One of the core liberal principles in politics is that a nation should control its own political and legal destiny. The nation state has been at the heart of modern Western politics, with revolutions being fought for national self-determination and liberation since the eighteenth century. As a proud and distinct people with a shared sense of culture, history and identity, the Scots have a clear political right to be independent of Britain. There is nothing strange or unreasonable in this demand — it is the bedrock of democracy.
Moreover, there are obvious historical grounds for independence. It was only in 1707 that England and Scotland were legally united. Before that there was a long history of conflict and tension between the two nations dating back at least as far as Edward I and William Wallace. Indeed, Scots have often explicitly identified themselves in opposition to the English. Furthermore, Scotland has always had a degree of independence with its own legal and educational system.
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