Scotland is a beautiful country with many fine people who have, over time, done much to make the United Kingdom what it is today. I have always felt that, sharing the same island, we are all better off together. At times the United Kingdom may appear to be an uneasy marriage but a marriage it is and I find the possibility of a divorce both a cause for sorrow and concern. We have a unique position, we British, because we wear not only the hat of the United Kingdom but the hat also of our native country within the Union. I have never had a problem in calling myself both British and English and find no particular ambiguity in using either term. It seems that many Scots and in fact a significant number of Celts, let’s be honest, find it difficult to do the same.

As a Briton I want to maintain the Union because that has made us so much of what we are today. With our Celtic cousins, the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish, we created a great empire which, whatever some of our politically correct leaders may tell us, was largely a force for the good. Our statesmen. explorers, inventors, doctors, lawyers and engineers came from all corners of the British Isles and the Scots have always punched well above their weight within the Union. I say all of that whilst wearing my British hat.

 As an Englishman however I am tired of the constant whingeing and whining that emanates from across the border. Within the Union, Scotland undoubtedly has it good with the average Scot  enjoying many benefits denied to (though subsidised by) the English such as free medical prescriptions and free University education for their youngsters. Yet still they complain.

Perhaps our politicians should take a harder line with Alex Salmond, the Scottish Nationalist Party leader,  and spell out to him that actually Scotland needs England a lot more than vice versa. They should tell him to be careful what he wishes for because independence could well come at a heavy price and that price could be economic ruin for Scotland. Next time the English won’t bail out the Scots as they did prior to the Union of 1707 when the disastrous Darien Venture  virtually bankrupted Scotland. No, next time Scotland will be completely on her own.

Maybe our government should take pre-emptive action by saying –

 “Actually Mr Salmond, we are sick and tired of your agitating. Forget about a referendum, we’re abolishing the Union here and now and we are throwing you out. Take your politicians away from Westminster and return them to Edinburgh. With immediate effect all Scots are dismissed from jobs in the British Government , the Civil Service, Trade Unions and the BBC. Pay up your proportion of the national debt, build a nice big secure border between our countries and just SHUT UP!”

Of course it will never happen but it would be worth it just to see the look of righteous indignation on Salmond’s face.

In all seriousness, I have  a feeling that there are enough wise Scots who appreciate what we British have done and continue to do together and they will do all they can to preserve the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Let’s hope so, if only for the sake of their country.