THE PICTS HAVE STOPPED BORDER RAIDS - SO...........WHEN WILL THE UK BE FIRED UP?

Though the vote on Scotland's immediate future is now settled, it is not the end of the process nor the national debate. If the politicians in Westminster, (remember, that is all the representatives, English, Welsh and Northern Irish) think it is, they are being naive. 

In this post:

 http://myword1.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/a-momentous-vote-scottish-independence.html

I set out my critique of the campaign. My final paragraph may, sadly, turn out to be prescient.  

The Groundswell of political energy, the politically sharp awareness, both of which accompanied the referendum campaign, have not suddenly disappeared.  85% of eligible voters placed their votes.  45% of the Scottish population voted to be be separated from England; not an inconsiderable number, one not to be sniffed at.  It would be a foolish government, (voted in on far lower a percentages) that would agitate against the separatist voters. The current Deputy First Scottish Minister is a formidable politician in her own right.  It seems likely, she will be voted into the post of First Minister at the next Scottish National Party (SNP) Annual Conference in about two months' time.  The current incumbent  is stepping down. As the ruling party in Scotland, the SNP will not let the depth of support and goodwill they have in Scotland dissipate by standing still. The Picts may no longer indulge in border raids, but, make no mistake, they can still firmly hold their ground

I cannot remember  a Westminster Government in my lifetime that has been voted in with a percentage vote equivalent to  the forty five percent 'no' voters in Scotland. The current Conservative Party certainly was not, hence their need to form a coalition in order to govern.  

On the other hand, I can remember voting turn out of about 30% in the whole of the UK to decide on a government based in Westminster to represent us all....30% ! About two thirds of the population did not elect UK representatives; what a massive lack of confidence in our political system, in our democracy.  The figures tell you our governments do not represent the majority, they have not found common ground or connection with people.  It throws a spotlight on to the U.K political disengagement, disconnection and disaffection of the population at large with the Westminster ruling classes.

Scotland has demonstrated a superb political awareness and has connected with it in massive voting numbers, numbers that Westminster parliamentarians would give their eye teeth for.

A BIG QUESTION

"You'll get the confirmation and a form to sign in the post within three working days,"  she said, "and thank you for your call."

Five working days later I have received all sorts of mail, but not the correspondence I am waiting for. As time is of the essence - there's a deadline to be met - there is nothing else for it, but to phone. There's the usual recorded message and a couple of menus; however, my sense of calm is short-lived as the android pipes up and wants all sorts of information, which has to be tapped out on my telephone keys. I search for the answer to one question and by the time I've got it, the android has given up on me and I find I am in a queue.  I sit and hope it is the right queue.

Ten minutes later, when I get to speak to her,  the operator is very apologetic for my wait, and for the lack of delivery of the letter. Yes, it was sent, the records show that it was.  
BIG QUESTION....... "who have you used to deliver your mail?"  
"We have just started to use TNT".  
I groan.  "If I get the mail," I tell her,  "from previous experience, it will be earliest seven days, more likely ten".  
"They use first class mail." She said.  
"Not here they don't." I insisted.  "I would not need to have called if that had been the case."

Because of where I live, it is agreed that another set of papers will be sent out to me, but this time, to be delivered by Royal mail.  

The replacement correspondence arrived today, two days after my call.  The original lot, which is being sent via TNT,  is still floating around the U.K. somewhere.