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Connery: English want independence from us



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SIR Sean Connery has claimed the English will soon start campaigning for independence from Scotland - because they are so fed up with Scots running the country.
The former James Bond star and long-time supporter of the Scottish Nationalist Party said the fact Scots held many of the top posts in UK politics would not go unnoticed by the English electorate.

"The English want their independence now, more than a lot of Scots do, I think," he said.

"It's all a bit too much for them now.

"They see Ming Campbell leading the Lib Dems until recently, Gordon Brown taking over from Tony Blair - who was himself born in Edinburgh - and people like John Reid and even the late Robin Cook.

"They think to themselves 'wait a minute here'.

"After we [the Scots] got devolution we could vote on issues that they couldn't touch, but Scottish people can vote in both elections."

Sir Sean was speaking in New York at a staging of the award-winnng play Black Watch, which is about Scottish troops fighting in the Iraq war.



The full article contains 185 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 23 October 2007 9:17 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Sean Connery
 
1

Embra boy,

23/10/2007 11:11:40

They say there's none more Scottish than the Scots abroad. The Fountainbridge Milkman has been proving this for years. What makes him think he still speaks for Scotland?

2

Al Kiholick,

23/10/2007 11:18:44

I'll start listening to what Sean Connery has to say about the country I live in when he can be bothered moving back here himself.

3

Justy,

Abbeyhill 23/10/2007 11:32:41

Sean Connory! Isn't he the balding mediocre actor the New Yokers would like to see leave the country?
Why should residents in Scotland listen to him?

Justy.

4

foz,

Pluto 23/10/2007 12:02:48

He does strike me as a sad old man who contributes less to Scotland than the lowest paid people in our society. If he likes Scotland that much why does he not enjoy his retirement here?

5

Gloryhunter Leith,

23/10/2007 12:12:21

Touch of the "ah kent his faither" about all of the above. If I could afford to live in Marbella or wherever Big Tam is living not, I'd be off in a shot. Incidentally, what he says is spot on.

6

Busymale,

23/10/2007 12:13:21

# 1 - 4

Seany boy has paid more tax into the system than you 4 put together. He's entitled to express his views the same as anyone else. The day they don't allow him is the day we might as well be governed by dictatorship.

7

I'm no really here,

23/10/2007 12:15:41

#'s 1,2&3 So someone is no longer considered Scottish if they have the cheek to step a foot outside Scotland. If that's the case, say goodbye to most of the Scottish football team and many famous Scots throughout history that you lay claim to.

James Clerk Maxwell
Dr Livingston
John Logie Baird
RLS
John Loudon McAdam
John Boyd Dunlop

the list is near endless.

8

Joe M.,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 12:20:34

Sean Connery is dead right in what he says and if he was representing the unionist viewpoint these same anonymous detractors would be sooking right up his backside.

9

alex paterson,

embra 23/10/2007 12:22:34

#6 #7 Very well said you have saved me a lot of keyboard bashing.

10

I'm no really here,

23/10/2007 12:32:07

#'s1-4 Look at the adverts on the right. If I had your addresses, I'd buy you a picture of Big Tam and send it to you.

11

jude the obscure,

23/10/2007 12:37:35

reality check: most English people I've met haven't given Scottish independence a second thought - they don't care either way!

12

Johnny Yen,

23/10/2007 12:58:09

He certainly wanted his independance from Scotland.

13

,

23/10/2007 13:00:42
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason: Scotsman Import, Original comment id: 1080242, Article id was mapped to record!
14

Shave,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 13:08:37

#6

None of the above posters were denying Sir Sean his opinion, just pointing out how unimportant it is.

The English increasingly (from a low level) do want shot of us mostly due to the rabble-rousing, lies and deceit by the Daily Mail and the Daily Torygraph. We are being portrayed as scrounging, wasteful Scots educating our young and caring for our old with English money. That is arguably nonsense, and certainly a gross simplification.

We cannot depend on Salmond to defend against such lies as these lies help his cause. Labour can't/won't set the record straight cos Brown is a 'scrounging Scot'. I'm surprised David Cameron hasn't dropped the 'Unionist' from his parties' title.

15

Jacobite,

23/10/2007 13:11:05

#6 We ARE governed by dictatorship, we are dictated to by Westminster and they have been telling us what to do for centuries.
The Scottish paliament is just a talking shop to keep SMP's arguing with each other instead of getting down to the real issues of INDEPENDENCE.
And this was granted by Westminster, it just a talking shop.
And lets face it - the rest of you lot, if you had Connery's money would you still stay in damp, cold Scotland, I think not

16

Beergut,

Embra 23/10/2007 13:15:42

At least the guy is still interested in the place and what is important that happens here. More than you can say for a lot of the shortbread eating brigade in London. The last place they want to know about is their birthplace. Offer them a move back here and they would choke on their wee dram at the Caledonian Society before running a mile!

17

Sassenach Observer,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 13:18:27

#15 Now you've hit upon a winning strategy for little Alex Whatsisname. All he has to say is that Scotland would be so well off after independence that everybody would be able to live somewhere else. Then you could sell the empty Scotland to the Poles or somebody and hey presto ! even more money. Brilliant.

18

Yonthing!,

23/10/2007 13:26:17

The only reason the English will want a divorce from Scotland is because we are such a bunch of whinging losers over the whole issue.

SCOTLAND IS PART OF THE UNITED KINGDOM - GET OVER IT!

Passport to Pimlico anyone ?

19

Jacobite,

23/10/2007 13:27:37

Sassenach Observer, Edinburgh
So everyone in Scotland is SO rich, as to they could live abroad - get a life.
If it was'nt for the Westminster government joining the EU we would'nt be overrun with Poles or anybody else.
The english government just want cheap labour to keep wages low and profits high

20

Sassenach Observer,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 13:38:53

#19 Aaah that explains everything. I did wonder.

21

The Daleks,

23/10/2007 13:39:24

Hands off Sir Sean.

The man's done more for Scotland than the lot of you put together.

Sir Sean's a credit to Scotland, and is perfectly entitled to his say, no matter where he chooses to hang his hat.

One Sean Connery is worth a hundred pin stripe skirted Jack McConnell's and a thousand Wendy Caterpillars.

22

A Clamper,

Embra 23/10/2007 13:45:52

Independence is just around the corner and the unionists know it, which is why they desperately try to denegrate anyone in favour of it, in the vain hope that they can continue waving the butchers' apron for an another generation.

23

Sassenach Observer,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 13:50:21

#21 Quite right. Every man is entitled to his opinion (and his wife is entitled to his opinion too) even if he chooses not to pay tax or vote.

24

Ham Shank,

23/10/2007 13:51:13

The guys a hypocrite. End of...

Its all very well saying "wouldnt you move out of Scotland for the rest of your lives if you had the money"

..well yes i would, but at the same time I would not comment on domestic policy which would have heehaw effect on me because i decided to ship out of scotland for whatever reason (tax, weather etc)

25

Hadrian Wall,

ENGLAND 23/10/2007 13:51:53

To Jacobite

there is NO English Parliament, just a British Parliament to run England, badly. The Scotch should be proud of the fact that they have self deitirmination and should use that wisely.

But the former 007 is correct in thinking that we in England want our own Parliament too. We have very different issues to put right when compared to the rst of the UK.

The problem for the UK govt is that if there was an English First Minister, he would be soon telling the British Prime Minister where to get off. Having 85% of the UK population is not a good thing.

regards and "Scotch" is the English word for anytone or anything from north of the border and is not an insult.

26

Hadrian Wall,

ENGLAND 23/10/2007 13:53:19

To Jacobite

there is NO English Parliament, just a British Parliament to run England, badly. The Scotch should be proud of the fact that they have self deitirmination and should use that wisely.

But the former 007 is correct in thinking that we in England want our own Parliament too. We have very different issues to put right when compared to the rst of the UK.

The problem for the UK govt is that if there was an English First Minister, he would be soon telling the British Prime Minister where to get off. Having 85% of the UK population is not a good thing.

regards and "Scotch" is the English word for anytone or anything from north of the border and is not an insult.

27

alex patersons English teacher,

23/10/2007 14:21:04

25,25
Thank god for the scotch education system,thats all ive got to say,if your an example,

28

Jacobite,

23/10/2007 14:27:39

To Hadrian Wall
That explains everything as you are as thick as one,
as Scotch is a drink but thats like reinventing the wheel - educating the 'English'
Now what happened to equal representation which is far more democratic than they way Westminster was setup - for instance if the Irish, Welsh and Scottish MP's got together they could never out vote the English MP's

29

sar,

meadows 23/10/2007 14:50:43

They won't vote for Brown (as he is a Scot) anyway, so it will all be over in a few years. #11 Which people have you met ? Most that i meet (daily) are aware, and can't understand why people are so angry because "you got your own parliament" anyway, so why would they (south of the border) vote for someone who represents people north of the border.

30

Embra boy,

23/10/2007 14:58:00

#6, #7 and most of the rest of you -

My objection is that Shir Shaun allies himself to Scottish Independence and gets press coverage for every opinion he expresses about a country he no longer lives in. He doesn't, and won't have to live with the impact of any political influence he might have.

The fact that he was the best James Bond, earned lots of money paid UK taxes (in the past), is interesting, but frankly irrelevant.

31

paul the binman,

23/10/2007 15:26:26

Im English and I dont want independance from Spain or the West Indies or any where else "Shir Shawn" lives,oh he means Scotland does he .......

32

Phil o Brian,

23/10/2007 15:43:25

What I can't understand is why we bother listening to "stars". What is it with people that we some how give Sean Connery (and others) so much airtime. Who cares what he thinks, he's an actor for gods sake.
Everyones opinion on whether Scotland would be better or worse off as part of the UK needs to be heard and this facination with "celebrity" is not going to take us any further forward as a society.

PS Sorry for the rant!

33

Home Rule for England,

England 23/10/2007 16:02:53

Do I detect a certain level of apprehension creeping into the comments of some Scottish contributors? You see, what Sir Sean says is quite correct. Most English people would be more than pleased to sever the link. The last poll showed 60% in favour of ending the Union.
It is well past its sell by date and unless you Scottish do the right thing we will have to do it for you!

34

Sassenach Observer,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 16:04:48

#33 Well actually I wouldn't mind hearing the views of the female stars of Hollyoaks on the relative merits of the status quo, a federal UK or full independence for the constituent countries- but then again I wouldn't actually be listening.

35

Paul Voltaire,

23/10/2007 16:10:30

He is getting grumpy in his old age.
I mean the guy was a sex symbol and now he has to fight for grandfather roles.
" Do you expect me to talk?"
"No I expect you to mind your own business, Mr Bond."

36

Hadrian Wall,

23/10/2007 16:18:46

To Jacobite

Re your comment "That explains everything as you are as thick as one, as Scotch is a drink but thats like reinventing the wheel - educating the 'English'"

Scotch may mean a drink to you but guess what, in a different country, ie mine, it may mean something else. "Of Scotland or its inhabitants" says a well known dictionary.

Me finks ure the thicko Jimmy. Unlike my wife, who being from Fife you may not class as Scot* (ch) (ish) *delete as you see fit.

In my household, "one eyed" nationalism is banned. You should try is sometime.

All the very best in your quest for independence, really all the very best.

Hadrian

37

Phil o Brian,

23/10/2007 16:21:48

#35 Never actually watch the programme. Are they nice?

38

Hadrian Wall,

ENGLAND 23/10/2007 16:31:53

To Jacobite

Re your comment "That explains everything as you are as thick as one, as Scotch is a drink but thats like reinventing the wheel - educating the 'English'"

Scotch may mean a drink to you but guess what, in a different country, ie mine, it may mean something else. "Of Scotland or its inhabitants" says a well known dictionary.

Me finks ure the thicko Jimmy. Unlike my wife, who being from Fife you may not class as Scot* (ch) (ish) *delete as you see fit.

In my household, "one eyed" nationalism is banned. You should try is sometime.

All the very best in your quest for independence, really all the very best.

Hadrian

39

Conan the Librarian™,

23/10/2007 18:59:20

Connery lives abroad because he does not wish to give his money to a "British" government.

And its warmer.

39

I'm afraid "scotch" when used to describe people,instead of the product more properly known by the people that make it as "Scots" whisky,is seen as patronising and superior.

Like Telegraph readers.

40

Flan Haggis,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 19:12:12

I want independence from Sean Connery. Is it possible for Scotland to disown him? He is an overinflated windbag!

41

Matthew Lock,

Devon,England 23/10/2007 19:37:29

I find this increasingly bitter England vs Scotland stuff very sad. I genuinely love Scotland and its people, having trained for some time in Glasgow, and support you in all sports when Ingerland are not involved, and sometimes when we are! If independence improved relations, and so long as people like me were still welcome to visit, then I'd support it, but not because i think you're scroungers, or because we're nicking your oil - but because frankly the whole argument is becoming boring now.

42

Flan Haggis,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 19:53:22

Well said #42 I totally agree. I have changed from a position of being against independence to actually supporting it - so that we can put the whole issue to bed!

43

is it me?,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 20:36:46

#42 Matthew Lock
I totally agree. Any room left in sunny Devon for a totally rational realistic Unionist Scot , looking for a less- bigoted better place to live ?

44

Dave101,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 20:39:38

As much as I love Scotland and living in the 'burgh, if I had his money I would not live here either but I would stil feel Scottish and like to comment on the state of the country

45

Sassenach Observer,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 20:57:57

#40 According to Mr Connery himself, he does pay British taxes so it cannot be a matter of principle.However I suspect he still pays rather less than he would if he actually lived somewhere in the UK.

"Scotch" is a contraction of "Scottish" which in turn is a (South of England) anglicisation of "Scots". Curious that the Scottish National Party isn't the Scots National Party, really...

46

is it me?,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 21:08:36

#45 Dave 101
Bit of a mixed message there.
If everyone who had his money wouldn't live here, who would be left ?
And why would they comment on the state of the country? There wouldn't be anyone left to comment to.
Says it all really. We'd all get out if we could.
Sir Sean and King Alex could have the place to themselves for a great Hogmanay Party ,unlesh Sir Shawn had a previoush engagement elshwhere.

47

Home Rule for England,

England 23/10/2007 21:21:28

Perhaps Sir Sean could come to England and talk about this on the BBC? That would get the Biased Broadcasting Corporation shaken AND stirred!

48

Home Rule for England,

England 23/10/2007 21:24:12

#42 You say Ingerland! What's that supposed to mean exactly? Why don't you also say Scotterland?

49

is it me?,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 21:32:06

46 Sassenach Observer
Ref your observation in your last sentence.
It's all to do with marketing and brand image.
Locally, the cry, "Scotsnationalparty" tends to lead to an exhalation of snotters into ones balaclava, which are liable to crust up in winter and tend to detract from the desirable Press image of a Party supporter.

50

is it me?,

Edinburgh 23/10/2007 21:43:45

#49 Dont be obtuse. Everyone gets it exept you.

51

JayDeeTee,

23/10/2007 22:30:26

Ha ha ha ha. England want independence. Ha ha ha . What? From a wee domineering country that they regularly rob and over-tax? Ha ha ha.

52

Conan the Librarian™,

23/10/2007 23:14:37

46
Agreed.

It should be...

Thankyou Sassenach Obsever.

53

Hadrian Wall,

England 24/10/2007 06:44:25

I suppose the point is that we live in two different countries with proud and ancient histories, pushed together by a political elite a good while ago, pre Empire and the EU. Things change and it is clearly now time to change too. Home Rule for Scotland and England is for the people to decide. The Scot (s) (ch) have had their choice re their own Parliament, it is time for the English to have theirs. A recent poll suggested +60% want an English Parliament. Post devolution this is fair and would address the West Lothian question and then the Barnett Formula which are increasingly of concern in England.

To 27 and 54, the Oxford English Dictionary is my source. Just accept that in England, if someone calls someone from north of the border "Scotch" it is NOT an insult or patronising. I think #46 supports me here but I may be wrong.

Happy to be a Sassenach. Ot a Pom. Or a Limey. etc

54

Maisie,

24/10/2007 12:07:40

55. Hadrian Wall

You are such a tosser whining on about Scotch / Scots, let it be known to you that Scotch is a whisky! Are you so stupid to refer to us all up here as whisky? .... Get it into your head that it not offensive, it is reflecting your stupidity to keep going on about us being Scotch..... drop it and retain some dignity for yourself.

55

Fight Back!,

24/10/2007 12:50:03

#56 Maisie - please read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch and attempt to educate yourself.

56

Graeme M,

Australia 12/03/2008 21:57:48
I am a bit mystified, there seems to be a general consensus of here there and everywhere in this column?..One minute we are on about Sir Sean Connery, the next, separating from England?...I know he is interested in that, as I am, and I feel he should lead his life as to how he wants, as we all have done. A lot of people I spoke to in Scotland through various means, said they had wished they would have the courage to immigrate or do something other with their lives. So don't knock what you didn't have the courage to do yourselves...I do admire the Scots really for what they have had to put up with in the past!...So I suppose its quite rightly so, there are a new breed of wingers out there, willing to have goes at any and everything abounding...Something more constructive might be the best, don't you think?...

 

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