I met many
interesting women and men activists for Scottish independence in 2014. I
believe like the Greens, that independence is the only way forward for Scotland
to achieve devolved and de-centralised governance - this does not mean rule
from London moving to rule to Edinburgh. This means more voices for the
Highlands and Islands and for Perthshire - with more local radio and improved
local infrastructure.
The Better
Together side knocked on old ladies doors during the referendum campaign and
told them that they would loose their pensions and their pound. The unionists also had nice catchy phrases
for those who can't be bothered to read up on the issues.
1) Pooling
and Sharing Recourses - which meant pulling resources into London and giving us
pocket money in return.
2) Best of
Both Worlds - supposedly meant a prosperous Scotland within a strong UK but
actually means a dependent weaker Scotland in a more fragile union.
3)
Solidarity cross borders means solidarity with Osborne's Austerity, the big
Banks and Big Business.
A democratic
conversation has developed in Scotland in 2014. As the divide between rich and
poor has widened greatly the past few decades, it is imperative we have this
conversation for democratic change.
There is
much work to do towards land reform, de-centralize government, improve access
to quality education (especially in the early years) and to reducing housing
rents.
A younger generation woke up to political engagement and activism and on social media they are not easily fooled by fear campaigns or lies and they are not afraid. They now express their voice on online websites such as The Common Weal, National Collective and Radical Independence Convention.
Unionist may try to claim the referendum was all simply a blip from normality, but they simply miss (or ignore) what the energised movement in 2014 has been and is all about. They claim the debate was bitter and divisive (being
against change) - while if you are for democracy and a fairer more equal society, then informed energised debate is a huge positive. Meanwhile those doing quite well thank you, mostly voted against change - no surprise there then.
Ian Bell
(The National 31.12.14) writes, the fear fell away and we saw through the false
facades of unionist claptrap. Like Bell, and as one who also voted for a
Scottish Assembly in 79, I was astonished by the weakness and shameful tactics
of the Unionist side. Their slogan of 'No Means No' as the best they could come up with. The case for
Britain and the union was meekly shown as a black and white ad for nostalgia for the
past war and past glories.
The new
generation don't care about that and it does not effect their futures. Bell
feels we should say more why Scots would not want to be British. Monuments
and looking backwards do not take us forward to a hopeful future.
The Smith
Commission, while set up to establish ‘extensive new powers’ has only offered devolved
Income Tax, which cannot easily be varied and therefore effectively
meaningless. EVEL (English Votes for English Laws) further weakens the Union, and
with the Conservatives hope for SNP successes to weaken Labour in Scotland.
Writing in the Times (28.12.14) Jenny Hjul wonders why Unionists haven't been celebrating their hollow victory - there's a clear reason for this and that is that a campaign waged on fear and lies does not lead to harmonious or happy outcomes. It makes not only a mockery of voters but is also illegal.
The Yes side campaigned positively for an
inclusive, more equal society, both ethically and culturally. it took the moral
high ground campaigning against food banks, child poverty and the out dated
‘them and us’ culture.
The nationalists have hijacked the
conversation with the yes sides’ positive campaign. Meanwhile Scottish Labour
is now a Monument rather than a Movement.
Iain MacWhirter compares 2014 to the Summer of Love in 1967 - when social and political landscapes were changed forever, ' The old order of deference, conformity, convention was swept away by a colourful tide of positivity and sometimes wacky togetherness.'
Scottish
Independence is a journey we have taken massive leaps towards. As it becomes
clearer and clearer how unworkable devolution is - and with the SNP, Greens and
others now holding the narrative, it is only a matter of time on the road to
Independence.
Ten years
ago I wondered was devolution enough but not today. Scotland's voice has woken
up from centuries of silence and apathy and of believing our voices made no
difference - and will not now be easily silenced. Many now realise they can
have a voice and can shape their future.
