[GreatBriton]

In the year that is the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union between England and Scotland, is it time for Scotland to become independent and end its oppression of the English?


Yesterday many Scots woke up with a hangover. ''Hogmanay'' -- the Scottish version of New Year's Eve -- is traditionally celebrated with even more vigor and merriment than Christmas north of the border with England. But will that hangover last a full year?

For 2007 includes two important events in the Scottish calendar that, taken together, have the potential to create an enormous headache. The first is the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union that formed the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Usually, it would be celebrated with pomp and circumstance.

The second event is the election in May for the devolved Scottish parliament. On present trends, this may make the Scottish National Party the single largest party in Scotland. And Alex Salmond, the SNP leader, has promised an early referendum on breaking up the union and creating an independent Scotland. Thus, Scotland might both celebrate the 1707 Act of Union and dissolve it in the same year.

What are the trends that make this a real possibility? Most obvious is the growing support within Scotland for independence. Opinion polls show more Scots favor independence than oppose it -- and recent ones have shown outright if narrow majorities (52 percent) for full independence.

This figure has been growing steadily for 40 years. British Prime Minister Tony Blair pushed through devolution, creating a devolved Scottish parliament in a new federal U.K., in the belief that it would damp down Scottish support for full independence.

Unfortunately for Blair, Scottish devolution had a larger impact in England than in Scotland. It created a growing awareness that the Scots felt themselves to be very different from the English and even slightly hostile to them. That in turn directed the attention of the English to certain political facts they had hitherto taken for granted but that now seemed unfair:

1. The fact that Britain's public expenditure includes a $50 billion subsidy for Scotland.

2. The ''West Lothian Question.'' This is the apparent unfairness that Scottish MPs in the U.K. Parliament in Westminster get to vote on all issues affecting England, but English MPs are barred from voting on issues -- for instance, housing and education -- that are the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament.

3. The political fact that Britain has a Labor government because of Scottish votes; Labor is in an almost permanent minority in England (if England was an independent nation it would have had a Tory government since 1997 rather than Socialist Labour).

4. The fact that a very high percentage of Labor Cabinet ministers are Scots, including the likely next prime minister, Gordon Brown. (Tony Blair is a Scot, too, but not very noticeably.)


All these things have been true for a long time. But as long as the English and Scots saw each other as primarily British, such things didn't matter. Once devolution emphasized the differences between the Scots and the English, however, the latter began to resent these transfers.

One result is that opinion polls have shown growing English support for the breakup of the United Kingdom and independence for England.

Britain's main political parties are, of course, strongly opposed to any such move. The Tories are supporters of the union in principle. Labor is opposed to Scottish independence because it would rob them of power in the much more important and populous England (which has a population of over 50 million compared to Scotland's 5 million and the Tory-leaning English only get a Labour government thanks to the Scots). And both Blair and Brown are horrified by the prospect of an independent Scotland -- Blair because he would go down in history as the prime minister who presided over the breakup of the U.K., and Brown because he would cease to be prime minister in a very short time, perhaps even before he got the job.

In 2007 we can expect a rash of official scare stories from Blair and Brown, joined on this occasion by their Opposition opponents, about the dire consequences of breaking up the U.K. But the trend toward separatist nationalism in Britain is now a very strong and well-established one.

This is a case of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object. The outcome is unknowable.

But the lessons are already clear for the United Kingdom -- and for the United States, since both nations are multinational and multiethnic states.

Ultimately, national feeling, patriotism, loyalty and a sense of common allegiance exist in the hearts of men and women.

Multinational and multiethnic societies have to work hard at keeping these ties strong precisely because their populations begin by being diverse. If pride in their common nationality is allowed to decay, different ethnic groups soon will discover and resent their differences.

On the 200th anniversary of the Act of Union, Scottish independence would have struck both Scots and English as absurd. Today it is a choice.

What will be the choices facing the United States in 2076?

www.suntimes.com . . .

[GreatBriton]

Archie Stirling, a millionaire landowner, the son of the founder of the SAS and the ex-husband of actress Dame Diana Rigg is setting up a new political party to prevent the break-up of the UK -



SAS clan calls for new fight to save the Union

By Andrew Pierce

04/01/2007



A new political party is being set up by a member of one of Scotland's most historic families to try to halt the growing bandwagon towards a referendum on the break-up of the United Kingdom.

Archie Stirling, a millionaire landowner, is due to unveil the cross-party movement next month in time to take part in the May elections for the Scottish Parliament.

The move comes at a time of growing alarm in Downing Street that the Scottish National Party may sweep to victory with a pledge to hold a referendum on independence.

Polls have shown that the Nationalists have a significant lead over Labour in the race to form the next government in Edinburgh. Gordon Brown fears that his first 100 days as Prime Minister could be overshadowed by a victorious SNP commitment to a referendum.

Mr Stirling, 63, a colourful character who was formerly married to the actress Dame Diana Rigg, is refusing to give any details of the party until next month's launch but confirmed that the working title was the Scottish Voice.

"We have been planning this for months in great secrecy, clearly not as much secrecy as I had hoped," he said last night. "This is vitally important. I would loath the Union to break-up."

The Daily Telegraph has obtained a copy of a seven-page confidential statement by Scottish Voice which puts the defence of the Union, and raising the quality of the Holyrood parliament, at the heart of its campaign. The statement lists the "failures" of devolution.

"Two-thirds of 14-year-olds fail national reading standards and half fail writing standards," it says. "One in four Scots working for the public sector. A crime committed every 78 seconds. The highest infant mortality in the western world. A £20 billion subsidy from England to keep us afloat. We anticipated excellence. We have been offered only ineptitude."

The document states: "Most Scots would like to improve government from Holyrood and keep the Union strong. The history of the Union is one of advantage to Scotland. Scottish culture is distinct from English culture, not hostile to it."

A steering committee will be announced next month of leading figures who, like Mr Stirling, have never been involved in politics.

Mr Stirling, a businessman, said: "I believe in the Union which is good for Scotland and good for England. But I also believe we need members of the Scottish Parliament who have a proven track record in running a business or organisation.

"The principles will recognise Scotland's nationhood, commitment to the Union, and innate potential of the Scottish people."

telegraph.co.uk

[GreatBriton]

Bulldog arrives at the front line

4 Dec 06


British troops in Iraq are finding driving much easier following delivery of the first upgraded FV430 Mk3 Bulldog vehicles.


Bulldog returns from patrol


The delivery comes after successful trials in the UK and the Middle East confirmed that the Mk 3 vehicles are as reliable and robust as expected. The new engine and transmission give the vehicle improved performance and it is much easier to drive, resulting in less driver fatigue.

It is now fitted with additional armour and other improvements such as air conditioning. Bulldog can now also turn around within its own length which could be a life saver in a narrow street.

Over the next six months, more deliveries will be made to operations in Iraq as well as Afghanistan.


British Bulldogs: Bulldogs line up after the first test drive in Iraq

Lieutenant Colonel John Laidler from the DLO's Light Armoured Systems Support Integrated Project Team (LASS IPT) visited theatre to oversee the delivery of the vehicles to the 1st Battalion Royal Green Jackets. He said:

"I met the vehicle crews and their commanders and helped fit the additional armour. I was able to explain the strengths of the new vehicle and gain feedback, which proved positive and constructive. This has been an exceptionally demanding project, but we met the deadlines and the vehicles deployed to Basra on time. This was achieved through the combined efforts of BAE Systems and its sub-contractors, LASS IPT, DLO movements staff and particularly the users."


www.mod.uk

[GreatBriton]

The shipbuilding industry - in which Britain once dominated the world - has been brought back to Britain, both on the Clyde and at Portsmouth.

The first ship to be built in Portsmouth for 40 years has been named as HMS Clyde and is one of the Royal Navy's newest ships. Hopefully there'll be many more years of new ships being launched that were built in Portsmouth.....




New ship named "HMS Clyde"


HMS Clyde, the first ship to be built in Portsmouth Naval Base for nearly 40 years, was named in a spectacular ceremony.



Impressive fireworks at the HMS Clyde naming ceremony, the new Royal Navy ship
[Picture: Andrew Linnett]


The return of shipbuilding to Portsmouth Naval Base was celebrated in style: As the champagne bottle smashed against the hull of the new ship, it signaled the start of an impressive evening's laser light and firework display.

HMS Clyde, a 80m Offshore Patrol Vessel (Helicopter), is the first ship constructed at Portsmouth Naval Base since 1967 when the Leander Class frigate HMS Andromeda was built.

The catalyst for this renaissance in shipbuilding at Portsmouth was the move in 2003 of VT Shipbuilding to £50 million state-of-the-art facilities at Portsmouth.

VT Shipbuilding is building sections of the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 destroyer at Portsmouth but HMS Clyde is the first complete ship to emerge from the new facilities.

The new OPV(H) will be the patrol ship for the Falkland Islands and was officially accepted by the MOD in October 2006. She will deploy to the South Atlantic in Spring – around the time of the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict.

HMS Clyde’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Simon Hopper said:

"She's absolutely outstanding. She is an impressive ship with modern capabilities. The current Castle Class ships have an air surveillance capability but HMS Clyde has a state of the art air surveillance radar and more extensive armaments."

"The ship's capability will allow her to contribute fully to the work of the RAF and Army when she is on station."


VT Portsmouth Shipbuilding Facility Managing Director Francis Paonessa, added:

"This is a special moment for VT and Portsmouth. Our state-of-the-art facilities mean that the quality of the new build is among the best that we have produced in the long history of VT shipbuilding.

"HMS Clyde is a fitting ship to mark the return of shipbuilding to the Base and underlines Portsmouth’s important role in today’s Royal Navy."

One of the unique features of the ship is that she is owned by VT Group and chartered to the Ministry of Defence for a period of five years. At the end of that period, the MOD can either extend the charter, return the ship or purchase her outright.



The same principle is used for three similar River Class vessels already in service and built by VT. They are used for fishery protection work around the UK coast.

Working closely with the Defence Logistics Organisation, VT is tasked with providing a full contractor maintenance service for HMS Clyde, allowing HMS Clyde's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Hopper, and his crew, the chance to concentrate on their operational role.

Lt Cdr Hopper explained:

"The support principle has already been tested with the Survey Vessel (SVHO) and River Class ships but we are now taking this concept 8,000 miles away so it will be a totally new challenge. We will have a VT engineer embedded in the ship and he will be part of the ship's company."

Once HMS Clyde is handed over in October 2006, the ship and her crew will undergo a rigorous few months of familiarisation and training around UK coastal waters before deploying.

HMS Clyde will accommodate a crew of 36 (six officers, nine senior rates and 21 junior rates), berthed in single or twin berth cabins with en suite facilities.

There will be additional accommodation for up to 20 extra personnel, which could be an embarked military force, trainees or headquarters staff.

Among the ship’s enhanced features compared to the River Class is a flight deck capable of accepting helicopters up to the size of the new Merlin aircraft.

Other enhancements include increased accommodation to cater for an embarked force, a 30mm gun, higher levels of survivability and air surveillance radar.

mod.uk

[Clogeroo]

Just think in 50 years we will probably be buying those ships.

[Firecat]

Clogeroo Clogeroo:

Just think in 50 years we will probably be buying those ships.

Ten points to Clogeroo.

[BartSimpson]

Clogeroo Clogeroo:

Just think in 50 years we will probably be buying those ships.

OMG! I about blew my coffee out my nose on that! Excellent!

[Arctic_Menace]

$1:

Just think in 50 years we will probably be buying those ships.

Wait a minute, don't we buy American?

[Dosenbier]

Don't know how the hell that happened...The Artic Monkeys' music isn't that great at all..

[Tricks]

I love how GB insults America, but as soon as they do something that he likes, he is on it like a fat kid on a snickers.

[Dosenbier]

ROFL

[RUEZ]

I wish there were an English forum where I could post useless information that nobody cares about. Oh well I guess they don't kick ass.

[ziggy]

RUEZ RUEZ:

I wish there were an English forum where I could post useless information that nobody cares about. Oh well I guess they don't kick ass.

He posts the exact same articles on 3 other Canadian websites,thought I would beat him to the punch one day and posted the 3 articles I knew he posted elsewhere,he posted them anyways right above mine. lol!

[RUEZ]

ziggy ziggy:

He posts the exact same articles on 3 other Canadian websites,thought I would beat him to the punch one day and posted the 3 articles I knew he posted elsewhere,he posted them anyways right above mine. lol!

LOL, what a tool.

[ziggy]

RUEZ RUEZ:

ziggy ziggy:

He posts the exact same articles on 3 other Canadian websites,thought I would beat him to the punch one day and posted the 3 articles I knew he posted elsewhere,he posted them anyways right above mine. lol!

LOL, what a tool.

He go's by the moniker "Blackleaf" on Canadian Content forums.You can watch him post 3 long posts there one by one and then he comes here and posts the same and then he go's to......you get the picture.