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The unpalatable harvest 211

Posted on August 28, 2014 by

One of the most commonly-observed facets of the independence referendum so far has been the lack of a real grassroots “Better Together” campaign, and as a historian of Scottish popular politics I’ve found myself pondering why there wasn’t one.

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It’s not like there aren’t thousands of Scots who passionately believe in the Union and will be voting No, and are perfectly capable of arguing their case. We all know some – I certainly do, both family and friends. But there’s no organised grassroots campaigning of any serious note. Tiny handfuls of Labour activists, some of them shipped up from England and paid, have done almost all of the donkey work so far.

But as a historian of Scottish popular politics I should have an explanation, shouldn’t I? And when I had a think about it, something occurred to me.

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    • Hatey McHateface on The shifting sands of memory: “Aye, willie. None of us wants to see our grandkids playing the didgeridoo. Incidentally, after NI kicks out the fifth…” May 25, 10:37
    • Alf Baird on The shifting sands of memory: “Colonialism tends to be ‘obscured’, especially by the more assimilated and collaborative native elites (Fanon), as we see with such…” May 25, 10:28
    • willie on The shifting sands of memory: “Interesting dialogue as usual with some great constructive comments from Mia and Northcode. The message is clear that if Scotland…” May 25, 10:24
    • Hatey McHateface on The shifting sands of memory: “Totally agree about the plebiscitary elections, Andy. Of course, that’s a hell of a lot more work than endlessly bumping…” May 25, 10:19
    • Hatey McHateface on The shifting sands of memory: “Awa back tae yer blackhoose, Xaracen, and croon softly tae yersel in the peat reek. You don’t have a Scottish…” May 25, 10:08
    • Hatey McHateface on The shifting sands of memory: “Loving it NC. The purist essence of Scottish Exceptionalism at its best. I’m particularly fond of the traditional Scottish punishment…” May 25, 09:56
    • James Cheyne on The shifting sands of memory: “AndrewR 6:24pm. Not the same as Catalonia at all Unless from a unionist wish it were so However one of…” May 25, 09:47
    • James on Just a couple more shots: “The problem is the world’s not just Europe and northern America. Remove the blinkers” May 25, 09:45
    • Hatey McHateface on The shifting sands of memory: “Wow, Bob! An almost word-for-word regurgitation of Barbie’s favourite talking points. What is it with the “two” of you and…” May 25, 09:41
    • Northcode on The shifting sands of memory: “It’s been said Scots law is more advanced, compassionate, enlightened and egalitarian when compared against the more primitive and unsophisticated…” May 25, 09:30
    • Andy Ellis on The shifting sands of memory: “@Aidan 9.15 am 24th May Even if the matter were to be determined, the outcome would be that the UN…” May 25, 09:23
    • Lorn on The shifting sands of memory: “That is my worry also, Aidan. With any luck, the UN will recognize Scotland’s ‘colonial’ status, but, if it doesn’t?…” May 25, 09:15
    • James Cheyne on The shifting sands of memory: “Mia, thanks for responding to my question and explaining the issue with common sense and logic. It is appreciated. As…” May 25, 09:03
    • Xaracen on The shifting sands of memory: ““Did I really, Xaracen?” Yes.” May 25, 07:56
    • Robert Hughes on The shifting sands of memory: “Aye , James , notice how ” Aidan ” always has to tell us he’s in another country ; a…” May 25, 07:42
    • sarah on The shifting sands of memory: “Who would have thought that Kasper Schmeichel would be the weak link?” May 24, 22:31
    • Aidan on The shifting sands of memory: “@James – I’m outside in a rental cabin in Norway at the moment with a beer in hand yet I’m…” May 24, 21:16
    • AndrewR on The shifting sands of memory: “What is this trolls gonna to troll business? It makes no sense. Whoopee Doodah. Michael, I’d say that Scotland’s predicament…” May 24, 20:52
    • James on The shifting sands of memory: “Trolls gonna troll [yawn]” May 24, 20:11
    • James on The shifting sands of memory: “Trolls gonna troll…..” May 24, 20:10
    • James on The shifting sands of memory: “After all these years, the yoon trolls “Aidan”, franchise fanny “Andy Ellis” and the rest are still trotting out the…” May 24, 20:08
    • Michael Laing on The shifting sands of memory: “@ AndrewR: If Scotland’s present constitutional predicament isn’t the result of the Treaty and Acts of Union, what is it…” May 24, 19:45
    • Benhope on The shifting sands of memory: “Stu, as a Dons supporter I am sure that you will be delighted that we won the cup today. The…” May 24, 19:41
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    • Young Lochinvar on The shifting sands of memory: “Just back checked and a post I submitted on Tuesday seems to have got lost in the ether; so, ere…” May 24, 18:57
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    • Hatey McHateface on The shifting sands of memory: “Did I really, Xaracen? “The parliament is the only singular aspect of the Union”. Your words. I listed some common…” May 24, 18:43
    • Rob on The shifting sands of memory: “You seriously want the SG to have MORE powers, they have made such a mess of the ones they already…” May 24, 18:36
    • Hatey McHateface on The shifting sands of memory: “Of course. A real majority in favour, not an imaginary one. And politicians competent enough to run the country, not…” May 24, 18:35
    • Hatey McHateface on The shifting sands of memory: “That’s a lot of “can’t”s Mia. As always in the real world, the question arises: Says you and whose army?…” May 24, 18:28

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