PROFESSOR Geoff Palmer compared the Scottish independence campaign to how former British colonies achieved self-determination in a widely shared interview with Channel 4 last night.
The human rights activist and life sciences professor told Krishnan Guru-Murthy that thinking about taking control of one’s affairs is part of a country’s “natural progressions”.
The official Yes campaign shared out the video, calling it a “stunning interview”, while economist Andrew Wilson posted the clip adding praise for the professor.
Across Twitter, independence supporters promoted the interview – with Palmer replying to a handful to thank them for their kind words.
During the interview, Palmer was asked for his perspective on Scottish independence as somebody who had grown up in Jamaica, lived in London and then moved to Scotland.
📣 "One of the natural progressions of all nations, eventually, one day they will start to think about, well, we want to manage our own affairs."
— Yes (@YesScot) July 23, 2020
👇 Watch this stunning interview with Professor Sir Geoff Palmer by @krishgm for Channel 4 News. pic.twitter.com/HUGn74F2ZE
The professor responded: “Well I’m from Jamaica, and you know, Jamaica has had a long history with Britain.
“And we joined in 1655, and I think Jamaica got their independence in 1962. And Jamaica still has a link with Britain.
“So I see one of the natural progressions of all nations, of all nations of people, that eventually one day they will start to think about well, we want to manage our own affairs.”
Guru-Murthy then asked: “But is this the same? It’s not a colony, is it? It’s a union.”
Palmer said: “It’s a union, yes, from about 1707. But Scotland goes back a lot longer than that. And therefore it’s about not just from 1707, it’s beyond that. And therefore it’s about a group of people of which I’m a part. I mean Scotland is a diverse society. We regard ourselves as one Scotland.
READ MORE: Lessons on racism from Scotland's shameful past
“And I think this is the debate and I think the public should decide. I think when we have a thing called public opinion, and when that in fact indicates that the public want something, I think we should do it.”
The journalist later asked Palmer, as an expert on the slave trade, how important it would be for Scotland to deal with its history before determining its future. The professor said that was “critical”.
He went on: “I think when Scotland looks at its past … and we’ve just been doing a lot of work on that and a lot of Scottish people when I’ve spoken around Scotland giving lectures on Scotland’s links with for example slavery in the Caribbean, the general view of the public all over Scotland is ‘why hasn’t anybody told us that before?’. And I think that will change in the future.
“For example last week I had a call from a gentleman who said his ancestors were slave owners, and that he’s realised that, and he wants to make a contribution to my charity in Jamaica. And he’s done it. and therefore it has taken, you know, since 1838, that you have a Scottish person who made money from slavery, and has decided to make a contribution. And that’s the future. The future is about people realising that we cannot change the past but we can change the consequences for the better.”
Palmer spoke to Channel 4 News last night as the programme focused on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to Scotland.
During his trip, the Tory leader again ruled out holding indyref2 even if the SNP achieve a majority at next year’s Holyrood election.
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