With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

Blair defends 300-year-old union of England, Scotland

Prime Minister Tony Blair has mounted a strong defence of the 300-year-old union of Scotland with England, warning it would be "crazy" for Scotland to quit the UK.

His defence came as politicians north and south of the border marked the anniversary with fresh wrangling over Britain's constitutional future.

Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond said the lack of mass celebrations to mark the event showed there was little public enthusiasm for the Union.

He said in Edinburgh: "There's no popular celebrations, there's no street parties, no fireworks parties."
Read entire article at Press Association (UK)