tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post2234169575735413495..comments2024-02-28T22:03:19.609+00:00Comments on A Scottish Liberal: David Steel's wife supports Scottish independenceAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02027368242570244912noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-47685696403929055442012-08-07T14:36:53.610+01:002012-08-07T14:36:53.610+01:00This an excellent development. So far, it has bee...This an excellent development. So far, it has been far too easy for the Unionists and their press to dismiss independence as an "SNP thing" or, as it has especially been in the last few months, as an "Alec Salmond thing".<br /><br />Groups like Labour For Independence and LibDems For Independence will hopefully demonstrate that this is a popular movement, across all strata of Scottish society. I wish you every success. It is the truly liberal <i>and</i> democratic path.Richard Cainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07998252403705499137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-23750121796439826342012-08-06T21:06:47.853+01:002012-08-06T21:06:47.853+01:00Hi Andrew - good article. I've referenced it ...Hi Andrew - good article. I've referenced it in my blog: http://livingonwords.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/the-party-should-listen-to-judy-steel.htmlDan Falchikovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10202541499332901648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-51514687950905094612012-08-04T23:26:02.410+01:002012-08-04T23:26:02.410+01:00Thanks for your comment Tris.
I can see the "...Thanks for your comment Tris.<br /><br />I can see the "emotional" aspect Lady Steel speaks of too, but ultimately it isn't what drives me or has forged my attitudes towards Scotland's future. Perhaps, as you suggest, there is some emotional element to my thinking, but a negative one - of not easily identifying with popular concepts of "Britishness". I am far more comfortable with defining myself as either "Scottish" or "European".<br /><br />Given the story of the tattoo that the Record also referred to I suspect Lady Steel either doesn't care too much what her husband thinks or they understand each other so well and respect each other's views that he's not overly concerned by her "coming out". I agree this could be a catalyst for others to reconsider their views, but I also think from the party's perspective and feel it would be less damaging for the Lib Dems to recognise the multiplicity of views within its ranks and allow individuals to campaign as they wish rather than be embarrassed by a string of revelations or defections. It's why having an internal group is better than a rabble of frustrated uncoordinated voices.<br /><br />I am a member of the facebook page and it's got around 70 members or so which is an indication that there's a decent minority of us who want to positively campaign for independence. As you rightly state, independence is not a one man band; neither is it about the political agenda of one particular party. It is about the fundamental questions that affect us all.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027368242570244912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-62181992816087592592012-08-04T23:08:13.557+01:002012-08-04T23:08:13.557+01:00I think I can see what Mrs Steel is saying, Andrew...I think I can see what Mrs Steel is saying, Andrew. Of course it has to be an intellectual "thing", if it is going to work, but for many people, for whom "country" is more that rocks, soil and trees, I can see the "emotional" thing that she speaks of. I can even vaguely feel it as part of a much bigger intellectual drive, which involves economics, political directions and morality, vision, etc.<br /><br />The "feeling" that you belong to your country may be more important to some. And many in Scotland (and probably other parts of the union) don't really "feel" British, or particularly that they belong to the image, or brand of the UK. <br /><br />They feel Scottish whilst accepting that they are geographically British and European.<br /><br />What is perhaps strange is that someone in Mrs Steel's position should feel it. Presumably, as the wife of an MP, MSP, Presiding Officer, Knight and Peer, at different times, but over a very long period, Mrs Steel could be said to move in high places in British society; places where she might reasonably, at least by now, expect to feel at home.<br /><br />And yet emotionally she still doesn't feel that she is quite the British person she is expected to be.<br /><br />I think that her "coming out" may encourage other people to rethink their own attitudes.<br /><br />It is interesting to see that there is now a Labour Facebook community for Independence and a similar page has recently been started for Liberal Democrats.<br /><br />http://www.facebook.com/LibDemsForIndependence<br /><br />I am delighted to see this. Independence and the debate about it does not belong to the SNP. Already the Green Party and Scottish Socialists are pro independence, but it is cheering to see people with other political allegiances speak out.<br /><br />It is very important that Scottish voters understand that it is not a one man band.<br /><br />Bravo to Mrs Steel for leading. I wonder how her husband feels about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com