I JUST read that Jose Ramos-Horta, the President of Timor-Leste, is appearing at the Sydney Opera House in Australia “for an evening of reflection on the value and fragility of independence”. He has dedicated his life to fighting for Timorese freedom from oppression.
With the anniversary of the 2014 referendum upon us (when I walked the leather off my shoes and argued the case on street corners, doorsteps and at meetings), I began thinking about Scotland with those final three words. I know rationally and with my heart that Scotland would be a wealthier, happier country as an independent nation once again.
READ MORE: Poll finds most Scots want second independence vote within 10 years
I hope that, as the younger generations begin to replace retirees in the population, there will be a groundswell to make it impossible for their claim of sovereignty to be resisted. However, the phrase “freedom from oppression” rings a bell.
There has to be a driving reason, a powerful cause if the Scottish people are to regain their lost birthright. In Timor and elsewhere in the world, sovereignty shakes off the shackles of an occupying force – that is evident to all.
But in Scotland, especially with the national TV, radio and media all controlled by forces opposed to Scotland’s birthright (The National excluded, of course), where is that echoing clarion call?
READ MORE: Hundreds rally for Yes on 10th anniversary of indy referendum
What is the imperative that will shift a significant majority to shake of the stultifying suppression of a distant parliament that can never be bent to Scotland’s will? The quality of life lost with Westminster sucking out Scotland’s natural wealth should be obvious – the McCrone report alone is a damning indictment – and it seems we are about to see Scotland’s green energy sucked out in similar fashion. Running the risk of a nuclear warforce based near Scotland’s largest city should be apparent to anyone listening to the Russo-Chinese-North Korean-Iranian drumbeats. And so on.
It strikes me that independence will only arrive when the majority of the population becomes uncomfortable with their lot and genuinely feel that freedom is the cause and it’s worth fighting for.
Ramos-Horta can reflect on the fragility of independence and metaphorically lift his sword against oppressors on the steps of the Opera House. Scotland’s leaders must do likewise. Not just mew in shady corners but forcefully show what is being lost and what is to be won. Ditching GERS and replacing it with a forward-looking accounting of Scotland’s economy and its wealth would be a simple start. Independence will not come unless Scots develop a sense of grievance, a desire for freedom. That is the task of our champions of independence.
David Cairn
Finavon
NOT even 12 weeks in government, and what have Labour done for you?
Starving the children
Freezing the pensioners
"Forgetting" to log gifts and donations
Donor payments for access to No 10
Cosying up to right wing in Italy
Closing the one oil refinery in Scotland despite Scotland producing 97% of the oil while England has five refineries.
Labour MPs justifying the scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payment to pensioners.
BBC still protecting Sarwar – no hard questions – in fact no questions at all.
Have I forgotten anything – and do you remember Starmer and Sarwar’s reactions to the very same things while in opposition?
Labour lied in 2014, they lied in 2024 while at the same time stealing all the resources belonging to Scotland.
This is not just austerity, it is Liebour austerity.
Are you YES yet?
Winifred McCartney
Paisley
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