ME and my emotions – angry, confused and positive at the same time. Sunday was so much better after reading Ruth Wishart’s article “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any more”.
It’s the politics of everything at the moment that’s making me angry.
I used to think a majority vote meant you took control, you governed for all the people, having been put in by the majority of the people. I applaud the Scottish Governments with a pro-indy hue that have demonstrated for many years now that they can self-govern, as far as limited powers allow. And unless there’s some form of mass delusion doing the rounds, at the time of elections the majority of the electorate agree. A competent record has been established, acknowledged and valued by that majority.
READ MORE: Ruth Wishart: ‘I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any more’
But with parties and elections, you need a manifesto. Perhaps fine detail isn’t too detailed in those tomes, and let me be honest, when was the last time I read a party’s manifesto in detail? I realised very early on that a manifesto isn’t written in stone. Stones are far too heavy to lug around, so it’s easy enough to discard them, especially when big challenges require a big bold government that can change priorities and realign direction.
Covid has shown that Scotland and our government has talent and resolve in spades. But there is always a core at every political party, within the manifesto, that shapes its credence. For me, as I lend my vote to the SNP, that was – that is still – independence.
I’m so confused. We seem to be moving along, with governing politicians weathering storms, creating political solutions that mostly meet societal needs. But at the same time the very foundations of politics seem to be shifting, and in a highly negative manner. But not for us. We trundle along, waiting.
With Covid it was inevitable that immediate new priorities came into play. But it appears our direction of indy travel has been delayed and the bus parked. I’m angry since I can’t see the way forward and my politicians, those in power, aren’t leading on indy from the front.
It doesn’t matter that the clothes are being stripped off the fake PM emperor, leaving him with nothing more than the fig leaf of the vaccination programme. Even that disappears when you consider the plaudits going to him and his government, and not the front-liners doing the planning and delivery, There’s those trade deals that trade away Scotland’s economic future. The island of Ireland in turmoil again with a sea border.
It doesn’t matter that the world now regards rUK with suspicion through its easy-oasy attitude to international treaties. It doesn’t matter if the Tories remove EVEL and replace it with another dodgy piece of gerrymandering to be operated in the House of Commons. rUK votes will never allow us to frame and enact our own independent future. When Westminster inevitably refuses a Section 30 – if we ever get round to demanding one – then Westminster will have confirmed it considers Scotland as nothing more than a fiefdom. For me that’s it, the game’s a bogey.
What keeps me positive? I continue to boogie for a wee while longer. I follow the likes of Pensioners for Indy and get that huge buzz from Edinwfi – back discussing, deciding our future, holding meetings, refocusing our interaction with our members and the public with socially distanced actions (fully compliant) along with so many more in the grass roots.
But for how long can I stay positive without some clarity around “when”, not if? Without decisive political action? The Yes movement has its coats of many colours, still here, but politicians, take heed. And a small footnote to Ruth Wishart’s fab article: beware the angry women!
Selma Rahman
Edinburgh
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