(Global Times) 08:15, September 09, 2014
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Comments twitter facebook Sina Microblog reddit Scotland will hold its independence referendum on September 18. A poll released Saturdaysuggested that pro-independence voters had taken the lead for the first time since thereferendum campaign started. This dramatic shift in public sentiment has shocked thewhole UK.
Scotland only has a population of 5.4 million, around 8 percent of that of the UK, but boastsa territory of about one-third of the nation. UK Prime Minister David Cameron inked anagreement in October 2012 ensuring that the Scottish parliament could hold a referendumon independence, known as the Edinburgh Agreement. Back then only about 30 percentshowed support for independence and Cameron thought the referendum would put an endto the protracted controversy between the "Yes" campaign and the "No" group.
Now the UK is standing on a precipice. The Scottish National Party who takes a pro-independence stance is in office and its leader Alex Salmond serves as the First Minister ofScotland. Public will has reversed astonishingly within just one year, demonstrating that asecessionist party, once assuming power, will play a vital role in mobilizing the whole ofsociety to pursue independence.
It is hard to say whether the proponents of independence will realize their dream in thereferendum, which, however, obviously helps highlight and spread an independent spiritacross Scotland.
Even if the "No" group aimed at keeping the Union intact wins the vote narrowly, it will inno way mean an end to the Scottish independence campaign.
If Scottish independence happens, Cameron will likely become a "sinner" of history for theUK. And if opponents win the vote, the UK government must be capable of tackling variousconsequences brought about by people's growing desire for independence. He may have torender more autonomy in tax revenue and social welfare to Scotland and defuse grievancesfrom Northern Ireland and Wales.
Consolidated peace in an increasing number of countries makes smaller states feel moresecure. Scotland is part of Europe which is one of the world's most stable regions withmany affluent countries. Furthermore, they can rely on the European Union. Thereforesome Scottish people contend that they will obtain more advantages at little cost byseceding from the UK.
If Scotland gains independence, the UK will descend from a first-class country to a second-rate one, which will once again break the balance within Europe. And its consequence mayeven wield influence upon international geopolitics.
The UK will become the biggest loser if such a scenario transpires. The elite of Londonhave begun to feel panicked due to these potential risks and no longer wear an expressionof pride for delivering the fate of Scotland to more than 5 million people through the voteon independence.
The Scottish independence campaign also tells us that established developed countries likethe UK are far from stable as we previously imagined.
(Editor:Liang Jun、Bianji)
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