ANYONE else fascinated by old black-and-white social history films? I watched footage of a Scottish street from a century ago. You could see the bunnets, bundles of carried laundry, and horse-drawn carts carrying the town’s trade.

It’s a simple but important observation to remember: the horse goes before the cart. If you get over-exuberant and forget what’s in front of your nose, you’ll topple over. It’s true then and now.

In the space of a few days, the country has been ignited by a campaign to keep Scotland in Europe. The speed of change has been unprecedented. Many people have changed their mind on independence as a result of the threat to Scotland’s democracy from the Brexit vote. Yet it’s dangerous to assume that the country is soaring down a motorway to an inevitable location. As yet, there is no independence referendum. There is, however, work to be done.

The first priority, and the agenda seized with confidence by Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government, is to unite behind the democratic decision of the people to stay within the European Union. It’s likely that the vast majority of MSPs will join together behind that aim today in the Scottish Parliament. What a message that will send.

The constitutional divisions of the past few years are not the priority. The fact that Labour and the Liberal Democrats support the outcome in Scotland over the full UK result is a positive development for this country’s democracy.

This isn’t, as it stands, about independence. The parliament has a duty to respect the public verdict, and stand up for all those most threatened by a UK EU exit – like universities, farming, the whisky sector, and thousands of EU nationals.

As Councillor Angus Millar said following the result: “To every single citizen of the European Union living in Scotland – you belong here, you are welcome here and we will fight for you.” While Westminster has left a vacuum, we must show this type of confidence and leadership. We must fight for Scotland in Europe.

This aim is not only about our national interest – but the principles of internationalism and cooperation that all humanity should aspire to. We can’t let our future be determined for us by people we didn’t elect. We have the intellect, the experience, the determination to do it ourselves and learn from past successes.

Momentum for a Scottish Parliament grew under the banner of “Scotland United”. Civic society found its voice. Varied coalitions were built across old dividing lines to foster an unstoppable campaign. That victory contributed to the society I’ve grown up in, which is now more confident and modern in its politics.

The impetus for Scotland United was the re-election of Tory governments without support in Scotland. The need for a national democracy movement could not be greater. We still have the consequences of unelected Tory rule – which is now intensified by the EU referendum result.

Today, as crowds gather for the first of several Edinburgh rallies in favour of Scotland in Europe, the history of that campaign is being repeated. You can see it in the coverage of other newspapers, in the sudden shift across all political parties, and in the new expectation that Scotland will control its own future.

Leaders across Europe have taken notice. Senior politicians from Poland, France, Germany, Ireland and Belgium have spoken out in support of Scotland staying inside the EU. It remains early days, but these are promising signs.

A multitude of practical challenges lie ahead. Will the EU institutions agree to negotiate with representatives of the Scottish Government? Is it legally possible for Scotland to remain within the EU, while it’s inside the United Kingdom? What status will Scotland seek to negotiate? How will UK negotiators respond?

Will Scotland be forced to choose whether it wishes to be an independent European nation or a country excluded from the EU within the UK?

It may well come to that. Yet we cannot rush this important first step after a difficult EU campaign. We need to bring together from across Scottish society to demand that the democratic verdict of the people is respected. Given Westminster’s record, that is no easy task in itself.

Those that join me in supporting Scotland’s place in Europe may not yet be committed to independence. That is fine. We don’t know yet if that is the only route to EU membership. But if it does come to that, I expect many more will endorse a second independence referendum.

That will give many a flutter of hope and expectation – yet we must make sure we put the horse before the cart. That means delivering a victory for Scotland’s democracy by keeping the country in the EU.

Michael Gray (@GrayInGlasgow) is a journalist with CommonSpace.scot