The United Kingdom in 2014 is rife with vocal factions hollering for independence and special status.
The U.K. hotel business, and international chains doing business there, should not like this.
On the let’s-be-different-in-the-U.K. rollercoaster at the moment are the following:
- Some in the U.K. want to sever links with the European Union, or at least change the exact manner the country is linked to it at the moment. Brits get a say on this in the 22 May elections, with a new independence party touted to do well.
- The Scottish National Party, the government in Scotland, wants independence from the U.K., although if they are successful they might find themselves at odds with the rest of Europe, too. Scots citizens in Scotland (actually everyone in Scotland, but not Scots anywhere else) vote in a referendum on this on 18 September.
- The county of Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, received special status as a minority. Watch this space: It has its own flag; its language is growing, albeit from a minute base; and the current Duke of Cornwall is Prince Charles, heir to the throne, although that title might prove awkward for him.
As with most businesses, the hotel industry is cautious and moderate, preferring to remain in placid waters rather than stormy ones. Most shareholders, I believe, will worry the moment they see any sign of the “Yes to Independence” vote gaining traction.
Norman Springford, chairman of Edinburgh-based chain Apex Hotels, which has five of its eight properties in Scotland, spoke to The Scottish Parliament Economy, Energy & Tourism Committee on 26 February, and he spoke frankly:
“I can give a clear message on this point. We are a Scottish family company. We started in Scotland; we invest in Scotland, and of course we will continue to invest in Scotland. However, as a board we have made the decision that we will, over the next several years, focus our capital investment program in London in particular. That is a disturbing message, because if that is what a very patriotic Scottish company is prepared to do, what are others planning?”
My arguments as reflects on our industry are only partially connected with the complicated history of this (my) small group of isles. Only perhaps historians can see the entire picture. Our passions leading up to these two major voting issues of 2014 probably do not allow us to.
Some argue the U.K. started unravelling in 1921 with the An Conradh Angla-Éireannach, or Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, the agreement that created the Irish Free State, now Ireland. Kingdoms come, kingdoms go.
It might be fun to suddenly realize Scotland is another country (it pretty much is now, with a proud history and dramatically different scenery, culture and traditions), but the fallout from myriad financial, investment, monetary and government changes and uncertainty will be large and painful. It might work for independent (no pun intended) hotels, which might find themselves a little more mysterious.
But the fallout of Scotland leaving the U.K. would be nothing like the fallout if the U.K. were to leave the E.U. And no one knows yet what will happen to Scotland’s relationship with the E.U. if Scotland were to leave the U.K.
It would be sad for Scotland to vote yes on independence. The “united” component of the U.K. has been a very good idea, and we have worked well together as four countries (with Wales and Northern Ireland). Yes, London dominates the entire nation, but that worries many English, too.
And don’t get me started on what I believe is the hypocrisy within some English, and they do exist, who want to leave the E.U. but do not want Scotland to leave them.
I am absolutely sure the U.K. must not leave the E.U. That will be a disaster for business, and a disaster for the population. Marginalization is just a long word until your wallet suddenly feels what it means.
Europe always has been fractious. Some would argue that without the E.U., things would have gotten far worse. And business doesn’t like “worse.”
Hoteliers want to be innovative but can only do so if there is an inherent trust and faith in the administrational and political apparatus in place, and if both the above—perhaps with Cornwall going in yet another direction—were to occur, there will be wobbling for years, if not decades.
Email Terence Baker or find him on Twitter.
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