'This brilliant book helps us understand what Scots, Welsh, Irish and English neighbours, freed from an unhappy Union, might look like.' Billy Bragg
This week sees the tenth anniversary of the first elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly. This was the beginning of a decade of change - which now includes the restoration of powers to Stormont - that is showing every sign of being an irreversible process. Breaking Up Britain : Four Nations after a Union is a unique collection of Welsh, Scottish, English and Irish contributors, featuring key political activists from the nationalist parties, commentators and campaigners, academics and journalists. Each writer explores the change that the break-up demands in their own nation, but also discusses its impact upon the whole. A dialogue on the key themes of post-devolution national identity, models of civic nationalism, formations of exclusion and states of independence. Essential reading for anyone interested in the shape of politics and culture after a Union.
I have contributed a chapter called Greening the Welsh Dragon which can be downloaded here.
Breaking Up Britain is published by Lawrence & Wishart and available direct at http://www.lwbooks.co.uk/books/archive/breakingupbritain.html
5 comments:
Hi Leanne
I couldn't download the chapter. Could you check the link please.
Cheers
Rhisiart
It should be sorted now.
Leanne, the Cornish won't be too happy that they were left out!
Hi Leanne,
An interesting read. One area you don't cover in the Obstacles to Progression section is the need in Wales for a banking sector which serves the needs of the people of Wales. Starting businesses, particularly those with potential for global impact (next Google, etc) does not happen without a active venture funding culture which fund very risky ventures in return for 1 in 10 giving fantastic rewards. Not trendy to talk about enabling venture capital firms, but the 1 in 10 successful companies are the ones who bring in the serious tax revenue. SME's need funding to tie them over cash flow fluctuations. Access to limited credit for the poorest helps avoid loan sharks and their 1000% plus interest rates, etc, etc. Mark Thomas has a set of podcasts on his blog http://www.markthomasinfo.com called "Its the Economy Stupid" which is well worth a listen when you have a spare 6 hours and don't mind a bit of swearing.
Thanks for the recommendation, I'll get to it as soon as I can. As a Scot, I have no idea why so few, for or against, are painting a picture of independence for those who haven't the luxury of pondering it all day. The SNP are still threatening/promising a referendum in 2010, and I'm sure the majority of Scots haven't considered 90% of the consequences, positive or negative.
So thanks again for the recommendation; I'll read with great interest.
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