ABSTRACT
Nationalism is not a single beast. There are different varieties of nationalism. It can be well argued that some of the speeches by Conservative members – particularly those who regard themselves as Eurosceptic – are nationalistic. It seems that British nationalism is fi ne, but any other nationalism – Scottish, Welsh or Irish – is bad. That is not an acceptable distinction. If I were to draw such a distinction, it would be between ethnic nationalism, which is bad and should be rejected wherever it raises its ugly head, and civic nationalism, which is a good and progressive force that can be found all over the world spreading democracy and increasing the rights of ordinary people whatever their ethnic background. It is civic nationalism which is wound up in the Bill – a nationalism that gives the people who live in Scotland, no matter who they are, the same democratic rights as can be expected by people living in any other democratic society.
