Scotland was warring with England for some 600 years before their King, James V1 of Scotland found himself, on the death of Elisabeth 1st, also inheriting the Throne of England as James 1st. Suddenly in 1603 the two Nations came together in ONE man - a Scot! JAMES did not just want united crowns, though; he wanted the two Governments of the two Nations to also be united. At that time there was quite a lot of public opposition to his dream. BUT, later in 1707 England and Scotland were absorbed into the Union of GREAT BRITAIN. Since then, for more than 300 years, it has remained so. Of course there have been disagreements between them. The National Character and Identity of each were not lost, or merged into some new Race or Tribe. BUT there was a sense of togetherness. We both settled for ONE Sovereign to Rule over us, ONE Flag to March and LIVE together under.
GROWING UP in the late 1940s I was aware with pride and satisfaction that Great Britain comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, and even a part of Ireland. I saw this as making us a Nation Strong and Prestigious; a Nation made up of many, working and standing together in UNITY.
YES, I know that this may not - in many ways - have been as true as it seemed, but then I was innocent of the grumbles of men in those days, and simply saw with starry eyes - and what I say I admired, and was proud to be part of. The MEDIA are saying its almost 50/50 in the race to decide the fate of the United Kingdom. In 1707 60.5% voted FOR Union, and 39.5% voted AGAINST!!. This was the Scottish Vote!
If Scotland decided to go it alone, then we must take UNITED out of OUR old name for Great Britain, We must change the FLAG. And, of course there will be the BIG QUESTION - Will our mutual histories, prior to the Act of Union, again begin to sour our relations afresh until, perhaps, petty quarrels, national disagreement bring open conflict across our borders once more.?
GRADUALLY AGEING I have not found much reason to change. I am glad to have a Flag like the Union Jack as my Flag - I do not think of myself of being 'just' English in an exclusive sense, but in the wider and all embracing sense of being a Citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Oh, and by the way in 2011 I discovered that prior to being adopted my name was JOHN ALEXANDER GRANT, my father being Scottish. And in all the years between my teenage and now, I have always had an instinctive interest and concern for Scotland. I would have probably been a Jacobite and fought with Bonny Prince Charlie in the Rebellion! Certainly I would have been on the side of the William Wallace - and obviously I AGREE with England being SCOTTISH !! Nay but I jest. I see no good in one nation lording it over another - but to be together united for the common good - that is a desire not to be thwarted by any politician or religious bigot. WELL, but I was adopted away from my 'Scottishness' and became William John Alexander GREEN..........yet my heart remained somehow one with Scotland. I AM for the UNION. I am for the QUEEN of GREAT BRITAIN - A Queen not manipulated by two bickering States, but accepted as the HEAD of the UNION of two unified States. Just one possible reservation.....!
I would like the QUEEN of Great Britain, to be able to LEAD more than she is allowed. She is, as the politicians have slowly forced her to be, a silent puppet in their hands. OH that she would SPEAK out; take a STAND. I am sure James 1st of England and V1th of Scotland would have made sure HE was heard, in his day. IF the Union is dissolved I do not see how the Queen could properly govern Scotland in a REAL sense - even if it became a Commonwealth Country or attain Dominion status. Scotland would decide its affairs independently of the English Parliament. THUS the Queen would still be Queen of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but merely a tourist attraction for Scotland.
.jpg)
And thus within a week we shall be confronted either by the consolidation or liquidation of a STATE. A State which has, by amalgamation and inclusion of others within its identity, grown to be a world power even in today's eyes. BUT Her Majesty's government has of itself slowly been eating away at this powerful cohesion of nations. Wales has its own Parliament already. Ireland, what is left of it for Great Britain, may soon cease to exist, and Scotland may become independent,
What is left will be the stark RED CROSS of ENGLAND and St. George, shorn of all indication of the inclusion of those other nations, till recently part of England's greatness. The E.U. would like this to be so. BUT, even if this all should come to be, and Scotland's over zealous First Minister, Mr. J. Salmond be found victorious in his quest for power and fame, ENGLAND will still not be quite DEFEATED. The powers around this little island set in a silver sea, may have tried to lop off her limbs, and dismember her, but she has stood ALONE before.
OF COURSE I do not pretend to take into account all the historical and political arguments for or against Union. I merely intrude my personal private uninformed feelings on the matter. I AM against dismantling our history and our traditions and our FAITH. It is the work of an Enemy. The work of traitors.We should all be careful, as we playfully go though life, that it is easy to wake up to desolation.
THIS WEEK I watched a Film called KAROL, A Man Who Became Pope. Taken just as a film I thought it was brilliant. A truly serious, challenging, and revealing portrayal. I feel that whatever your religious persuasion you can benefit from watching this production - it is another reminder of NAZI and COMMUNIST atrocities - one that identifies with The ISLAMIC STATE (IS) and demonstrates how little we have progressed as human beings. One begins to wonder if the word 'civilised' is becoming obsolete. I shall do my best to find the sequel to this Film.THE VOXY IS FINALLY BACK ON THE ROAD. We Praise the Lord for His Kindness.
The Rains have - for the moment - gone away and the SUN is shining once more.
LIFE remains a daily walk with God. Every Day is linked more and more to our trust in HIM.
God Bless and keep you through this next week, as we all draw nearer to the Coming of the King. The KING who will RULE the world sternly and well in Justice and Mercy. He is not far away now, and there will be no Referendum to decide about WHO or WHAT He will Rule. Even so COME Lord Jesus.
John and Esther & Daryl and Carol
No comments:
Post a Comment