Scottish independence: TV presenter Neil Oliver warns against knee-jerk decisions
Neil Oliver warned against knee-jerk reactions, Picture: Donald MacLeod
BBC PRESENTER Neil Oliver has waded into the debate over the future of the Union, expressing fears about Scots “sleepwalking” into independence.
The presenter of A History of Scotland and Coast told a BBC interview of concerns about Scots making a “knee-jerk” referendum decision based on something that happened “last year or five years ago, or ten years ago.”
He said people needed to have a “historical grasp” of Britain in order to make an informed decision on the best interests of Scotland in the poll, which is expected to be held in 2014.
Oliver’s comments on Radio Five Live, while promoting his latest TV show, have come in the wake of mounting concerns about the impartiality of the BBC from the SNP. However, last night the Nationalists said they welcomed his intervention.
Oliver, a historian, archaeologist, author and broadcaster, said he felt support for independence had grown to the extent that the result of the referendum was now on “a knife-edge”.
“There are very strong feelings. You stop one person and they are strongly in favour of Scottish independence and you talk to the next person and they are strongly in favour of the Union continuing as it has done for the last 300 years.
“It would be the biggest constitutional decision facing Britain certainly in the last 300 years, since the parliaments were brought together as one.
“I think everyone should be absolutely aware of how big a deal it is,” the historian said. “Heaven forbid that anyone, or any part of the nation, should sleepwalk into a decision.
“It is hoped that through history – not just of Scotland, but a history of the whole of the British Isles – that people have to understand how the status quo came about in order to make a proper decision about what, if anything should happen in the future.
“You certainly would not want people making knee-jerk reactions based on something that happened last year, or five years ago, or ten years ago.
“You have to see the big picture. The story of the people of the British Isles has been unfolding for hundreds and thousands of years.
“The more historical grasp you have, then the better and able you are to make an informed decision on the best interests of everyone living here.
Another leading historian, Professor Tom Devine, of Edinburgh University, said: “If Neil Oliver is arguing that one of the important aspects of the independence debate is that people should have a knowledge of the historical context, I would agree with him. That is absolutely vital.
“We need to have a sense of how the Union has developed over the last three centuries, but it is also important to look at how Scotland existed before the Union, although I don’t see any need to go back thousands of years.”
A spokesman for the SNP said: “Neil Oliver is a talented and celebrated historian and it is encouraging that he recognises that the referendum in 2014 is the biggest and most important decision that the nation will have ever had to make.
“We are confident that the momentum for independence will continue and that the people of Scotland will back a vote Yes at the referendum.”
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Comments
There are 613 comments to this article
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Scotland stands up!
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 02:18 PMThe biggest flaw in the argument that the people of Scotland should make an informed choice, is this: The unionists bias of the main stream media is there for the world to see. If we were to be informed, then issues like the McCrone report would be shouted from the rooftops. Questions need to be asked why the UK Govt withheld this information from Scotland for 30 years! using the official secrets act, devised to protect the state from foreign powers! Even now, the government is withholding information requested by the freedom of information act, regarding devolution... Makes you wonder what the government is hiding this time?? Informed debate and choice REQUIRES information and open reporting. As for the likes of the BBC, state funded TV paid for by a mandatory tax, collected by the westminster government... Sound impartial to me! Shame on the UK Govt and the main stream media.
sprog
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:52 PMI have a suggestion that would prevent the break-up of the Union and of the NHS******Rather than expecting the Scottish to vote, let us hold a referendum on whether we in England wish to become Scottish.********I am prepared to embrace the Caledonian cause, wear the tartan and eat the odd fried Mars bar in return for a functioning health service. **** signed Danielle Stretch, Barton, Cambridgeshire, England.***copied from the letters page of the Guardian 110212
Ricardo88
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 08:59 PMI think we have to avoid sleep walking within the union and guard against making knee jerk decisions against independence.
Phil C
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 08:05 PMKnee jerk my a*se! And this guy pretends to be knowledgeable!
Piobaire
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 07:09 PMIn reply to Mallus. I do not deny, in any way whatsoever, Scots' complicity in the atrocities of the Britsih Empire. They were every bit as corrupt as any other nationality which took part and in some cases, worse than the rest. Take a look at the history of Jardine Matheson, for one. Opium dealers and war mongers, par excellence. Equally, I don't buy this idea that none of those old imperialists had the same moral sense as modern humans. Read about Edmund Burke's parliamentary campaign against the greed and depravity of the East India Comany. Paxman (and others) makes quite clear that the Bible was as important a driver of Empire as commercial gain. The problem is, the teachings contained therein, were not applied particularly rigorously. I have not read any of Mallus previous contributions but I am glad we both agree on the need for Scottish and English independence. Maybe then we can begin to respect our respective nations. Peter (Mason), not all politicians are liars; believe me, I know a few.
mallus12
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 12:35 PMFurther reflections on Imperialism---One of the commentators on this website made it plain Heshe thought the \British Empire was-in effect criminal. If this is accepted the obvious conclusion is that the Scots who so enjoyed expanding the Empire were the greatest criminals.(not that any Scot I have heard from has the guts to admit this obvious fact) Imperial expansion is what countries did-France,Spain,Holland,later followed by Germany Italy ,Japan non of these thought they were wrong(at that time) Modern sensativities would have seemed odd to them.
Peter Mason
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:41 AMFrom the posting here it seems most are reacting to either the headline [which doesn't reflect Mr. Oliver's comments] or on the basis of their personal opinion of Neil Oliver. Certainly the historical context seems to have been buried under 'myth' with the Nationalists clearly believing the all Englishmen supported Union when the truth was that most had no say,just as in Scotland, and many -perhaps a majority- were opposed. [The English were opposed to James Stuart's invention of 'Great Britain' and the Union Jack but were ignored despite Parliamentary resolutions.] As Sprog has pointed the new dynamic in all this is the rise of English national feeling not least due to the post-devolution discovery of the depth of ill-will and wish for harm expressed by our Celtic neighbours. At the lowest level this comes out in the use of offensive terms such as "Ingerland" & "Englandshire"; at the higher end are those who post things like a call for an openly anti-English alliance of Celtic states funded by North Sea oil [seen on an EU Intercultural relations website!] . Roll on the separation of all uk countries post 2014 ...& please spare me Salmonds social union guff, he's a politician which means he's a professional liar.
Vickers
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:59 AMWell - like Mr Oliver I am not an historian (I'm a scientist) but two thoughts. 1) We shouldnt sleep walk into taking undue account of the views of those who happen to be known only for appearing on TV and 2) From a lay person's point of view it seems to me that Scotland has for too long been just another country under the general sway of the power and authority of the 'elites' who by and large are based in England. Yes Scotland hasn't done too badly under the U.K (better than many of the countries that fell under what is now the 'commonwealth) but by no means has it done as well as many of the (generally rich) regions in England! Lets ask ourselves - under the UK and looking back - how well has Scotland done on terms of its ecomomy, its health, employment . Mr Oliver - yes its time to wake up and think about the possibilities of the future (the past can sometimes look rather poor).
Pilgrim
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:54 PMHere in the South West of England. In pubs and bars, Scotlands independence is never ever mentioned. Because no one down here cares or understands. When Scotland do get their independence, The Scotts that come down here for the surfing, sunshine and spectacular beaches will be treated the same as any other foreigner. A case of out of sight out of mind. We have a massive influx of Germans, French and Spanish in the summer months. Here in Plymouth. Our local colleges are putting on continental language courses for hoteliers and the local population.The amount of Aussies and Kiwis that live here does wonders for our economy. Scotts, even though they would be welcome, Will not me missed if they dont come down after independence. I dont mean to be rude or condescending. Its the truth. The local hotelier I drink with, makes a fortune for 6 of the summer months and takes next 6 months as a holiday until the start of the next summer.
sprog
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 09:16 PM'We must start shaping a progressive English nationalism that we can be proud of , as the Scots have done.'-- Madeleine Bunting, newspaper columnist.*******'When the Scots reclaimed their nationhood from Westminster, they asserted the sovereignty of their citizens. We English should do the same...'Who owns the English NHS, The English forests, the English libraries'....'Not David Cameron, Not the British State: They belong to the English people!.....Paul Kingsworth commentator and columnist.*****In Wales people have a new sense of what it is to be Welsh, talk of independence is growing...John Harris journalist.*****As you can see Neil' it is no longer simply a case of Scotland leaving the union; it is a growing recognition among the nations that make up the British isles that a political construct fit for the 21st century is urgently required. Westminster, as is being revealed on a daily basis in the front pages of our dailies is corrupt, undemocratic and no longer fit for purpose. A erstwhile editor of the New Statesman, a certain Paul Johnson commented that the English would gladly trade the real world for that mythical land of Ruritania, a land of Pomp, ceremony,privilege and patronage.. Where pomp and ceremony are for the 99% with privilege and patronage the domain of the ultra rich 1%.
Anagach
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 08:20 PM596 Salamanderski Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:02 PM 595 PJ O Reilly. You can always go back to your ancestral emerald island, and enjoy looking at how the Celtic tiger is reduced to a blind cat and take orders from its handlers,Merkel and Sarko. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A blind Cat with a higher standard of living and GDP than the UK. I dont think its Eire that's blind.
Barry Lees
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 07:06 PMNeil Oliver: went to school in the 1970s and still has a 1970s haircut. Grow up, man.
mallus12
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 06:38 PMProbaire--How touchy feely you have become-putting a modern view on past events and please explain your strange reluctance to condemn the very prominent part Scots took in the Expansion of the British Empire. The obvious truth is that Scots as well as others thought they were engaged in an honorable ,worthwhile venture.Your modern sensibilities would cut no ice with them.It is however a classic example of the supporters of the SNP's moral cowardice. Imperialism is in any case just one of many fields that should be considered-What about Science,engineering,and the rest.Scots also figured prominently in these activities that changed the world-I bet you take the credit for that? As for your silly remark about embracing change I can only presume you have missed many of my postings in which I make it plain I understand the union is almost dead and my ambition is to see a TOTAL break and yes I mean a complete severing of ANY contact with Scotland. You want independence and I want you out lock,stock,and barrel(of oil) Is this sufficient to show I eagerly look forward to embracing change?
Piobaire
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 06:32 PMI'm glad you've secured a better understanding of Scottish history via Neil Oliver's programmes June but Mr Oliver is not a historian; he is an archaeologist (as far as I'm aware) and he is only one of many writers on the subject; many more erudite than he. The fly away hair, parallel world look and the semi-sociopathic stare don't impress males in quite the same way.
Not anonymous June
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 03:12 PMAs an english woman and long time resident of Scotland, all I can say is that Neil's programmes have given me a much greater knowledge of Scotland and it's history - it's no hardship to watch him either!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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