OVER the last few months I have listened to many disparate voices concerning the various routes to independence and find myself despairing of some stances taken by those who should know better.
The ONLY way that Scotland will be recognised as an independent country internationally is to follow the route agreed by both the Scottish and UK Governments for the 2014 referendum. Assuming that there are a majority of pro-independence MSPs next May, the Scottish Government should formally request a Section 30 Order, to enable a referendum to be a carried out using the same rules as in 2014. Everyone agreed to these rules and agreed to accept the outcome.
READ MORE: With ‘both votes SNP’, the regional list system is a Unionist’s dream
But what if the UK Government says no? They might and they might not. The point is that rejection of a previously agreed arrangement opens up a whole new alternative range of democratic ways of achieving independence, including, for example, a referendum organised by the Scottish Government under the supervision of neutral international observers.
Some commentators say that there is no point in asking the UK Government for a Section 30 order, as they have already said they will refuse. If we have a referendum without asking for a Section 30, the UK’s friends in the international community will refuse to recognise an independent Scotland on the basis that, although it was appropriate in 2014, we didn’t ask for it this time. It is not an argument to say that we didn’t ask because we thought it would be refused. If you don’t ask, you don’t get!
READ MORE: SNP: Scotland must become independent to avoid 'extreme Brexit disaster'
The only way that independence becomes a possibility is by electing as many pro-independence MSPs as possible in next May’s election. That means voting SNP in the constituency vote and SNP or Scottish Green on the list vote. All of the new fringe parties are totally irrelevant in this election. Most voters have never heard of them and all they will succeed in doing is diverting pro-independence votes from the two pro-independence parties that are capable of having candidates elected.
That doesn’t mean that you have to love the SNP or the Greens! However, if you really want Scottish independence you might have to hold your nose when voting. Please remember, the objective is independence. The time for new parties, re-aligned parties and party mergers comes AFTER we have gained our independence.
Dave Howie
Dunblane
I AM accused regularly of being a “party loyalist”. Indeed I am. As I joined the SNP as I left school in 1959 and have been an active member ever since, I plead guilty.
It is because I am party loyalist that I care very deeply about how the party is run.
And it is also why at several points over the years I have been almost exploding with rage on some issues and also at the damaging behaviour of some members at critical points. Like right now.
I care mostly, however, about Scotland joining the other independent nations in our world before I leave it. We are within touching distance yet our biggest problem could well be self-destruction.
READ MORE: Independence activists on why both votes SNP is the way ahead at the election
Mass membership and being in government presented the SNP with real challenges.
I was almost incandescent at appalling vetting procedures at the last local elections, which cost us dearly, and in different circumstances I was intending to seek support across the party that the vetting be reverted to local constituency associations. As it should be. We find the funds. We knock the doors. We know who is likely to win. And having been at several conferences at which none of the stuff we all wanted to talk about was on the agenda, I was going to seek support for a process that determined the conference agenda was decided by the party at large. All through the democratic processes of the party, which is how we should deal with problems and issues.
The peculiar fallacy, for instance, entertained by leadership till recently that being in government and campaigning for independence were mutually exclusive activities did my head in.
READ MORE: Independence activists on why both votes SNP is the way ahead at the election
But my complaints went to the party leadership, not to the wide world. Can I make one point very clear? No matter what worry I had with any administrative issue, no matter what difference I had with any member or leader, no matter how disquieted I might have been about some policy or action, I would never in any circumstance as a “loyal” member of the SNP have gone to red-top tabloid Unionist media with damaging anti-SNP stuff. Nor would I pepper the online universe with insinuations and accusations against other members or leaders or rehash the attacks being spread out by “independence supporters” with axes to grind, very often of a personal nature, against the SNP and its leaders. And often by people who I am glad are not in the SNP.
Sensible and serious political parties smile to the media, wave to the people and stab each other behind closed doors (politely of course). We own the SNP. If we don’t like what we are getting, we change it. The appropriate processes are all there. And we don’t have the time any more to demolish any structure and rebuild. So we must understand that what we’ve got is the only vehicle that can carry us to independence and it must be on the road, visibly united, in the very immediate future.
Dave McEwan Hill
Sandbank, Argyll
WHY are we still wallowing around with the EU? What is the problem for goodness’ sake? According to Nigel Farage we just had to repeal a few simple acts and things, and then walk away to count the millions a week we save, prior to carving our economic future in a waiting world. Something has gone wrong. Best get Nigel to sort things out. This should not be more than a two-pint problem for him.
Malcolm Parkin
Kinnesswood
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