THERE have been many interesting contributions on aspects of our collective future trajectory that I have been tempted to comment on, but did not want to “bile my tatties twice”.

For a start don’t let us fall for the false premise of “don’t let is discuss the constitution in the middle of a pandemic”. The pandemic has been horrendous. But we have been having this debate for significantly more than the last 12 months or so. It has been going on for decades.

Someone suggested some time ago that government should present an emergency Bill to Holyrood that re-iterates the sovereignty of the Scottish people, for Holyrood to make laws for the Scottish People, and that repudiates the Internal Market Act and anything else that undermines the present devolution protocols. I don’t think there is enough time for that now.

Let us recap on where we are at. The SNP is without doubt the lead organisation for gaining independence. But we must await the details of how the May elections play out to see if the SNP is as dominant as some forecast.

As well as the Internal Market Act, we have the so called Levelling Up, replete with union flags. Is this just part of a long term plan to “Do In” devolution? After all, the invasion from Westminster that has taken place via the “Elizabeth” building in Edinburgh and its unfinished colleague in Glasgow is all very disturbing. But when were they planned? Way back on May’s watch? Or was the plot hatched even before that? Our successors may find out some decades in the future.

But why did the Edinburgh and Glasgow City Council Planning Departments AND the Scottish Government not do something about it? Why was there no attempt to stop this imposition of Westminster in Scotland? It is an invasion. We should refer to these so called hubs as “Little England East” and “Little England West”. Can we project a boycott? Refuse service?

I digress. The real issue to be dealt with in the period before we are free from Westminster is the potential of the so-called “Levelling Up projects. If any are attempted, then it is likely they will all require planning permission. That being the case, the Scottish Government should “call them in” to determine if they really are “in the national interest”and “send them home to think again”.

I recall a comment of Fintan O’Toole some time ago, maybe 2014, when he said that we Scots were very fortunate to have the prospect of self-determination, of independence without the spilling of blood. That was a few years ago. Presently reading Fergus Keane’s Wounds gives an insight into the ruthlessness of the British State in its endeavours to preserve for its ruling class what it considers is “theirs”.

We need to be prepared. We need to be focused and united. As we move forward, we must be eternally vigilant. We must develop strategies and tactics for thwarting the British State and its offices. All the forecasts predict a significant level of support for the SNP come May 2021, and other supporters of independence. Will it also bring a positive “Yes” vote? Or should we consider the May vote to be a trigger for negotiations?

Either way, There is still the issue of a written constitution. When will we be able to view a draft and then endorse one, and propose amendments? How soon after independence will we get a chance to elect the first independent Scottish government? The SNP is without doubt the lead organisation for gaining independence but how many of us would be content with the continuing hegemony of the SNP in an independent Scotland?

Then there is Europe. As someone who has long considered themselves an internationalist, and have long supported the EU, albeit critically and fully aware of the need for democratisation and reform. I have become much more sceptical of how realistic it will be to wrest powers from the Commission and the European Central Bank. Re-joining the EU as presently constituted is not a given.

Willie Oswald
Blanefield