The four-day Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Scotland were more muted than celebrations in England. Today, Scots have less interest in the British monarchy and show more interest in the Scottish independence.
Green Party Wants an Elected Head of State
Britain has celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70 years of reign in the United Kingdom. As the UK marked her 70th year on the throne, there are questions about the future of the union. In Scotland, not everyone has joined in the celebrations. The Scottish Green Party left the Platinum Jubilee celebrations which were being held in Scotland’s Parliament. The anti-monarchy party has said ministers at Holyrood should have spent time serving their constituencies. The Green Party believes that people should elect a head of state, and s/he should be accountable to the people. The move was an example of political dissent in a UK that does not support the monarchy. There are republicans across the UK who oppose the monarchy just like the Scottish Greens do. The Greens believe the British monarchy should be abolished and they are in favour of Scottish independence.
British Institutes Lost Their Importance
The British monarchy has faltered and institutions that symbolise Britishness no longer have the respect that they once did. Bonds that attach Scotland to Britain have loosened, and 29% of Scots regard themselves as Scottish not British. Around 26% of Scots regard themselves as more Scottish than British, and only 26% felt equally Scottish and British. Less than half of Scots, around 45%, support the continuation of the British monarchy. In Britain, 30% of youths think the country should have an elected head of state in the future. The activities of many institutions which are a strong part of the British identity have decreased. The repeated elections of Conservative governments to Westminster have also challenged the sense of Britishness. In line with that, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has emphasised the values of Scottish independence.
Scots Feel More Secure Inside the EU
Many people in Scotland have lost interest in both monarchy and the rule of the UK Government. The cost of living crisis and the burden of the pandemic have greatly discredited the UK Government. During the pandemic, the SNP handled the crisis with more dignity than the Conservative Government. Scots believe that the SNP did a much better job during the Covid crisis than the UK Government. The outcome of the Conservative party’s Brexit plan has also been damaging. Since the 2016 Brexit referendum, people across the UK have faced financial challenges. Scots feel more secure inside the EU and 62% of Scottish voters wanted to stay in the bloc. Boris Johnson, the Conservative Prime Minister, is a hard-line version of Brexit. He is widely disliked in Scotland since he has spared no effort to get Brexit done.
Scottish Voters Prefer Nationalist Politicians
The UK inflation has reached a forty-year high and Scottish households are struggling with the cost of living crisis. Brexit has worsened everything, as food prices increased and energy prices rose sharply. The Scottish Government has taken action to relieve the pressure, but the nature of devolution has restricted it. The UK government’s Brexit policy was disastrous and has damaged the economy, severely hitting poor families. The nationalists want Scottish independence in order to have full decision-making power without Westminster’s influence. In recent national and council elections, more people have elected nationalist candidates. The SNP has won more votes in a recent council election ahead of the other parties. The SNP and the other pro-independence parties achieved unprecedented victories in the 2021 Holyrood elections. Today more Scottish voters tend to choose politicians who struggle for Scottish independence.
Scottish Independence a Threat to the Monarchy
Republicans think that seven decades of Queen Elizabeth’s reign is not worth celebrating. The celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee in Scotland were not as glorious as in the other parts of the UK. Less than 50% of Scots have expressed their interests in the Platinum Jubilee which shows a growing republican sentiment. Many people have detached themselves from the monarchy and British rule. These two nations can test the bonds of the union in the coming years, which is a genuine threat to the monarchy. It is not clear what may happen to the British monarchy in the coming decades. Today more than one in four (27%) Brits want the abolition of the British monarchy. The younger generation in Britain has turned away from the idea of a hereditary head of state and 40% of the youth want to have an elected head of state.
Monarchy May Fade Away After Queen Elizabeth
Although Queen Elizabeth has remained a popular monarch across the UK, her succession remains a reason for concern. The Queen held the monarchy well but there were controversial moments such as the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Her second son Andrew’s disgrace and the divorces of her three children are not credits to her reign either. Add Prince Harry and his wife Meghan to the list, who stepped down from their royal duties after they were offended. The UK is the only European monarchy that still has a coronation service and has not adapted itself to the modern era. The British monarchy is losing its charm among people, particularly young people. As its popularity has faded north of the border, an ideological split has emerged across the union. The weaker support for the British monarchy can ease the path to division in the union and Scottish independence
Conclusion
Britain has celebrated the Queen’s 70 years of monarchy for four days. Queen Elizabeth II is the first British monarch who celebrated a Platinum Jubilee. The Queen has ruled throughout the years of World War II and has seen fourteen prime ministers. As Britain has celebrated the seven decades of her rule, it is a good time to ask about the future of Scotland. It is not clear whether the three-century ties between Britain and Scotland are holding firm. There is concern for the royal family about declining support among Scots, as well as the other nations of the UK. Polls have suggested that just under half of Scots are in favour of the monarchy. Royal institutes do not have the dignity and function that they once had. Loosening ties between Scotland and Britain could lead to the Scottish independence.
