CANADIAN PAPERS BEGIN TO PANIC ABOUT SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

Ill informed commentaries about Scottish independence seem to be popular in Canadian papers just now, desperate to play down the fact that the SNP have just won a historic victory. The reason of course, Quebec. If Scottish independence happens, perhaps Quebec will decide that maybe independence would suit them after all.

I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak on Canadian news just before the election about the situation here in Scotland. We obviously appreciate international interest from all countries here in Scotland and obviously there are huge amounts of Scottish ex pats in Canada.

Let's not forget however that Canada was once linked to the British Empire as well and chose to go for independence. If Canada can be independent, so can Scotland.

Perhaps Quebec and Scottish nationalists should begin to compare notes, because it sounds like Quebec is as much a victim of biased media as we are here in Scotland.

Check this set of headlines out:

Scotland: the road to nowhere

An independent Scotland as likely as a separate Quebec

Scottish independence unlikely

Just ask Quebec - Scottish independence the road to nowhere

Scottish independence not on SNP's agenda now

These are all actually the SAME article (with assorted negative headlines), the last one being the worst since it pre-emptively (and completely wrongly) suggests the SNP have given up on independence. All by a london based journalist named Gwynne Dyer, yet obviously this version of events suits the Canadian press, who have given his analysis blanket coverage.

America (who judging on the hits on my Scottish Independence Guide website have a very strong interest in Scotland and Scottish independence) gets in on the act as well:

A Scottish Guddle
By Neal Ascherson

For the first time in their history, the Scots have voted in such numbers for a pro-independence party. In elections for Scottish parliament last Thursday, the Scottish National Party, or SNP, emerged as the largest party and is preparing to govern in Edinburgh. The SNP wants to make Scotland a separate nation-state within the European Union, linked with England only by a common Queen.

Scottish politics won't be the same again. But independence isn't coming soon. Most Scots, first of all, don't think it's necessary. As in Quebec, voting for an independence movement isn't the same as voting for independence. ...

(More comparisons with Quebec, maybe the good old USA has a vested interest in Quebec staying under Canadian control as well.)