Let us strengthen our Union – not see it break up

So – it’s to be 2014. The date with destiny we all knew was coming but tried to place at the back of our minds will come around quicker than the London Olympics (2007 doesn’t seem that long ago, does it, eh?)

The Scottish people will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to shape the destiny of their nation, a decision that will directly and indirectly affect us all. But let us remember – the decision is theirs to make, and the SNP have the mandate to put that question to them. For Unionists, the challenge now is to create a positive, pro-Union message.

The message should, ideally, consist of three key strands: economic interest, patriotic fervour and institutional attachment. The referendum will not be won or lost over money, legal technicalities or questions of currency or defence – this is a question of identity, pride, patriotism and passion.

Scotland’s referendum will have real consequences on British identity and how we, as a British nation, see ourselves and the place of the United Kingdom in the world. So let us, at this time, exude patriotism, pride and passion for the cause of maintaining the union.

For most of us, reflection on nationality quickens the heart and stirs the soul – so the No campaign must be reflective, patriotic and loaded with a positive, passionate pro-Union rhetoric founded on the sharing of resources, our common bonds and our common institutions: the National Health Service, the BBC, the Monarchy and Parliament, for example.

Initial pro-Union arguments have been biased towards the (albeit incredibly strong) economic case and Unionists have been characterised as overly concerned with treaties and legal technicalities – issues that seem quite far removed from the life of an ordinary Scot, or any ordinary Briton for that matter. This is not the type of campaign the SNP and their colleagues will run – it will be loaded with the patriotic, nation-building rhetoric for which Alex Salmond is famed.

To win, the No campaign must counterbalance his rhetoric with its own evocative message. This message must start being communicated now, and it will require money and determination – because the separatist camp is short of neither. Here are my thoughts about how the Unionist Political Parties should go about it.

Build a grassroots, non-partisan campaign with a distinct Scottish identity.

The campaign needs to be Scottish through and through. This means a Scottish campaign director, Scottish Press Officers and Scottish music, dance and literature permeating every document, political broadcast and press release. Quotes from Burns, Bagpipies galore and Saltires – it’s what the Yes campaign will have front and centre, so the No campaign must do the same.

Yes, of course, figures, images and contributions from the rest of Britain should be an integral part of the campaign, but it’s Scotland’s referendum and should be Scotland’s campaign. It will also be important to tap into the wealth of Scottish talent that has made its indelible mark on the culture, politics or economy of the wider United Kingdom. There are huge numbers of successful Scots who, over the years, have been at the heart of British national life and have defined our shared history.

The No camp should be frantically ringing every celebrity, politician or sportsperson who has benefited from our Union. David Tenant, John Barrowman, Michael Gove, Michelle Mone, Chris Hoy, Gordon Brown, Edith Bowman should be on the call sheets of the No campaign director- because they are living and breathing examples of the benefits of Union, whether institutional (BBC and the Office of the Prime Minister springing to mind) or simply by using ‘Brand Britain’ as a platform for global success.

Wherever in the word you go you’ll find successful Scots making use of British Chambers of Commerce and their local British Embassy – their stories should be a key part of the message, highlighting how Scotland benefits from the global influence of the United Kingdom, not just because it will benefit the No campaign, but because it’s also a really great story to tell!

Begin the long journey towards a redefined and shared British identity.

This one can be seen as the most difficult, but it’s not actually very hard because England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – while rightly proud of their own unique histories and traditions – are not unalike! We shop in the same shops, talk about the same issues, read the same newspapers, watch the same TV programmes and have shared a Parliament for 300 years.

Some of this sounds altogether trivial, but in reality these tiny little elements of daily life are the kind of things, which build nations. We share so many common hopes, fears, dreams and aspirations- the kind of things, which, in the 21^st Century are central to the notion of a national community. So, I say to the No campaign – don’t frighten the electorate with statistics and legal jargon, but ask the Scottish people – would you miss the BBC? Do you value the pound in your pocket? Did you know that Scotland benefits disproportionately from UK military Spending?

To my mind, the only place where rivalry really exists is on the sports field – it’s the No campaign’s job to articulate this positive message of partnership and friendship. A message of a Scotland with a strong national identity but through the United Kingdom we are all greater than the sum of our parts. As recent Scottish Tory leadership candidate Jackson Carlaw put it: A Strong Scotland in a Great Britain.

It’s positive, powerful and undeniably simple. You may scoff and say that the fact that both Scots and the English shop at Sainsbury’s or watch Britain’s Got Talent is irrelevant – but to my mind, this commonality is an incredible gift to the cause. When our people share these little aspects of their daily lives they can find common bonds in conversation. Our Kingdom was created by a political and economic elite – today, it can be refounded on the shared bonds of family, friendship, institutions, history and even chatting about and watching X Factor! You won’t make a stronger case than that – it’s simple, shared and positive.

Use the Olympics, The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Diamond Jubilee to build momentum, and ensure the UK Government properly represents Scotland.

It goes without saying these events will be incredible! Britain will be on a global stage – so let’s make the most of them.

The British Government must ensure Scots have access to and feel a part of the great national celebration. You can’t plan for this but you can ensure these events are inclusive, spectacular and powerful. Of course, Chris Hoy winning a few more medals with the Union flag wrapped around him wouldn’t hurt! With the Jubilee and Olympics focusing on London, this could be a harder sell than one might initially think. But the Torch Relay, UK-wide Festival of Culture and Queen’s Jubilee Tour of the UK should ameliorate that argument – as long as Scotland has ample representation at every function, trade-related event and cultural celebration, if for no other reason than Scotland has great products to sell and a great culture to share – which is beneficial for all.

The UK Government should also play a much more active role in promoting Scottish events like the Edinburgh Festival on a UK-wide basis. Why doesn’t the Prime Minister visit the Edinburgh Fringe on a yearly basis? Could the FCO promote Burns Night and St Andrew’s Day celebrations more proactively for global Scots and Britons?  Will there be a Scottish element to the opening ceremony of London 2012? Basically – could the UK Government do more to promote Scotland as a nation on the global stage?

The benefits for both the No cause and the British nation as a whole would be incalculable – and would halt the SNP’s constant argument that only with independence can Scotland truly express herself on an international level. This will require effort and determination – but in the long-term, major UK-wide events combined with a greater presence for Scotland globally should prove beneficial to the protection of our Union.

Keep the campaign positive and don’t let Alex Salmond dominate it.

This one is difficult, because even to me Alex Salmond is likeable, funny and political force to be reckoned with. I want to make it clear, I’m not a fan of his political vision – but on a personal level, it’s really hard not to like him, or even his deputy Nicola Sturgeon. At Holyrood they are unmatched, because the UK party talent tends to drift to Westminster. It’s clear that they and the SNP genuinely believe that independence is the best way forward for Scotland – that cannot be denied, so it’s the job of the No campaign to identify and showcase an equally strong and positive set of faces for their campaign.

Going negative is not an option in this referendum. The No campaign must exude positivity – outlining the benefits of Union, explaining the downsides of independence and, as afore mentioned, be Scottish through-and-through. The Scottish are a proud people and with over ten years of a Scottish Parliament, will not be lectured to – so the No camp must ensure this simply does not happen!

With relatively new leaders for all three Scottish Unionist parties, a wealth of Scottish political talent in English constituencies and a huge number of Scots in civic, military and cultural life in support of the union – the movement to protect the it must counter the cult of personality that surrounds Alex Salmond. He will make superb speeches and a convincing case each and every time and the No campaign’s retort must be stronger, sharper and more patriotic. Salmond will wrap himself in the Saltire and  so must the No campaign.

Salmond seems to be using the slogan ‘FORWARD.’ That’s powerful stuff. A similar message, perhaps ‘BETTER TOGETHER’ might be a good strapline for the No campaign. I’m sure some very smart people will be paid a lot of money to come up with a better one. Scottish Labour tried scaremongering in past Holyrood campaigns, and it didn’t work. As time progresses, if the message is clear, constant and positive the pro-Union message will prevail. The United Kingdom is an entity to which all can belong, all can have a place and all can make a contribution - now that’s powerful stuff!

Independence must not be allowed to be portrayed as the Promised Land – the wrongs of Scotland will not be solved overnight if independence is delivered. Scots must be reminded that without the benefits of Union, some wrongs will be worsened – but how do you discuss these concerns, without going negative?  That’s a question those very well paid consultants and pollsters will have to work out.  Every leaflet should be filled with successful Scottish companies who use ‘Brand Britain’ as their platform; every article should be filled with the civic, political and business leaders who believe Scotland is better off in Britain.

Salmond is a credible political voice that Scots listen to, even some Unionists can see him as the ‘father of the nation,’ – but if fellow Scots passionately speak against him in increasing numbers and with clarity, he will eventually be drowned out.

The result, post referendum, should not be division, but instead Scotland and the entire United Kingdom should be able to look back on a positive and enriching conversation on our constitutional future. The conversation should never be Scotland can’t be independent – that’s patronising and will be rejected. The argument should be that Scotland is strong in herself and stronger in the Union. That’s the message that will win.

Respect the Scottish people – it’s their choice.

David Cameron promised the “respect agenda,” but has he really lived up to it? We simply cannot have the campaign fronted by a Southern, English Conservative Politician. I’m a supporter  of the Prime Minister’s and I suspect this is something he has already worked out for himself, but for the next few years the Prime Minister must show deference, not just respect, to the Scottish people, if he does not want to be the Prime Minister who presided over the ending of the United Kingdom.

How this deference will play with certain elements of the English electorate, or those elements of his own party who tend view Scotland as the subsidised guarantor of Labour majorities in Parliament, remains to be seen.  GT Chief Henry Hill, in his review of Conference 2011, said that the Prime Minister is at his best when he delivers positive, visionary messages. Let’s hope someone in the No camp can do something similar, because he cannot be the man who delivers that message.

Of course, whoever delivers the message, we will live with the consequences of Scotland’s decision; but the No camp must always be mindful that Scots are a sovereign nation, who must be given the breathing space to decide their own future.  The challenge for unionists is to be open-armed, positive and ready for dialogue whatever the question, whichever body administers the election, whatever the Nationalists say or do and regardless of what part of Britain they are from.

I am not a Scot but I am a Briton who is proud of the nation we have built together. I am mindful of how wrong Unionists in Northern Ireland have been in making a clear and cogent argument for the Union beyond the dire state of economy or dependence on the Treasury. The No campaign must fight for the legacy of this referendum to be a more self-confident Scotland at the heart of a redefined and strengthened United Kingdom. Scotland is part of our family of nations and must be treated with the respect we would show our own family members – it’s that simple.

The argument must also be made that the United Kingdom, without Scotland, would be devoid of the enormous contribution our fellow citizens make. Scots have been integral in shaping the story, culture and economy of our nation, and Scotland, despite her own independent spirit and unique contribution to humanity through science, the arts and technology, retains more currency and has more influence as part of the United Kingdom – it’s the classic “stronger together, weaker apart” argument.

I’ve never been much of a one for rallying cries, but I think this occasion deserves it. I can think of no better call than that made by the Prime Minister in his speech to the 2010 Conservative Party Conference, in front of the “party I lead and the country I love.” It’s one of my all-time favourite speeches because his theme was about coming together in the national interest. This time, a new type of coalition must be built – a coalition of pro-Union groups, political parties and individuals, coming together to protect the Union and, resultantly, the country we love.

The question is, after the referendum, momentarily presuming the Union will be retained, what next? We cannot rest on our laurels post-referendum – every one of us must set about not nation-building (we’ve been at that for 300 years) but nation re-building; redefining what Britishness is beyond the usual multicultural urban English dialogue which the political classes tends to dig.

I think we need instead a root and branch re-examination of who we are as a nation, what our values are and where we go from here. Another question springs to mind, should a No result be delivered: what of those Scots who voted for independence? How do we better include them in the new United Kingdom? If politicians were to go about trying to understand their frustrations perhaps we could remedy their malaise? Their contribution and suggestions for reform could be of benefit to us all, in helping Britain become safer, fairer, healthier, wealthier and more confident.

To me, it is those next steps which will be a much more difficult, but ultimately rewarding, than any referendum Alex Salmond holds. So, I say to Johann Lamont, Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie, as well as Ed, Nick and Dave – it’s time to work together.  For the referendum and beyond you must, in the words of David Cameron, “[Let’s] pull together. Let’s come together and work, together, in the national interest.”

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Conal is a Final Year Law student from Queen’s University Belfast and is Chairperson of QUB Conservative Future. He is area chairman of the South, West and Londonderry division of NICF and is their Deputy Chair Political and Universities. He is particularly interested in issues surrounding Education, having worked as an Intern at the US Department of Education. He is an alumnus of the Washington Ireland Programme for Service and Leadership, Campaigned in the 2010 General Election and hopes to work as a political adviser. You can contact him at conal.ohare@nicf.co