Scotland is not listened to

Scotland is not listened to III ….and neither are ordinary voices across the UK 

(We need voices of Reform)

 

I have been told by some – ‘at least we live in a democracy’. But is it really I have to wonder? How is it? When Scotland’s voice and votes are ignored. Scotland has not voted Tory since the 1950s yet a Tory government has been imposed on us. Scotland has voted for an SNP mandate 8 times, who’s main purpose is our self-determination, which we are refused by Westminster. 

 

After Quebec (Quebec is a region and not an ancient nation like Scotland) also voted in a close fought referendum in 1995, on their independence, Canada offered Quebec self-government and guess what, they actually delivered on their promises! Quebec state runs their own immigration, broadcasting, trade, economy, taxes and more. As do US states. Scotland does not control its immigration, broadcasting, trade, economy and more....In fact Quebec can hold a Referendum when ever they choose, plus they have protections for their Quebec culture and language. Scotland has none of these things – so how is this union consensual?

 

By stark contrast, before Scotland’s 2014 referendum, there were many false promises - vows even – that Scotland would have full self-determination, more business and industries, and be an equal partner (well by Gordon Brown, how was he supposed to deliver this full federalism exactly?) More like lies. Because none of their promises have happened and its even worse than that - devolution has gone backwards and into reverse with powers being taken away since Brexit. Its unbelievable all these ‘better together’ folks now telling us that the British state is failing us!

 

Anglo Scot Tory MP Michael Gove, says the union is or should be the UK governments top priority – why? Because of course they need Scotland’s resources to exploit. (Also with Labour’s GB energy plans) to exploit (again) Scotland’s resources, what’s in this plan for Scotland’s benefit?

Part of the issue is that the Scots vote for a centre left social democracy – while many in England still hanker after and believe in the empire days, class superiority, central control and trickle-down economics etc. Part of these divides here in Britain is the class-driven part, and is religious even (with Orangemen on the streets). It is not often addressed that Scotland’s independence is a complex set of issues and class is definitely a factor. Many middle class Scots feel they have more in common with the middle classes across England than with their fellow Scots. Many continue to believe the UK is a major global player. 

 

However with regard to recent scandals, not only are Scots ignored, but ordinary folks across the British state are not listened to either. There have been so many scandals towards ordinary people trying to make a living here UK that have been totally ignored – Windrush, Grenfell, Sub Postmasters, Blood scandal, Waspi women. The truth of these stories of Broken Britain is also that people across these islands are not listened to. 

 

And its only been getting worse in our fake British pre-democracy - of a broken voting system, where the crown is used for unlimited powers to the PM and is about an unassailable hierarchy and an enforced so called ‘stability’. One where the public’s ‘real’ concerns are often ignored – over Gaza’s genocide, tax havens, land reform and our resources being unfairly exploited.  

 

Detoxify the political narratives – how do we do that? Who decides? So much flack and not enough truth and reality. 

It seems that part of the problem is that for most people here in Britain and Scotland, including the political system itself, they have only known this highly centralized governance, unless they have lived elsewhere in the world and are able to see that Britain is the outlier here. This centralising British state is not normal. Journalist Lesley Riddoch writes that the route of Scotland’s independence is through giving all local areas a say in their futures. I recommend her excellent new book Thrive. She is an advocate for de-centralising and ‘real’ local government.  We don’t need Holyrood to emulate Westminster!

 

The unionist’s negative media blitz on the SNP, have cast Scotland’s independence movement adrift and we must urgently take action. There has been enough dithering and delays. As some say this is a civil rights movement to protect our rights for economic justice, social justice, our rights to protect Scotland’s many resources, our right to democracy and self-determination. The Scottish people’s right to sovereignty. I’ve begun to wonder some, if not most, of the UK government’s belligerence towards Scotland is due to incompetence above all else. Britain’s media attempts to project a semblance of its ‘democracy.’ But the British state is a more subtle dictatorship: one where the power of the Crown in Parliament is abused, where there is little if any balance or opposition, an unworkable and undemocratic first past the post voting system, and one where anyone can be anointed to the second chamber (House of Lords). The voting system fails us all, where only a few marginal seats matter.

 

Top theorist Tom Nairn writes that broken Britain’s institutions are crucial to enforcing the myths of empire and crown stability – established with the all-powerful sovereignty of the 1690 British Constitution of the crown in parliament. I wonder after watching two TV dramas on the US Opiod scandal (Dopesick and Painkiller) when it took a photographer to fight for the Sackler name to be removed from major Art galleries – we are now living in a time of great exploitation by multi-national corporations and with corruption at high levels, Well done to Channel Four News for their scoop of Paula Vennell’s voice saying she knew about the Horizon failings way back in 2013. Globalization has many drawbacks.

 

A Sunday Times editorial April 21, 2024, was about the dreadful Contaminated Blood Scandal, much of it brought from US prisoners and drug addicts 70s and 80s. Medical records were falsified and children were knowingly given infected blood. Around 4,000 died with no compensation given. Tony Blair’s Freedom of Information act has led to cover ups with secrecy a sickness at the heart of Britain … “a culture of secrecy set the state against the individual. It makes it almost impossible for citizens to recover the truth and right wrongs. This contributes to apathy, spreads disillusions and encourages conspiracy theories. An official apology must be made. It’s a bloody disgrace.”

 

So how can this Broken Britain system be reformed? Labour are not a party of reform – in previous governments they have only tinkered at the edges and they view stability as the bedrock of the British system they support and are part of. Starmer’s ‘ordinary hopes’ and his aim to address the fallen myths of England are all wrapped in the union jack flag, really offers little. They’re part of the liberal elites.

We need to reach out to others across these islands who also believe in a modern progressive democracy. I saw this happening at the Break up of Britain conference. Voices across Britain are also being ignored and they recognise the need for reform and change – such as the academic Anthony Seldon who wrote recently in the Times about how Whitehall needs major reforms. 

 

In Wales they are calling for more powers – in fact Labour in Wales wrap themselves in the Welsh flag and Welsh language, unlike Labour in Scotland who reject the Saltire! Ireland did not only want independence “for its own sake” – their independence was about wanting their land and resources for the people and not an elite. To protect all their rights as a free people and nation. 

 

Independence isn’t given, it has to be taken. So we must act and act now. Labour set up fake devolution to stop indy and keep Scotland stuck. For the elections ahead the SNP need a positive message of hope for social justice, reform, education and for the empowerment of local voices. I agree with others, that we need a Constitutional Convention to galvanise the yes movement focus (why wait?) – in order to move the debates forward and to reach out to those crucial undecided. Also to find common ground. For many of us this is a fight for democratic rights. 

 

The only real route I can see is for Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland to take to lifeboats – sooner rather than later – there is a better way ahead. One where citizens at local level can secure their own futures and offer hope. The fight against the centralising control of the global elites is about smaller more adaptable nations. Being small is a benefit not a drawback, and Scotland’s is an average European state. Scotland has abundant natural resources and sits in an important strategic position. 

 

I often wonder why Scots have so little faith in themselves to run their own country – as we once did. The most ancient in Europe. Why do we have so little faith? When once we led the world with enlightened thought and innovations. This is not about division – its about ordinary people being heard. Scotland’s independence must be about Scotland’s voice and the rights of ordinary people. Imagine a Scotland that could control its own resources!!

 

Scotland’s Ties to Europe

One of the main reasons for Scotland’s enlightened thought  - Reformation 1560 to the 1700s – was our close collaboration, integration and trade with Europe. Our scholars studied in Paris and beyond, and also taught there.

 

When the UKs Brexit happened it was such a profound and distressing wrench for Scotland it was extremely hard to write about. Many of us thought the EU project had brought us peace, stability, security, and prosperity. Most Scots feel European of heart and mind and culturally. 

 

We didn’t understand what Brexit was for – was it a global Britain, to stop immigration, to be Singapore on Thames, with de-regulation and lower pay – or high paid jobs? Who knew? Those of us who lived through the 60s and 70s remember a UK in turmoil, a rollercoaster of financial crashes –  IMF, pound devalues, blackouts and strikes. 

 

Most Scots prefer the stabile European economy, to the insecurity of a Brexited Britain. We only have to look over the sea to Ireland. We have a major constitutional divide now in Scotland that will not be easily healed. How do we move forward? Half of Scotland has a vision of a new, greener and more successful Scotland.

 

The other half wants what they already know and prefer – to share resources with the rest of UK. The main drawback to the UK ‘centralising dependency’(not a union) is its extreme centralisation of power in London, which sucks and draws from the rest of the country.

Scotland must move forward with new ideas

 

Scotland must move forward with new ideas from the tired, old arguments of the social left vs extreme right capitalism, all controlled from a centralised power. There must be a new way – more nuanced, inter-changeable, connected, more accountable and inclusive, greener and more local. To be forward thinking, to pursue coalitions and the collaborative. To have ingenuity and renewability. To listen to young voices and believe in the future, rather than clinging to past, out-dated processes.

There are social issues that require policy guidelines and laws. Its urgent with the climate crisis to establish a progressive energy security policy and encourage reform and research and more scientists in politics. I’ve lived abroad and in most other developed nations most states run their own economies, immigration and more. Scotland’s future must lie with an improved way to govern. What is wrong is constantly harking back to live in a past that is gone and being stuck as the Westminster Bubble is. Everything Westminster or the Tory government does feel wrong, undermining democracy and with no moral compass. And encouraging its 2 tier system. 

Why I believe that History matters. I’ve learned from reading history – that the Scots did not invade Ireland under James VI, the plantations of Ireland were begun under Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth; that Scotland boasts three ancient universities; that Scots scholars established American universities Columbia, and Princeton, and were part of the founding fathers (John Witherspoon (1723 – 1794) according to Professor Tom Devine;  and that religion really IS a force for good in the world but that its ambitious and ignorant politicians who thwart and encourage religious divisions for their own gain; That there were 'United Irishmen' late 1700s for reform, that included both Catholic and Presbyterians. Perhaps (?) improved local government and decentralization would assist with northern Ireland issues? Who knows.    

The Scottish enlightenment has been Scotland's biggest contribution to the world and there were two enlightenments, according to Alexander Broadie, Professor of Logic and Rhetoric at Glasgow university in his book, The Scottish Enlightenment. The first was Post Reformation with Scots scholars studying and teaching in Paris, and being leaders in Europe; This resulted from the collaborations between France and Scotland. Scotland had close trading links to Flanders and the rest of Europe, in those days when we had busy seafaring ports. Scotland before union 1707 was a trading and outward looking nation and a leader in Europe, not isolated or backward at all!

Broadie writes about the first Scottish Post Reformation enlightened scholars and that Enlightened thought began with the collaborations between France and Scots in the 16^th century. The professors at Scotland’s ancient universities studied and taught in Paris with famous figures in philosophy, law and theology. The auld alliance between France and Scotland lasted for over 400 years from 1290 to 1707, and continues to this day.

Scotland is very much a European country according to according to Broadie. He writes that Scotland was culturally as much part of Europe as France, with the shipping lanes to Flanders and France and Scots scholars studying in Europe. ‘The three pre-Reformation, Scottish universities – St Andrews, Aberdeen, Glasgow - have always been strongly oriented towards Europe” ..and that the teaching staff were foreign-educated Scots.”

 

Scotland’s European connections are centuries old, dating from 16^th centuriy and beyond – and not only about wars but about our scholars, language, ideas and innovations. Many Scots words are from Flanders and France.

 

Its important to understand the significance of the Reformation and of enlightened thought on democracy and education in Scotland and worldwide. According to historian Tom Devine, Scots enlightened thinkers took their philosophy over to America and founded universities there, notably John Witherspoon who founded Princeton– and Scots were some of the America’s founding fathers. Freedom from intellectual servitude is celebrated by Robert Burns in 1796 when he lauds the stance of the man o independent mind, in his poem A Mans a Man for a That.  The man o independent mind is aboon them all.

 

II  History matters and is good for us! Essentially history gives us a moral backbone and human understandings. So there should be an increase in History teaching in schools, right through secondary school. Information and truth is crucial to move forward. To know history as a solid foundation. This teaching should run alongside the teaching of philosophy, which encourages critical thought.

In recent times we have witnessed the breakdown of democratic principles both in Europe and the US. We hoped the internet would open opportunities, but sadly it also provides dark tunnels of entrenched negativity. Our best defence is education, open debate, open minds – the opposite of narrow and limited populism. Crucially this is done through the arts, history and philosophy – and let us look to enlightened thought and freedom of speech as the way forward.   #¥esScots

Reasons for Scotland’s Independence

Many write lengthy reasons for why they want to see Scotland’s independence, as I have too - and there are many reasons certainly. Many people don’t have the time for complex explanations. Here are my main reasons - Democracy, Economic, elites, Resources, Culture, History & Belief. 

 

Scottish Democracy.  Scotland does not get the government it votes for, for the past 75 years. This is mainly because of an out-dated first-past-the-post voting system.  On top of this the UK boasts the largest unelected second chamber (after China). The UK is a failed and superficial democracy. The first Parliament of Britain was set up as long ago as 1707, before universal suffrage or a constitution and crucially Westminster shows no sign of any desire to reform. The UK abuses the powers of the “Crown” with its highly centralised state.

Constitution. The UK operates with no constitution, so I want a new Scotland to set up a constitution to protect our human rights and protect democracy. 

 

Economic. One main reason is economic. The UK economy has been set up for decades to service the city of London – to increase its house prices and serve the finance centre. This holds back and sucks from the rUK, and means any manufacturing base is discouraged. Manufacturing business is the basis for a healthy economy. In order for Scotland to have economic control we require our own currency and central bank. 

Elites. Another reason is the unworthy elite, and the UKs proliferation of Boarding and Private schools. This 2-tier system holds back large numbers of children from future successes.

And leading on from this is Social Justice – so all children are given a fair chance in life. Otherwise our nation is held back .This is not about being equal, because clearly we’re all different, but about fair opportunities.

Resources. For Scotland to control our own resources and land. Our resources have been exploited and stolen for centuries.

 

Another is Cultural. 

To improve our knowledge of our past stories and our sense of place: to know our heritage in art, music, literature. Scotland suffered centuries of having our Scots language, culture and history suppressed. Scotland is one of the oldest nations in Europe and dates back to the 9^th century – so its very important to protect our stories, culture and history. 

 

History. The teaching of history urgently needs improved and to continue history teaching throughout primary and secondary schools and to move on from projects on the Roman empire, to broader and more recent topics of Europe, America, and Scotland. Scotland was at the centre of the Enlightenment, Post Reformation with many top scholars taught in Paris and key figures such as - John Mair (1467-1550), James Dalyrumple (1619-1695), Duns Scotus (1265 – 1308),  Francis Hutcheson, 1694 –1746), George Buchanan (1506 – 1582), David Hune (1711- 1776), Adam Smith (1723- 1790). Scotland was a much part of Europe as France!

 

Scots Media and Broadcasting. To set up Scotland’s very own media. When the British broadcasting corporation BBC, was set up 1933, its strange that Scotland, an ancient nation begun 9^th century, did not insist on its own media – when Scotland has always kept its church, law and education. Its been a cultural disaster for Scotland,

Security. To set up a proper defence system. 

Belief. In Scottish people and our ability to make our own decisions. 

 

What Scottish independence is NOT – it is not about nationality. Scotland is multi-national and international. Scotland welcomes all who want to make their home here. What Scotland independence is about, is making our own decisions for our ancient nation with a new de-centralised model and greater local government. Boris Johnson keeps calling those who want Scotland’s democracy “nationalists” – this is totally fake and WHY is he allowed to keep calling the SNP the ‘Nationalist party? He thinks this slow drip is very clever and the SNP must fight back with a SLOGAN – 

‘SNP for Scottish democracy” and make it much clearer what we are fighting for here. 

The National stands for the nations best interests. 

 

We might argue also in these times of turbulence Scotland needs the protection of independence more than ever before - to secure our energy policy, protect our resources and economy, protect our jobs, and futures and much more besides. We don’t need every detail decided ahead, only broad outlines, because the whole point of independence is to be flexible, innovative, creative and adaptable! 

 

There are no risk free options, rather we must consider what path is in our country’s best interests.  (OR a so-called union that holds Scotland back.) The Scottish independence movement must now make the Westminster supporters or the unionists defend their positions! Tory catastrophes – Windrush scandal, Grenfell, Brexit, Covid failure and deaths, bombs to Yemen, billions to PPI scandal. (Plus the Failures of the Labour opposition).

 

The UK portrays itself as a ‘benign democracy’ – when the reality is that the powers of the crown means a highly centralized government, that is often unaccountable, corrupt and elitist. I hope an independent Scotland gives us the chance to meet these challenges and to build a reformed and better Scotland.

 

Ultimately the Scottish Independence question becomes - is Scotland a nation with its own culture, history and stories distinctively and if so, how is Scotland best governed? The national interest is considered  a good thing around the world! The question returns to – is Scotland a distinct nation or simple part of Britain? It used to be Scotland was an integral part of the UK – but today the Scottish Parliament has less powers than a hundred years ago. The biggest issue driving a wedge into the UK right now is English nationalism.

 

Step back for the bigger picture with the crises of rising seas, loss of workers rights, drives to net zero and. It truly makes so much sense for Scotland to forge its own future in the 21^st century. Any arguments to hold onto the past mistakes only ring hallow and false. We shouldn’t hesitate to vote for the future and not the past. Enlightened thought matters as much today as it ever did.

 

I don’t know if these reasons are in order of importance, because culture seems central and all about how we see ourselves. It is the smaller nations that are more successful and adaptable. With only limited devolution powers it is not possible to achieve these goals. Only with full independence. #¥esScots

 

 

(**In 2022 we see the passion and drive of Ukrainians. Theirs is a fight is between democracy, their rights and freedom AND autocratic dictatorship, that rules through fear. )

Casting Robert the Bruce! Our Branch Economy

Today they are casting in Glasgow for a big Netflix movie on Robert the Bruce. An English casting director is coming up here to Glasgow, who will get 20%, and who has never worked in Scotland.

Scottish casting agents have been told they cannot participate – a new software was introduced and they were not informed of it – these are agents who have done the casting for big productions such as Trainspotting and Outlander.

The Scottish agents have worked with the Scottish actors for many years and know their strengths and weaknesses. When Brat Pitt filmed here in Glasgow for his movie World War Z a few years ago, it is not always successful to bring in outsiders who don’t know the place, culture, stories or the people.

In both Ireland and Wales they have separate Tv and film agencies and they protect using local crew for TV and film productions – but not here in Scotland. 

The problem in Scotland is that Creative Scotland is too big an umbrella organizing that covers all the creative arts – art, books, music and film and tv. When TV and film are money-making industries that bring in a lot of money and they are not poetry! 

Scotland is treated as a branch economy, where decisions that are often best made in Scotland are being made in London. Being London-centred is not always in everyone’s best interests. Also a branch economy, is always the first to suffer in any downturn.

After the Lyceum theatre lost its photographer a few years back they thought they needed to go to London to get a good photographer. Award-winning photographer Douglas McBride contacted them and said, ‘I am here in Scotland and can do good images for you! ‘

These casting Scottish agents claim this is the first time in 30 years they have not even been allowed to compete. Scottish government money may be involved in the funding for this Netflix production – growth funding.

Yet Scotland will loose out financially. Changes need to be urgently made here for a separate Scottish TV and film agency. There will be a new film studio built south of Edinburgh. 

We in Scotland now have to choose, do we want to continue being a branch economy or run our own businesses?

(PS Casting for men with beards!)