LIGHT FIRES IN THE DARKNESS FOR SCOTLAND - Guest Archive Blog by Skye activist Carole Inglis

Below is a fantastic blog that was written by well known Skye activist Carole Inglis in August 2008

Light fires in the darkness for Scotland

Posted: Tuesday, 26 August 2008

The Scottish Government cabinet convened in Skye this morning, followed by an audience with a range of representatives and other members of the local community.

Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, opened up the meeting with an overview of the potential benefits of independence in terms of broadcasting, renewables, tax, enterprise, public finance, innovation and creativity to name but a few.

The First Minister and his five cabinet secretaries answered questions from the 120 strong audience, and then invited further dialogue over lunch. This was no black tie dinner for the chosen few - this was democracy at its best - accessible, accountable and transparent.

No ministers being hussled off high stages and swept away in black limos when the going gets tough. Just a stand about buffet lunch with our elected leaders, asking what solutions we might have to previously insoluble questions. No promises (to be so easily broken), just genuine interest in people and a willingness to listen and learn.

Guess how I'll be voting in a referendum for independence. This isn't about 'tearing' ourselves out of the UK, this is truly about self determination, the will to stand on our own feet and the chance to make a difference.

Another quote that I like, this time from Charles Handy. "We cannot wait for great visions from great people, for they are in short supply at the end of history. It is up to us to light our own small fires in the darkness". Scotland can do it - make it happen!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/islandblogging/blogs/005701/archive/2008/08.shtml

MY COMMENTS

This was written nearly 14 years ago and six years before the 2014 referendum, yet it remains as relevant and true now as it was then and indeed as it was in the summer of 2014.

In the last referendum it was the energy of the grassroots activism, with leafleting, door knocking and public town hall meetings, that pushed us to within touching distance of winning independence.

This time round, (whatever the route may be), it will again be the energised activism of the grassroots that doesn’t just get us to within touching distance, but wins our Independence.

We must never forget that independence should always be a case that is led by the people for the people.

So lets continue our movement towards the final journey of re-gaining our rightful place as an independent nation.

Whether our final journey is via a referendum, a plebiscite, the claim of right, udi or another route, they all require us taking the people with us, so lets get back leafleting, door knocking and holding these public town hall meetings to persuade the people not only of the benefits that our independence will bring but also what the consequences of not being independent and remaining in this dis-functional union are.  

 

                        

                                            REFERENDUMS, PLEBISCITES AND YES ALLIANCES 

Well folks, on Tuesday we got the starting gun being fired, that we have all been waiting on. Now whether we all agree on the race track, is open to our own opinion, but one thing I think we should all agree on is that Tuesday has to be seen as the starting gun being fired.

I’ve been listening and reading many opinions since Tuesday’s statement, which in itself has been fantastic to see. Independence is again being discussed and debated, and for me this is the evidence that it has to be the beginning of the end, for the state and establishment rule over Scotland and her people.

Before I start delving into my personal opinions i’d again like to point out that these opinions I try to keep as much party politics out of them but where necessary I will make mention of all and any party policies/strategies when it refers to the wider issue of our Independence.

THE RACE TRACK / THE ROUTE TO INDEPENDENCE

On Tuesday First Minister Nicola Sturgeon laid out the Scottish Government’s route to Independence.

Firstly, we were told the date in the draft Independence bill was to be 19^th October 2023.

We were then told that she would continue to seek a section 30 but, as that was looking unlikely, the first step her government was taking would be to instruct the lord advocate to determine whether the Scottish government could hold a lawful referendum without the section 30 by beginning legal proceedings with the Supreme Court. This she announced had been agreed by the lord advocate and the papers had been sent to the supreme court that afternoon (Tuesday 28 June).

We were then told that should the Supreme Court decision come back and rule in favour of the UK government, and indeed against the wishes of the Scottish people as expressed in the 2021 Holyrood election, her party would stand on a single question of Independence in the next General Election.

My initial reaction to this statement while watching was concern over the Supreme Court route without the bill being passed first, but when the plebiscite option was mentioned I became a bit more optimistic maybe even excited.

After reflecting on the routes that were set out and from listening to statements from members of Holyrood and Westminster governments, law experts and certain journalists, I have come to the conclusion that as grass-root Yessers we should get behind this route of a Referendum in 2019 or a Plebiscite General election.

However my thoughts on the finer detail of how we do this may differ to that of the First Minister and this is why.

19 OCTOBER 2023 REFERENDUM

I’d like to start this part by saying, as an Indy Teuchter, this is a fantastic date for the proposed referendum. There is another National event of great importance taking place in Paisley between the 13^th and 21^st October 2023, some may know it as “The Whisky Olympics” others might know it as the Royal National Mod.

If this referendum takes place on the 19^th and the Yes vote is announced on the 20^th, there will be an almighty ceilidh in Paisley that night with Teuchters from all over Scotland, and indeed the world, which could very well last weeks if not months.

On a more serious note though, whether I am confident of a referendum taking place under the current strategy, I have to be honest and say I remain doubtful.

I believe one of three things will happen.

A) The Supreme Court will either not hear the case as they have already ruled on the Martin Keating case, on the basis of the question being hypothetical as no bill had been passed. Important to note the Scottish government and then Lord Advocate, James Wolfe, also argued against Martin’s case.

B) The case will be ruled against for reasons mentioned above, or they will simply rule it is not a matter for the devolved parliament.

C) The case will be delayed long enough for the UK government to ‘adjust’ the rule book to their advantage, which again I believe will lead to a ruling against the Scottish government.

However, I do believe the Yes movement need to get behind this date and mobilise again.

We need to show the watching world who will be following the Court proceedings with great interest, and that it is very much the will of the Scottish people to be an Independent nation.

We need to mobilise to show the Westminster government and make clear to the Holyrood government, that we the people demand this referendum. No ifs, no buts. This, combined with a competent course of action by our MP’s and MSP’s can be used to force the hand of Westminster to re-consider the issuing of a section 30. One example of action could be to state that from now until a section 30 is granted, every election will be stood on as a plebiscite election.

There are many ways that we, as a grassroots mobilisation, can also play our part and I am sure we will see different groups/ organisations setting out their own ideas. Something I do think groups and organisations need to consider, as I have mentioned before, is working together to build a much better organised and co-ordinated movement. Let’s not have two big events happening at the same or similar timing, which is difficult and will get progressively more difficult for activists to attend, given the cost of living.

The key is to co-ordinate and work together on events to encourage mass participation. Imagine if you will… an event taking place with AUOB/YES2 organising the march and Now Scotland/ BIS/ Hope Over Fear organising the Rally.

This should not be for our imaginations, this should be our reality.

We all march and protest for the same cause. All it would take is the organisers of these groups to get together, sit down and discuss an agenda of events.

And while remaining in an optimistic mood, this seems a good time to move onto the plebiscite option.

PLEBISCITE GENERAL ELECTION 2024 (or before)

As mentioned at beginning, when I first heard the First Minister announce her party would stand on the plebiscite option in the 2024 general election I was optimistic and excited. I assumed that this would be on the basis of seats won, as former prime minister M**gie Tha**her stated was all Scotland needed for independence. (Apologies to anyone who may be traumatised by the mention of her!).

Days after the announcement, we have been informed by the First Minister and her Deputy (after correction) that the plebiscite would be on a vote share. Thinking further on the subject, I believe this is probably the most democratic approach. However it will be a much, much more difficult approach. A single party approach on a vote share basis will be a gift to the establishment.

There are many reasons why I believe this would indeed be a gift, which I’m not going to go into fully, as this may turn this into more a party political issue and I want to keep with the wider and much more important conversation about independence. That being said, I believe If the election is fought with a Yes Alliance, then we have a whole different election and campaign.

YES ALLIANCE

A Yes Alliance can have many meanings, the definition given in the Oxford dictionary is

“a union or association formed for mutual benefit.”

Now I think we can all agree that independence is most certainly a mutual benefit to us all.

When a Yes Alliance is mentioned, most will likely straight away think - SNP, Alba and the Greens. And yes, we absolutely need these three parties in an Alliance. These three parties attract their own different supporters but, at the same time, there are Yes supporters that won’t vote for any or all of them, for whatever reason.

So what can a Yes Alliance mean in the 2024 General Election if we don't get the referendum? I think it can be one of two things.

If we are fighting the election on the number of seats won, it has to be an alliance of agreement to stand one candidate per seat. That, of course, would need to be discussed and negotiated by the aforementioned parties and we, as independence supporters, would have to put our differences aside and forget about? party politics for the election campaign.

But if we are fighting the election on a vote share, I can not see any reason why each party wouldn’t stand a candidate and take the maximum votes we can for independence. I would actually go further than this and say. we should encourage as many independence supporting candidates as possible to stand to take maximum votes achievable for independence.

I’ll explain this further by listing some groups I’d hope to see candidates come from.

Labour For Independence - I remember hearing that 40% of Labour members in Scotland supported a second referendum. If they are still labour MEMBERS it’s unlikely they would vote for SNP, Greens or Alba but they could vote for a Labour For Independence candidate.

Christians For Independence – again similar reasoning, as I suspect there will be many Christians who support independence but for certain reasons won’t vote for SNP, Greens or Alba but would vote for a Christians For Independence candidate.

English Scots For Independence - there are many people from England living in Scotland, if the English Scots for Independence were to stand candidates, they could appeal to many registered voters who might not otherwise vote.

These are only a few options of existing groups or organisations, there were others, for example, Crofting for Yes. There could also be Farmers/Fishermen for Independence candidates for those adversely affected by Brexit and wanting back into single market but not willing to vote SNP, Greens or Alba.

This could make a plebisite work and work well. It could appeal to all who want independence, and maybe more importantly given the franchise of Westminster elections, it could appeal to those who aren't on the electoral register but who are eligible to vote.

I would also hope this could set a standard for a future independent Scotland to not only have 3 or 4 parties that can be effective in elections but instead have 8,10, 12 where a more widespread opinions and representation could be made!

EXPECTED ARGUMENTS

I suspect many will not agree with this approach initially and I can imagine the reasons for not agreeing, as they are the reasons I have questioned myself about.

I am now convinced they aren’t issues we need worry about, having had most of the arguments with myself and the conclusion/answers I came up with are:

SPLITTING THE VOTE

If a Plebiscite is based on vote share, you can’t split the vote.

If 6 candidates stand on an independence mandate, and all get 10%, you win with a 60% vote share.

MANDATE/POLICY AGREEMENT

As long as every candidate standing in support for Independence were to have the same No.1 policy of independence, word for word, then what they do with the rest of their manifesto would be up to them. The No.1 policy could be as simple as – A VOTE FOR xxxxx IS A VOTE FOR SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

LOSING SEATS WITH FIRST PAST THE POST FRANCHISE

If it is stated that this is a plebiscite based on vote share then what do seats really matter?

How much importance would the Westminster seats have in us declaring and negotiating our independence?
Take the example of 2012, with 6 MPs the 2014 referendum was negotiated, now in 2022 with 45 MPs we can’t negotiate a referendum,
To me this states that any independence negotiations after a declaration by the people in a plebiscite election, will only succeed if negotiated by a Scottish government, assembly or convention that has the political will to do so.

If we won more than 50% it would be for the Scottish Government to serve our declaration of independence to the Westminster government and begin negotiations. Should Westminster refuse to enter negotiations I believe that is where our best two assets we haven’t yet spoken of come in.

So far we have discussed the Scottish Government’s stated route to independence, but for me they missed a key issue on the realistic prospect that Westminster refuses to recognise the election result.

We cannot fall into the trap of needing another mandate, and that worries me.

I believe any refusal to recognise an election result in our favour, would be the time to bring in Kenny MacAskill and Alba’s Independence Convention policy, where all elected representatives of Scotland and ( in this case all those who stood on the Independence mandate) are re-convened to a convention or assembly which would urgently discuss and debate how to make sure the vote is acted upon.

Which leads to the second of Scotland’s assets, of using The Claim Of Right. A campaign is currently being launched by Sara Salyers and the Salvo group, to discuss and inform us all on what the Claim Of Right really means, and how it can be used.

You can read more about Salvo and the work they are doing with the Claim Of Right here SALVO- CLAIM OF RIGHT

I believe Sara will also be discussing it at the SSRG Conference.

See here for details SSRG CONFERENCE AND EVENTS

Again these are only my personal opinions. I am sure there will be plenty others for and against, or indeed with completely different strategies, but importantly these strategies are linked by the commitment of the Scottish people in wanting to progress towards re-gaining our rightful place as an Independent nation and escaping the shackles of this treacherous, controlling union.

 

THE UNSEEN HOMELESSNESS ON SKYE

Below is an article I wrote for the fantastic MANNIEFEST 16 page pull out edition in The National, which focuses on what Independence can bring to those of us lucky enough to still reside in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

The piece I wrote was sadly a negative piece with regard to the housing crisis we are facing.

The housing crisis, of course, is an issue nationwide and it is important to realise this. However, I have always believed the crisis needs addressed differently area by area. We will resolve the housing crisis differently in Skye, compared to how we will address it in Glasgow, and we will do so differently in Thurso as to how we would in Aberdeen.

It is important to understand each area’s challenges and this is my piece on the many hurdles I have faced and continue to face on Skye. Below the article, I have made some additional comments, with videos and links to similar articles addressing the current crisis.

COMMENT

While I obviously wish it were not necessary to write such articles, I am thankful to The National and Lesley Riddoch for giving me the chance to write about this extremely important subject. It hopefully raises people’s awareness of how bad we have allowed this crisis to become.

We need more people not just talking about the housing crisis but taking action. Lesley made a comment that has really stuck with me, when chatting about the article that “most people don't see the Skye crisis as a housing or homeless crisis as they don't see people on the streets, but that’s due to most of us living with parents or on friends sofas etc.”

This rings so true, and while we may not be out on the streets, the situation here will force many from our islands. This has, and will continue to have a knock on effect to our island culture, our Gaelic language. It also means that businesses cannot fill job vacancies due to not enough residents left on the island, and no accommodation to bring staff in (this including healthcare jobs as we know only too well on Skye).

We need action now from our elected government and local authorities and, if they fail to do so, we need our island communities to stand up and demand the required action.

Land Reform is and has been needed for years, in reality decades and centuries, and it must happen if we are to see the change we desire.

Another action that can be taken, one that can be taken now, is a Short Term Lets control area. This is something important that the Living Rent union are pushing local authorities on, and I would ask anyone interested to have a look at their website and consider joining or supporting them.

LIVING RENT UNION CAMPAIGN

JOIN LIVING RENT HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS UNION

Below are some links and videos I feel are relevant to this piece.

Link to National Article

Click Here

Lesley Riddoch’s fantastic speech at Manniefest last weekend explaining the importance of Land Reform

Dolina MacLennan inspiring rendition of the final two closing versus of The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil

Màrtainn Mac A'Bhàillidh brilliant guest blog on the Clearences2.0 on Barrhead Boy

THE HIGHLAND CLEARANCES 2022

Màrtainn Mac A'Bhàillidh article in the National’s Manniefest special edition on the survival of the Gaelic Language

THE SURVIVAL OF THE GAELIC LANGUAGE 

 

THE PEOPLES INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT IS BACK

It has been great to see the last few weeks activities in the Independence movement.

It seems to me that we are starting to see the people being involved again after the last two years of us having our in person campaigning paused or limited.

This should excite all Independence supporters, as no matter what route you believe Independence is going to come from, the one common thing we can all agree is that it will be the people of Scotland that reclaim it.

ALL MOVEMENTS TO INDEPENDENCE POSITIVE

I will list below movements/groups that some might not fully agree are beneficial to the movement but I personally believe any movements/groups that have independence as there goal should always be afforded a hearing and we should keep an open mind to all.

That is not to say we can’t be questionable or critical, but we should do it in an open minded respectful manner and never shut the door fully on anyone who fights for our independence.

For example, If Scottish Labour were to come out tomorrow as “finally seeing the light” and realising there party can only be saved by supporting Independence, we would all be questionable of motive and critical of there previous but we wouldn’t shut the door on them.

And this is how I personally view any supporters of Independence., ask questions, be critical (if needed) but always stay open minded.

AUOB MARCHES

All Under One Banner held a march for Independence the week after the local elections which seen people of all parties and none come together. I never managed to make it down to the march but the feedback from those I spoke with was, while there were still not the numbers we seen pre 2020 there was certainly a higher number participating and a feeling that the momentum for people attending theses marches is coming back.

I certainly hope it does and would encourage anyone to attend future marches if they can.

Mass participation on the streets is a tactic everyone can play a part in to show the watching world the people of Scotland’s desire to be independent and when needed help us in gaining international recognition as an independent state.

SNP CONFERENCE 2022

I was delighted to see that the Snp conference will return to an in person conference.

While some might say why does the Snp conference bother me?

My answer to that would be, the Snp are the party of government and conferences are where part policies are decided so I am glad that the snp members will be back to having those all important in person meetings and debates that every party needs to be having.

I believe this will also be a month after the programme for government is set out in which the details of the 2023 referendum should be outlined and detailed

So I would hope that Snp members will attend in large numbers and create a carnival atmosphere that regenerates there activists, as well as other independence activists, into a winter and summer ahead that will be fully packed with campaigning activities leading up to that all important date in 2023.

WEE ALBA BOOK ROADSHOW

Again I was delighted to see the Wee Alba Book roadshow continuing after the election.

The first post election meeting held in Pollockshaws with a great guest list of Alex Salmond (Alba), Alex Niel (Snp), Robin McAlpine (Common Weal) and Kenny Mackaskil (Alba) taking part in some great discussions with a packed out hall.

These roadshows for me are just as important as conferences as they engage with the public on important topical issues of how an independent Scotland could look and are a reminder of how great our 100s of town hall and village hall meetings in 2014 were.

PROGRESS TO YES

I will be honest, I wasn't going to put this event in here as I have been disappointed at some of the comments posted by the organisers AIM (Aberdeen Independence Movement) where they have insinuated that an Independence supporting party was a “Dark Fridge” as well as “bigoted and exclusionary” which in my opinion is only adding fuel to the fire of the current “difference of opinions” within our movement.

Nonetheless this is a Independence supporting event and I believe it is a sell out, so the event itself deserves praise as the positive is there will be 300 odd people attending an in person event to discuss moves towards Independence.

SCOTTISH SOVEREIGN RESEARCH GROUP ROADSHOW

These roadshows this summer are looking great with public meetings across the country to talk of the SSRG’s 6 strategies for Independence including the Claim of Right option which seems to be gaining momentum and has recently launched its new website www.salvo.scot

It also has meetings about the future in an independent Scotland including (but not only) last nights currency meeting hosted by Dr Tim Rideout of The Scottish Currency Group who have done an incredible amount of work and research on our currency in an independent Scotland.

The SSRG also have an in person conference coming up at the end of July which again is an in person gathering discussing Independence.

MANNIEFEST

Last but certainly no means least is the exciting festival next weekend in the highlands.

Manniefest is an independence supporting gathering full of great musicians, fantastic speakers and an appearance from Saor Alba Pipe Band as well as the Yes Bikers.

This also has the added bonus of being on the jubilee weekend, so if you are looking to escape all the union jackery and sweet carolines get yourself along to Manniefest in Golspie for a gathering of like minded folk, celebrating all things Scottish Independence.

Tickets can be found at following link

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manniefest-golspie-tickets-312909509767

SUMMERY

As I mention in the opening, it is great to see all these in person events starting to take place again and there seems to be a rejuvenated momentum building towards our Independence.

We have been told there will be a referendum next year, no ifs, no buts, so I believe all these events are important to get ready for the campaign of our lives.

For those that don’t think a referendum will happen, it is just as important to build up the momentum and the movement, if there is no referendum in Septembers Scottish governments 2022/2023 plan of governance, then I believe a new strategy will be needed.

And for a new strategy to be successful there will need to be momentum and the movement must be ready.

So ALL independence supporters have a big challenge ahead in the next few months, but from the events above I think we are in a good starting position.

I should again note I know I likely haven’t listed all events that are or have happened but that should be seen as a positive as it means there's so many thing happening I just haven't been able to fit them in but they are just as important as those mentioned above.

COMMENT

I recently read a tweet that stated all those writing blogs should question whether it is a blog or an opinion piece,

I have a big amount of respect for all the bloggers that have been imperative in the Independence movement thus far, the time, effort and research they put in I am sure is more than a full time job and should be credited.

For me this is just an output to put my opinions onto paper so for that reason I have changed this to be an opinion piece rather than a blog.

Forget the Parties, Unite the Members

 

Welcome to my first ever blog.
I decided to do this after a long reflection of where I believe the independence movement to be, after taking into account last year’s Holyrood election as well as this year’s council elections.

I will set out from the start – yes, I am an Alba Party member and stood in the recent election. However, my reason to start this blog is to, if I can, play my small part in moving the independence cause beyond the party politics that is holding us back in many ways. Throughout these blogs I will not look to promote any party but only the independence cause and that alone.

However if that means promoting and questioning policies or opinions of either political parties, independence supporting groups or individuals, I will do so but in a respectful manner.

I will base the blogs on national issues as well as local issues to me in the Highlands & Islands.

So to begin with blog number one, I will focus on the current divide or as I prefer difference of opinions in the independence movement and why I believe the focus should be on uniting the members of these parties and not uniting the parties.

PRE-ELECTION

Before both elections there was a drumming up of a divide between the Alba Party and the Scottish National Party. This divide was jumped on and, to an extent, exaggerated by the establishment and the mainstream media, who must have thought all their Christmases had come at once.

If we are to move forward, both parties also have to be honest that there were members of both, who didn’t help in the divide. The establishment and media need no explaining, we all know their reasons, but in my opinion, the parties’ members and supporters have been misrepresented.

Firstly, the members that were vocal in negative campaigning against what they seen as a threatening party were a minority on both sides.

Secondly, most - not all granted - but most who were vocal negatively, were within their rights to voice their concerns, dissatisfaction and frustration.

For the SNP members – they saw a new party forming, which, they believed, risked dividing the cause, while the Alba Party members saw a party they believed had already divided the cause.

Both were entitled to their thoughts and beliefs, what unites us all here is a worry and concern for the cause of Scottish independence.

There was of course a small minority on both sides that had other reasons and that is of course also OK as we still live in a democracy (until the Tories remove that as well).

ELECTION RESULTS

That’s where I believe we were at both pre-elections, if we look at the election results themselves.

The SNP have done well, improving their votes in both elections, while the Alba Party haven’t quite made the political breakthrough we had hoped for, but I don’t believe it has been the hammering defeat some would want you to believe.

I can only talk of my personal experience, in the Holyrood election yes there was a lot of animosity towards Alba, we were new, we had just formed after the parliament enquiry which did divide opinion, and there was still a lot of anger and members again on both sides who maybe acted out of anger of not knowing what to make of the sudden divide between 2 of the leaders many had seen as the leading forces of our movement in the previous decade, and of course members on both sides believed they were right.

However, in the recent election I found there to be much less animosity and a lot more open minds to what the party were saying.

In the results the Alba Party were presented as having 0.7% - 8% of the vote. BUT first of all, that is first past the post votes, which I think even the most optimistic of the Alba Party members didn’t expect to challenge on. For me the important figures were the transfer of votes from the SNP candidates and indeed the Green Party candidates, where they also stood. I have only taken random samples, but I estimate the Alba Party featured on 20%-25% of the SNP and the Greens (next votes). And secondarily, as we know, council elections seem to always have lower turnouts, which always affects the independence supporting parties.

Therefore, for me the SNP members, the Alba Party members and the Scottish Green Party members can be optimistic about the results of this election.

I may have rambled on a bit there about the Alba Party results and that is not me trying to defend the results or make excuses, but to explain my position of being optimistic in going forward united.

Many, I am sure, may think that the SNP don't need to unite, they are doing great as it is, or that the Alba Party don't need to unite as their support is building.

The truth is, both are probably right in one context. However, what we need to remember is that they’re both right if independence could wait another 10 years for this divide to heal. But the reality I hope we can all agree on is that the UK living standards and decisions in Westminster are getting increasingly worse and independence is now a necessity.

Both parties have big assets to the independence movement and I don’t think it’s any secret that most of who moved from the SNP to the Alba Party were pro-active activists, and it can’t be denied the SNP have the public backing.

Remember pro-active activists got us from 30% to 45% in the summer of 2014 and the combination of pro-active activists and public backing won the SNP 56 out of 59 seats in the General Election in 2015.

GOING FORWARD

How do we use that to the movement’s advantage?

In my opinion, we need to stop focussing on the parties’ leaders, when we are discussing party involvement in the independence movement. Let’s start thinking of the party memberships, as illustrated at the start - there is more that unites us, than divides us.

We also need to separate the day to day politics from the movement.

And, all independence parties need to focus on positive campaigning for their own policies as well as the independence movement.

That is not to say we should all just “wheesht for indy” and not hold each other to account on policies and strategies, political parties should always hold each other to account that’s the reason of having different political parties. But there we can do it in a positive manner with attacking each other..

I think within the next year we will see one of two scenarios play out:
1. A referendum will be announced for 2023 and the movement will need to come together to campaign like our lives depend on it.

2. A referendum won’t be called, and we then need to re-analyse the movements strategy on winning independence, which there will be many options put out on the table, of that I am sure. We will hear the Plebiscite option, we will hear the Claim of Right option, we will hear the Super-Majority option and we will hear the Section 30 court case being pursued option.
It will then be down to the independence movement to decide how to go forward and, maybe more importantly, when we need to change tactics.

To finish off this first blog and, maybe something I will write on more in the future, I also think the independence groups need to unite.

I think I have heard all groups calling for the parties to unite, yet we still do not have a fully united movement going forward, and that is something we need. I suspect like most of us I am sure that whatever strategy or tactic is used we have a big fight ahead and it is down to these groups to help unite and organise us as we will need to be organised. But for them to unite us they too must be united.

I hope this has been an OK first attempt at a blog and kept respectful to all independence supporting parties and those of no party, of which, I acknowledge I have not mentioned all, but for the context of this first blog I hope you understand my reasoning.