Why

On 18th September 2014, for a few hours, the people in Scotland were collectively in power. We decided 55% to 45% to reject that power and stay in the Union. How much power we would retain in the days or years following would be determined by others as they, not us, shape the power we’ll be given.

This blog was intended for the final days of what we were, to be a commentary on them. My tag line, ‘…the long road to social justice…’ was, perhaps too prophetic. Whatever we’d voted on the 18^th of September, the road would have been long and challenging. We’re here now. We’re still here. And there’s a road.

I’d like to think this blog, like the continuing YES movement is still a place for hope and enthusiasm. It's still a place for reminding ourselves there's no going back. For me YES is an idea, an opportunity and a living possibility. The groundswell of popular excitement was our greatest strength before the 18th. It is that now, afterwards.

The threat we faced in the run-up to the Referendum was having our own negativity awakened by the voices of NO. Their bleak, hopeless blank picture of tomorrow was a millstone around our necks. Our weakness was only the one they projected: a limp sense of incapacity. The too wee, too poor, too stupid nightmare. NO believed it because they seemed to want us to crawl back into it.

Well, we had the last-minute mystery box, our gift from Gordon. (Remember, ‘gift’ is German for ‘poison’). He presented us with free tickets to the Last-Chance Saloon and enough of us took the gamble. We’re in it now. After Gordon, Dave, Nick and Ed; after Nige and sundry hangers came Mother Theresa and Brexit, the game-chamnger. After Better Together, we’re all here, together but no better.

This blog is an archive of that phase of YES, the long road away from disempowerment and negativity. It might have led to independence for Scotland. After the No vote, it still might have led to a socially just UK. Whatever, it was about hope for people in a fair society, a fairer world, where politics and business have rediscovered honour.

Principles, inspiration and vision continue to live in each one of us. They don’t shrivel when others decide to take us along on a different path. They go on growing. So nurture them, speak out and face the future.

As for the tired and sleekit selfishness of the Westminster establishment, don't let them spread their fear. Don't let them send us back to their dark place.

The story continues at Aye - An Independent View - go there and read on!