Achi news desk-
By Molly Pollock
Following on from our last article on Tory seats in Scotland, Molly Pollock challenges John Lamont’s recent scare stories about a post-independence Scottish-England border. Three of the Scottish Conservative seats run along the border. The MPs in these seats are all the same telling us we will be poorer just as they told India who have now pushed the UK down from fifth largest economy in the world to sixth place.
Independence for Scotland would mean a border across the south of Scotland.
Not something to tackle. Little need to change as long as it lasts
Scotland is out of the EU. But once we rejoin then we will have it under control
border with England but regain our freedom to trade, travel around and
living in 27 and more EU countries.
Judging by social media there are a few petulant folk in England, determined
to cut themselves off from all external contact, who are unhappy about it
prospect and who insists that England would never trade with an independent
Scotland. The message to them is to start stockpiling candles or buying them
your own wind turbine. This isolated argument stands in stark contrast to the majority
other independent countries that want to keep and increase close, together
beneficial contact with their neighbours.
It used to be, when idling in an airport queue, it was easy to tell the
an experienced and cosmopolitan traveler with the way their passport was held and
waving around, allowing those around them to gawp at pages of
entry and exit stamps. That became a mere memory with membership of the
EU when we were able to wander around, occasionally having to show a
passport but its pages remain completely blank, unless of course we are
venturing beyond EU borders.
Now with Brexit we are back to long queues and passport checks. Even though
without us leaving the EU, a changing world, population movements, the
potential for terrorism and sophisticated crime on an international scale
meaning that ID checks are becoming more and more common and not just when
crossing borders.
MP John Lamont was speaking recently in Westminster about borders – and
his favorite subject – and how a border has been regulated between England and
Scotland would have businesses and thousands of jobs moving south, putting its own at a disadvantage
electors. It is actually more likely that businesses would move north
take advantage of support provided by the Scottish government as well as the
many social benefits such as free prescriptions and an educated workforce
because of free university education. Lamont insulting his constituents.
intelligence with this drive.
“Scotland has surpassed the UK and Europe by securing a record 126
inward investment projects for the second consecutive year, according to EY’s
Scotland’s latest Attractiveness Survey.” Scotland is the most attractive place in
the UK to invest after London.
A record 19.2% of investors – the highest figure for any location in the UK
outside London – plan to establish or expand operations in Scotland.
Scotland’s share of UK FDI has increased to 13.6% with recognition of
Scotland’s expertise in areas such as digital and IT, and energy transition –
areas where Scotland has a very distinctive package to offer. Scotland
largest sector is the digital technology industry – one of the largest in Europe.
So why with this bonanza would any business see desirability
relocate somewhere in the poorer north-east of England, within travel distance
the distance of the Borders, when there is investment in the industries of the future
poured into Scotland, and Scotland including the Borders.
Moreover, only if that is what a hard border would be for goods
Westminster decides for England. He was able to engineer much softer
border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. The UK and Ireland have a
common travel agreement for people, and Scotland would probably do that
continue to be part of that. Even if we didn’t, we would have the hope of
free trade and travel with EU countries – something that is being taken away
from us by pro-Brexit voters.
Every country in the world (195 of them) has a border, some more than one.
Some are land borders, some sea borders, some have both. They don’t stop people
move around for work or pleasure. Cars, trains, lorries, planes crossing
bound thousands of times a day. Some are easier to cross than others.
Many years ago when on a tourist bus on the border between the first
Yugoslavia and Albania, an armed Albanian soldier, holding what I believed
be a Kalashnikov rifle at our necks, he shot his hand for our passports while
the bus sat in the midday sun. Later we had to go out while the bus was
searched inside and under. Thankfully, such boundaries are few and far between
today and Albania is now one of nine countries currently applying to the EU.
Changes are happening.
Many countries are now finding ways to increase their relations with others
generations. A good example of this is the Øresund Bridge (which combines 16 km
long double track railway and four lane motorway and tunnel) between
Denmark and Sweden (two countries that don’t even speak the same thing
language). The stretch of water between the two countries never got in the way
travelers or businesses blocked in either country. But now the bridge
actually promotes cooperation and collaboration. It even has a purpose
commuter lane and special deals for businesses. It now carries over 20,000
vehicles per day (despite a fairly substantial toll). General traffic is expected to do so
an increase of between 2.1 and 2.5 per cent per annum.
And then there are the train passengers. In 2017, the number of the train
journeys were 11.6 million. Trains are mainly used by people in the region who
live on one side and work on the other. About 40 percent of passengers
across Øresund there are commuters. Three out of four train passengers live in
Sweden. One in four lives in Denmark.
The borders between some countries even come with time differences. When
in Southern Portugal we took a boat across the river to Spain and on arrival
we saw a large clock depicting Spanish Time – an hour difference
Portuguese time. Did that bother folk, confuse them, or prevent them from crossing i
work, shop, visit relatives and friends? Not at all. So why should a border
folk concern in the Borders?
In the south of Scotland it is necessary, if desired, the areas closest to the border
little change in the routine. All people would have to do is get in their car or go on the road
bus for the usual short journey. Would we have to show ID? Well, maybe
but with common sense and good will there are ways around that for local
people. Besides, what’s the problem with showing ID? To travel by plane or
international ferry, to open a bank account and for a number of other actions and
passport must be shown now. If you want to vote in the next general
election you will have to show an approved passport or ID or you will not be able to vote
against your candidate on a ballot paper. Changes are happening.
Therefore, to suit his own unionist policies and John Lamont’s position with his
Ranting about borders is not just trying to conjure up dragons. Don’t be fooled.
