Scottish independence

Walter Thomas Monnington's 1925 painting called Parliamentary Union of England and Scotland 1707 hangs in the Palace of Westminster depicting the official presentation of the law that ended Scottish indepencence.

Scottish independence is the name given to a popular movement of the Scottish people towards the creation of an independent sovereign state of Scotland, separate from the United Kingdom. Previous to the promulgation of the Act of Union of 1707, Scotland was an independent kingdom ruled by its own monarchy and traditions. Scotland lost its independence after a series of wars with English forces, now popularly known as the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Revival

The modern movement for Scottish independence was revived as a result of the 1974 United Kingdom general elections. Scotland, an administrative state of the United Kingdom, surprised the British government in London with the election of eleven members of the Scottish Nationalist Party to Parliament. This bold step empowered the movement with greater leverage for pro-independence agendas in the House of Commons. To stem from any rash moves by the Scottish people to formally declare independence, the British government offered a compromise with the creation of a semi-autonomous Scottish assembly to control some aspects of domestic policy. The Scottish people voted the resolution down hoping to fight for more progressive actions that would levy more power to the Scottish people over their own destinies. The Scottish independence movement boosted its support with the assumption of power by Margaret Thatcher, elected prime minister of the United Kingdom. Thatcher's conservative party made aggressive efforts to stop the Scottish independence movement, angering much of the Scottish people.

Devolution

In 1997, the conservative government was voted out of power and the Labour Party assumed control of the British agenda. Tony Blair became prime minister and personally led an effort to accommodate the concerns of the Scottish independence movement. The result was a decision by Parliament to create a devolved government for Scotland granting control over most domestic policy to an elected Scottish parliament. In September 1997, a referendum was held and seventy-five percent of Scottish voters approved the devolution plan. In May 1999, Scotland held its first parliamentary election. The following July, the Scottish parliament was gaveled into session for the first time since a recess was declared in 1707. The Scottish parliament had one hundred twenty-nine members. The chief executive, comparable in power to the prime minister of the United Kingdom, was the first minister of Scotland.

In the spirit of the Scottish independence movement, an honored Scottish poem called A Man's A Man for A' That was sung by activist Sheena Wellington at the opening of the Scottish parliament. The hymn by Robert Burns brought tears to the eyes of those attending. It continues to be the modern unofficial anthem of the Scottish independence movement.

Is there for honest Poverty

That hings his head, and a' that;

The coward-slave, we pass him by,

We dare be poor for a 'that!

For a ' that and a' that,

Our toils obscure, and a 'that,

The rank is but the guinea's stamp,

The Man's the gowd for a 'that.

What though on hamely fare we dine,

Wear hoddin grey, an a' that,

Gie fools their siks, and knaves their wine,

A Man's a Man for a ' that,

For a' that, and a' that,

Their tinsel show, and a' that;

The honest man, though e'er sae poor,

Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie ca'd, a lord,

Wha struts, and stares, and a' that,

Though hundreds worship at his word,

He's but a coof for a' that.

For a' that, and a' that,

His ribband, star and a' that,

The man of independent mind,

He looks and laughs at a' that.

A prince can mak a belted knight,

A marquis, duke, and a' that;

But an honest man's aboon his might,

Gude faith he mauna fa' that!

For a' that, and a' that,

Their dignities and a' that,

The pith o' Sense, and pride O' Worth,

Are higher rank than a' that.

Then let us pray that come it may,

As come it will for a' that,

That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth

Shall bear the gree, and a' that.

For a' that, and a' that,

It's comin yet for a' that

That Man to Man the warld o'er,

Shall brothers be for a' that.

Parties

Though the Scottish people achieved devolution and gained power over most of their affairs, a desire for complete independence continued. Nationalist political parties were strengthened with new supporters and efficient organizations. Scottish independence is currently supported most notably by the Scottish Independence Party, Scottish National Party, Scottish Socialist Party and the Scottish Green Party, as well as by a number of independent members of the Scottish parliament.