by Mabon Dane

Created on: February 19, 2010

In 1707 the Acts of Union were passed joining the Kingdom of Scotland to the Kingdom of Great Britain (including Wales).  The respective flags of the former two kingdoms were joined to form the Union Jack. 

The debate over the Union Flag is no mere debate over flags, but about the breaking up of the United Kingdom.  I totally support this.  I am Welsh, meaning I am loyal to Wales, not England.

The problem for Wales is that we have since the Normans of England conquered our land, been subject to the rule of London, and have been treated to second class treatment in all matters that concern the entire kingdom of Great Britain.  We in Wales have our own language, our own distinct culture and traditions.  In the 1990's the Labour Government in England allowed Wales to create an Assembly to make our own laws and enjoy a degree of independence from London.  Our limited self government in Wales has been successful, it would not be unreasonable to suggest we could split away totally from England. 

In Scotland, the differences with England are more profound than in Wales.  To a limited extent the Scottish have their own language, they have a distinct culture in music, dance, clothing.  Most importantly Scotland has their own Parliament and legal system.  The difference between Scotland and London became all too clear when Scotland released the Libyan bomber back to his country against the wishes of London, and to the condemnation of the USA. 

Whilst Wales and Scotland have a clear idea of their identity and heritage, England does not.  Immigration and a concerted effort to weaken the institutions of England over the last decade has caused the English to be confused over who they are.  The English no longer have a clear idea of what they are, let alone how Wales and Scotland fits into their world view. Even Cornwall and Yorkshire have had regional political independence movements.

The time is ripe for Wales and Scotland to pull away from England as separate nations.  The Scottish National Party will be looking to hold an independence referendum on the subject of full independence from England after the national elections in 2010.  Plaid Cymru the Welsh nationalist party will continue to push Wales further to independence, but are weaker politically than their Scottish counterparts. 

So what of the Union Jack? The average British citizen when asked what the Union Jack meant to them will associate it with the skin heads of the far right British groups such as the British National Party (BNP), the National Front (NF) and the English Defence League (EDL). Sadly, even the flag of England, the flag of St George is only associated by the English with sporting events.

When a nation's own citizens no longer recognise their flag anymore it is time then to consign the Union Jack to history.  The Union Jack is no longer relevant to the political realities of the splintering United Kingdom.

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