196 Divided

 

" Divided "

It feels like everything is being divided into smaller and smaller chunks. At a time when we should be bonding together instead bonds are being pulled apart. Brexit has caused a divide between the British mainland and the European mainland. There has I think always been a difference but not the animosity we see today. In the UK itself the Scottish government has tried and continues to try to break away from the rest of the UK. Even in England there has been renewed north and south divide and unready off the back of Andy Burnhams disagreement with the UK government. In Scotland though there is not only a push by the government to break away from the rest of the UK but a great big crack through Scottish society.

Up until 2014 Scotland had been a country pretty much united. Even in the lead up yo the Independence referendum arguments could get heated but that was nothing new. Nothing to be concerned about. Following the result though to remain as part of the UK that all changed instantly. I remember that following day. There was no or little gloating that I saw from remainders which was the opposite of what would have happened had 55% instead voted to leave. But what happened next was a mass outpouring of hate and venom like no other which remains today. Fallout, unfollows and unfriendings followed in a large scale. I think the minority thought they were the majority like Sturgeon and Blackford still do today talking of the "will of the Scottish people" as a whole rather than a democratic minority. They thought it was a given. They thought there would be parties. But then there wasn't. 

The perception among the nats is that you are not Scottish if you do not want independence. And if you are not a nat then you are the enemy. The rest are are not brave enough. They are weak. They are spineless. They are not heroic. They are not patriots. That is the party line. Of all the divisions the one in Scotland is the deepest of all. There is no united Scotland any more. There is a bitter divide that I cannot ever see healing. There is no good outcome when there is such a split. Split is OK, good even or at least healthy. You don't want a nation all stepping to one beat without question. But this one is bitter. If the nats get there way Scotland will become independent, they will party and when it's over the hate on both sides will remain. The same outcome if there is no referendum or there is with the same result as 2014. Its not about what is best for Scotland anymore. Its about picking a side, trying to win and sticking it to the other side. Sadly that is the crack that appeared 7 years ago and is now a chasm.