Good article, can't disagree with much of that. I'm no lover of the SNP, but they certainly don't come across as anti-English or anti-any other nation. The disdain for Westminster is probably the same in Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester or any other place in northern England. There is a lot of tension in the air regarding the outcome, but it hasn't led to any major incidents - yet! Salmond is going big on involving everyone in "Team Scotland" if Yes wins, trying to be as inclusive as possible by getting No campaigners into his negotiating team. My worry is that if it all goes tits up (either way) then there could be a lot of finger pointing and apportioning of blame, which may lead to trouble.
Where are the rabidly anti-Scottish Englishmen? Very few, compared to the inverse. The New York Times review of the 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony said something along the lines of.... An opening ceremony of such humour and humility could only have come from a nation with an innate sense of superiority. This of course was describing a British event, but I feel the Scots view the English as having that very sense of superiority.
Stroller, did you see the crowd at the England v Switzerland match, all singing "F@@k off Scotland, we're voting Yes" - truly cringe-worthy and embarrassing, and I had to explain to my wife and friends that it was "just a bit of banter". There's a small minority of bigots on both sides, who should just be ignored.
I don't know what Scottish people think but I'd hazard a guess that they don't think that of English people per se, rather English Tories. And no them all either, just the old Guard. The reason for this, again, is probably more mundane than you might expect. I don't think its down to any kind of ethnic quarrel or other such thing but simply comes down to being considerably smaller. There's no doubt the three Celtic nations unfortunately have (small) elements within them with a chip on their shoulders when it comes to England but in a way its no different to QPR fan's attitude toward Chelsea. There are far more R's fans that dislike Chelsea than the other way around and its pretty much for the same reasons. They see Chelsea as somewhat arrogant and bullish (often erroneously so IMO) and feel like they're looking down upon them. Chelsea fans would have a more benevolent feeling toward QPR and often (though not always) would like to see them do well. Its the nature of the beast I'm afraid
It's trivial, I know, but I would always root for Scotland playing against anyone other than England (or Wales or Ireland). Most Scots, it seems to me, want England to lose against anyone.
Did you see some genius at the FA has arranged a "friendly" against Scotland next month - FFS, who thought that would be a good idea?
Good post, Swords. And many Brentford fans think R's fans are a bunch of t*ssers, but how much time do we waste thinking about them?!
I suppose the new proposal t0 cut by 50% the number of non-EU players in England would affect the Scottish players if the vote is yes.
Wales will never vote for independence. Plaid Cymru's Welsh language elitism pisses off the 80% of Welsh people who can't speak the language no end. Newport doesn't give a **** about Cardiff or Swansea or that lot up north, they look to Bristol and further on to London. We're stuck with wales for the foreseeable future sadly, with the added bonus of black or green replacing the blue in the Union Flag. As for Scotland good on them if they vote yes, they would be self harming not to.
The best thing to come from this referendum imo, is Sky's pastiche of Salmond edits to the tune of "I want to break free!". Clever
I'm going for citizenship as soon as the Yes vote gets announced. Salmond's a **** but compared to the Tories...
It'll be like Australia or New Zealand mate. No way a knackered old geezer like you will be let in to soak up their over generous health and welfare spending.
If I were a footballer I'd qualify for Scotland, Wales, England and the Republic so can't anticipate any problems gaining citizenship. Ireland have this problem with your ancestors having had to be been born "legitimate" to claim citizenship but Scotland doesn't have all this unmarried mothers in sin bullshit.
You'd be more than welcome! Need some more QPR fans up here so we can have a get together like the Aussies and Irish!
The Union flag won't change if they break away. Wales aren't deemed important enough to be in it. (Any chance of a thread merger with Steelmonkeys?
