SCOTTISH independence is the “dream scenario” for UK politics, an English comedian has said after moving north of the Border.
Josie Long, the first woman to be nominated for the Edinburgh comedy award three times, made the comments in an interview with the Observer.
Long, who was born in Sidcup in London, moved to Glasgow during the Covid lockdown. She said it was a move she had been thinking about “for about 10 years”.
She went on: “I love the history of Glasgow, the architecture, the people. I feel very romantic about Clydeside… it’s got that living memory, a connection to this incredible social history.
“I do idealise the place, but part of my new show is about how you make your own reality in your mind. I couldn’t make the reality of living in England work in my mind any more.”
Asked about her “dream scenario for UK politics over the next few years”, Long said she would like to see Scotland become independent.
The comic told the Observer: “I’d love to see Scottish independence. I fully appreciate that I’ve only just arrived in Scotland and don’t have the right to have a strong opinion, but for me, the Labour Party has abandoned any hint of a progressive, radical agenda and the Tory Party is an untrainable monster.
“I’m pinning hopes on the utopian dream of independence,” she added.
Long, who graduated from Oxford University after winning a BBC New Comedy Award at 17, had previously campaigned for Labour under Jeremy Corbyn.
The comic compared the Tory Party to a “many-headed hydra”, suggesting that worse politicians could rise up to take the place of any deposed leaders.
She will be performing her new show, Re-enchantment at Edinburgh’s Monkey Barrel through the fringe festival, from August 4-28.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel