I am a huge supporter of independence and I don’t shy away from that. The idea that people with any sort of platform should refrain from talking about independence perpetuates the idea that it is a something that should be brushed under the carpet.
I was 17 at the time of the 2014 referendum and it was truly the first time I took any interest in politics. It opened my eyes to something that I had been closed off to for most of my life. I understand the weight of this election and what it means for independence and that’s why I want to explain to you, as simply and concisely as I can, why I support independence.
Almost seven years have passed since and my support for the movement has only grown. I could write screeds of why I support independence but it’s actually very simple. Scotland deserves the right to decide the path to its own future.
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The idea that anyone would vote to reject their own freedom from a decaying Union that couldn’t care less about the needs and wants of Scottish people time and time again has always been bizarre to me. People often bring up the “once in a generation” argument when talking about another referendum, as if that has any relevance. A lot of things have changed, a lot of people who weren’t able to vote before and now able to, that’s a whole new generation of Scottish young people who want a say in their future. When do they get to decide?
Young people’s voices are silenced by a government who couldn’t care less about Scottish people, only Scottish resources.
I’m not saying anything remotely groundbreaking here and there are many people who could tell you better than I, why they support independence. This isn’t about my affiliation with any party or politician, it’s about choosing my own future. I don’t mean to make sweeping statements, but it really is that simple for me. The Conservative Party’s latest campaign is built entirely on fighting another referendum. The obsessive nature of this campaign should tell you all you need to know.
Why are they so scared of independence? Because Tories do not stand a chance in Scotland. They never have and never will.
I find it heart-breaking seeing working-class people who grew up in the same scheme as me voting Conservative. I am not using this as an opportunity to punch down or slag off anyone for doing so, I just want anyone reading this who is unsure to really think about what your future means to you.
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I want people to know that independence isn’t about any particular Scottish party or their motivations. I’m asking you to look at the bigger picture. Ultimately, the UK Government would rather built a big f***-off boat instead of feeding starving children.
If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know, I don’t know what will. They don’t care about you and they are terrified that you’ll find out
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Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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