A Former Dundee Man

Do you notice how the whole Better Together campaign focuses almost entirely on the negatives?  Independent Scotland will:

• Not get to use the pound (you can use any currency you like)
• Not get to join the EU (I thought we were already in it)
• Not get to watch Dr. Who (I can watch it live on BBC in Holland and we don’t even pay a TV license)
• Not get to play a role in Syria (oh damn)
• Not get to keep their British pensions (if there will be any money still in the pots anyway)
• Not get to be on Security Council (therefore be a total loser country like say Germany and reduce our ability to wage illegal wars)
• Not get to have the protection of nuclear weapons (no idea what we will do when attacked by Godzilla in “Atlantic Rim”)

When someone only gives you negative reasons you usually should stop listening, but fear is a powerful if unhealthy motivator, and is widely used by almost all governments.

The real situation is that the political and business elite (in Scotland, UK and beyond) may lose some control and power.  In the post 9/11 world our lives have become governed by fear. This is how control is maintained in the face of growing disparity between rich and poor, both financially and legally as we see separate laws being applied to the haves and have-nots.  Why did almost no bankers face prosecution after 2008, yet a looter stealing a bottle of vodka is tried immediately?   And we already know that Rebekah Brooks will not really go to jail, or that Tony Blair will ever be shipped off to The Hague to stand trial.

A new country that would embrace real democracy and equality is perceived as a threat.  There is something different about Scotland, a palpable will to do what is morally right for all and not for a privileged few.  Unless a man has already deviated far from the moral path, one knows inherently right from wrong.  We understand the effects of pollution, the risks of nuclear power, the insane apocalyptic destruction of Trident, the hypocrisy of politicians and the religious right, the illegality of foreign wars, the shoring up of puppet dictators.   There is no salvation in the quest for more while others suffer.

All of us, rich and poor, have got one life.  One day this life will be over.  Do we live it in fear or do we finally stand up for what is right?  An independent Scotland is a chance to show the world that there is another way than staying on the current, morally bankrupt path.

David Hayman said it brilliantly: “Because what drives NO forward is the fear of those who stand to lose their privilege.  They fear their kingdom of greed faces its demise.  They fear real democracy.  They fear that in a land beyond Westminster we will rediscover hope.  That hope has a name.  It’s name is Yes.”

I find the whole prospect rather depressing that the people of Scotland may reject this incredible opportunity to become something special, a force for good in an increasingly Neo-Conservative world populated by identikit politicians.  Never-the-less I will try and muster the energy to do my little bit to help the cause.  Between now and the independence referendum I will attempt to write a series of short pieces outlining how the choice appears from outside Scotland and the UK.   If you are sitting on the fence or side with the Better Togethers I hope to convince you otherwise.  If you are going to vote Yes then I hope to provide some material you can use to convince others.  If you are living in other parts of the UK then please do not see my views or that of the Yes campaign as being an attack.  It is not.  I believe that an independent Scotland can be a strong partner and an example for people way beyond its borders, a chance to show that an alternative way of living is possible.

I left Scotland in 2000 and have lived in the Netherlands ever since.  The UK has much going for it and there are a great many things I miss but in comparison to the Netherlands the UK feels like a third world country.  The class division, poverty, crime, right-wing policies, police state control and poor infrastructure never cease to amaze.  Right now there is only one thing that will bring me back to Scotland and that is independence.

Scottish Independence?  Why not?  I could rewrite all the valid arguments and trash the blatant lies of the Better Together campaign – a campaign built on fear-mongering – but where would the value be in that?  If you don’t have the time or patience to make a detailed Pros vs Cons list or go through the SNP’s 700 page manifesto then ponder these two facts for starters:

1. According to the likes of David Cameron, Scotland takes 1000 pounds per head more out of the UK than they put in (this is bull, by the way).
2. The Conservatives have exactly 1 MP in Scotland.   This is up from previous elections.  That leaves 59 MPs in Scotland from other parties.  Without Scotland in the equation the Conservatives would not need a coalition with the Lib Dems.  And at the 2005 elections Labour would have had a majority of 1.

So David Cameron cares so much about Scotland that he is prepared to risk his political chances and fork out 5 billion pounds per year?  What a lovely man!  Or could it have much more to do with oil, gas, water, whisky, electricity, Trident, etc?

And really why should two lands with such differing political views be one?  Scotland consistently has believed in greater equality, accessible education and healthcare for all; has been anti-war, anti-nuclear.  Like a marriage that has run its course, a better future for the kids is usually when the parents go their own ways.