As a Christian of a Reformed/Calvinstic persuasion, I am an instinctive Unionist. God has been gracious to the people of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the last century, blessing the Hebrides with a revival in 1949 and much of Wales in similarly 1904-5, while Ulster is still blessed with a good number of faithful Evangelical churches. Even though the days of revival belong to history, I have been privileged over the years to enjoy fellowship with Christians from these different parts of the UK.
For this reason, I found the behaviour of a certain element among the Scottish Nationalist and socialist faternity in Edinburgh last week utterly deplorable. A mob of about 50 brainless thugs surrounded UKIP's leader Nigel Farage calling him "Racist Nazi Scum" and telling him to "Go home to England."
UKIP may have some rather unsavoury allies in the EFD group in the European Parliament, but its own policies are not "Nazi". I was a party member for several years, and I would strongly repudiate the accusation that the party is racist. I would not be surprised if there are a handful of people with slightly unsavoury views on the subject of race withint the party, but probably no more than in the Conservative or Labour parties. The avergae UKIPper is a far more decent type than those guilty of such deplorable behaviour last week, whose anti-Englishness was far more "racist" than the party of Nigel Farage.
Furthermore, besides being so unpleasant, these people also seem to have amnesia, for they have definitely forgotten how much their country has been blessed.
For this reason, I found the behaviour of a certain element among the Scottish Nationalist and socialist faternity in Edinburgh last week utterly deplorable. A mob of about 50 brainless thugs surrounded UKIP's leader Nigel Farage calling him "Racist Nazi Scum" and telling him to "Go home to England."
UKIP may have some rather unsavoury allies in the EFD group in the European Parliament, but its own policies are not "Nazi". I was a party member for several years, and I would strongly repudiate the accusation that the party is racist. I would not be surprised if there are a handful of people with slightly unsavoury views on the subject of race withint the party, but probably no more than in the Conservative or Labour parties. The avergae UKIPper is a far more decent type than those guilty of such deplorable behaviour last week, whose anti-Englishness was far more "racist" than the party of Nigel Farage.
Furthermore, besides being so unpleasant, these people also seem to have amnesia, for they have definitely forgotten how much their country has been blessed.
Firstly, they have forgotten the legacy of the great John Knox - perhaps the greatest Scotsman of all time. This courageous reformer stood up to the adulterous, duplicitous Mary Queen of Scots to lead the Scottish Reformation. According to one historian, in the late 16th Century, a large part of the Scottish population professed the Evangelical faith. Sadly, the Church of Scotland contains few men who hold to Knox's theology. One can only begin to imagine the vehemence with which he would have denounced the ordination of homosexual clergy. Thankfully, the "Wee Frees" still adhere to the great truths which the reformer espoused, even if few in the state church do.
However, there were also benevolent political consequences to the Scottish Reformation. The country broke away from its historical alliance with England's traditional enemy, France, and developed a closer relationship with England. there were glitches, notably during the Second civil War of 1648-51, when the Scots found themselves fighting the English under Oliver Cromwell, but in the main, the closer bonds formed between the two nations, including the 1707 Union, have been a blessing to both parties. .
However, there were also benevolent political consequences to the Scottish Reformation. The country broke away from its historical alliance with England's traditional enemy, France, and developed a closer relationship with England. there were glitches, notably during the Second civil War of 1648-51, when the Scots found themselves fighting the English under Oliver Cromwell, but in the main, the closer bonds formed between the two nations, including the 1707 Union, have been a blessing to both parties. .
Secondly, they have forgotten that the writer of The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith, was a Scotsman. Considering that this book is such a lucid defence of capitalism and limited government, it is tragic that socialism has gained such an entrenched stranglehold on Scottish politics. The two biggest parties north of the border, Labour and the SNP. may hold different opinions about the union, but they are both socialist parties. Ironically, in Margaret Thatcher's premiership, the Tories held a number of seats in Scotland, but now they only have one MP in the whole country.
Anti-English feeling has unquestionably increased, especially since the establishment of a Scottish parliament. However, I am sure that the unpleasant mob who were so rude to UKIP's leader last week do not speak for the Scottish nation as a whole. It will be interesting to see how well Otto Inglis, UKIP's candidate in a by-election in Aberdeen for the Scottish Parliament, does. UKIP has not made much of an impression beyond Hadrian';s Wall, but surely there must be a few sensible individuals in this once great nation who know their history and believe that Scotland deserves better than either socialism of subjection to a foreign power.
Anti-English feeling has unquestionably increased, especially since the establishment of a Scottish parliament. However, I am sure that the unpleasant mob who were so rude to UKIP's leader last week do not speak for the Scottish nation as a whole. It will be interesting to see how well Otto Inglis, UKIP's candidate in a by-election in Aberdeen for the Scottish Parliament, does. UKIP has not made much of an impression beyond Hadrian';s Wall, but surely there must be a few sensible individuals in this once great nation who know their history and believe that Scotland deserves better than either socialism of subjection to a foreign power.