Lets face it, there seems to be some that are trying to create a hostility between Scotland and England. A few of us think we are above the English which geographically we are, whilst others think it’s solely the English that put the “U” in the United Kingdom.
The row over student fees in Scotland has only helped to expand the Anglo-Scot divide especially since Gordon Brown became the top man of the Labour Party.
While Scottish students, and EU students studying in Scotland get off ‘Scot free,’ English students still are required to pay the full fees.
What some English MP’s have called a form of discrimination against the English, has taken over the student debate, replacing the usual chat of the latest Pot Noodle flavour.
Personally, as a native Scot, my first choice was to go to Manchester Metropolitan University to study politics and culture. The course looked appealing, the university looked amazing, and the city looked cultured enough for me to live in. For me, it had never been an issue about crossing the borders. So it did seem like the right choice to make.
Until the new laws about top up fees were implemented for England and Wales. Paying and extra £3,000 every year made my plans for going south go out the window.
Now I don’t see why I should have to move when I can get a good education for a better price back home. Of course, the English also sussed out the cheaper way of gettin that wee diploma.
We know about the English complaining that Scottish MP’s are able to vote on English matters whilst the English have no such privilege when it comes to their haggis munching neighbours. Especially concerning the funding of the Scottish education system.
Recently, ex-Tory joke Boris Johnson wrote a very one sided article about the £2 billion that “English taxpayers fork out so Scotland can get a free education.”
But who can be sure about the certainty of this statement?
The Scots could easily turn around and say that we supply the English with our oil and our fresh highland water. But we won’t be as petty.
The whole point of making English students pay fees, is so that Scottish students have a fairer chance of getting into university.
Since the top up fees was introduced in England and Wales in 1995, there was a fear that Scotland would be fluxed with English students trying to obtain an education on the cheap to save money.
With English students paying full fees, this gives the average Scot, a better chance of pursuing higher education.
Now if you ask an English student their opinion on studying in Scotland, (which I have) they will say how unfair it is that they are being made to pay the excess fees.
One of my good friends is studying medicine at Glasgow University. The cocky Liverpudlian is still angered by the fees.
She claims that she has been ripped off by the Scottish Government. Whenever we meet, I get the familiar rant about how Scots are fat, too ginger, and too mean to the Scousers.
Truth be told, the many Scots could equally be angered by the Scottish Government. How many of us are able to head south for an education? Nae chance of that happening. Maybe Alex Salmond should be finding a way to help fund the Bonnie Scots when studying out of Scotland instead of plotting against the English.
In the end, I made the choice of coming to Napier University. I am getting a prolific education. One that I could also have received in England, but for triple the price.In saying that, I do feel that I was forced to pick second best to save a few wee pennies.
The bottom line is that yes, we are equally British. Perhaps Gordon Brown and Alex Salmond should talk over tea and scones about their students.
But lets be fair, it’s no gonna happen.
3 responses so far ↓
danmihalache // January 12, 2009 at 9:50 pm |
It’s very interesting for me. I knew, for certainly, that there must be some ill-blood among English and Scots, as here, in Romania, it is between Romanians and Hungarians. Bur R. and H. talk a totally different language, have total different origin. I thought animosity have the English with Irish.
Anyway, for me whole Great Britain seams appealing, and my son, who is master in philosopky in Romania wants next year to go to Englans for doctorate.
Best regards, Dan, http://danmihalache.wordpress.com
thezab1 // January 12, 2009 at 10:19 pm |
There is not as much hostility between the English and the Scots as there was, but that sounds very interesting about Romanians v Hungarians. I did not know that!
danmihalache // January 17, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
You know, usually I don’t speak and write English so miserably, but I’m very scatterbrain.
Well, I think politicians are they that determine people to hate each other. In former jugoslavia christians and moslems lived alive and kickling till the decomposition of USSR created the opportunity for some unconscionaple Jugoslav leaders to reach the power and for the KGB traffickers to line their pockets. You know the Roman principle: divide et impera. Politicians can’t bring people to love, but can do them hate. Always and anywhere.
In the former Socialist Republic of Romania, the comunists and Ceausescu created and used the animosity between Romanians and Hungarians. But I had and have friends Hungarians, Serbs have Croatian friends and Hebrews have Palestinian friends, despite politics. Broad brow square to the leaders. But – I don’ remember who, one of the richest american humanitar founders – told: if billions of flies draw upon turd, does it mean that they are right?
But, another time more on this plot.
I saw you lived in Manchester. One of my best friends is Bill, from Stalybridge.
I’ll call again. Regards, Dan.