双语时事：苏格兰不应与英国匆匆"分手"

2014-09-15 15:57:42来源：可可英语

　　Yet without it, an independent Scotland could not benefit from the low interest rates that astrong pound has brought. These considerations ought to outweigh whatever possible benefitsindependence might bring.

　　然而，如果不建立货币联盟，独立后的苏格兰就无法从强势英镑带来的低利率中受益。这些因素应该会压倒独立带来的任何潜在好处。

　　Yes, there are significant policy differences between Scotland and the rest of the UK. There is amore left-leaning approach to many issues, notably education, north of the border. ButScotland would be better placed to attain its political goals as part of a united Britain that ispart of the EU.

　　没错，苏格兰与英国其他地区的政策有很大不同。在很多问题上——尤其是教育——苏格兰的政策更为左倾。不过，如果苏格兰是统一的英国的一部分，而英国又是欧盟的一部分，那么苏格兰将能够更好地实现其政治目标。

　　The same applies to a British exit from Europe. Policy differences can be mediated. A divorcewould weaken the UK. Those who call for separation seem to have forgotten that Britaincurrently enjoys the best of all possible worlds. Being part of the EU but not part of the euroallows the UK to enjoy the trading benefits without the currency constraints.

　　同样的道理也适用于“英国退欧”问题。政策差异是可以调和的。“退欧”会削弱英国。那些呼吁“退欧”的人似乎忘了，英国眼下享有的局面正是所有可能局面中最有利的一种。英国是欧盟成员国、却不是欧元区国家，这让英国能够享有贸易上的好处、却不必受到货币方面的限制。

　　Furthermore, Britain has always played a balancing role between hostile blocs. Its absencewould greatly diminish the weight of the EU in the world.

　　此外，英国一直在敌对阵营间扮演平衡角色。英国的缺席将极大地削弱欧盟在全球的影响力。

　　The EU has proved to be the best guarantor of peace and human security since the end of thesecond world war. The importance of preserving the shared values underpinning a whole way oflife far outweighs any possible advantages of independence. The difficult times we are facingcall for increased unity, not divorce.

　　事实已经证明，欧盟是二战结束以来和平与人类安全的最佳保障。比起独立带来的任何潜在好处，维护支撑着一整套生活方式的共同价值观要重要得多。我们正面临一个艰难的时期，这要求我们加强团结，而不是闹离婚。

　　Only if Britain fails to resolve its differences with the EU, and if the pro-European Scots (havingvoted to remain within the UK) thus find themselves unwillingly excluded from Europe in 2017,would there be just cause for Scots to call for a new referendum. If it comes to that, Scotlandwill be in a different position – one that could legitimise a split.

　　如果苏格兰人公投支持苏格兰留在英国内，而英国却没能解决其与欧盟的分歧，那么到了2017年时，这些亲欧盟的苏格兰人会不情愿地发现，自己被排除在欧盟之外。只有在那种情形下，苏格兰人要求举行新的公投才是正当的。若真到了那一步，苏格兰的处境将截然不同，届时苏格兰脱离英国将是合情合理的。

　　But to vote for independence from the UK now would be to prematurely surrender Scottishleverage in London, and Britain’s leverage in the world.

　　现在就举行独立公投，会过早地让苏格兰在伦敦丧失影响力、让英国在世界丧失影响力。

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