How did you spend the anniversary of the independence referendum? – Mark, Aberdeen

AMID much heavy drinking, I found myself attending a wonderful Scottish Independence Convention event at St Luke’s in Glasgow.

Aside from the presence of some at-times questionable comedy, it was a glorious day of ideas and merriment. I was particularly impressed by young Ross Greer of the Scottish Greens, whose speech championing diversity within the Yes Movement was extremely welcome. I have long advocated the idea of bringing people together from a wide variety of political stances in the name of Scottish independence, and Ross’s speech encapsulated the concept perfectly.

As someone who felt that this year’s parliamentary election campaigns did much to damage Yes unity, it was pleasing to see Mr Greer endeavouring to rectify the situation. However, Ross’s speech once again got me thinking about the one voice that seems to be eternally absent from the mainstream independence think tank – the right-wing voice.

As much as this might be an unpopular opinion, I feel it is one that needs to be expressed. I couldn’t help but notice that the attendees at the independence convention were overwhelmingly left-wing. I actually imagined myself taking to the stage and asking anyone in the audience who didn’t identify themselves as left-wing to raise their hand. I doubt I’d have seen a single arm go up.

Many of you might think: “What’s the problem? All those right-wing types are Unionists.” Well, this is a problem – because some of them are not. In fact, my libertarian pal Free Caledonia is about as far from left-wing as you can imagine, and yet he identifies himself as pro-Scottish independence.

The fact of the matter is that it is entirely possible to be pro-free market, anti-big government, anti-EU and believe that Scotland should be a self-governing nation. Naturally, these aren’t views I unanimously agree with, but I am certainly willing to listen to. Moreover, I believe that many Unionists aren’t standing by the United Kingdom out of blind patriotism, but more because none of their potentially libertarian or right-wing opinions are represented by the Yes Movement.

As somebody who considers diversity of thought to be the greatest form of diversity, I can’t help but feel that we are risking telling Yes supporters that there is a “wrong” way to be pro-indy. The only correct answer amid this cause should be Scottish independence, and tolerating differing interpretations of what an independent Scotland could look like and how it can be achieved are tremendously important.

At a time when the independence top brass are constantly using phrases like “having a conversation”, I would hope they do not simply have a conversation with themselves. The SNP need to acknowledge that events such as Brexit are not silver bullets, and that the independence movement has been, and forever will be, enormously complex.

Personally, I take pride in the fact that some of my favourite people in the Yes community are at completely opposing ends of the political spectrum. Katie McGarvey, Free Caledonia and Sparkle_Monkey couldn’t be more different if they tried, yet I’d trust their judgement more than anybody’s. In the end, variety is the spice of life.


Do you think that music plays an important role in the fight for Scottish independence? – Anna, Glasgow

ABSOLUTELY, Anna. Freedom and music have had strong links dating back to ancient times, and these bonds are no different in the case of Scotland’s fight for freedom.

It’s no coincidence that some of the foremost American protest singers – Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs and even Bob Dylan – cut their teeth on traditional Scottish folk songs. In fact, Glasgow’s own Matt McGinn was an influence on a young Bob Dylan, even playing on the same bill as Dylan at Carnegie Hall in 1962.

You may remember South African singer Pumeza Matshikiza’s stunning performance of Hamish Henderson’s Freedom Come-All-Ye at the opening of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It is a powerful song standing against imperialism and apartheid by a Scottish poet who had a considerable influence on Bob Dylan. By contrast, God Save the Queen emphasises the sovereignty of a hereditary monarch in the eyes of a non-existent deity. What’s likeable or liberating about that?

In many ways, Freedom Come-All-Ye presents a favourable alternative to Flower of Scotland as an option for our own national anthem. Flower of Scotland, while perhaps a tad dreary, acknowledges the stand made by Robert the Bruce and his men in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. While it’s a commanding song about a hard-fought victory in bloody battle, the battle in question occurred more than 700 years ago. Perhaps we could use a little modernity?

The evergreen Eddi Reader, for instance, gave a short but sweet performance at Sunday’s Scottish Independence Convention, and it was a definite highlight of the event. Perfect, one might even say. Reader’s passion was communicated not through rage, bloodlust or resentment, but a sense of hope and beauty with a little rock ’n’ roll thrown in for good measure.

I, for one, would argue that a rock ’n’ roll tune would be a fine choice for a national anthem. After all, I’ve spent many years rocking my way towards freedom by listening to The Ramones, Motörhead and Parliament-Funkadelic. Perhaps the days of historical rebel songs should be put behind us and we should consider embracing a more contemporary, funkier and sexier sound for our new nation.

Would a cheesy pop number be out of the question? Ideally, the sort of tune that everyone hurtles themselves towards the dance floor at 2am for? I reckon something akin to S Club 7 but with tartan and whisky might do it. After all, there ain’t no party like a Yes Club Party!


Got a question for Angry? Send them in to letters@thenational.scot and he'll sort out your problems