I READ with a degree of interest, if not surprise, the thrust of Joanna Cherry’s article on the need to not forget to maximise existing devolution opportunities while pursuing the independence goal (The latest indyref paper misses an important point on our democracy, July 22).
We must not distract from the FM’s second paper on the “democratic deficit” by changing the key focus in attempting to make the existing flawed devolution settlement – under attack by the right-wing Tories – work. All our energy must right now be channelled into and focused on achieving independence. The referendum in October 2023 is “our moment of truth”. We must harness all our energy and our Yes support for the coming year in ensuring we get our referendum.
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If we are forced to accept that a referendum is not possible then the momentum created in 2023 should provide the sound basis for the “plebiscite” 2024 General Election. I believe that this will be the final act for independence for Scotland in my lifetime. Even if the SNP and other Yes-supporting parties win a majority of the seats and as an added bonus the majority of votes, the “battle” to achieve independence will merely have started and finally the democratic will of the people of Scotland, I believe, will move from a broken Westminster still refusing to negotiate our independence to the world stage involving the United Nations, the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. The strategy is clear for the coming two years, so let’s keep our focus.
I do wish to make a plea to all our elected independence-supporting politicians – be they local councillors, MSPs or MPs as well as our ministers in government of whatever political party – please focus on the here and now. Obviously, you have a job to do to represent your constituents, but for now at this crucial time please relentlessly, on a daily basis, talk independence, the Scottish democratic deficit and the route map that will take Scotland out of this broken, bankrupt, England-dominated UK.
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Already the independence rank-and-file, the Yes supporters and the Yes activists are making their presence felt on our bridges, on our marches, in stalls on the high street, on biker and car cavalcades and all the social media platforms. An anti-independence press and television makes our task even greater with false news, lies and disinformation. It is imperative that our “big hitters” support the rank-and-file at every opportunity and increase the momentum over the coming year.
Of course, our politicians have so much to contribute to the academic and intellectual discussion on Scotland’s future and the way forward, and I agree with a lot of what is being said. Right now, however, we need every independence-supporting politician to come together in solidarity to up the ante and make all our voices roar for independence. At present I believe that our independence elite are way behind in supporting the rank-and-file in driving the agenda forward. There are occasional acts of obvious frustration by them but there needs to be a real step change going forward in ensuring our need for independence is HEARD!
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Never before has such chaos enveloped Westminster and its redundant democracy. Mired in sleaze and blatant opportunism, its right-wing politicians are closing down democracy and the voices of care, reason and tolerance. Never before has the opportunity to free ourselves from this broken Westminster shambles of a democracy been more self-evident. Make sure our message on independence is strong, clear and simple so we can win over those yet to be convinced.
Dan Wood
Kirriemuir
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