Nationalism and Islamism in Scotland

The most visible challenge to the continued existence of the United Kingdom
comes from the Scottish National Party which runs the devolved administration
in Edinburgh and enjoys record popularity among Scots. This summer,
commentators have been rushing to argue that Scotland is exiting the union and
that the devolution of power from Westminster to a parliament in Edinburgh has
been a giant miscalculation. The party’s greatest asset is its leader, Alex Salmond,
an accomplished populist whose media skills are currently unrivalled in British
politics. He has won the affection of most Scots, including many still opposed
to independence. He is trying to persuade them that independence is really the
best solution for the country and that he can be trusted to preside over a painless
extrication of Scotland from the British state.

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