British Violence

Disturbingly, and in consideration of the plethora of examples we have from even recent history, there are many in Scotland who do not believe the process of struggle towards independence will lead to some level of British state violence against our country. It is widely assumed that all that stands between the present and future independence is a referendum and a democratic and peaceful transition to Scottish statehood. But this is not the case. Scotland’s journey to independence will almost inevitably pass through a period of violent conflict with the British state, and it can only be assumed that beneath all the liberal democratic posturing of the Scottish government and the independence movement there exists a fully formed understanding that eventually this process will become violent.

Union State

Understood in its proper historical and political context, the United Kingdom — the union state — is the nucleus of British imperialism. It is both the testing ground and the home base of that imperialism, and has been in every past expression of the British Empire. For as long as the English state remains attached to its self-understanding as an imperial power — something that has not disappeared — London will strive to continue this relationship of domination with the Gaelic nations of these islands and will employ the same methods of cultural coercion and military violence against these nations as it did around the world against other nations.