It is not just Scotland that should reassess its attitude to independence in the light of Mathewsons remarks. The Isle of Man....should also ask itself if its linkage to the UK has been a help or a hindrance.

It was Tony Blair who made himself look "self indulgent and absurd" when he used those remarks to launch an attack on widely respected Scottish businessman, Sir George Mathewson, former Chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The issue which caused Blair to make this highly personnel attack on Mathweson was the latter's observations on the impact of independence for business in Scotland.

Blair said that Sir George Mathewson, who helped to make the Royal Bank of Scotland the world's fifth biggest bank, claimed Labour was creating a "fear culture" about independence. It was clear from the intensity of Blair's reaction that the only "fear" in evidence was the growing fear of the Labour Party in Scotland that the lacklustre performance of their key figures in the Scottish government sees them heading for their greatest electoral defeat ever.

In any case Sir George Mathewson, who suggested he could "see no circumstance where independence would be a serious economic disadvantage" is not alone. The former Banking Chief was simply airing openly what a lot of business interests in Scotland believe privately i.e. that a lack of political independence is an anchor on Scotland's economic performance in a expanding Europe.

In the past thirty years the economic landscape of the British Isles has changed dramatically and the most significant change is of course the economic buoyancy of the Irish 'Celtic Tiger' economy. There are those in the business community in Scotland who look at this example and wonder if Scotland is hampered rather than assisted by the continuing political umbilical link to Westminster.

It is not just Scotland that should reassess its attitude to independence in the light of Mathewsons remarks. The Isle of Man, which has enjoyed a mini-boom in recent years, partially replicating that achieved in Ireland, should also ask itself if its linkage to the UK has been a help or a hindrance.

The major economic surge in Mannin occurred as the Labour government came to power in the United Kingdom. The complexion of that Labour government was antagonistic towards Mannin and resentful of its success and it remains so.

Unfortunately for Mannin a further comment made by Sir George Mathewson about Scotland also applies to the Isle of Man. Mathewson said of Scotland's government that there was "lack of high quality leadership".

Both Scotland and Mannin could have a much more vibrant economic future if they were not led by inadequates unwilling or unable to cut themselves away from 'the aprons strings of the Westminster nanny'.

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

17/03/07

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