Why Welsh And Scottish Nationalism Is Good,,,,,Because It's Different

Hello there. Hope you're feeling well today.

When spoken about in the British media "Nationalism" is a dirty word. For it's image is of thuggish extreme right wing men marching along the streets threatening violence with their presence. Or of rich men imposing powers to get richer whilst making the rest of us even more impoverished.

In Europe that image is there. But as their electoral success in some countries shows. It also presents a sophisticated but tough image as it acquires power in a number of countries.

But in a British context the images I just explained is essentially English nationalism. It's the "two world wars and one world cup" nationalism. It proclaims superiority over others. It's the reason why when you see someone carrying the Cross of Saint George other than to a sports event there is a feeling of restrained violence in the air (and sometimes not so restrained).

So let's be clear here. As I've explained before nationalism in Scotland and Wales is different. It does not say "My country is better than your country". It says that Scotland and Wales are different from other countries and the attempt to merge it into the Westminster model damages them because they are not Westminster.

And the key thing here is that Welsh and Scottish nationalism are inclusive. I have never felt the need to justify my support for independence even though I was born in London. Welcoming of others is not a nationalistic trait of other similar parties.

Unionist politicians, certainly those I notice here in Wales, seem to profess their nationalism as and when it suits them. The former leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies tried to attack those who questioned his commitment to Wales when praising their recent victory over Ireland in football. And yet I would argue that you cannot support the Welsh football team whilst also supporting the rebranding of Welsh food under the Union Jack. You cannot pick and mix your nationalism.

And before you call me a hypocrite I've made it clear in this blog that I support the England football team....because football is different.You should support the team where you were born (which is also why, glory seeker that I am, West Ham will always be my main club team) But Mr Davies was born in Wales. He allows nationalism to enter his thinking when it comes to sport but throws it out of the window regarding how Welsh food is marketed.

Welsh Labour is of course worse. Because they are the party that practises Westminster policies through an illusion of national identity. And yet you constantly heat Labour politicians berate independence but it's just a kneejerk response for fear that once the idea of freedom registers with the Welsh people their privileged lifestyle will disappear and they will end up as a rump on the political scene like their Scottish counterparts. All of the candidates to replace Carwyn Jones as First Minister are soundbite but no substance politicians

I've also heard unionist Brexiteer politicos argue that it's hypocritical for the Scottish and Welsh Nationalist parties to want to join the EU but also want independence. But there are two arguments against that. Firstly nations do not lose their independence in the EU. Each member state is a distinct country in it's own right and secondly the Brexiteers want Britain independent of the European Union but seek to keep the union of the disunited kingdom.

A Welsh and Scottish Nationalist is not a Brexiteer in that he or she will never say that there will be instant milk and honey following independence. But remember. Rome was not built in a day. But it was built.

The consequence is that the people living in Scotland and Wales will know that decisions will be made to try and benefit their lives and not those living hundreds of miles away.

And that is the point of Scottish and Welsh Nationalism.

Until the next time.