David Straiton.
7a, Quarry Avenue.
Farndon.
Chester.
CH3. 6NT.

Education- An Impediment to Scottish Independence.

“Pupils in England are taught history from an English perspective, unlike their counterparts in Scotland who are taught history from a British perspective” The above is a quote Tom Steel`s book “Scotland’s Story”.
I will make an effort to be as brief as possible, however with well over forty years of experience living and working South of the Border I have enough information on the subject to fill a book.

On several occasions during debates with English friends they have accused the Scots of suffering from an inferiority complex.I have no claim on being an expert on Psychology, however with all due respect to my friends I feel their opinions do not reflect the reality of the situation. This letter represents my own analysis of the “Real “problem with Scottish Society which is related to the respective Education Systems as defined in Tom Steel`s book.

A recent event occurred which demonstrates my point emphatically. The B.B.C. Programme Any Questions was broadcast from Scotland, Alex Salmond was a member of the panel. Inevitably a question was put to the panel of political significance Mr Salmond in expressing his point of view was interrupted by a gentleman (?) in the audience who erupted in fury exclaiming that although he was Scottish he was also “British” and very proud of it. I cannot imagine any English friend of mine being offended by the inference that he or she is English rather than British. A further significant scenario which I have experienced is overseas travel with English friends and colleagues, is the “fact” that the terms Britain and British are not a part of their vocabulary.
There are obviously and tragically other major obstacles for the cause of Independence to transcend. The old saying about “A Parcel O` Rogues” which relates to the scandalous action of the people who “sold” their Nation out in 1707; has its modern equivalent in a review of the front benches of the Parliament in London which is littered with individuals who have placed more importance on their personal aggrandizement than their loyalty to their Country. Closer to home, the Scottish Parliament which is currently ruled by a majority of pro-union members who have chosen to disregard the “Fact” that Scotland would be among the top ten richest Nations in the world, a “Fact” backed up by a recent U.N agency report. I would suggest that these people should conduct a serious examination of their conscience!