I WATCHED Jo Swinson’s resignation live, not because I wanted to, but because I was too tired to switch off the TV. Neither she nor the LibDems can blame others for their lack of progress. But they do and will continue to do so, whilst they advocate seeking the positive alternatives that they believe are required.
Labour retain one seat due to a tribalism that features, no surprise, football. Ian Murray is equally beloved and followed because of his allegiance to and promotion of Hearts.
So when will those two parties publicly acknowledge what we all know already, ie that their futures depend on championing constructive policies in an independent Scotland? Until they do, it is obvious they will remain an echo in their own now-defunct echo chambers.
READ MORE: Four years on we are still waiting for the Vow to be honoured
Equally, it is unfathomable that PM Boris can spout language that calls for “unity, closure and letting healing begin” whilst denying the obvious result here: the repeated mandate for independence. And only Carlaw could claim that the loss of seven seats is a “remarkable result”.
This is not about asking Boris Johnson or any other Westminster MP for “permission” to hold a second referendum. It would appear however that Unionists are so feart of the SNP, the pro-independence agenda and mandates past and present that they turn away from the voice of the people. How ironic!
The right of election outcomes should prevail, but will it? If you acknowledge the notion of democracy then that should be the case. But when you listen to the PM’s speech, he neither named nor acknowledged Scotland. As I cannot unilaterally impose my choice on others, I should have the democratic right to exercise my choice.
It is time now for Scotland to decide our own future via a detailed democratic case. Yes, I am a shameless. I am paraphrasing the FM. These are not my words, they are some of hers. But it is our votes and voices that are being denied. What is the PM waiting and hoping for? Civil disobedience, so as to be able to call out the troops? Or that we will just fade away?
No matter how hard they needle, no matter how frequently they trot out the misspeak of “once in a generation”, we are neither advocating civil disobedience nor will we fade away. And neither will Northern Ireland, where pro-unity parties have majority seats for the very first time.
The bonds that bind this unequal Union together are loosening. It may require more time, more patience, but the prize will be worth it.
Selma Rahman
Edinburgh
LIKE every other person who awaits Scottish independence, I am delighted with the way in which we, as a nation, responded to the call of Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP. And that includes the unstinting support of The National for the last five years.
It was interesting, therefore, to read Michael Fry’s reaction to the results (The divisive election that proves Scotland is a different country, December 14). He points out the hard fact that the winning 45% of the vote is just the same as the indyref in 2014, and urges Nicola to keep reading his column “to find out how to close the vital electoral gap”. Meaning of course, that he thinks Nicola isn’t paying enough attention to right-wing voters.
READ MORE: The National's columnists reacted to the General Election result
The turnout rate in this election varied from 54% to 80%, with most falling in the range 60-70%. In the 2014 indyref the overall turnout was 85%, such is the power of a vote on the future of our country where it is entirely up to individuals to make the difference. In this General Election it was known that, no matter how we voted, we would end up with a Westminster government that we didn’t want, which is bound to have reduced the turnout rate of some otherwise independence-minded voters.
However, to get back to Michael Fry’s fear of the numbers, indyref2 will automatically draw a lot more independence-minded people to the polling booths. A turnout rate of more than 85% could be seen next time. Michael refers to the SNP “comfort zone of left-wing west central Scotland”, but the lowest turnout rates were in Glasgow and Livingston, and that is where many more Yes votes will come from when push comes to shove in indyref2. In addition, thousands of EU nationals will be voting in indyref2, as will, crucially, 16- to 18-year-olds. The “Tory revenge against the SNP and Holyrood” factor will also kick in, along with the Brexit factor, ie increased retail prices in the shops and drug prices and the effect on the NHS, not to mention the loss of different types of rights.
Therefore, I would respectfully say that this bundle of influential factors will boost support to well over 50% without Nicola having to divert her time, and strategy, by reading Michael Fry’s column.
Dennis White
Blackwood
IN his article on Saturday Pat Kane (The Tories will fight dirty to try to stop independence, December 14) muses about a simple three word message for the up-coming indy campaign. My preference is “independence is normal” as used on a weekly basis by the National. There is no argument against this simple positive reassuring fact and it is a powerful subliminal message.
Tom Crozier
Ayr
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