IN 2014 I was active in the independence campaign, but I was anxious about the huge gap in our economic policy created by the “sharing in the pound” nonsense.
I recognised that as we approached the polling day the Unionist press would spring the trap and expose this weakness at a time when we were too late to put it right. In February 2014 Ronnie Morrison and I published a book called Moving On to address this currency weakness, but we were too late to make a difference to the car crash which we saw happening in slow motion.
After the failure of the referendum, people in Scotland were much more aware of the weakness of this currency issue and our book was quickly sold out and we had to publish a second edition. People now knew that the currency issue had to be looked at seriously and that Scotland, like every other independent country, needed its own currency.
READ MORE: SNP back motion to speed up independent Scotland adopting own currency
The exception to this general recognition that Scotland had to have its own currency was the SNP leadership, who were hiding behind the so-called Growth Commission report which, if applied in an independent Scotland, would have prevented economic growth in Scotland and left us dependent on the City of London, which would have retained control over our economy.
So, like so many others I was keen to get a second referendum under way to give the Scottish people the opportunity to get out of this dysfunctional, corrupt UK, to protect our NHS and our economy and build a successful, sustainable Scotland. I was, however, not keen to go into another referendum campaign without having sorted out the currency issue first, because I did not want to see a repeat of the last referendum failure.
Since last weekend, things have all changed. The SNP, at long last, have decided by an overwhelming majority to go ahead with establishing a central bank and to prepare to implement their own Scottish currency. Also this last weekend saw the Alba party commit to a Scottish currency and start work on this.
READ MORE: Alba progresses plan for new currency in an independent Scotland
Now I am happy to press ahead with an independence campaign, because this time we will be fighting for both political and economic independence and this time we will win a significant majority provided we use the knowledge and talent of the many committed independence supporters we have and work together. The Unionists can’t defeat us, however we could defeat ourselves if we get involved in political party infighting.
So let us be clear: independence for our country belongs to no political party, it belongs to all of us. It is there for the taking by the sovereign Scottish people, irrespective of a “Section 30” or any other Westminster or London court ruling. We have a right under the UN charter, which over-rules any UK objection.
The only thing that can stop us achieving our independence is infighting amongst ourselves, thereby undermining the peoples’ sovereign power.
Andy Anderson
Saltcoats
KATE Forbes can hardly wait for an independent Scotland to start borrowing sterling money, get into interest-bearing debt and fall under the control of the banks, as is the UK at present.
Independence is a once-in-a-lifetime golden opportunity to break free from the present financial system that cripples the UK and drives up costs.
An independent Scotland could have its own central bank and its own discrete internal currency, and issue that currency interest-free. In simple terms, Scotland could have its own private money tree.
The opportunity this would bring is endless, and yet this most important aspect of Scottish independence is being ignored. Without its own central bank and currency, Scottish independence is pointless, as Westminster and its banker pals would still have control.
Malcolm Parkin
Kinross
I WISH to extend huge gratitude to the children of South Morningside Primary School for their glorious St Andrew’s Day celebration. For two wondrous hours their joy transported me from my world of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, the pain caused by the cruel actions and words of some people in my life in recent times, and the daily grief I feel in relation to my beloved cat. It was a powerful gift of joyousness.
They were, for me, more absorbing than Scottish Ballet (apologies, as I deeply love your work) and their collective fitness would, I believe, have matched that of our national rugby team! Their exuberance was infectious, and they personified the Curriculum for Excellence.
They made strangers be kind to each other in the street and they lifted my weary soul.
Wherever their lives take them, The Proclaimers’ 500 Miles will forever be embedded in their memories. They made it so much more than a song as they danced for Scotland and our national saint.
Jenny Pearson
Edinburgh
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