Ireland’s success on global stage should inspire Scotland to choose independence – Kenny MacAskill

Scotland now has little say in the affairs of Brexit Britain and is denied its own voice on the international stage, writes Kenny MacAskill.
Many among the Scottish independence movement are green with envy at some of Ireland's achievements on the international stage (Picture: John Devlin)Many among the Scottish independence movement are green with envy at some of Ireland's achievements on the international stage (Picture: John Devlin)
Many among the Scottish independence movement are green with envy at some of Ireland's achievements on the international stage (Picture: John Devlin)

In the run-up to the 2014 referendum, Britain’s global influence was much heralded. A force for good, it was argued, with its size and sway, and within which Scotland would have great influence. A seat on the UN Security Council, a power within the EU, exerting influence through both strength and diplomacy.

Contrasted with that were the prospects for an independent Scotland, lonely and isolated without power or friends. The ability of small nations to operate was derided and whilst Ireland might be good at selling St Patrick’s Day and promoting Guinness, it just wasn’t in the same league – the British Embassy or Irish bars? Why would Scotland forsake what it had and risk being as powerless as its Celtic cousin?

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Cool Britannia might have slipped away but Britain and its culture still appealed to many. Some yearned for past Imperial days, whilst others dreamed of a new enlightened regime; all, though, sniggered at the Irish leprechaun and vaunted the British Lion.

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Yet now, nearly six years on, Britain is diminished on the international stage, yet Ireland is flourishing. The self-harm of Brexit isn’t restricted to the economy but is hurting the UK’s global standing. Compounding all that, arrogance rather than diplomacy in dealing with the EU has cost friendships and fostered contempt. EU accession states once looked to London for leadership, seeing it as a bulwark to Germany and stopping greater integration. English even replaced French as the lingua franca but those former admirers have now tired of the antics.

All that’s left is sycophancy to Trump’s America, with all the risks it brings and the opprobrium it carries. Even the New York Times was forced to point out that if you’re going to confront China it might be helpful to have the EU cover your back.

The UK’s global reputation is crashing and burning, and the downward trajectory is continuing. To the eyes of the world, Britain is beginning to mirror the land across the Atlantic that Boris Johnson and Gordon Brown have so long admired. A love of the country and culture, a lingering fondness for the people even if they’re mocked, but derision and contempt for its government.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s growing in stature and influence. Voted onto the UN Security Council, Irish nominees currently occupy the posts of EU Trade Commissioner, European Central Bank chief economist and most recently president of the Eurogroup. Added to that are its longstanding military commitments to the United Nations that have been lauded over decades. Even the US cannot be assured as Britain’s natural ally as Trump’s for “America First”, and in any event the alternative, Joe Biden, is part of the Irish-American lobby.

Even many of those who derided independence for Scotland at the time of the referendum have been forced to recognise Ireland’s success. Sir Nick McPherson – the Treasury Mandarin responsible for torpedoing the concept of a shared Sterling which was so critical to damaging the Yes campaign – tweeted that it was “a reminder that small countries with sensible economic policies can punch above their weight”.

Earlier this week, I asked Michael Gove where, within this supposedly powerful Union voice, was Scotland’s equivalent to the global Irish influence. He couldn’t answer because it simply doesn’t exist. Of course, some who’ve taken the king’s shilling have been granted sinecures. Sir David Frost was appointed chief Brexit negotiator but to pursue a calamitous strategy that’s most certainly not in Scotland’s interests. Liam Fox was nominated to the World Trade Organisation, but will he win given the UK’s unpopularity and how will that serve Scotland anyway? So, whilst Ireland goes from strength to strength on the world stage, the UK recedes and Scotland’s nowhere. No wonder those who argued for the opportunity to emulate Ireland look at what might have been and weep.

Some progress though has been made in Scotland. It’s a long time since the pre-devolution days when I challenged some civil servants as to why their aspirations were to run the former Department for Health and Social Security in Bathgate and not the social security system for Scotland. The apparatus of devolution has allowed for greater ambition and many have done a remarkable job establishing a fledgling system. But running more of Scotland is one thing, competing on an international stage quite another.

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It’s still way short of what’s available in Ireland. There it’s not just senior posts that are applied for and won but at a more junior level that secondments take place. Knowledge is acquired, friendships made and influence assured. It pays handsome dividends for individuals and the country.

Scotland now has the worst of all outcomes. Little say in the diminished UK and denied its own international voice. No wonder many of us are green with envy.

Kenny MacAskill is SNP MP for East Lothian

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