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Tendencje separatystyczne w Szkocji

Abstract

Together or Separately? Scottish Independence Tendencies

In 1707, the Act of Union formally united Scotland with England as Great Britain. Scotland retained its own legal system, churches and universities but all real political power moved to London. Scots have never accepted English domination. But the electoral success of New Labour in 1997 paved finally the way for Scottish needs to independence. On September 11, 1997 Labour government held a referendum on the issue of devolution. A positive outcome led to the elections of a devolved Scottish Parliament in 1999. Devolution made Scotland more independent from Westminster but also strengthened Scottish national identity and tendencies of separatism. On October 15, 2012 First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond and British Prime Minister David Cameron have signed ‘Edinburgh agreement’ which enable to enact referendum on Scottish independence on September 18, 2014. That day Scots will decide whether they continue to be a part of the United Kingdom. The main purpose of this article is to present the Scottish independence tendencies in comparison to their history, national identity and devolution process.