Disengagement is a Good Thing

For too long have the distinctive and unique peoples of Britain's western fringe been allied with the power and influence of England and for too long have their culture and customs been subsumed and deracinised by the might of British hegemony and stereotype. It is good that at long last the cultural, behavioural and linguistic attributes which have been retained, despite unrelenting pressure to conform, are being recognised and respected. These differentiate the peoples of Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and the Isle of Man from the great majority of inhabitants of England, which has absorbed immigrants from almost every nation under the sun. Thus the Irish people who fled Ireland during the years of famine swelled the population of Liverpool. Centuries before that, Huguenots from Belgium swarmed into Pembrokeshire in west Wales, and these peoples merged into the English populus, becoming as English as the English themselves, and losing their native culture and distinctive qualities in the process. Similarly Scots and English settler plantations took root in Ulster and later contributed to later conflicts stemming from the problems of integration.


In recent times there has been a rise in national consciousness leading to the establishment of national institutions, devolution of powers and limited autonomy. Thus, Scotland has its own legal system and system of education and Wales provides free medicines for all and will doubtless shortly have its own Parliament. These countries are undergoing a process of disengagement with centralised bureaucracy and Westminster directives and are beginning to take charge of their own destiny. As time goes on this development will increase and divisions will widen and become more apparent between the various cultures of the British Isles. Many characteristics of these societies will be retained or restored and these western nations will become whole, mature and independent once again.


Now read this : http://www.newstatesman.com/comedy/2010/08/welsh-comedians-devolution