LONDON, September 15 (RIA Novosti), Mark Hirst - An independent Scotland will present the "threat of a good example" and show how progressive government can improve the lives of the Scottish people, one of Britain's most prolific award winning film and television directors, Ken Loach, has told RIA Novosti.
"If Scotland leaves the UK, we in England will face a Tory majority. But if an independent Scotland is a success it can be, for us, the threat of a good example and show that a progressive government can improve lives now and make the future sustainable," Loach said.
Loach reminded, that when the Sandinistas in Nicaragua kicked out a dictator and began to build hospitals and schools and take industries into public ownership, they were opposed by the US. "They were the 'threat of a good example,'" Loach added.
Known for his social realist film style and socialist themes, Loach told RIA Novosti it would be a "wasted opportunity" if an independent Scotland simply replicated the politics of Westminster.
"A Scottish government that puts the long term interests of the people first could move the center of the political debate to the left and do us all a favor," Loach said.
Loach, who has made almost 30 award winning films for cinema audiences spanning the past 50 years, added that if Scottish voters rejected independence they were handing back power to the British ruling class.
"For a few hours, Scottish people have control over their future. They can choose to keep that power or give it back to a state dominated by the British ruling class," Loach told RIA Novosti.
"Independence would not solve the problems but it would give Scottish people the power to start to create a more just, fairer and more sustainable society," he added.
Scottish voters will take part in a referendum on Scottish independence on 18th September and will be asked one question, "Should Scotland become an independent country?"
If the majority of people vote for independence, Scotland may secede from the United Kingdom on March 24, 2016.
