Macbeth and Hamlet – stars of a new tragedy in the making?
Could their common journeys, both starting with a supernatural event and ending in blood, death and tears be an omen for the proposed redrawing of the United Kingdom’s traditional boundaries? Are we really about to roll back centuries of history to a time when the Vikings ruled the Highlands, but this time under the guise of a new Scottish and Scandinavian economic community?
If the Scottish National Party (SNP) strategists get their way, we could be.
The birth of a new economic community?
They plan to shift Scotland’s focus away from England towards the Nordic countries in the event of a successful referendum on independence. It’s a plan that will surely please the Scottish nationalists of the east, but likely dismay the Union faithful. Is there a risk of rift within Scotland itself? Let’s hope this is a tragedy that only Shakespeare could devise.
To me, these SNP plans make no sense – even though Scandinavians and Scots share a dark sense of humour, long dark nights and the proximity of Scotland’s Presbyterian heritage and Scandinavia’s Lutheran tradition. Not forgetting of course that it was the Viking invasion that provoked the formation of the independent kingdoms of England and Scotland in the first place through conquest, extortion and expulsion!
Not all Scot’s feel there is a bond with the Norsemen towards the east. Western Scot’s feel deeper ties with their Gaelic heritage stemming from Ireland.
Something tells me there is a subplot to all of this.
But do the Scandinavians really need Scotland?
The Scandinavians are wealthy, have resources and govern superbly. Life expectancy is above average.
Sweden has a population of over 9 million with an economy largely driven by exporting goods such as petroleum, iron, steel and paper.
Norway looks very similar, with its population of 4.9 million, enjoying one of the highest standards of living and lowest unemployment rates in the world. Today it is amongst the world’s largest exporters of fuel products, which explains why it remains largely unscathed by the recent financial crisis. What to do with their wealth is one of the country’s most contentious political issues. Some want more of it to be used to fund infrastructure and others to invest for future generations… a nice problem to have.
To an outsider like me, Scandinavia does not need Scotland and its population of 5 million. Yes, its oil, whiskey, textile, agriculture, hydropower and water exports appear enticing at first glance, but its high unemployment and pensioner demographic seem more troublesome. Norway is only Scotland’s 6th largest exporting partner, whereas the UK is Norway’s largest exporting partner. There is a lot at stake if the apple cart tips over.
Or could it be that freeing themselves from the Parliamentary shackles of British law lords would let the SNP do ‘other business’ such as the deal with PetroChina at Grangemouth? Who knows where it would all lead.
Will Scotland say ‘No’ to England?
I believe most Scots are canny, strong-minded and believe in the cultural diversity that bonds these island nations together. They view it as a source of strength rather than weakness.
And just imagine the Union Flag without St. Andrew? What a shame that would be…
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