Britain. The Wisest Fool in Christendom
The first, and only, monarch to have been personally involved in propagating the idea of Britain as one nation is the Stuart James VI and I, to put his titles in their chronological order. Over the following four hundred years, the idea of separate nations has persisted. If a foreigner asked someone from Britain ‘Are you English?’ The reply might be – Yes, Yorkshire; or a Londoner but never a correction, Yes British. On the other hand it might be – No, Scottish, or Welsh. But again, never British. It seems likely that the only people who would consider themselves British first, whatever else second, would be from Ulster.
It was on this basis that devolution has been decided. If we look at a map which is just Britain, devolution would be rather different. It would be divided into areas where people had common problems with common solutions; the Highlands, the Lowlands, Northumbria (The border country), Devon and Cornwall, East Anglia etc., etc. Natural groupings, rather than something based on an imaginary line on a map drawn by courtiers in the twelfth century, divisions that have been acrimonious ever since.
Traditions are important and need to be kept alive, not just preserved, but it is also important to recognise they belong to the past and should not unduly influence the future.
Instead of a referendum which would decide the future of the whole of what is called Scotland, surely the people of the border should be allowed to decide if they are of the same nationality as the people living next door? Surely the people of the Highlands, with their dependence on tourism, should not be denied the governance of their own affairs, or have it sacrificed by some ambition of the Lowlands?
The strength of Britain, recognised by The Wisest Fool in Christendom, James Stuart, has always been the combination of our skills and regional attributes. Modern London was not built by Anglo Saxons but by the British, English, Irish, Scots, and the Welsh. Perhaps it is time to return the favour?