THE prospect of a No-Deal Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic are thought to be the reasons behind a consistent rise in support for independence in polls.
But Unionists have come up with a bizarre theory that Yes supporters' reason for leaving the UK is more about "trashing the British brand".
In an article for The Telegraph, Daniel Hannan argues that "identity almost always trumps economics" when it comes to determining Scotland's future.
He wrote: "Unionists make their case in largely transactional terms, arguing that the UK has an integrated economy, that an independent Scotland would have to establish a new currency, that a smaller country would me much more vulnerable to oil shocks and so on. These arguments may be true, but they don’t determine referendums. In the end, identity almost always trumps economics."
READ MORE: Political science expert says British nationalism is 'behind much of Unionism'
Hannan also argued that Scotland and England have dealt with lockdown similarly, saying: "There is a vague but widespread feeling north of the border that the Scottish authorities handled the epidemic better than their English counterparts – though, in reality, both pursued similar policies."
While all the countries in the UK initially had a “four nations” response to the virus, there has been divergence since Nicola Sturgeon vowed not to be "pressured" by Westminster into "prematurely" easing any restrictions and her approval ratings have far exceeded Boris Johnson's.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson admits UK lockdown 'could have been done differently'
More than 45,000 people in the UK have died from coronavirus, government figures show, though the death toll including cases linked to the virus is thought to exceed 65,000.
But Hannan believes "the high death rates in England may have partly been an accounting error". and that "UK has lower infection rates than much of Europe".
Throughout the crisis, ministers have spoken about being "guided" by the science, but some scientists insist an earlier shutdown would have saved lives.
Hannan says this is not a reason for Scotland to leave the UK, writing: "But even if businesses and researchers based in England lead the world out of the crisis, even if the UK economy surges, that will not determine the future of the Union. Nationality is determined by the heart, not the head; by poems, not ledgers."
Theory. The rise of Scottish separatism isn't really about Brexit or Covid. It's about the trashing of the British brand, the preposterous but relentless association of the United Kingdom with slavery, bigotry and racism. https://t.co/a7zgrITQrg
— Daniel Hannan (@DanielJHannan) July 25, 2020
Hannan says that people are turning to independence because Britishness is associated with racism.
"Britishness, never popular on the Left, is nowadays systematically associated with racism, colonialism and xenophobia," he added.
"In an age which treats victimhood as the supreme virtue, there is no longer merit in being the greatest country in the world. A perverted version of our history is propagated by public bodies and academic institutions. Slavery, for example, is portrayed as a peculiarly British vice when, in fact, it was Britain that extirpated an institution that had been widespread on every continent for thousands of years."
He concludes: "The Union, in short, has contributed mightily to the happiness of the human race. Let not man – nor woman – put it asunder."
READ MORE: Are we Unionists, Nationalists or something else altogether?
Independence supporters hit out at Hannan's comments, with commentator and National columnist Gerry Hassan saying that the "British brand" has already been trashed.
It is as if "the British brand" has not been trashed by the real life actions of the British state & authorities. But in the world of Daniel Hannan just spirited out of thin air by malicious opponents up to no good. https://t.co/SeQ17Cs6jM
— Gerry Hassan (@GerryHassan) July 25, 2020
Others said the pandemic has shown the incompetence of the Tories.
Or. It’s about Brexit and COVID revealing just how utterly dreadful Tory Westminster is at handling things.
— Charlie Williamson (@ExistentialMare) July 25, 2020
Personally don’t blame the Scots if they go it alone. I’d be disappointed but given the mess we’re making down here it makes sense.
I think that's unlikely. More likely is that Scots & Welsh feel ignored and patronised by a UK government that is driven more by ideology than comptetence, & an obvious insensitivity to (especially) the wishes of, especially, the Scots. Irish independence seems quite likely too.
— Gordon Morris (@GordonRMorris) July 26, 2020
C’mon England what are you afraid of with Scottish independence? You’ll be fine. We’ll rejoin the EU and put in a good word once you’ve come to your senses. Your NHS will be gone by then but we’ll help.
— scott (@iwantindyscott) July 25, 2020
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