In the autumn of 2002, an English business leader delivered a speech to a dinner of Scottish businessman in Glasgow, warning that anti-English sentiment might damage the Scottish economy. A reasonable warning, I would say. As a Scot, I have always disliked the English. As a schoolboy, I can remember queuing up to add my signature to the Scottish Covenant, a copy of which had been laid out in the Auchenbothie Temperance Institute. I am unsure what the covenant pledged. But it was sure to be pro-Scots and anti- English, and I happily added my name to the list of Charlie Chaplins and Betty Grables signed above me. And I have always resented the English for beating us so often at football and rugby, and for pretending that we do not even play cricket. The warning of the business leader was apt.
