AMONG those of us who have longed for, and fought for, marched for, stuffed leaflets for, contributed funds for, there are those who are impatient and those who are super-impatient for independence.

Whenever the Herald announced a split in the SNP, I often thought “well, the fault line described is not actually what I see”. So then Alex Salmond stepped up with his Alba Party. It seems to me that many of the super-impatient of the SNP slipped away and became members of Alba. There was talk of mastering the list vote, and causing a “Super Majority”, in Holyrood, for independence. It was all very untimely for Martin Keatings, who had similar plans, which were scuppered by the rise of Alba.

I thought of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the power of the people, and the single-minded purpose, which, finally, brought that monstrosity to an end. Then my thought was that if we are really serious about independence, we need to be as a welding torch, or a laser beam – all of us working together for the same ends, white-hot focus.

Marching until the walls come tumbling down, rather than defragmenting into multiple groups as the All Under One Banner crowd have.

If we are going to get our independence, it will be less easily achieved by internal fights. I would say that it will require all of us who want it to direct all our energy to helping to convince the doubters, and the staunch Unionists, that the people, who are Scotland, will be better off, in every way, as a small, independent country.

Every moment wasted in moaning among ourselves is a moment that could have been used better, to help the undecided move to a position that is favourable to a Yes response in the next independence referendum.

The SNP have spent 88 years building and making the party. It may take Alba a longer, or a shorter time, to reach a similar position on the political landscape. However, the idea of a surprise dash for list votes, a few moments before an election, was a confusion for many ordinary voters, many of whom really do not get the idea of the two votes, and what the second of their votes will achieve, or not achieve, in their area.

I read that some people think that Nicola Sturgeon is not really interested in Scottish Independence, I read that some think that is because she likes the power of being first minister. Some say it is her fault that we have not had a second shot at a referendum, or that it is her fault that she has not marched up Downing Street with a copy of the Declaration of Arbroath and told Boris Johnson to put the Union where the sun cannot shine.

Really? Come on, again this is time-wasting. I am sure some of you will come back at me and tell me the contrary, but think on this. Rhodesia was an unrecognised state for 14 years after the Unilateral Declaration of Independence. Which means it was not independent at all; for unless other countries agree that your nation is an independent country, it is nothing.

So my appeal to you is this: If you want Scotland to be an independent country, start making conversations with all who you meet – family, friends and strangers. Listen to them, and find out what they think.

Keep your mouth shut, they will already know what you think. Keep asking them why they think what they think. Inform yourself, and understand that the reason someone does not want independence is because they fear the unknown ... Take away their fears.

Our independence is really up to you.

Cher Bonfis
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