LISTENING 2

Scottish Independence: Could Britain Break Up? | The Economist (13:47)

Notes
1. The Scottish National Party (the SNP) is now the largest regionalist and social-democratic political party in Scotland. The SNP supports and campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom and for membership of the European Union, with a platform based on civic nationalism.
2. Holyrood (/ˈhɒliruːd/) is an area in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, where the modern Scottish Parliament Building is situated. The name is often used in the media as a metonym for the Scottish Parliament.


PRE-VIEWING QUESTIONS
1. What do you know about the relations between Scotland and the rest of the UK in the 20th — early 21st centuries?
2. Do you know why the Scottish independence debate is back on the political agenda?


VIEWING TASK
Watch part of the video (3:15-8:30) and answer the following questions:
1. How does Scotland benefit from staying within the union?
2. What events have fostered nationalist sentiments in Scotland since the mid-20 th century?
While watching, fill in the table.

OUT-OF-CLASS VIEWING
Watch the video to the end out of class and decide whether the statements below are true (T)
or false (F). Support your opinion. Be ready for the class discussion.
1. Most Scots favour independence rather than further devolution.
2. Scotland will not necessarily be better-off if it goes it alone.
3. There isn’t much chance that Scotland will be granted permission to hold another independence referendum.
4. If Scotland leaves the UK, this will create a domino effect.
5. Reunification of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland is a possibility.
6. The break-away of any constituent part of the UK is unlikely to have significant economic consequences.

Speak Up
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you think further devolution of powers to the Scottish parliament would take the issue of independence off the table?
2. What other challenges and opportunities do you think there would be for Scotland if it gained independence?
3. What impact, in your opinion, would Scotland’s secession have on Britain?