Scottish border counties unwilling to be dragged out of the UK? A letter in The Week.

I have come across many articles in recent months arguing that some areas of Scotland would not accept the SNP, if they win an Indeyref2, dragging them out of the UK without putting up a struggle. The Orkney and Shetland Islands are frequently mentioned as not being prepared to be governed from Edinburgh. 

Judging by the letter below, which was first published in The Economist and reproduced in the 22^nd of May edition of The Week, it seems the Scottish counties bordering England might not be happy to be wrenched out of the UK either!

Scotland’s borderlands

To The Economist

The possible preference of the Scottish counties that lie on the border with England not to join a Scottish separation from the UK should be considered seriously.  These counties have voted against the Scottish National Party in elections for the Scottish and Westminster parliaments, and, by nearly two to one, against devolution in 1979 and independence in 2014.  This is the same margin by which Scots voted to remain in the EU, prompting Nicola Sturgeon to claim that Scotland was being dragged out of the bloc “against our will”.  Sauce for the goose?

Jack Ponton, Earlston, Scottish Borders

A view of the Social Democratic Party's performance in this May's elections.

William Clouston, the leader of the Social Democratic Party, announced on twitter that the Party had received 52,263 votes in this May’s Mayoral, Council and parliamentary by-elections - the biggest total since 1989.

I have not seen how these votes breakdown, but they did not reach the total, almost 64,000, achieved by the English Democrats. (See my previous post.)

It will be interesting to compare how the two Parties progress, if they make any progress at all!

A view of the English Democrats Party effort in this May’s local elections.

Although now a former member of the English Democrats I still follow their electoral adventures with interest.  I am not aware of the Party standing any candidates in local council elections, but I did note that a handful of its candidates stood in Mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Robin Tilbrook, the Party Chairman, was a candidate in the Essex PCC election and garnered 42,381 votes, almost 10% of the vote – figures not to be sneezed at.

Stephen Morris, a Party veteran of many years campaigning and electioneering, stood as a candidate in the Greater Manchester mayoral election.  Labour’s Andy Burnham was re-elected as mayor while Stephen received over 9,000 votes or 1.4% of the ballots cast.

Therese Hirst, who joined the English Democrats following the absorption of Veritas, stood in the West Yorkshire mayoral election and received 8,969 votes or 1.5% of ballots cast.

A stalwart effort by Stephen and Therese!

The English Democrats also stood a candidate, Antonio Daniel Vitello, in the Bedfordshire PCC election.  He received 3,387 votes – almost 3% of those cast.  I had not heard of him before, but I admire his willingness to step up to the plate and produce a very respectable showing.

The English Democrats did as well as could be expected considering their limited numbers and resources, and the lack of fair coverage by the MSN.

British Military coup? No Chance! A letter in The Week.

The letter below, which was first published in The Times, appeared in The Week on May 8.  It followed much publicity given to a group of French generals who suggested that their nation was heading for civil war and a possible military coup.

Why it couldn’t happen here.

To The Times

To answer David Aaronovitch’s query as to whether a French military coup could happen here, those of us who slaved in the recesses of the Ministry of Defence know that it could never happen here, for the very good reason that UK service and security chiefs would never be able to agree amongst themselves as to who should be Il Duce,

Andrew Brookes, former CEO, The Air League, London

Obviously such a coup is a non-starter here!

Sunbeams over South Somerset.

Sunbeams over South Somerset on the late afternoon of May 1st.  I thought they made an attractive and interesting photo.  They don't last long and it pays to have your camera handy!