THROUGHOUT most of the run-up to the independence referendum, I had been quite a firm No. For a mixture of reasons I was worried about staying part of the European Union, concerned for my parents’ jobs and pensions and unsure what kind of economic uncertainty separating from the Union would bring.
That isn’t to say I didn’t engage with those who were voting Yes and the arguments. I remember many late-night conversations with friends at university where we would discuss questions around what currency an independent Scotland would take, how we would be viewed on the world stage as a small nation and if Alex Salmond was really the leader we would want for a newly independent Scotland.
Fast forward two years and in spite of the referendum result, all of the things I feared are happening to Scotland against our will under a veil of “taking back control” from Westminster, masking blatant xenophobia and male bravado. The toxic conversation around Brexit broke any remaining illusion that our fragile Union was “one nation” and frankly, sickened me to the bone.
So what exactly turned me from a Naw to a full-on Aye?
Firstly, there was the treatment of Scotland and Northern Ireland by Westminster throughout the Brexit negotiation period. I single out Westminster because living in London, I had many conversations with English people who understood the injustice that faced two nations whose votes were being discarded.
Sixty-two per cent of Scottish voters stated they did not want to leave the EU and yet, there we were, staring down the barrel of a hard Brexit.
I watched, gobsmacked, as time and time again, Ian Blackford or Nicola Sturgeon repeated that Scotland did not want to leave the EU – only for it to be dismissed by those who’ve never been north of the M25. Not once did we see a diplomatic approach to Brexit – no mention of a softer exit, a different deal for other devolved nations or just generally listening to the other side in what was an extremely close race. The utter contempt shown to Scotland from the Tories brought their true colours out – we were never an equal partner and never would be as part of the Union.
READ MORE: From No to Yes: ‘For me, Brexit was the pivotal point’
Secondly, I came to realise that not only did Scotland have a separate identity to the rest of the UK but our values and attitude towards policy were different. Conversations around welfare, migration or international relations felt so disjointed to have on a UK level as Scotland consistently leans more left on them, but this was never reflected in the policy outcomes. Dreams of devolution fixing these issues have been completely shattered over the past few years – the only way to have autonomy over these issues is to not be ruled by Westminster.
I’m under no illusion that the road to independence is not going to be an easy one. But it is the right path for Scotland. I hope that we can continue to engage both sides and treat the question of self-rule as a dialogue for every Scottish person to have. And who knows, there are probably many more people out there like me who just needed the last two years as a wake-up call to how good an independent Scotland could actually be.
Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of The National is at stake. Please consider supporting us through this with a digital subscription from just £2 for 2 months by following this link: http://www.thenational.scot/subscribe. Thanks – and stay safe.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel