THE SNP needs the indy movement and the indy movement needs the SNP to get us our independence. How do we get this coalition to succeed? After all, the SNP were formed to do this first and foremost, a vote for the SNP was a vote for independence. How many times have we all acted on this principle and won election after election for the SNP, giving them mandate after mandate?
Up to the 2014 referendum there was a completely different SNP/indy movement relationship, packed-out halls, with the SNP and movement together, members and leaders at packed-out conferences, voting for motions together and leaders adopting them. Everything the way it should be. The only way was up for the SNP and indy movement.
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Surely starting from 46% at the next chance we get to vote will get us over the line, and the independence that we are all craving for will become reality.
Fast forward to today and we are no further forward? Why?
I’m of the opinion it’s not the indy movement that’s different, but the SNP that have changed, and not for the better. They have gone from a people’s party to the exact opposite by creating a SNP HQ in order to govern. At the same time, because of that, they have had to take their eye off independence, and left the whole indy movement with no vision. After all, the reason for the SNP's existence is to get us independence.
The SNP cannot just carry on like this indefinitely – something has to be done to actually counter all the legal challenges, and the Westminster government will never allow another referendum. There have been many suggestions from the Yes movement, and various constitutional experts have given different routes to be considered.
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The SNP NEC have a huge problem to sort out and it’s of their own making – being a top-down organisation, not allowing any outside help, and excluding the very people that they do actually need.
A new leader? Can you do both governing and achieving independence? Good at talking but not doing anything is not an option any more.
And, most of all, how do you get the indy movement back on board? You need them more than they need you!
Michael Maclennan
Brora
THE levels of poverty and downright neglect in our towns and cities is absolutely off the scale. Are people really so timid, downtrodden and brainwashed that they don’t realise it really doesn’t have to be like this? Can the Scots fighting tooth and nail to maintain this appalling status quo not see that being run by the rulers of another country means that the state of Scotland and its people’s welfare will simply never be seen as a priority as they simply exploit and help themselves to our vast resources day in, day out? It’s time all Scots woke up and realised we are being absolutely shafted.
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As for replacing Nicola Sturgeon: I said instantly that Kate Forbes has way too much intellect and integrity, is more than capable of standing her ground against all comers and would easily make the other party leaders look like exactly what they are, absolutely useless, so the media up here will instantly try completely ruin her reputation, as the last thing London needs is another capable leader up here as they try to hold on to our vast resources.
Do Scots fighting tooth and nail have memory loss, and have they simply forgotten the absolutely abhorrent lies and false promises of 2014 already, or are these not worth at least thinking about as they queue at the food bank as they can’t afford to feed their families after trying to feed the pre-payment meters to heat their homes? Should they perhaps ask the small question of why, whilst living in a hugely energy-rich land, we pay more for our energy – the energy taken away from us and then sold back at absolutely extortionate rates – whilst the energy prices have actually halved recently as we prepare for the next disgraceful rise in prices? People really, really need to wake up.
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Far from Scotland being “too wee, too poor, too stupid”, it’s in reality not too wee at all, as countries with a fraction of our resources do so much better than Scotland; too rich to be allowed to leave; but as for the “too stupid” part – alas, they currently have a point.
Why oh why can Westminster not just say “we wish you well in your new independent country, we will still be friends and good neighbours, and we would really appreciate it if we can come to a friendly arrangement regarding mates’ rates for some of your huge resources?”
It’s time for change, we owe it ourselves, and even more so to our children.
Iain K
Dunoon
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THE leadership contest is very depressing so far. I admire Kate Forbes’s honesty but there’s no way back for her. The SNP would lose members in droves if she won in my opinion. Humza is unlucky to have been given health and transport briefs in the past. Perceived as not particularly competent in my opinion. Ash Regan? Who knows? We desperately need new names in the race.
C Tait
Bridge of Weir
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