The National:

IT has finally happened, the Tories have managed to destroy one of the best things the European Union has gifted our continent with, freedom of movement. Finally, after years of Priti Patel dragging the name of immigrants through the mud, she has won this battle, but not the war, the war that the Conservatives have started against equality.

When I was 17 I started dreaming about living in Scotland, I had my wee notebook where I wrote down everything I needed, I then started saving every extra euro I could, and when I turned 18, I packed my stuff, said goodbye to my parents and jumped on a plane road to Alba.

I have to say, after years of learning English through One Direction and Netflix, nobody had prepared me for the Scottish accent, and too quickly I realised that the clothes I packed were not Scotland approved, because daftie me didn’t know that just because it’s meant to be summer doesn’t mean that there will be any sun. But slowly after adjusting myself tae the lovely Glesga summer, I became more and more fond of Scotland, and of the Scots.

My first year in Glasgow I lived with six Scottish people, and believe me I wouldn’t have lasted a month without their support and help.

This country did not only welcome me with its arms open, but it embraced me and made me feel like home, moving to Scotland has been without a doubt the best decision I ever made, and it doesn’t matter how hard this Tory Government tries to kick immigrants out, they won’t take away the Scots lassie in me.

It is a sad day for the UK today, we are saying “No” to thousands of new hopes, and new beginnings. We are saying no to people like me, people who have so little but are willing to work as hard as it takes.

What Priti Patel is saying is we do not want you here except if you are rich or have a “decent job”, because apparently for this government a carer, a waitress, or bin collector are not worthy enough for them. The Tories value people on what they bring to the economy, we in Scotland value people for what they bring to the community.

READ MORE: Priti Patel slated over ‘jaw-droppingly stupid’ immigration approach

I feel so sorry for all those immigrants who have not had the same welcoming experience, I feel sorry for all of them who came here with their best of intentions and they found themselves, victims of the ignorance and racism, that Boris Johnson has spread across the country.

It just makes my blood boil, when we think of how many immigrants or their sons/daughters have come and made this country better. I, for example, could not picture the UK without the music of Stormzy, a Scottish Government without Humza Yousaf, or Westminster without Diane Abbott, just to exemplify a few. Even Priti Patel herself is the second generation of immigrants and Boris Johnson wasn’t born in the United Kingdom.

What this bill means is not just a harsh immigration policy, what this bill represents is the beginning of a very dark time for this country. This bill will not only to create more fear an division, this bill is the first step of government who is going to start attacking all the minorities and equality groups, looking to create that white British empire with no spices and just potatoes and porridge all over again.

This should alarm us all if they are coming after your neighbour what makes you think they won’t be coming after you next?

To me, this is yet more clear evidence of why Scotland should leave ASAP. When Priti Patel said yesterday this was the will of the British people, she was wrong, this is NOT the will of Scotland.

Westminster you need tae haud yer wheehst and listen because Scotland is saying goodbye.