AT each New Year we inevitably think of family and friends who are no longer with us.
After a lifetime in the SNP, those recalled with fondness, for me and many others, will include some we have campaigned with through good times and bad as we sought the independence of our country.
This New Year, in the space of a week, our movement lost Colin Weir, Alasdair Gray and Andrew Hughes Hallett, all very different but very effective advocates for the cause.
EuroMillions winners and husband and wife Coline and Chris Weir
Colin was the candidate in Ayr for the 1987 General Election when I was candidate in Clydesdale and his daughter was born in the same week as my son. When I was nominated to succeed Alex Salmond as the party vice-convener in charge of publicity, he also stood in a close-fought race. His withdrawal at the last minute helped me to win and we went on to work together on party political broadcasts to which he
brought his considerable TV experience. His generosity to the SNP after he and Chris won the lottery was stupendous and has contributed greatly to our current success.
I only met Alasdair Gray a couple of times, but no-one could be in any doubt about his unique, compelling, polymathic creative genius. His distinctive voice and visual style were unmistakable and he was a beacon of inspiration and positivity about, and shining into, Scotland and the world. He illuminated the country and so many individual lives.
Andrew Hughes Hallett had one of the most brilliant minds I have ever encountered, but he wore the great breadth and depth of his learning so lightly that he was always a joy to be with. I last spent time with him in my office in parliament just over a year ago and he highlighted a whole range of issues as we discussed the technicalities of Scotland moving forward as an aspirant independent member of the EU. The lack of those penetrating and vital insights just when they are needed most will be sorely missed.
READ MORE: Andrew Hughes Hallett: genius, economist, and Yes supporter
Thinking about these three inevitably leads me to others – Allison Hunter whom I worked with in HQ for so long and who laid the groundwork for the highly effective party organisation we have today, along with Alan Todd from East Kilbride who was a constant, smiling presence in every set of by-election rooms. Helen Davidson who presided over candidate vetting, ensuring that those who aspired to represent the party were up to the job. Davie Tait in my old branch in Kirkfieldbank whose life-long indefatigable commitment to independence overcame childhood injury and kept him knocking doors well into his 70s. Angus MacGillvray presiding over his printing press and a room full of merchandise in North Charlotte St and making sure – with the odd encouraging curse – that serious purpose and hard work were the hallmark of any and every electoral campaign.
The list, alas, would go on and on. Brian Adam, a good friend and a fine local MSP. Donald Macdonald and “Skye” McIntosh, two very different but very hardworking Oban SNP councillors who died within months of each other to the great detriment of the local community and the party. Jeanette Jones with whom I briefly served on the National Executive in the late 1980s but who left an indelible impression of humour, humanity and openness. Margaret Ewing, one of the brightest stars of her political times who departed from us far too soon with so much still to contribute.
READ MORE: Alasdair Gray: Work as if you live in the early days of a better nation
Thinking of all these people, the emotions are mixed. Sadness that they never got to see independence achieved; determination that we should win it before we lose too many others of such character, ability and skill; gratitude for the amount they contributed which was often – even in the not-so-distant past – at considerable career and personal cost; and above all complete solidarity within this community of interest that is called a party and a movement.
And that is the most important factor. Certainly, each of them brought their own talents to the national task but they gladly merged them into the whole, so that our joint endeavour could in the end succeed.
Because they knew – as we all still know in our hearts and minds – that it cannot do so without unity.
Independence will only be won by a collective united effort of the Scottish people – past, present and future.
Those who went before us have done their bit. We need to go on doing ours, always working willingly, wisely and well together.
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