better together

Comment: One Week On

| nadianess

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One of our readers, Wevrul, explores the anger that has mounted for independence supporters since last Thursday’s result

The referendum may seem like a distant memory to some, but speaking as one of “The 45”, the flame still burns brightly and has no signs of slowing down. The news of a 55/45 result for the No/Better Together campaign still devastates me 7 days on. I had dreamed of a better Scotland, a more prosperous Scotland and most importantly, a Scotland that took hold of its own reins and carved its own path.

Unfortunately that dream never came to light and since then I have been told “the result was no, stop being a sore loser” and “give up your idea of another referendum, it won’t happen”, which of course a lot of people from both sides of the political spectrum will know not to be true. It hurts me that I can’t participate in a little activism and be allowed to show a strength in my convictions. If the vote had gone the other way I would be happy to have the Better Together campaign and be “The 45”, and I only find it fair to ask for a little civility to allow us to show our passion.

As civil as I am trying to be here, there have been a few things that have made me laugh (read: almost cry). Johann Lamont, before she had most of her party suggesting she step down after losing Glasgow to a Yes vote, tried to lead Scottish Labour in a sort of medieval crusade on modern politics. I can’t wait to see her in her chainmail, knocking people’s doors and bludgeoning them with a mace until the family agree to vote for Scottish Labour.

On the 24th of September the BBC reported that a new level of technology would allow oil production to continue for 50 years longer than was expected, which is ironic as during the entire IndyRef, the fantastic institution that is the BBC continually reported that the oil was withering away and that we would be lucky to have oil in the next few decades. To this day, the BBC still deny that they were biased to either side. Strange..

Most importantly we are being faced with another illegal war, one of the main reasons this generation were voting for independence for. Not only have the Three Amigos gone back on their promises to Scotland less than 10 hours after the result was in, but at least two of these fantastic representatives of our glorious Kingdom have agreed that military action should be taken against ISIS. Regardless of your personal opinions on this controversial debate, can’t we all agree that a political solution should be attempted before our politicians resort to another potential war? War and conflict never solve anything, Iraq being the prime example.

I’ve more than doubled my word count allowance and could continue but I want to finish on one last note. The term “brothers and sisters” may make you cringe, the idea of socialism may be laughable to you, but we are brothers and sisters. We need to stand together as “The 45” or whatever you want to call yourself. We need to join the SNP, Scottish Greens or Scottish Socialist Party and push for another referendum. We may have been bested in the first referendum, but this time we will start off with 45%, not 20%. We only need to grab the interest of 6% of the population the second time round for the dream to be clear. Keep talking to people, keep blogging, become an activist (peaceful, please) and most of all, never surrender your dream as a memory. It’s still possible, and not far away.

Why it’s difficult for independence supporters to “move on”

| nadianess

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If I had voted no last week, my Facebook status would currently be something like this:

“Well now that that’s over, it’s time to move on together. Scotland has spoken and this has been a real victory for democracy. I’m sick of people still going on about it, it’s been decided. It’s time for us to reconcile ourselves and build a better country.”

But I didn’t vote no. And I’m finding it difficult to ‘reconcile myself’ on the opportunity missed.

Trying to empathise with those who did support the union, I can understand why for them the mourning period should be cut short. Not just because they had the majority in the vote, although that is the most simplistic explanation. Those who voted no were giving a vote of confidence in the current political system – in so much that any desired change could be delivered under it.

So why is that difficult to accept? On Friday morning I had a vision of walking through Glasgow as Scotland was announced an independent country. I wanted to celebrate in George Square, with thousands like me who dreamed of building something life-changing. Something fresh and fair and ours. I wanted the world to look at Scotland and say we got it right. I wanted us to look at ourselves and say we got it right.

Of course I accept that democratically the country has decided. But how long is an appropriate amount of time to get over that dream shattering? How long should it take me to accept a government who I firstly didn’t vote for, and who secondly have already started backtracking on their promises?

I’m not ready to start posting pictures of my dinner, or live-updates of X Factor, or any of the other drivel that filled our newsfeeds before the spark was lit. I wanted change so badly, with every inch of my being, that I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to reconcile myself with the status-quo.