WITHOUT THE BOX, JOCKS !

We’ve all done it – sworn when ill or following bereavement that we intend to live every moment, life being cruelly far too short no matter how long it’s been.

It’s happened with alarming frequency in the last few years – friends who have fallen include Clackmannanshire Councillor Walter McAdam, one of Scotland’s longest serving, an independence campaigner all his life; Allison McGoff of Coatbridge – she who fearlessly when recovering from cancer prior to IndyRef took to task Jim Murphy on his Irn Bru crate – the video is well worth the watch; Ingolf Sieben with roots in Culloden and Germany, fought elections for the SNP for 30 years and flew to Scotland from Germany often for that purpose – legendary lamppost posting and swift traversing of Alva’s main street hanging them high for the psychological advantage; Trish McColl-McPherson, gentle, courageous determined champion for Scotland, independence and women’s rights; and Big Iain Lawson – unique ex Tory with that gravelly voice, boundless energy, spirit and intellect forever reaching beyond the imaginations of most.

Those of whom I write and so many others we knew in real life and online, including those with whom we had spats and snarly, frustrating 

exchanges, shared our one common aim – to live to see our saltire unfurl and dance between Saudi Arabia and Senegal in the warm optimistic 

breeze of the freedom we cherish. 

Scotland’s independence movement has never lacked heart, soul or determination; those of us with decades old battle scars remember being the minority and the butt of jokes. Nobody is laughing now as we see Unionist tricks galore deployed to divide us. They know, in Westminster and Whitehall, that Scotland  is restless – cutting budgets, removing winter fuel payments, confirming the two child rape clause, bankrolling the Scotland Office to subsidise Scottish Councils, locating the sham GB Energy in Scotland while quietly permitting Grangemouth to slide off the political agenda as English refineries increase output and potential, ridiculing the lack of imagination of the CabSec who plans to raid the wind fund just as Westminster left us bereft of an oil fund – all of that, every jot and tittle, every scribble on a British crib sheet, each soundbite and performance – without doubt created to undermine, 

unsettle and demoralise.

Despite current disappointments in polls and with some leaders though, popular intent and belief in Scotland remain strong. Consider 

innumerable events around the tenth anniversary and midst nostalgia 

and regret you find stoicism and steely resolve that we will find a path towards unity in the face of the might of the British establishment.

What are we in Scotland but thrawn and natural underdogs ? This year however we will cast that image aside by seizing the opportunity presented by commemoration of the anniversary – and there elected politicians, past masters and grassroots all have vital roles.

Contrary to the dirge and debacle of last weekend, Scotland has talent, vision and ambition aplenty – and we need a leader to acknowledge and harness that now. John Swinney should consult a few capable advisors soon – Alex Neil, Annemarie Ward, Mike Dailly, Cameron McNeish, Maggie Mellon and Rhona Hotchkiss. You know why – housing, addictions, the law, tourism, the environment, children, gender ideology, single sex rights. Plans to overhaul where needed and reintroduce competent government in a flash. To paraphrase Jim Sillars on Big Iain, think without requiring the box. 

Then John should phone round and create a pow-wow with Angus Brendan McNeill, Tommy Sheridan, Alex Salmond, Kenny MacAskill, Colette Walker and Lesley Riddoch with a view to setting up the Constitutional Convention; it can be the subject of a crowdfund with an appeal for all interested to meet on the Royal Mile or in George Square and plan the route to freedom – arrange to strenuously debate the potential collapse of Holyrood and an early Scottish Election, Scotland United, a new national single minded genuine campaign designed to deliver Independence forthwith. 

This independence campaign hasn’t the luxury of dangling the prospect of a convention in 2026 – many reading this today will be dust by then, some frozen to death and others starved; we need to build on sure, strong foundations and that work, the construction of our new, bright and optimistic country is required today; it is already overdue by decades. Our wide open spaces, our hills and mountains, beaches and parks – they ought to be enjoyed by all Scots; nobody in our energy and resource rich country should be cold, hungry, homeless or languishing in pain awaiting hospital treatment; the description ‘working poor’  must become a shameful relic consigned to history and no political points awarded for prioritising classifications of poverty or its victims. Free education, a warm safe home, a living income and wellbeing assured – those are our country’s rightful aspirations and priorities. 

 Build it and they will come – the crossroads where we stand together signposts the way for those of us sure footed, patient and willing to support and carry each other from time to time. Then we can say to others, soon, welcome to Scotland, let me tell you about this independent country and the hopes, dreams and achievements of her, our people. Peace loving, educated, warm, fed and welcoming. Make it so and those valiant efforts of the giants who brought us to the threshold will reap a precious harvest for all.