Declaring UDI

I wanted to find out more about people and organisations who have declared UDI (unilateral declaration of independence) against something or someone. On my travels I came across the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement (SRSM). It is extremely pleasing to read that unequivocal socialism still exists in the politicking of the United Kingdom. The SRSM don’t just want Scottish independence but want to ensure that any independence is not accompanied multi-national corporate domination short-term capitalist gain for the few (for example like that which we are witnessing now in the ever-growing gap between the rich and poorer). Their principles are very much based in Wallace-esque rhetioric but if you scratch through this and excuse the sometimes overly-polemical content, there is an organisation and a solidarity that is refreshingly reassuring.
Red Duster is the SRSM’s journal contains an article from 2002 that made good reading on this dismal winter morning. UK and US Out of Iraq! Scotland Out of Britain! by Donald Anderson makes an excellent case for all British to support Scottish socialist independence. He asks, “If Scots had the will to declare UDI how would Britain be able to declare war on anybody? Her nuclear weapons are here in Scotland.” The article then goes on to make bold statements without support (the one thing I find so frustrating about socialist movements from whom I expect a propensity for honesty) by claiming that the UK is the biggest violator of EU human rights but not saying how. Further, making unhistorical comparisons between the proportion of black soldiers in the US wars in Vietnam (30%) and the proportion of Scots in Her Majesty’s forces in Gulf War I (40%). Good effort, could do better.

I am more interested in the comment about the nuclear weapons, especially in the light of two current political developments: first, the so-called debate about renewing Trident - the UK’s nuclear weapons system: for deterrent purposes only of course… second, Tony Blair’s warning about a UK break-up being “disasterous” for Scotland in the face of increasing support in Scotland for full independence. I can’t help thinking there is a link here…

I am wondering also why SRSM’s list of organisations in solidarity includesamong others Emgann - Breton left republicans and Republican Sinn Fein but not Mebyon Kernow - the party for an independent Cornwall?

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