XXI - The Winds of Change

If there was any doubt as to why I was called "Smoggy On The Run", last night's referendum confirmed it.

Can you live in a country which has Stockholm Syndrome, which has to latch onto Westminster out of fear? That has to latch onto it because it's used to it? Good Lord, the inhumanity. It's no wonder I want to run: Westminster is probably sitting there, looking smug, smoking a cigar and realising that its power is secure. London wins! YIPPEE YAHOO! Who wants to live in a network of countries in which the corrupt, blackened heart triumphs over all?

So, you may be a No voter. You may be sitting at home, breathing a sigh of relief. The union is saved! We're all one big happy family! You sink into the couch, your lack of a spine allowing you to feel completely comfortable. You turn on the television and there's almost a mix of bewilderment and delight: Scotland voted No. The United Kingdom lives. You look at your Union Jack tablecloth, your Union Jack undies, your Union Jack doilies and you begin masturbating to a picture of the Queen. Congratulations, the union is saved!

Except the union is now at its weakest point since its inception.

Scotland may have voted No, but this is only the beginning. There are stirrings everywhere. For example, here in the North East, the cries of devolution echo loudly. Yes, the North East rejected devolution, as has been brought up many times including by that walking scrotum Nigel Farage, but the fact is that in a decade, much has changed. No reparations have been made. Fuck, in a decade, we've had an economic recession occur that has seen the North weakened significantly. Since that decade, we have seen London grow and grow while the North has been left to rot and die. Call a vote for devolution these days and you will see a changed face: With widespread social media and discontent, the vote will change across the board. With actual powers (And not just ceremonial tosh barely more than what Westminster would offer , as was the original devolution arrangement), the North East would be quick to vote Yes. You need only look at the fact that support for a Yes was high in the North East to see that we are sick of the Westminster elite.

Of course, you also have the English crying out for devolution and a federal government. "WE SAVED THE UNION!" cry the English, before turning around and planning to rip it apart themselves. Some people have even called for English secession, essentially pissing on the face of what was driving the entire No campaign. Again, that unpleasant walking scrotum Nigel Farage, who is living proof that we need to start pooling resources into stabbing politicians, called for more regional powers in England, saying that the English "have been suckers for too long" and being much too retarded to realise his party is called the UNITED KINGDOM INDEPENDENCE PARTY, which means he needs to pay attention to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as much as England. And what about Wales? Plaid Cymru might see renewed vigour and calls for further devolution or maybe even secession. In Northern Ireland, there are already serious calls for more powers for the country. Every country in the union is now beginning to wake up and realise that the union, centralised on the City State of London, is only sucking power from them.

With the Tories already wanting to shaft the Scots and disagreeing with the financial packages suggested, one has to be careful with these London dogs and whores. With  45% to 55% split in favour of No, this signals something quite dangerous: At least country is torn. It is not "decisive" as many moronic No voters may have you think, it is very close. I believe Scotland, as a proud country, is beyond descending into unrest. There may be a few more punches thrown in Glasgow but the people will accept their fate. There will, however, be no silencing the questions on independence. The referendum will not be forgotten. It will not be swept under the rug. It is out of the bag and it will be there for generations to discuss. We have not seen the last of a referendum, I can assure you. Especially considering devolution.

With devolution, greater autonomy will be gained. With greater autonomy, the different parts of the UK will not be united strongly. They will have their own interests. They will finally work FOR the people. All it will take is one mistake from the ruling class for devolved parts of the UK to decide to split. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will remain thinking about secession. They have voices now and you cannot silence them. Westminster will try but it will fail.

Scotland has made a mistake. It has missed out on its chance. Regardless, Scotland's No voters will now have to sit back and watch as the union they so desperately adore is slowly pulled apart. With the Barnett Formula under scrutiny and the West Lothian question wanting to be answered in England's favour, this great, ancient country may have shot itself in the foot. One thing she has gifted us all, though, is a voice. You may think No means the union is safe, but Wales will rise. Northern Ireland will ask questions. The North, that area which comprises of the ancient and long-dead Kingdom of Northumbria, is a sleeping giant beginning to awaken.

The No vote has not saved the union. The referendum has already opened the doors for change. We may live under the Union Jack and be designated as the collective United Kingdom, but we have never been as disunited as today.

The Scottish referendum was merely the winds of change blowing. The storm has only just arrived.