THERE is little current certainty in British politics, other than one thing: Brexit has broken up Britain. It matters not how often PM Johnson, and what is left of his party and other Unionists, claim that unity, or reunification, some Gloriana, is possible post-Brexit. We know that is not so.

Brexit has reinforced what Scotland knew, but what was ignored for too long by too many south of us, namely differences between Scotland and rUK, resplendently obvious, but blatantly overlooked in our voting patterns. rUk politicians hide behind the rhetoric that the EU referendum was across Britain, for all of Britain and Northern Ireland, roughly translating as: “So what Scotland? Back in your box”.

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With the rise of the pro-indy Welsh movement, and recognition that Brexit will undoubtedly spark more conversations around the unification of the island of Ireland, independence is within touching distance for us.

The local Tory branch office operating here finally found a charismatic (former) leader in Ruth Davidson, but it was obvious to all that the Tory philosophy was based around their old mantra of One Nation Conservatism nurtured by many in their fold when it suited them. It is now nothing more than an outdated, over-used soundbite that has crept back into their lexicon over the last few desperate months. That it could be manipulated from era to era, leader to leader, and was never for the benefit of that “one” nation, but was for those in power seeking to supplement and secure that power for their generations to come, is now nakedly evident for all to see.

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We have evidence from polls that many Tory voters would happily ditch Scotland, and our people, to secure Brexit. Finally, they’re paying attention to our democratic wishes, but what a way for us to go! Currently, by expelling their rebels, is Tory HQ so confident that come a General Election their voting faithful will vote Tory? Perhaps the odd rebel here or there might make it as an independent or cross the floor to find a safe LibDem seat. But is the PM and his cabal prepared to sacrifice those seats to show their determination to secure Brexit? Do Tories believe Labour continues to languish far behind in the polls and reality, a weak opposition, more like the two-faced, looking-both-ways, going nowhere Push-Me-Pull-You, thus enabling them to pick up disaffected Labour seats, especially in the north of England? And that’s even before some inevitable agreement with Farage and his cronies. What a tangled web!

There may be swithering voters, but by and large we want to believe that MPs are principled. And those Tory MPs who waited for that vote, forcing their party to expel them? It would appear that with an eye to their future careers, a return to the fold or fold mark two in some resurrected Tory party, they believed it best to be removed by a party spiralling out of control, rather than leave in advance, standing on their beliefs and principles. Me first, party, people next. Plus ca change, plus la meme chose. Which brings us to our local heroes (not): our Tory MPs. Not one stood up for their Scottish constituents, our people, our country. Plus ca change, ah forget it. But we won’t forget them when it comes to the General Election.

The inclusive platform – cross-party, no-party – that is the indy movement has the opportunity more than ever to campaign through the next election, not in some rear guard, rebuttal, angry language mode, but sharing the vision of what progress, prosperity and future we can make for ourselves in an indy Scotland. In the end, the alternative is already visible: Westminster and three Unionist parties making nothing more than mayhem.

Selma Rahman
Edinburgh