It’s Closing Time

It’s a fair bet that a good 70% of the Scottish electorate are worn down by apathy and disinclined to vote at this year’s GE. With good reason.

We’ve watched our country rise, from 1999, when devolution restored to Scotland’s people some powers, and we saw good things happen. There were mistakes made, money returned, wrongly, to Westminster, but robust healthy debates in the Labour and Labour/LD years included those leading to the smoking ban. I was a smoker then and cursed Jack McConnell, but he was right. You won’t hear me say that too often, but his efforts in Malawi are superlative and an achievement of which he should be proud. 

Through the Salmond years, Scotland thrived and set on its way to becoming the equal society we strive in our best moments to be. Delivery of equal marriage and free access to tertiary education were high points. Free prescriptions save fortunes in red tape and universality remains laudable, economic and levelling.

The current political landscape of Scotland is not one to give any politician pride. All should be alarmed at division, loss, want and at times sheer incompetence. The blame for this lies within the party political system where loyalty is rewarded, not ability, experience, vision.

But it’s easy for someone like me, no longer aligned to a party, to point the finger. I’d rather suggest solutions. 

However daily now I see my views critical of the Scottish Government align with Unionists whose other values are not mine. That’s especially so in regard to the rights of women and the damnable Hate Crime Act. It is as plain as the nose on my face that the Greens have no place in government; they’ve cost fortunes in money and credibility and have to go, now. 

There’s no glory in being dragged out of office in ignominy and shame. Far better to retain a little pride and admit where there is fault and blame. This applies to all those who voted for the Hate Crime Act and GRRB. 

For the sake of those in our country who are hungry, cold, addicted, unwell, and those upon whom those privations have yet to be visited, the best damn thing Humza Yousaf can do is lift the phone to the leaders of other independence parties and movements, including civic and popular leaders, and talk tactics – tactics designed to create a democratic People’s Convention, a drive towards Scotland United and the determination to create overnight the positive, competent, optimistic country Scotland should be. 

Nothing less will do.

Clinging on by the fingertips in the face of deserved ridicule and collapsing polls serves no party well and damages our country and her people. A courageous leader would admit such now and face reality. History will record courage of that nature. It is sorely needed today.