I KNOW that not everyone who glances through this is an SNP member or supporter. I know many who are opposed to the SNP even though they are passionate about Scotland gaining independence.

As I often say – mid-argument with Unionist neighbours – politics should be where we can argue but at the end of the day, we can still love each other. After all, we are all Scots and all human even if we have opposing views. Politics should be where we find compromise and find ways where we can all get along together.

The SNP and I have always been about independence and the socially progressive nature of so many of our policies.

During the campaign for the election of a new leader, I did seriously look at Kate. I do think she is an intelligent woman. I think she can put her religion aside, although I was reminded of years ago, as Reflections on Grampian television used to send us to bed with some warning or another from a dour manni from the wee-frees. I suppose what I find difficult is that I get the feeling I am in the room with an overzealous primary school headmistress when she gets going. I did not like the way she attacked Humza and although I understand what she means that more of the same won’t cut it – the problem with saying it like that is it gives opponents so much ammunition because that kind of statement can be spun any which way. When she started going on about catching up with tax-dodgers, she really lost me – never in the 5000 years or so of money has that ever been a remote possibility.

My Unionist neighbour has been gleeful at all of this and she takes great pleasure in dishing up as much of this as she can whenever we speak...

Ash has taken up some of the ideas I really agree with the currency for example, bringing people together, yes – but every time she is asked what would YOU do, she says she will get the experts together for a conference. Now there’s nothing wrong with that, but a leader has to lead and half the country are still – and this is the sickening thing – wedded to the Union even after Cameron, May, Johnson and Truss and now Sunak.

Even with all the fabulous things the SNP have done.

Now today instead of talking about the issues, we are plunged into a news cycle which says the SNP LOST 33% of members and who wants to be on the side of a decaying team? Yes, I know the SNP still have more members than all the rest put together but that is not the message that my neighbour hears.

These people who step forward to take the top job have to be admired. It takes brave people to do that.

However, there is an arrogance here which does not cut well with me. I would have liked to have seen more people step forward but of the three – I know I am old and there is a generational shift going on – but of the three, Humza is still my pick.

I want independence but that is only achievable when more Scots want it. I think there will be some time whilst the winner finds their feet and people get used to them. This contest has been fertiliser for the Tories’ and Labour’s propaganda machines and I feel there has been a lot of naivety and I fear that much of it will haunt us for a long time. I am not best pleased.

In defence of the falling numbers, no one mentioned that there was a large breakaway group that went off to Alba. Numbers go up and down anyway.

Really, I am still a member, what do I care if those without as much stamina abandon ship? Impatience never won much but persistence is the greatest tool in the winners’ toolbox. So this week threw light on those who were unwilling to stay the course … hey, I am here and I kept my membership, so what are you doing worrying about non-members?

Every time there is fragmentation within the Yes movement, we are diminished, and as a person who has put so much into the cause of independence, I am very hurt by what has gone on and how Scotland has been diminished by the UK Government and the lack of self-respect of many of my fellow Scots.
Cher Bonfis
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