europe.”
The statement by Obama, and the warning by Albright seem to suggest that the people of Scotland should surrender their own desires for the “greater good.” The statement by Obama seemed to infuriate Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond who responded, “As President Obama rightly observes, the decision on Scotland’s future is up to the people of Scotland.
We are deeply fortunate as a nation that we have the opportunity to gain our nation’s independence in such a profoundly democratic way, as Mr Obama himself previously acknowledged – and not through conflict as has been the case with so many nations, including the United States itself,” adding, “An independent Scotland will mean that America has two great friends and allies here rather than one.”
I, for one, would like to express my support for an independent Scotland, as well as an independent Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Lakota Republic, Kosovo, Tibet, Texas, Hawai’i, and any other group of people who seek, or may in the future seek independence. I fully support the right of self-determination, meaning that I believe everyone has a right to decide for themselves of which nation, if any, they choose to be a part.