DEVOLUTION in SCOTLAND

The Guardian view on the Scottish elections: let’s talk about money too

Editorial

Nicola Sturgeon’s nationalists remain politically ascendant, but the Scottish public conversation is shifting on to material choices that challenge the SNP’s priorities. That’s all to the good

Wednesday 23 March 2016, The Guardian,

1. What does the article tell us about the popularity of the SNP? How should this be interpreted?

In spite of the victory of the No side in the referendum on the independence of Scotland, the SNP is still very popular. (See second part of § 2)

2.Comment on the position of the SNP on the question of the Independence of Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon seems to be caught in a rather paradoxical situation. On the one hand, given that the price of oil has registered a sharp drop in recent months, an independent Scotland would find it more difficult to be self-reliant. Now is not exactly the right time for Scotland to become independent.

Yet, the question of “Independence” being central / vital to the party, Sturgeon cannot but address the issue.

(A second vote (dependent on Brexit) may then be held.) (See §  3)

3. Comment on the party’s position on taxes

The article throws light on another paradox: the SNP has long relied on a left-wing rhetoric. Yet, when it comes to taxes, it seems that the party is actually not as left-wing as it claims to be. Sturgeon, who in recent months was the spearhead of the anti-austerity campaign, now campaigns to maintain things as they are.

Conversely, Scottish Labour has made real proposals in favour of a reform of the system. (See § 5)

4. What does the article say about arguments made about “money and spending choices”?

The journalist sees this shift of focus away from the question of independence to the question of taxation favourably as this question, the article contends, is just as central as questions of identity.

Not only would this shift benefit Scotland, but it would also be beneficial to the whole of Britain.

Relevant vocabulary:

Ascendancy (n.): a position of power in which someone can control or influence other people / governing, controlling influence

Battlements (n.) (usually plural): a low wall at the top of a castle with open spaces for people inside to shoot through

Sunder (v.): (Already covered in class)

Milestone (n.): an important point in the progress or development of something/ a very important event or advance

“The trend is still running strong”

“In the meantime”

Tank (v.): to be very unsuccessful: to fail completely

Dependent on:  (in this context) determined or conditioned by another =  contingent (Ex: plans that are dependent on the weather)

“Support has always rested on its claims”

“To issue a revised assessment of something” / to assess something

“To tighten the pressure on someone / something”

Let England Shake (The Economist) / 

(Text studied in class with Group 28)

Vocabulary: Presentation given by Oréa and Ridha

§Hotch-potch: (n) Vague and muddled mixture (Also: Hodge-podge)

§Derring-do: (n) Brave behavior in a dangerous or complicated situation.

§The bonds: obligations

§Jolts (n): political upheavals

§To muse: to think about something

§Threshold (n) : Value from which something occurs.

§To pull part : to make good use of something

§To borrow : to take temporarily something from somebody

§Meanwhile (adv): Simultaneously in the current action, but not taking place in the same place.

§Reiner (n): someone who go on a plundering raid. (See hist / border between Scotland and England)

§To muddle: to put into a state of confusion

§To pull apart: to separate people who are entangled

§To rile: to anger or irritate

Mhairi Black's "maiden speech" in the House of Commons

(The Maiden Speech is the first ​formal ​speech made by a British Member of Parliament in the House of Commons or by a ​member of the House of Lords)