I ATTENDED a meeting earlier this year, where the guest speaker was Lesley Riddoch. As you can imagine, the room was full – a mixture of SNP, Greens and various Yesser groups, I myself a coffin dodger pensioner for independence.
Lesley began by surprisingly asking what we would like to discuss. Sensing the uncertainty within the room, she asked, what’s the most important upcoming event taking place which will affect us all? The unexpected question caught us all off guard – then she explained.
Two weeks later, we were to depart from Europe. What were we going to do about it? The Greens and SNP had no plans, some Yessers had – they were committed to a candlelight vigil, but other than that, no-one had thought about it. The mood then completely changed and fairly quickly, we decided to take part in a demonstration, in the evening, outside our Holyrood Parliament to express our dissatisfaction and support to our European family.
The remainder of the evening was spent co-ordinating the various groups to, in effect, spread the word. Two weeks later on a Friday evening outside Holyrood, with huge media and worldwide film crews attending, a hugely attended gathering became an unforgettable and memorable night.
Why am I writing this? Two reasons in particular.
1. There is an army of Yessers desperate for independence, waiting to be mobilised.
2. You don’t have to be an MP for Yessers to act. Lesley is one of many – she achieved this at a flick of a switch, and what a response.
What’s happening now? Ian Blackford continues to beat the drum for Scotland; a seemingly thankless task, judging by the terrible response from the Conservative Government.
Kate Forbes’ (what a find she is) repeated written requests (because they bump her all the time when she asks to discuss this issue) for financial parity with the UK are regularly ignored.
Our Nicola, 100% dedication in dealing with Covid-19 and all related matters, in the main, refusing to be drawn into politicising, despite so many outrageous decisions from an out-of-touch Government.
Whilst this is going on, the Tories are ripping the p*sh out of Scotland and our parliament, ridiculing us, lying to us day after day. Yes, you can sense the anger and frustration in me, alike so many that write in The National. Poll after poll with increasing support for indy are all encouraging signs for our quest for independence, but that doesn’t mean we stop preparing whilst many of our SNP MPs are tied up.
The Tories’ hands are not tied and are already taking steps to thwart our indy aims. Their unbelievable hypocritical attempt to convince our Euro friends to block any future application to join Europe again and the setting up of an anti-independence unit, financed by UK Parliament apparently, indicates they’re not hanging about.
What about us? Other than a legal challenge by Joanna Cherry’s team, what are we doing? Still arguing over a plan B, C, D, elevations, end views – does it really matter? The referendum is coming sooner, I hope, than later. Are we prepared? Aside from the polls, which put us ahead, there are still more to convince. That means we must have our answers ready.
What about currency? How will our debt to the UK pan out? What will happen to our borders? How will it affect our economy? What about our fishing industry and farmers? What happens to our oil and gas? What will be our constitution? Trident abolition, will it commence from day one? What about defence and our armed forces? Climate change?
Then all the nonsense and lies that will be propelled our way. There will be tons of that. And who can forget The Vow. The biggest lie of them all. We need to be ready and on our A game to answer and explain all of these issues, but I don’t read or hear anything that suggests we are.
Are the SNP awaiting the outcome of their forthcoming conference? As I explained earlier, there is an army of Yessers, desperate and frustrated for independence, so please give us some leadership and deliver us some positive action. I welcome your response.
Douglas Hewat
Edinburgh
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