IT started off so well, first there was the generally positive reviews on the Queensferry Crossing – with even Ruth Davidson attempting to get in on the act by having a photo call there. Then there was the SNP’s Programme for Government, revealing an ambitious, dynamic set of policies for taking Scotland forward with the limited powers of devolution. If that was impressive –and it was – then imagine what we could achieve if Scotland had full control of all its resources.

However, it didn’t take too long for the ghouls of Better Together to haunt the political scene. First out of the blocks was the ludicrous Lord George Foulkes making a sneering tweet deriding those who were proud of the Queensferry Crossing. It didn’t matter if it was the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world, Foulkes was more impressed with a bridge under construction in China – it’s strange I don’t remember him making similar remarks about the dud aircraft carriers that cost billions and don’t have any aircraft!

Not to be outdone as a very late entry for best joke at the Edinburgh Festival, up popped Lord George Robertson in a TV interview claiming that a vote for independence in 2014 would have emboldened the forces of evil such as Daesh, Syria, North Korea and no doubt Darth Vader and Dracula!

Apparently Robertson’s previous support as Labour MP and Secretary General of Nato during Tony Blair’s illegal wars didn’t create any tension or turmoil in the world.

The two Georges have made a career out of talking Scotland down, of belittling, sneering, snidey, self-loathing comments aimed at continuing the Scottish cringe whenever they can. Of course, it hasn’t stopped the pair of them from having successful, highly paid political careers as Labour MPs, then Foulkes as an MSP, Robertson getting the Nato job, and both of course joining the parliamentary slumber party in the House of Lords. According to this pair Scotland is too small, too weak and too poor to look after itself but it’s no coincidence that the continuation of the British establishment has served both of them very well. The same can’t be said of the shipyard workers on the Clyde who have seen one of Better Together’s promises ripped up and thrown in the bin. From a No vote being the only way to save jobs on the Clyde, these workers are now facing an uncertain future as promised work is now to be reassessed with yards across the UK now bidding for work that was destined for the Clyde.

The initial order of 13 new Type 26 Frigates was quickly slashed to only eight and now work for smaller Type 31e Frigates, costing £250 million each, will be up for grabs for whoever can put in the cheapest quote. Plans for a “Frigate Factory” on the Clyde have disappeared as quick as the promises of the infamous Vow did on the September 19, 2017.

Although it would be easy to blame the ordinary shipyard worker and say hell mend those that voted No, we should try to avoid this if we want them to come on board for the next Yes campaign.

These workers were lied to and made to believe that their livelihoods depended on Royal Navy contracts that would only come with a No vote. They were led by those who knew better, whether that was union leaders or British nationalist politicians, who were simply playing political games with their jobs.

They are now facing a hard lesson, one that 45 per cent of us already knew, that the British establishment will say anything they think you want to hear simply to get your vote.

We need to welcome them into the campaign for a future Yes vote. They will be joined by many others including Waspi women and pensioners who are seeing the veil of Better Together’s lies being slowly but surely lifted.

We need to help them make the switch from No to Yes and prepare them to be advocates for independence when the next referendum comes around. We need to show them that they can help shape the future of an independent Scotland, one that makes decisions solely for the benefit of the people of Scotland.