Is Westminster a terrorist organisation?

Ok. I bet that got your attention there. Hyperbolic? A year ago, perhaps. Today, I believe it’s an appropriate description of our government in the Westminster Parliament.

In the last few weeks we the people of the UK have been told that we should prepare for the possibility of a no deal Brexit. What does that mean exactly? Well it’s not pretty. In fact it’s downright dystopian. Basically we’ve been told that the shops would run out of food in just days. Hospitals and healthcare facilities could run out of medicines in just 2 weeks. Flights would be grounded. The south coast of Kent would be a literal parking lot for lorries trying to get to mainland Europe. It sounds like some really awful futuristic apocalyptic novel. But no this would be the United Kingdom in 2019, in the event of not securing an adequate agreement with Brexit.

Now, you might be thinking why on earth would a democratic government ever risk such an disastrous outcome for its citizens? Well, exactly. It’s not the way government in a functioning democracy behaves. You don’t set upon a course of action which would lead directly to civil unrest, and possibly even thousands or millions of deaths. This is not what we elect people to do. It’s the kind of oppressive behaviour that people have been fighting against for centuries. It’s certainly not how you would expect a 21st century western government to behave.

Unless. You start to analyse the government in another light. What if the Westminster government is really a terrorist organisation? I know it seems to go against all rational thought. But given what we have heard from them over the last few weeks is it really such an odd concept? We’ve had a Tory MP say on national television, that we won’t see any benefit from Brexit for 50 years. Another Cabinet Secretary stating, that we could be headed for an “accidental” no deal. But it would be all the EU’s fault. Now last time I checked it wasn’t officials in the EU which had imposed an EU referendum on the UK (with virtually no real information as to what leaving the EU would even mean). How is it possible a government which is meant to be working for the people, is leading us towards such a draconian existence, that will make the Middle Ages look like the glory years?

Terrorists attempt to intimidate a population through mass murder. We have seen horrific examples of this just in the last 20 years. They try to cause the maximum damage and upset to a country or ideology which they view as the enemy. The end result is tragically many deaths and severe devastation. The public watches in horror and wonders how anyone could do this to innocent people. We never imagine our own government would try to cause such intentional harm and destruction to its own citizens. That would never happen.

But what is the realistic outcome of a nation of 65 million people not having enough food, or water or medicines? It’s death. There is no other ending to that scenario. Why on earth would any rational government even begin to contemplate this kind of scenario for its people is beyond the realm of rational thought. Except this has now been our political discourse over the last few weeks. We live in a country where are own elected officials are now steering us on a course of utter devastation and potentially massive fatalities.

If a terrorist organisation wanted to bring a country to a complete standstill and cause maximum pain, they could hardly devise a plan as destructive as the UK leaving the EU without any deal.

So, I ask you. Is the Westminster government a terrorist organisation?

My Scotland

I am wide awake and thinking about the most extraordinary time in Scotland’s recent history. The 2014 Independence Referendum. This isn’t a blog about any one leader or faction. This is just about my personal experience. (I realise I probably should have written this a few days ago on the anniversary, but oh well).

In 2012, I became committed to the independence movement in Scotland. It was going to happen this time. Yes, we the supporters were only at about 25-28% support for independence at the time, but still I was so devoted to the cause. The idea. The direction.

I started out attending obscure meetings of passionate indy supporters. I sat in on discussions of only about 7 or 8 people. But with those who had a long history of supporting a better future for Scotland. I met the most amazing people. Sometimes, after the meetings we would go and sit at a nearby pub and talk about nothing but Scotland, it’s past, present and future. It was extraordinary. I had never in my life met such driven and passionate individuals from all walks of life. I met doctors, students, tour guides, teachers. All with one common goal. To see Scotland become an independent country.

In 2012, I put myself forward to be a steward for the first independence march. It was in Edinburgh. It started at the Meadows and proceeded to the bandstand in Princes Street Gardens. There weren’t huge numbers of us back then. I think at that march we were about 15,000. Which was small compared to what we would become. I recall that march with much fondness. We stewards had these “walkie talkies” to communicate. Cloaked in our florescent yellow vests, we felt proud of our jobs. We were helping to direct this most amazing march through Edinburgh.

At the end of the march, the crowd congregated to the stage. There were several speakers. There was live music. Many stayed to dance, long after the formal event was over.

In October 2012, I stood with my son (and husband) outside of St. Andrew’s House. The day the Edinburgh Agreement was signed between Alex Salmond, the Scottish First Minister, and David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister. Once again, there weren’t many of us there, but I will always remember the date, because it was my birthday, October 15. Once again I was a part of history (although I suspect it didn’t occur to me at the time).

In 2013, there was another independence march through Edinburgh. Of course I volunteered again to be a steward (perhaps I love those yellow vests too much). But this time the march was MUCH bigger. 30,000 or more. We had managed to attract that many more marchers to our cause in just a year. The march wound up to Calton Hill. Where there was a large stage and a big screen, for those in the back to see. The speakers that day were amazing. Too many to recall. I am sure there is much information out there to find out who spoke that magnificent day.

2014, the year we would become independent. Or so we so desperately believed. You would have too, had you been there. I need to make a personal confession here, 2014 was one of the worst years of my life. But in some ways, the independence referendum made life far more bearable for me, at such a painful personal time.

It wasn’t all fun though, being a part of such an extraordinary movement. In January 2014, the Better Together campaign felt the need to target me as some kind of deranged Cybernat. I was photographed (without my knowledge) and doorstepped by the Daily Mail. For those of you unfamiliar with the story, I am not going to bore you with the details. You can Google it. It’s not pretty (neither is the photo they took of me, I might add). It was a very difficult time for me personally, and the added stress of being some tabloid press victim was just not what I needed.

I suppose at that point I could have just quit the independence campaign and focused on myself and my son. But no, I felt more determined than ever to fight for Scottish independence. I canvassed for the first time with the most amazing people. In parts of Edinburgh, I had never known before. I attended every independence event I could. I fortunately had phenomenal neighbours, who watched my son, when I needed them to. I spent every weekend I could manage in 2014, either chapping doors or working at YES stalls. I had a purpose. I had a family here. I was part of something much greater than me.

17, September, 2014. The day before we would cast our vote to become an independent country, I was part of a mass congregation in the Meadows in Edinburgh. There were hundreds, perhaps even thousands of us there. There was media from every corner of the earth. It felt almost surreal. Except, I know it was real because I have the photos to prove it. I went to bed that night, elated for the first time in many months. I just felt that the people of Scotland were going to do it. Vote for their independence. Vote for the ability to make all their own decisions, right here in Edinburgh. Not 500 miles away in the foreign capital, London.

18, September, 2014. I didn’t work at a polling station (I couldn’t for parental obligation reasons), but I woke up early. Got my son and myself breakfast and we headed out to vote for Scotland (he was too young at the time to vote, but he assures me he would have voted yes). I recall it was a lovely September day. Although perhaps that is just how I want to think of it. I walked into that polling station and have never in my life, been so sure of a vote. Son, I voted YES. (only some of you may get this reference).

We all know how this ends. Sadly, it doesn’t have a happy Hollywood (or Holyrood) ending. I know went to bed that night in my National Collective t-shirt. I was sobbing. I knew we had lost. But it felt like so much bigger than anything I had ever personally experienced. It felt like I was grieving for my country, Scotland.

I really do need to thank all of the people I met, amid that astounding journey. Not just during those most incredible few years, but since. You people are the reason I still see hope for a better Scotland. On days such as these, I need to remind myself that this country, which I have chosen to call my home, has some of the most amazing people on the planet.

This is MY SCOTLAND.

Hope

It is just after 2am. I can’t sleep, but I have been thinking A LOT about hope, and what it means.

Hope is the vaccine we are being given. Hoping that an invisible virus will go away.

I have been watching loads of really strange apocalyptic type films/tv programmes lately. Stuff I would never have entertained viewing even a year ago. But it has made me think, what is hope? We need hope to go on in life. It can be playing the lottery in hope for a better financial future. But then what does that mean? We find hope in an operation or procedure which will extend our life. Hope that losing those extra pounds will make us healthier and more attractive. We want or need to have hope in our politicians, that they will help secure a better future for us. One more optimistic than our current plight. Hope is vital.

What happens if we lose hope? This is just my observation. I have had so much time over the last year to think. Perhaps I think too much. Perhaps I am someone who wants the whole world to be better than it is. But I have to have hope that the next day will be better. That the future does offer hope for my autistic son. I think we as humans forget that when we lose hope, we lose a bit of who we are as a person.

I don’t know if I will make this public, as I am sure many will think I must be bonkers. Perhaps I am, a bit.

But I ask you, what is life without hope?

Is he guilty, or don’t you like him??

I have refrained from writing about this whole debacle. For many reasons. One, I don’t believe it was ever my place. Two, my knowledge of the entire situation was always fairly limited. But then I decided I wouldn’t actually write about the case per se, we have all heard enough about it from all sides. Instead I would write about what it means to defame individuals, when you no longer can adequately argue with facts.

It is human nature to do this. And I personally have been at the receiving end of these kinds of attacks. Remember that piece in the Daily Mail about vile cybernats. They came to my house, photographed me (and my son who was walking with me at the time) without permission and then wrote a really awful attack on me personally. I still remember that day back in January 2014. I was at a pretty low point anyway, as my husband had just left us 10 days earlier. But seeing that horrific photograph of me, and reading those ugly words about me. Well I felt sick, and I briefly wondered if I would ever leave my flat again.

There are other examples as well where I have been personally attacked. Again not my ideas or my positions, but me personally. I don’t need to rehash them as I have written about it in the past. Anyone that interested could probably dissect my blog and see what I am referring to.

But it makes me question why people do this? People are flawed. All of us. No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. But there are mistakes and then there is breaking the law. I dare say, when you are accusing someone of breaking the law, you better have ALL the proof in order. And then when it is proven without a shadow of a doubt to have not been true, perhaps that should be the end of it. I dare say apologies are in order. However I do find when someone doesn’t like you personally, they rarely if ever apologise, even if they nearly ruin your life.

But then we have those who can’t stop attacking the individual. Because they don’t like him. He is bad. They have no idea why they think he is bad, but since he is so reprehensible in their eyes he must be evil. If the courts won’t punish this bad person, then we will assassinate his character until everyone agrees he the most horrible person to have ever been born.

You see that is just wrong. I don’t care who you are or what your political views are, you don’t keep publicly attacking an individual personally just because you don’t like them. And then if that person decides to actually fight back, you shouldn’t be surprised. Ask yourselves this, if you had been accused of such vile acts that you would have been sent to prison for them, even though they were proven to not have been true, how would you feel when it was all over? Especially when no one seems to dispute the fact that you were found innocent. But see that doesn’t matter because to some people you are just a bad person. Facts be damned, they despise you, end of story.

I don’t pretend to know where this will all end. Like I said I am not as privy to as much of the information, as many of the others who write about it. But I do know what I have been reading and watching with my own eyes. And it stinks. And it makes me sad. And it is grossly malicious.

So next time you want to attack an individual just due to the fact that you don’t like them, even though you can’t really rationally argue against anything they have been accused of. Ask yourselves this, how would I feel if I were in those shoes.? How would I feel to be publicly called names, by people who barely knew me? When you can put yourself on the other side, perhaps the personal assassination can stop.

Or do I hold out too much hope for people?

They are all Brexiteers now…

I am not Scottish. I am not British. Yes, I have lived here for a long time, but I will always be an American. Why does that matter? Because I believe it allows me to see things here in the UK through a much different lens.

Yesterday, the UK Parliament voted through the Brexit Deal with the EU. It was 4 1/2 years after the initial EU vote. I suppose for many it was a day of celebration. Free at last, Global Britain, we have our sovereignty back, etc. But make no mistake, that vote yesterday just made the UK a much smaller and more isolated place. It gave a green light to xenophobes and a middle finger to the EU. I for one am bereft at the loss of being an EU member. As an American I always found the EU to be something of pride. When I became a UK citizen, I also became an EU citizen. I loved that feeling, even if I was probably a bit too old to take advantage to all it had to offer.

However one of the most interesting aspects of the ongoing Brexit debate over the years, is how supposed Remain/No voters in Scotland gradually morphed into Brexiteers. It obviously didn’t happen overnight, but you could see, as the possibility of escaping Brexit became ever diminished, they realised they needed to pick a side, and they chose to become full fledged Brexiteers. I don’t pretend to understand how you one day decide that the EU is no longer that important to you. But it has been an eye opener, and it clearly demonstrates that no matter how much they protest, these people have always put the British state first. Now clearly they don’t all have Union Jacks on their various social media avatars, because they can’t be so overt in their nationalism. It needs to be much more subtle than that. In their minds they are great internationalists, mustn’t be too obvious to one’s own prejudices. I can’t be a British Nat, look my car is German and I only drink French wine. Of course I embrace the EU. But, but…

But they had to choose, and no doubt on many levels they probably resented having been put in that position. Wasn’t it so much easier when they could just scape goat pro-Scottish indy supporters as the small minded, world the size of a pea, nationalists. Ahh, but this is where it gets interesting if you have been avidly following Scottish politics for the last 8 years. You see the pro-British side went to great lengths, spending vast sums of money to convince the voters in Scotland that it was independence which was insular, and cut Scotland off from the rest of the world. As someone who was extremely active in the Yes campaign, I don’t begin to understand how they were so successful in convincing so many that self determination was somehow a bad thing, and would make Scotland a poorer, weaker place, but they were successful in the end. They won the independence referendum 55% to 45%.

Of course much has changed since September 2014. For one thing the UK (and sadly Scotland) will no longer be in the EU as of 11:00PM tonight. I don’t know about you, but it certainly makes for a dismal New Years Eve. I know 2020 has been an appalling year, but I have an uneasy feeling that 2021 is going to be much more challenging for those of us in the UK. We will have the double whammy of having to pull ourselves out of the rubble of this global pandemic, while having isolated ourselves from our closest allies in the EU. We have made our situation a million times harder than it need be. Our economy will continue to decline while we watch as our neighbours on the continent join together to rebuild a stronger and more robust European Union.

But despite all the evidence that Scotland will suffer horrendously from Brexit (one we didn’t vote for I might add), there is band of staunch British Nationalists who are willing to ignore all of that. In pursuit of the only thing that matters to them, staying tethered to the rUK. Ensuring a Westminster Government, that the voters in Scotland by and large didn’t vote for, has the ultimate power over our laws. I don’t pretend to understand why they are so enamoured with such a dire situation for Scotland. They have no aspirations for the country they profess to love so dearly. These individuals don’t even seem to care that much about the future of their children and grand children. Future generations no longer have the same opportunities to work and live in 27 other EU countries. The ability to study in the EU is nearly impossible now. It’s as if they look at their kids and think, oh well, you won’t be able to do the things I have done, but it is worth it stay in a union with a Government which wants to cut itself off from the world. This part I must admit baffles me the most. I genuinely can’t imagine looking at my son, and thinking his future wasn’t the most important thing in the world to me.

Perhaps this is what real nationalism does to a person. It blinds you to reality. It allows you to ignore what is even best for your own family. All for what exactly? Are these people so enamoured by their “Betters” in London that they can’t see clearly? Do they honestly believe that the people in Scotland aren’t more capable of choosing our own future path, than having it dictated by politicians whom we don’t even vote for? It’s a very weird analysis of human behaviour. It’s as if they can only see a world in such a narrow way, that anything else is completely unimaginable. I am sure from a psychological aspect I could write another whole blog on this phenomenon. But for now, all we can do is conclude that the staunch British Nationalists in Scotland haven’t gone away (although fortunately their numbers have diminished) they have now morphed into that strangest of creature in Scotland, the full fledged Brexiteer.

“Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself.” “He loved Big Brother.”

Post Lockdown Life

What if life does change fundamentally for all of us? Change can be scary, yes. But it is also full of numerous possibilities. Perhaps it’s time we did modify the way we live. I don’t believe the world will ever be the same after this pandemic, maybe it’s time we looked at that as an opportunity.

For me personally, I don’t believe lockdown life has been extraordinarily difficult. Yes, I miss cultural events and the odd visit to the cafe or restaurant. However as a full time parent/carer who studies online from home, being forced indoors didn’t feel like a massive burden. I’ve adapted quite well.

For my autistic son who is a full time college student, it’s been a bit more challenging. Although again, as he’s a bit of an introvert, he’s not all that bothered about being indoors. He likes his solitude. Despite losing his college routine, he’s adapted quite well.

But all around me, the feeling is quite different. I read comments from people online, desperate for lockdown to end and for life to resume as it was just a month ago. I sense panic and frustration at not being able to work, while some watch their bank accounts dwindling. I can’t fully relate to that now, because truth be told my life changed so drastically about 6 years ago when my ex left us. I had to navigate a whole new way of living which I was woefully unprepared for. But I have managed and have adapted quite well. Downsized flat living. Buying fewer clothing items. Accumulating less stuff, in general. Anyway you get the picture.

So I don’t dismiss the very real fear so many have about the significant economic shift which has taken hold of all levels of society. It’s scary, but what if these changes are seen in a different light? What if we don’t think about life going back to the way it was, because let’s face it, it won’t. Nor should it, in my opinion.

One very significant and probably the most positive impact of the global lockdown has been the quite extraordinary effect on the environment. We’ve seen major cities air standards improve exponentially. Bodies of water, previously polluted by human activity are once again clean with more water life living in them. Wildlife, once fearful of man’s ominous presence are roaming more freely and securely now. It’s as if in the wake of people being forced inside, our planet is breathing a collective sigh of relief. Do we really want to go back to slowly killing Mother Earth once again?

Also, our reliance on fossil fuels has changed. We don’t drive nearly as much. I imagine those of you with vehicles can probably not ever recall a time you’ve filled your gas tank so infrequently. Flying, what’s that? The skies across Europe and much of the world are virtually empty. Planes must be about the worst place to be, during a global pandemic. Not to mention where would you go? Most countries have shut their borders. So now oil prices have plummeted. In fact oil has gone into negative equity. I’m not sure that has ever happened before. But guess what, we’ve adapted. I know people love to travel, for work and leisure. But maybe we need to get used to appreciating life in our local environment more. Of course, in the UK we miss the sun and long to go elsewhere during the dark winter months. Maybe we need to change that thinking. Perhaps we should look at phasing out fossil fuel dependency. This will not only help the environment, but it also forces economies reliant on the oil and gas industry to re-think their economic future. It could even result in fewer wars. As even the US Government can’t invade and steal other countries sunshine and wind.

We’ve seen the extraordinary economic levers that many Governments around the world possess. Funny how we’ve been told how necessary austerity is for so long, only to discover actually most governments do have the power to help out all levels of society. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I understand UBI (Universal Basic Income) is now entering the lexicon in many countries, including the UK. A few months ago that would have been unimaginable. In many cities, the local councils are finding accommodation for the homeless. So basically homelessness is preventable and avoidable. We have the means to eradicate poverty, once you realise it was never lack of available resources that was the problem, but the lack of political will by the people who are meant to represent the public. It’s been a real eye opener.

Am I naive enough to believe that life will be a peaceful and much more egalitarian utopia, post lockdown? No. This pandemic has not fully eradicated human greed. I suspect there will always be those who feel they deserve vast wealth and believe homelessness is a price worth paying, in order for them to own 10 homes. But I do believe life has changed. People have been surprisingly resilient and adaptive. Many governments have become socialists virtually overnight. We have the means, and the intelligence to create a different way of living. Let’s hope on a significant global level, we have the capacity to continue to make these changes to our lives. We owe it not just to our fellow citizens, but to our planet. Perhaps lockdown life will make us all better people.

Now is not the time? Or is it?

I don’t have a newspaper column to assert my views every week. So I need to make due with my wee blog here.

Today’s topic is Scottish independence. Should we wait? Should we push through now? What are the options? And how does the reality of Brexit impact on Scotland’s future? So much to contemplate. Unfortunately, with 29/03/19 less than 2 months away, so little time.

I will come clean from the start, I’m not notoriously a patient person. It’s not always a fantastic trait, but overall it has served me well in life. I’m a risk taker. It’s why I have lived in 8 different countries over 4 different continents in my life. I take chances. Does it always work out? No. But I am the person I am today because of all those life experiences. Personally I am proud of my life and accomplishments. Anyway that’s me. It’s not the route for everyone, I fully understand that fact.

Which means I come to the Scottish independence debate from the perspective of now is the time. I don’t see a reason to wait. What exactly are we waiting for anyway? The stars to align to show a clear path? I have heard that we need to wait until we have 60% support. Why? For one thing that may never happen. For another, since when do you wait until you have a super majority until you set a date for a vote? If we had that attitude in 2012, the 2014 independence referendum would never have happened. I genuinely find that logic absurd. Almost no campaign would ever get off the ground with that kind of prerequisite.

Then we have Brexit looming over us. In my opinion this changes every position for Scottish independence. I don’t believe you can put off an independence vote for too long, when you have the reality of food and medicine shortages being foisted upon us. Not to mention the great uncertainty that over 200,000 EU citizens have. These people call Scotland home. But as immigration is a reserved matter for Westminster, their ability to live and work here is now in serious jeopardy. Many of them will leave. And let’s face it, once they relocate and settle somewhere else, chances are they won’t return. So what are the pragmatic solutions to these issues? Well, I see Scottish independence as the only answer. Will it be easy? No, I don’t believe it will be. But nothing worthwhile in life, is ever easy. However, I do think it’s the necessary remedy to a Brexit imposed on us by our much bigger neighbours. Scotland didn’t vote for Brexit. In fact, the last poll for Remain in Scotland had support for the EU at 70%. We’re a very pro-European country, and we most definitely want to stay a part of the EU.

However as long as we remain a part of the UK, we will leave the EU. It probably would not matter if 90% of us in Scotland were pro-EU, because England most certainly wants to leave the EU. They have 90% of the UK population, so they will decide the outcome for all of us. That’s the reality of life in this “United” Kingdom.

Now there is only one way to remedy this obvious disparity in our future travel, and that is with our becoming a completely independent nation. We then can decide if we want to be a member of the EU or not. The people of Scotland can decide. Not the people of Leicestershire or Lincolnshire, but the people of East Lothian and Strathclyde.

I realise there is no simple route to independence. Personally I don’t envy the leadership of the SNP having to best navigate that course of action. But I do feel very strongly that if you wait too long, there won’t be another opportunity for a very long time. I have closely observed the actions of the UK government and opposition for a long time now. I believe they will both ensure that Scotland becomes ever more absorbed by Westminster. I do genuinely believe powers will be stripped from our own Scottish Parliament. They don’t strike me as the type of people who will want life to be better for Scots than for anyone in England. Let’s face it, the only way to ensure that fact is to make sure our own Scottish government has little power. I foresee a future where Scotland is forced to have £9000/year Uni fees, and high prescription charges. I also see our NHS will no longer be free at the point of need. This is what I believe our future holds for us.

So forgive me, if I don’t believe we have the luxury of waiting until the people of Morningside get fed up with waiting in long queues every time they travel to Europe. We need a clear path to independence now. Because without that, I am afraid Scotland’s future looks very bleak, indeed.

McCringe- Part Deux

My piece on the Scottish cringe (which I originally penned in April, but seemed to only generate discussion last month) certainly struck a chord. Regardless of how you identified with my blog, it certainly instigated debate. That’s always a positive, in my book.

So here’s my follow up piece. I was pondering how to structure this article. But after a week or so, I became inspired. Here we go.

I’ve concluded that British Nationalists or Unionists as they seem to prefer being labelled are never going to shake off the cringe. It’s not because they want to abandon Scotland, but because they don’t see Scotland as anything other than an appendage of the UK. To them, everything of significance and pride emanates from London and moves outward. Scotland is just a small part of that. Not a place of influence, just a bit of land too far north for most people in London to really bother with it. This suits Brit Nats just fine.

I spend significant time on social media. Probably too much time. But one thing all those hours on Twitter has taught me is that a certain segment of the Scottish population genuinely have no allegiance to Scotland. They don’t care if Brexit destroys our economy. They don’t care if we run out of food or medicine. I’m not even sure if many of them care what kind of impact this will have on their own families. It’s bizarre, but take a casual online stroll around the accounts of the most outspoken Brit Nats. Whether they be Unionist politicians and journalists, wanna be economic gurus, or just anonymous trolls. They all share a common view, and that is whatever happens to Scotland, no matter how detrimental, it’s okay as long as we move in the same direction as the rest of the UK. Did you know these folk have circulated a petition to have the Scottish Parliament abolished? Yep, Scotland is just getting too big for her britches, and that wee “prentendy” Parliament is getting above her station.

Which leads me to a very different conclusion than how I felt last April. I genuinely believed we could help staunch British Nationalists see that Scotland had a brighter future with independence, and that ALL our decisions could be made in Scotland by the people who live and work here. But I was wrong. The Scottish cringe is a part of the very psyche of these people. They don’t have any individual Scottish indentity. I don’t imagine when (or if) they travel abroad they ever try to tell others that Scotland voted 62% to Remain in the EU. And that it was our much larger neighbour in England who decided we would leave the EU. Why? Because to them Scotland has no separate identity. They’re British not Scottish. They don’t see a different attachment to Europe here. As long as more voters in Sunderland say Europe is bad, then it must be so.

So I’ve removed the optimism and hope I had for these people. I’m not even angry with them. I just feel a strong sense of pity for them. I don’t for a moment understand what makes a person so compelled to be so dismissive of their homeland. But now I fully understand, Scotland is only the bit of land they happen to live on. The UK is their first and foremost allegiance. Whatever the government of Westminster decides (a government almost always chosen by our much larger neighbour) is fine. Food and medicine shortages. Oh well. It’s part of a shared heritage for them.

I no longer have the energy or inclination to want to change this view. But come April when food is scarce, do you imagine they tell their kids that hunger is price worth paying to stay part of this “great” United Kingdom?  Here my dear child, try some HP sauce on that union jack, it makes it a big easier to ingest.

Why I march

I am an old pro to marches. My first march was when I was just a teenager, back at university. We were marching for equality of race and religion. It wasn’t for a specific vote, just a large group of like minded people supporting a cause we all fervently believed in. Yes, I have attended many marches in the USA, both in protesting events and supporting causes. Never once was I criticised or looked down on by people, who were allegedly on my team. Sure opponents would scoff at “the lefties” out in their thousands, but my ‘brothers in arms’ always encouraged me, even if they themselves didn’t participate.

So I am more than perplexed when large marches, which I have attended in Scotland are viewed with scorn. Not just by the usual suspects of union jack loving British nationalists, but by people who share my views and goals. Last Saturday’s march for independence through the streets of Glasgow, is one such example.

I attended this independence march alone. My son was meant to join me, but was ill. So a friend stayed with him in Edinburgh, as I was desperate to attend this event. I knew it was going to be special, and I was not disappointed. I took the 9:30am train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. I noticed many others on the train were obviously going to the same place. I imagined there were people from all over Scotland making their way to Scotland’s largest city. My excitement grew as the train progressed westward. Even the increasingly grey cloud coverage couldn’t dampen my mood.

I arrived at Queen Street station and made my way to Kelvingrove Park, where the march was to commence. I was there at about 10:45 (the march was to begin at 11:30am) but already I could see thousands of other marchers. I felt a zing of exhilaration. I had my YES flag in my bag, but have never successfully figured out how to put it on a pole to wave it. But I need not worry because there were men everywhere, selling flags (on poles), scarves, banners and whistles. I admit, I am a sucker for these types of items. I purchased a saltire flag, one independence whistle, and a scarf emblazoned with IndyRef2 across it. Did I look a bit over the top? Perhaps, but I loved it. Besides I was amongst like minded folk from all over Scotland. I was in my element.

I fell in line with the marchers. Somehow I managed to be towards the front of the march. It was kind of exciting as at past events, I had usually been towards the end. There’s something kind of special about seemingly leading a group of thousands. I stood amongst the throng of people and just observed the different groups of citizens I would be marching with. I was struck by the sheer diversity of the population in attendance. I’d been on a few independence marches in the past, but this one felt very different. There was an energy and buzz I had never experienced in previous marches. I was elated.

The march started at 11:30am, and we took our places and proceeded to weave our way through the west end, towards the city centre to our final destination of Glasgow Green. It was extraordinary. As we marched, people lined the streets to cheer us on. I looked up at the tenements we walked by, there were smiling faces waving at us and giving us the thumbs up sign. Every spectator seemed to have their camera phones out. I imagine it’s not often you witness a sea of tens of thousands of saltire flags moving through the streets of Glasgow. It must have been an amazing sight for those watching from above.

I was lucky to be marching just ahead of a group of drummers, who played the entire march. They must have been exhausted by the end, as three hours is a very long time to be beating a drum. Anyway they were a real adrenaline boost for those of us in their proximity. They made climbing some of those hills en route much more bearable.

The crowd who participated was extremely diverse. Young (I had previously never seen so many kids on a march before), old and every socio economic class in Scotland. I know there are those who dislike class distinctions, but for a large political movement to work you need people from every walk of life, that’s just a reality. Middle Scotland was largely missing from our support in 2014. For anyone serious about truly gaining independence this next time, their involvement is crucial to our winning.

It was just an utterly glorious day out. Despite being absolutely knackered by the time I reached Glasgow Green (my health hasn’t been great lately) I was also completely elated. After taking some photos of the throngs at the rally, I plonked myself down on the ground and finished my half eaten sandwich while I gulped a bottle of water. In retrospect I was glad it had been an overcast day. I half listened to the speakers. I was too far from the stage to really make out who was talking. But to me, the rally seemed pretty secondary to the actual march. We’d made a huge impact on Glasgow. Yes, we may have delayed some cars, and disrupted some folks shopping environment. But that’s the point of a large march, to be visual, to disrupt everyday life. To remind the public that we support this cause of Scottish independence, in greater numbers than ever before.

So to the naysayers (you know who you are), just remember these marches excite and invigorate those who participate. They’re not events to be mocked or scorned. They bring an energy and vitality to any political movement, that no amount of canvassing will ever replicate. We’re all on the same side here. Can’t we all just get along.

Power Grab

Admittedly I am not super knowledgeable about Welsh politics. I know Wales has a devolved parliament like Scotland, but my understanding is they don’t even have as many powers as the Scottish Parliament does. That seems strange, but then nothing about the makeup or operation of the British government as a whole surprises me any longer.

But today the Labour led Welsh government completely caved in to the Westminster Tory government power grab, regarding new powers post Brexit.  Why? Well, it’s odd, isn’t it? Only a few weeks ago, the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones was the most outspoken about the naked power grab being attempted by this Tory government. Then with little explanation, he announced his resignation as FM over the weekend.

Fast forward to today, Tuesday, and the Welsh government (without Jones as FM) agrees to hand over all these powers to Westminster for a “temporary” period of 5-7 years. Yeah, and if you believe Wales will ever see those powers again, I have a bridge (or 3) to sell you over the Forth.

Of course now the UK media, along with the Tories in Westminster and Holyrood want us to believe it’s the SNP led Scottish government which are being difficult. Because hey the devolved Welsh government caved in to the Westminster power grab, why won’t the Scottish government?

There are no coincidences in politics folks. This is a naked power grab by the Tories in Westminster to centralise as much power in London as possible. If you think those powers will ever be returned, all I can say is look at what this government has done to the Windrush generation. Would you buy a used car from the Tories?

I hope enough people in Scotland are paying attention to the fact, that we are witnessing the systemic dismantling of the devolved administrations. Anyone who strongly believes in devolution, (and I hope this isn’t just SNP supporters), should be extremely concerned.

We need to be vigilant, and fight in every way possible to ensure Holyrood stays a strong devolved parliament.

If history tells us anything, once a government has certain powers, they don’t give them up easily. This Westminster power grab is wrong and dangerous for the future of Scotland.