WELL the election is over and the people of Scotland have voted and democracy has been the winner. Our first-past-the-post system has delivered a stunning SNP victory sweeping all before it.
Let’s look at the figures so no-one is in any doubt what the result means, regardless of any spin the losing parties may put on it. Of the 59 Westminster seats in Scotland the SNP were successful in 48 seats (80% approx). In second place were the Tories with six seats (9% approx), in third the LibDems (6.5% approx) and in fourth Labour (1.7% approx).
In the first-past-the-post system this result, by anyone’s standards, is a landslide of epic proportions for the SNP and a total humiliation of the also-ran parties. Regardless of the result down south, Scotland has overwhelmingly rejected Brexit and re-affirmed its Remain credentials. It is now a country that is now outwardly European in its outlook and a bastion of social democracy for all the citizens of the UK, Europe and the rest of the world to see and digest.
READ MORE: Every time the Tories tell us no, more Scots will say Yes
Never before has an election shown the deep chasm between Scotland and England in terms of outlook, political and social policy. We as a nation are all but “independent” and as we move forward the chasm will widen as both nations “travel” in different directions. England moving to an inward-looking state hankering after past glories with a Tory party and with its large Westminster majority, free to pursue an unbridled right-wing agenda never seen before in these islands. With the addition of the LibDems and possibly Labour votes, Scotland is now 88% a total Remain country in sharp contrast to the now Brexit-dominated England/Wales. This total polarisation will have real consequences for the “precious Union” – in fact it may over time be the death knell of the so-called UK. With the nationalist vote in Northern Island now in the ascendency, the future of this United Kingdom looks more and more at risk. Depending now on what the Tories do with their unbridled power the demise of the Union may be sooner rather than later.
The responses from those who only see the result as a UK result and not a two-nations result will sound increasingly hollow and will lack credibility. The results in the Euro referendum, Euro election and the three General Elections cement our Remain credentials and rightly allow Scotland to state “we are being dragged out of Europe against our will”. The latest landslide victory made this transparent to all and was in direct contrast to the Brexit landslide down south.
READ MORE: Blackford: Johnson is holding a 'losing hand' over independence
At the end of January our nation will be ignored and its people disenfranchised. This single act will will trigger the biggest political backlash through future elections, demand for independence and protest and a clamour for democratic justice. It will lead to a surge in the Yes movement and an increase in SNP membership. It may be the case as alluded to by the First Minister that “not all who voted to give the SNP 48 seats support or sympathise with independence” but mark my words, as the juggernaut of Brexit and the inevitability of a “No-Deal” Brexit rolls out it will have independence doubters and those leaning towards No “come in from the cold” and join those who have already seen the light of independence.
Let us all on the eve of the “Brexit Exit” at the end of January 2020 give voice to our indignation of being dragged out against our will, of this democratic outrage reminiscent of 1707, and hold vigils throughout our nation in our cities, towns and villages in protest at the loss of not only our European citizenship but our democratic Remain voice. Let Boris Johnson and his cohorts hear and see, loud and clear, the voice of our nation and what the future will be like for him and his right-wing government and party here in Scotland! We will NOT be silenced!!
Dan Wood
Kirriemuir
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