Wednesday 26 December 2012

Revolution in France?

      The highly respected French actress Catherine Deneuve, accuses the French left of returning to the dark days of the revolution, with the rich being hounded just as they were 200 years ago.  Laurence Pariset, the head of the French Employer's Federation, warns that France is slipping into a mood of revolutionary hatred and of re-creating a climate of civil war.
      Is the same happening in Britain?
      I can only speak for Scotland and I would say that - Yes it is - except that here the picture is confused.
      In Scotland -  wealth and English-ness are confused, but the Scots hate both.
This is what is at the root of Scottish nationalism. The fight for an independent Scotland is actually a bloodless revolution against, what are perceived as, the wealthy English conservative landowners and bankers.
     The irony is, that most wealth in Scotland today is  in the hands of very Scottish Scots, who have come from lowly backgrounds, have worked hard and have made money. But Scots also dislike people who are successful.
     What also makes it tricky, is that many very Scottish people have English accents and are confused as being English by those without Scottish accents.
     These are the few who have the perceived advantage of having gone to a posh boarding school, where, if it exists, a Scottish accent is quickly lost.
      But the Scots also hate anyone they see as having any form advantage.
      So - who will die in this revolution, it it stops being bloodless?




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