As I note in my column in The National this morning (and I have edited the opening, very slightly), in the light of recent moves by Trump and the UK government on definitions of terrorism:
It is now quite reasonable to ask how long it will be before supporting independence becomes a terrorist offence. After all, note that Trump has deemed supporting the overthrow of the US government a thing, and seeking to break the Union within the UK could obviously be considered in the same category if his move were copied here, as I think is likely.
Where the US goes, the UK has a horrible habit of following. Worse, Labour, Reform and the Tories seem determined on that course of action and all align themselves with Trump in supporting Israel, however heinous its genocide. If there is one thing we know, it is that fascists do what they say they will.
How will Scotland react to such a situation? That has to be the question for everyone in the country now. Scotland's freedom to choose is at risk. Many in the country might be deemed to be terrorists before too long. Those who might enact such laws have already given you due warning. Now, what is to be done about it?
I raise the question in all seriousness. How long will it be before, like Trump, the UK government declares the desire for independence and an "anti-UK" position, and therefore a terrorist cause? It is all too easy to see it happening.
We are living in exceptionally dangerous times.
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Fair points. The proof of the pudding will be the election (next year) if Scotland wipes out the tories and LINO (difficult given PR) and the SNP & aligned parties win by a land-slide. Situation less likely in Wales although a Green-PC win is likely, LINO wipe out and quite a bit of Deform. Scotland could be the problem for LINO, if a thumping win translates into a demand for a referendum (refused). UDI?
Not sure the “terrorist” label would stick. You would need “incidents”……………& thus we are in Special Demonstration Squad territory (spies who also did a bit of bomb planting etc). I suppose the zionist-gov could always use 3rd parties with experience in this area.
I believe what you say is indeed quite possible. With both main, at the moment, political parties in the U.K seemingly intent on try to outdo the odious Farage, and his Reform company, it’s not beyond reason that supporting, far less, as in my case, being a member of the S.N.P, would be deemed a criminal offence. In that case, the same would apply to both Wales and Northern Ireland, if you supported Independence, or reunification.
Well, if you can arrest and elderly blind man for holding up a piece of cardboard objecting to the genocide in Gaza, anything can happen with our fascist leaning government.
We’re now very much in the era of “fake” parties who pretend they’re one thing to get into office and do the opposite when they have the power. This power becomes a “Get Rid” power founded on the basis of hatred for others.
Bridget Phillipson is reported as saying Labour will not be diverted from its mission (Grauniad early online). In the same way as the internal, and then the external authoritarianism surfaced, I would not be surprised to see opposition to data centres, economic zones, privatisation, forced housing development and so on be labelled eventually as illegal. In terms of ‘breaking up the Union’, ignoring its enforced creation, this would be ‘a threat to the nation’ and therefore within the remit of terrorist legislation.
I have for a long time thought that if Scotland were to become independent, the UKgov would consider this a “threat to security” severe enough to bring in the armed forces. Whilst I considered this to be a bit far-fetched, it was always a nagging fear in the background of my hopes for Scottish Independence. Recent developments have confirmed that the British State will “do whatever is necessary” to hang on to its remaining colonies. With policies seemingly designed to increase conflict and hatred in our communities, we are well on the way to the near complete fascism that is emerging in the US.
Agreed, Phil, it’s been a thought that I’ve had for years now, but I suspect the Orange Order and Irish sectarian marches would be the first target in Scotland on account of the high costs of their policing. However, once that’s done, they’d come for the Indy marches under the pretext of cutting costs but, in reality it would be for UK political purposes (we are talking about ‘Perfidious Albion’ after all).
If this were to be applied in Scotland, it’s a safe bet Wales would get it too. N Ireland is a trickier proposition as it could have the potential to restart The Troubles. It would also simultaneously break an International Treaty which was brokered by the USA, athough I can’t imagine Trump being interested unless it aids his main goal: getting the Nobel Peace Prize.
I have seen wonderful Instagram posts recently of youngsters ( and grown ups) from the Ukraine learning to speak welsh and being fluent. Yet The Guardian reports that the UK government will fund private education for staff at RAF valley who would find welsh medium education too disruptive. The Home Secretary says citizenship will depend on a “high standard “ of English. Speaking Welsh has been “terrorist” in the past. I really thought we had moved beyond that.
Agreed.
Linguicide was named for a reason.