I have a friend, with whom I'm discussing the independence referendum, who supports many of the arguments for a 'yes' vote and yet is inclined to vote 'no'. His position is that independence isn't essential and that too much support for it is based on only a belief that it will be a better thing. This latter point is based on a fear of the SNP's aspiration for independence at any cost and it's elements who are little different from UKIP in their attitudes to the wider world.
My response to him is contained in what follows and I think it is important, with the possibility of a 'yes' win, that we start to discuss more widely how we will proceed, hence my going public with this blog.
I have to concede that independence isn't essential but it is an option which offers a real possibility of closing the yawning democratic deficit and geographical imbalance experienced in Scotland. We do have to face up to the extreme nationalist views of UKIP and some SNP, but we'll have to do that whatever the referendum outcome. In a broader sense these extreme views are a symptom of all that's bad about politics (centralism, media focus, corruption, combativeness, etc). What is really exciting for me is the possibility that we can change this too, through building a more community based politics (with the kick start of the re-politicisation of people through the indyref campaigns, esp young people) and and a more consensual politics. If Alex Salmond is serious about his Team Scotland approach, including diverse views in the post Yes negotiations and constitutional development, then we're off to a flying start here too. And perhaps we can have a constitution that is not only focused on separatism. This kind of progress is not going to happen across the UK in the foreseeable future - that is why I'm voting 'yes'.
With the benefit of voices like Lesley Riddoch's and Colin Kirkwood's having already set the agenda, with COSLA's Strengthening Local Democracy report on a more localised government structure already published, and with social media showing that many people support such views, then I think we can be optimistic about creating a new politics after the referendum. Just so long as we do not all go back home and allow the political parties to regroup as they were before.
Finally it would be good to know about other voices who are publishing thoughts on these matters and to share them widely.
Finally it would be good to know about other voices who are publishing thoughts on these matters and to share them widely.
