Scots' Right to Self-Determination

It is almost 100 years since the Wilson-Lenin moment in world affairs - the declaration by the two emerging global powers of the 20th century of the the principle of the right of nations to self-determination, long-declared by Britain but little practised as it built and mantained its empire by the sword and gun and warship.

Scotland has its chance this week to take its destiny into its own hands and should make its own decision in the cold light of day and try to ignore the increasingly vociferous threats and blandishments from the English-dominated establishment.

Today, PM David Cameron tries the scare tactic of 'permanent' split if Scots vote for independence; last week, certain banks threatened the security of Scots' home loans should they vote for freedom.

Scots will make their own decision, despite pressures from all sides. But, in my view, a decision to break away from the UK would be a positive move for the small country that was through violence and cooptation integrated into the 'Union'. Indeed, the violent integration of Scotland, Wales and Ireland were the beginnings of England's global imperium, similarly built through a combination of bloodshed and bribery and deception.

Eire broke away in the 1920s; the Welsh and Scots more recently gained 'devolution' within the 'Union'; the north of Ireland has loosened London's grip since the late 1990s. Scotland is taking the logical next step.

The fact is that the Scots are a resourceful, proud, and confident nation who have made great contributions to science, industry, finance and intellectual developments of global import. They will be fine as an independent, free country.

The earth will continue to rotate on its axis whatever the outcome of Scotland's vote on 18 September 2014.