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.