THE longest January ever. Nobody has had it easy over the past year and for some the challenges have been almost unbearable. Here in the rural south-west we can be closer to nature; as the days lengthen, we hear the birds and see the new growth pushing through.
What now for the country we live in? It looks like we will be at an important crossroads in the May Holyrood elections. Nobody will disagree that we all want the same thing – a secure, healthy, prosperous future with opportunity for all. The political parties won’t dispute this, but will disagree on the best way to achieve this goal.
READ MORE: UK Government accused of plot to cut off Scotland's funding
Dramatic changes happened at the start of this year when Brexit became real. Northern Ireland stayed within EU frameworks while the other three countries were cast off from Europe. And now the 20th consecutive opinion poll shows the majority in Scotland wish to be given the option to run their own country. They are looking at successful small nations like Ireland and Denmark and saying, “Why not us? Surely we could do better with our resources and people?”
Sadly, Scottish Labour have set their stall out as totally opposing even a referendum on independence. For a democratic party who would have a significant voice in a future independent Scotland, this seems an act of self-destruction. Just tell the Scottish people, “No, you can’t have a say on your future”! The Conservatives feel it should be 40 years until we can decide our own destiny. With the Scottish Greens and the SNP supporting the right to choose at a referendum, the May elections will be pivotal.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer urged to consider indyref2 if Labour wants to get back into government
All this really shouldn’t be party political. Other countries have the right to decide their own future and that would seem the sensible and honest approach. They decide the make-up of their own governments, usually through a fair, proportional voting system. Unfortunately, the UK stands virtually alone in the world in using “first past the post”.
When we come to that May crossroads the choice will be: do we simply want more of the same as a junior partner in the UK or do we want to move forward as a successful independent country? It is our decision to make, and spring is on the way in Dumfries and Galloway.
Bob McGoran
Moffat
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