FREE ADVICE – COS FREE LUNCHES ARE TAXABLE.

Now and again lawyers get a bit carried away and blurt out free advice, sometimes in person, could be in the pub, on Twitter or even on the radio. How 20th century. Such advice has been known to extend beyond the parameters of recipes for cocktails and disputes as to slices or wedges. There’s been lawyers letters about stovies ingredients and challenges as to the date when stovies season commences. Don’t get me started on haggis husbandry.

You can even find benevolence in the production of a wish list available to all Independence supporting FMs and MSPs. I found one such recently so it’s replicated here. I call it the route to the restoration of competent government and the pathway to Scottish destiny. You maybe have a different title.

I start at the beginning – with unity – Scotland was promised a Constitutional Convention on 30 Jan 2020 – it’s long overdue and could be created today. The FM can appoint Joanna Cherry KC as Chair and authorise her to issue invitations to all political and civic leaders to assemble in Edinburgh this weekend. Whyever not? 

Next – poverty is the greatest driver of that which blights Scotland most – inequality. Address housing and the cost of energy; those efforts alone will be transformational. A national house building corporation and a national energy company. No more damp sub standard homes, no rough sleepers, a one stop shop for all seeking sustenance, welfare advice, health care and pastoral support. Universal Basic Income. The right to a safe warm home. No need to gaze ashore from our oil rigs to food banks baby banks and school clothing banks. No more reverse wind auctions and no Fifers gazing at immobile turbines in Methil. 

Universal free meals from nursery to primary and secondary school into college and Uni – Bairns, not Bombs. End of. Community gardens and kitchens with grandads teaching how to delve and plant and grannies making dough balls and scones. 

Scotland needs a Poverty Tsar with knowledge and experience – listen and learn from the Darren McGarveys and Leanne Tervits – break the cycle, bring hope and transform individual and community destinies.

And as we fear this year’s drugs, alcohol and suicide figures, may we heed the Annemarie Wards and James Dochertys who warn and advise with knowledge and integrity. 

When, not if, Scotland’s people stand as one and determine to write Scotland’s Story of hope, determination, courage and fairness, then we will become the nation we deserve to be. All hands on deck. Everyone counts, or nobody counts. IndyFirst.