ROBERT Fraser claims, in Tuesday’s Website Comments, that even with 100% pro-indy parties in parliament we wouldn’t get the power to hold an “official” referendum, and that we need to pass a new Claim of Right Act.
I would disagree with him on both counts. Firstly, we accept that the citizens of Scotland are sovereign, not the government in Holyrood, and even less that in Westminster. If we are to be truly independent then we must change our attitude and start thinking like an independent nation and not some second-rate shire of England or the lap dogs of the Unionists in Westminster.
READ MORE: Alister Jack backs Boris Johnson's immigration overhaul
If we allow ourselves to play the Unionist game, we will never achieve independence. We’ve been programmed for 315 years to be subservient to the English. We aren’t a bunch of schoolchildren in the primary that need to ask permission to do anything and everything.
There comes a time when you need to assert your own authority and independence, and if we are to be truly a nation then now is the time to start doing that and stand up to the English and Westminster. When people stand up to bullies – those bigger than them, those stronger than them – they win respect, and those trying to dictate to them step aside. Now is the time to start asserting our independence.
READ MORE: Patrick Harvie: How the Scottish Tories have been trapped by Boris Johnson
The longer we hold off, the more unlikely we are to be granted a Section 30 order. If we wait until next year, we have the Holyrood elections, so that rules anything out until after May, then it will be far too late to do anything until 2022. And how hard is Brexit going to be? So when are we going to get it granted? So effectively that means we need to go for it this year, and some time in the late summer or early autumn.
If we are to have a referendum this year, we need to start planning for it. We have already been through it all in 2014, so we know what we have to do and the mistakes that we made then. Let’s not make the same mistakes this time! We need to start fundraising, we need to get all the literature printed, we need to liaise with every group for independence, we need to let people know that there are Tories who want Scotland to be independent and we need to let people know that there are Liberals and Labour members who also want an independent Scotland.
We also need to get facts checked, and we need to get everything to every door in the country. When it becomes a real people’s movement then it becomes unstoppable. If the Unionists don’t want to join in then, good, they don’t have to but they will then see people going to the Yes side. They will only be able to do that for so long, then they will have to fight their corner, but if they have lost 10% or 20% support, they will find it hard to regain that support.
When it is us, the people, making the moves to regain our nationhood and independence, what can Boris Johnson do? Or should that be Dominic Cummings? They can’t take the Scottish Government to court if it isn’t the government that is pushing for independence, and they can’t take every Scottish citizen to court either. If they can’t stop the campaign, then they are faced with the fact that they have to grant the authority for a referendum, and if they don’t they are giving tacit agreement to the independence movement.
Alexander Potts
Kilmarnock
WHY does George Kerevan continue to snipe at the SNP (AUOB assembly provided real food for thought on the way ahead for Yes, February 17)? It generates division and sows confusion and mistrust in our movement towards our vanguard, which is the SNP, both in and out of government, in particular its leadership.
References to “frit leadership”, the grassroots movement having “single-handedly saved the independence cause from despair and oblivion”, and “grandstanding or obvious pitches for besuited young fogeys looking for a career advancement” at SNP conferences being contrasted with the positivity of the All Under One Banner assembly. Comments like “the SNP’s growing moderation” and criticism of the First Minister for not confronting Westminster. All of which I consider unhelpful.
READ MORE: George Kerevan: AUOB provide real food for thought on the way ahead for Yes
Let us be clear, the SNP government is not just there to represent SNP members or those who voted for it, but to develop and implement policies that are in the best interests of all our people and to resist and defeat that which is detrimental to our nation. Success in doing so will be a factor in convincing the undecided about self-determination.
The grass roots, both SNP members and the other diverse and organised elements of our movement are undoubtedly essential, not just because of their activism and influence generally, but because of the ideas they bring to our cause.
That is why we should welcome the AUOB conference with its grassroots evaluation and organisational skills, but it would be a mistake to present it as some sort of alternative to the SNP, its leaders and government, when in reality both are complimentary and compatible.
I would say to George, he has a left-wing position (as I’ve had all my life) but it must be remembered that there are others within our struggle who have a different political viewpoint, which is something we have to appreciate and respect.
Bobby Brennan
Glasgow
IS Priti Patel a robot (If robots can do politics, why not every other job?, February 21) The answer is no for several reasons. Isaac Asimov’s three laws of robotics clearly state that: “A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the first law. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the first or second laws.” Clearly the damage done to humanity by Ms Patel contravenes all three laws, so I rest my case.
Mike Herd
Highland
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here