“A WELLBEING Economy in Scotland” was the title of the excellent presentation by Dr Philippa Whitford to the Yes Musselburgh audience last Thursday evening. Packed full of persuasive information on the quest for independence, covering a broad range of topics from health and economics to deprivation and energy, Philippa’s talk was supplemented in the Q&A with personal insights into the plight of the people in Gaza and the machinations of Westminster – all round a truly enlightening experience for those fortunate to have attended.
In fact, if the BBC were serious about representing the vast majority of the electorate that considers themselves to be Scottish (65%) as opposed to British (13%), they would implore Dr Whitford to host a weekly programme providing a truly Scottish perspective on domestic and world events rather than serve up more episodes of Debate Night contrived to maximise support for the expired Union.
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On the question of the best route to independence, Philippa emphasised the importance of all in the independence movement working together to build a sustainable majority of the electorate prepared to vote for independence. That said, she appeared open to pursuing both John Swinney’s aim of an outright SNP majority as well as the proposed use of the “list vote” to establish a direct majority vote for independence-supporting parties and thus independence.
At this stage, though, both proposed election strategies seem to leave a critical question unanswered, which is what compelling follow-up actions are planned should the UK Prime Minister, within a set period of time, refuse a “new generation referendum” and also refuse to allow the Scottish Parliament to determine when and how an independence referendum can be conducted. The stronger the commitment to actions, the greater the prospects of success as both disillusioned SNP supporters as well as previously unconvinced Labour and Liberal Democrat supporters could be persuaded to vote for the SNP and/or at least one of the independence-supporting parties on the list.
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In the meantime, while the pro-Union parties fight it out to represent those that appear to think that inherent UK problems can be solved by simplistic soundbites (other than “devolution isn’t working for England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland – it’s time for constitutional change”), the information and statistics presented by Philippa should be relayed verbally and via every media feasible to better inform the Scottish public, including the important new generation of voters, as to why Scotland should determine its own future.
Furthermore, the “snooty” duplicity of Labour’s snake-oil salesman in Scotland will be exposed with details of the comparatively poor delivery of public services in Wales (where Labour have been in power for 26 years) presented at every possible opportunity.
Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian
READING Kelly Given’s article last Thursday (We’ve lost sight of the human cost of political choices, Oct 1), it was hard to believe it has been 10 years since we saw the pictures of three- year-old Alan Kurdi’s lifeless body being cradled by a police officer on a Turkish beach. Kelly’s analysis of us becoming desensitised to the deaths of children and present-day horrors was compelling reading. She linked this to the human cost of political choices. Kelly is a gifted columnist and her previous week’s comment on “Autism is not a curse” was equally measured. Thursday’s edition of the National, with contributors Kelly, Lesley Riddoch and David Pratt, was a must read. Well done!
John Macleod
Milngavie
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