Cameron Smyth, 24, is a Glaswegian living in London. The management consultant, who is a former Scottish Youth Parliament member, backed the Union ... until the day of the Brexit referendum.
BACK in 2014, I was an 18-year-old with a deep passion for politics – I was even a member of the Youth Parliament. As a teenager my opinions for Scottish independence fluctuated. However, I decided that remaining part of the Union was the best trajectory for Scotland.
I became quite active in conversations pushing my opinion that being a part of the Union was better. Within groups of teenagers, this opinion was seen as more unpopular – but I was convinced what I was doing was right.
Now, I can admit for the first time that when I sent my postal vote in I spoiled the ballot. I couldn’t fathom the idea of what felt like betrayal to my country versus what I genuinely felt was best.
TELL US YOUR FROM NO TO YES STORY HERE
I used to dismiss claims from my peers such as “we are not well represented”. I brushed off questions about the Union (admittedly some still need to be answered. If this can happen, in regards to pensions, currency, etc, more people will vote Yes). Then things like the Smith Commission never came into fruition, yet the worst was June 23, 2016. Brexit.
Brexit changed my outlook on the United Kingdom completely. Suddenly I realised that the status quo that I was comfortable with, that influenced me to vote No, was about to change. My arguments that I used to brush off my peers had become invalid. We as people need to be properly represented.
No ➡ Yes
— The National (@ScotNational) March 29, 2021
David Grohl McKinlay couldn't understand why many of his friends were pro-independence – until he decided to take a closer look at the facts🧐https://t.co/J6Djq432Lf
We have been dragged into an experiment against our own will. We have been sold short by Westminster. I cannot see this happening to my country. The hard Brexit. The Covid-19 pandemic. The awful leadership. It has further accelerated my opinions that Scotland must go its own way, and prosper on its own.
TELL US YOUR FROM NO TO YES STORY HERE
If Scotland seizes the opportunity of independence we must listen to those who voted No and build unity – something the UK has not done after Brexit.
I currently live in London as it is necessary to get experience here for my career. If we do decide to leave the Union I want to make sure Scotland can be attractive to business, much like our neighbours in Ireland.
Let me also clarify, the reason for independence is not due to hostility to the rest of the UK. It is simple, Scotland should be governed by Scotland, and for the interests of the people there – this currently is not happening.
From No to Yes: Why do you want Scotland to be independent?
Did you formerly back the Union but now support independence? In around 400 words, tell us why you've changed your mind about Scottish independence. Was it Brexit, the pandemic, the shambolic Tory government or a mixture of different factors? We want to hear all about it. Submit your answer to feature in one of our From No to Yes articles. If you have any questions or requests, please contact angus.cochrane@thenational.scot
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