Yearly Archives: 2024

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.  

NATIONAL RECORDS 

Governments need statistics; we have to know how many men and women live in Scotland (don’t get me started on definitions) and it’s a matter of planning to understand numbers needing education, health services and the like. 

The point of the numbers is to tailor policy to the country’s needs – repeat and remember that please.

So from the horse’s mouth as opposed to his arse here goes :-

15 times more die drugs deaths in poor areas than in wealthy areas

Suicides and alcohol related deaths are similarly higher in poverty than in affluence.

Same goes for homelessness, crime, care experience and all forms of vulnerabilities.

Colonisation is a clue; England and Wales have similar levels of poverty but dissimilar stats on addictions deaths and suicides. 

This isn’t about painting your face blue, digging the claymore out of the thatch or whether the current Scotland team surpasses Ally’s Tartan Army.

It’s not a matter of life or death; it’s far more serious. Scotland’s resources are sapped daily; our people were massacred, cleared, enslaved and ridiculed. We are referred to as North Britain and it seems the highest court in the land considers that we are not a nation with the right to seek the destiny chosen by a majority of us. 

There are wrongs we have to right as a nation; that will occur only when our independence movement is righteous and united. This involves honesty, integrity and a humble perspective. It also demands recognition that we are a capable, honest and powerful nation who helped to build the world. 

We will build an independent Scottish nation and take our place between Saudi Arabia and Senegal when we stand for what is right and we care for each of us. 

#AllOfUsTogether 

Today’s news on drugs tragedies confirmed what we know; current processes have failed,  budgetary and political constraints serve only to harm; Scotland needs and demands Scottish solutions and political, legislative and constitutional autonomy. Nothing less will do.

The value of nothing 

Today was GERS day; it included the familiar assessment from Westminster and by British politicians that Scotland is saved by the Union as without or outwith it we’d be skint ; soundbites and confrontations on this coincided with the Scottish Gov’t proclamation that they’ve no choice but to make winter fuel payments means tested. Wonder no more about reasons why the SNP were gubbed at the GE or what caused the public to lose faith to the extent that hundreds of thousands of voters stayed at home on 4 July.

We’ve governments in both places, and perhaps also decision makers in local authorities, who know the figures and the sums but have lost the ability to prioritise sensibly, in the public interest, or with an eye to the future.

Police Scotland complain about shortages – yet are able to send 120 to Northern Ireland to assist there.

The Scottish exam results confirm the widening of the attainment gap – the cost of poverty in stark terms – but hundreds of teaching jobs are to be cut, including in Glasgow, that SNP flagship.

There are valiant dedicated people struggling to see The Promise implemented as local authorities stretch budgets employing at great cost agency social workers who don’t get to know families and the Reporter’s Administration is bogged down with guidance on the rights of troubled children to self identify their gender.

Waiting times and lists in some hospitals continue to extend or languish while untold millions are paid to agencies supplying doctors and nurses; ops are delayed and cancelled through shortages of staff, especially anaesthetists, but medics are not privy to the stats and the detailed budgetary provisions which remain the secret domain of managers who wouldn’t know a catheter from a crutch.

Millions are paid annually to private landlords and hoteliers to house our homeless; there’s a national housing emergency with 50,000+ homeless on any day. Seems though that it is beyond the wit of our FM to lift the phone to Alex Neil and follow his advice on building the houses we desperately need. A triple whammy – building houses, addressing homelessness, providing jobs, boosting the economy – win, win, win, achievable with political will.

On Tuesday 20 August George Square in Glasgow will see a remembrance event within the recovery community – in advance of that the FM needs to add to his contacts list Annemarie Ward and speak with her about the legally enforceable right to recovery and Scotland’s increasingly desperate need for holistic care, the provision of rehabilitation support which comprises tangible long term help, not short term detox and jam tomorrow. There are fortunes in money and human capital to be saved and salvaged by listening to those who know the path to recovery.

And finally, were you elected FM tomorrow, wouldn’t one of your first acts be to create a Scottish energy company delivering free and low cost energy to our most needy ? That this does not already exist is Scotland’s shame. Visionary leaders would demand and require nothing less.

Not only has competent government been lacking in Scotland in recent years; in fact there’s been an abject lack of common sense; from talk of shaving the doors during the pandemic to rewriting the rules of biology, pretending that fictions overtake reality to the extent that women especially are endangered and our institutions ridiculed. Hunger, fear, rising prices and failing services are a poor and sorry combination in a land of plenty.

All of these troubles are able to be rescued and our country salvaged – with integrity and honesty. A true leader will surround himself with men and women of knowledge, experience and courage. Scotland needs such today perhaps more than ever.

It is well past time that Jocks stepped out of the British box and created solutions in, by and for Scotland. That includes a Constitutional Convention where the country’s interests are paramount, where participants are selfless, capable and driven by a determination to see our country prosper without delay. We may be in the gutter now but to paraphrase Oscar Wilde once more we must not only look at but aim for the stars. 

Scots built the world; we’ve the best of universities, talent and entrepreneurial skills – for now. Rather than go out with a whimper in 26, the FM can this day begin to build our new country – by reaching out to those with ability, acumen, presence and power – let’s get the job done. No more BS.

THE NUMBERS GAME

“Preserving the past, recording the present, informing the future” – the mission statement of the National Records of Scotland. Well worth keeping an eye on; data there records trends needed for planning and decision making. It’s not dull or dry at all; in fact I challenge you to read a few of the headlines without cursing aloud.

Here’s one we should all pay attention to – in March it was reported that the birth rate in Scotland for the last quarter of 2023 was about 8% lower than average. At the same time our population is ageing. However, in some parts of our country, those areas of deprivation, life expectancy is reducing. Most local authorities in Scotland have reported that in the last few years life expectancy has been falling. How can this be ?

Poverty? Ill health arising from poor starts in life ? Inequality – given that the educational attainment gap is more or less static? Shabby housing ? Rising prices ? Energy bills unduly high ? Self medicating on drink and drugs as those numbers reach sickening records ? The warm enfolding embrace of the broad shoulders of the Union ?

While those in government now talk of a reset of devolution, Scotland needs three things more than ever – 

Competent government

An independence campaign manned and driven by a spirited determined knowledgeable team

Public confidence in a leadership who prioritise Scotland’s interests and the advancement of all of our people.

Instead we have a Labour government with a Secretary of State for Scotland earmarking millions for space projects as tens of thousands of Scots hunger and soon will freeze again in winter; we’ve the insulting retention of the two child rape clause Labour railed against when the Tories introduced it – we need to grow our population not penalise those born into the larger families our country needs. Scotland can mitigate the two child cap meantime and we can look after our own when we reorder the skewed priorities of the last ten years. Weasel words about Grangemouth abound yet not one Labour politician has promised to keep the refinery open – it’s all been about securing a future and a just transition. Watch what they don’t say as much as you heed what is said. There’s the £700 million squandered on the Rwanda scheme and Yvette Cooper’s announcement targeting nail bars and car washes. Two cheeks etc.

As for the SNP – if those now penning miles of post mortems had the brains they were born with that Constitutional Convention would be sitting tonight; their 9 MPs would be shouting the odds and getting suspended from Westminster daily. What we wouldn’t have would be the treat of buffoons attributing blame to others for their own sins. A gravy train to make Casey Jones proud indeed. The realisation dawned only when it hit the buffers. 

Wake up Scotland – our number’s nearly up.

EVE OF DESTRUCTION

This was not an energising successful or optimistic campaign – the electorate are mainly and rightly scunnered. They watched parties spinning plates offering the most boring of promises – vote for me – I’m better than them. That’s been about it. That and the rewriting of history when some who can’t define a woman claim to have tirelessly defended women’s rights and others have clearly studied for a crash Higher in Biology since the weekend. 

Regardless of the outcome, the people lose. Last time around Labour gave us illegal wars, boom n bust, gold sales and pension raids. There was ATOS and the bedroom tax; they’ve confirmed the latter will remain as will the two child rape clause.

Worst of all perhaps is that SNP losses will lead to the usual headlines proclaiming the end of the dream; those of us in the vanguard of the movement will scoff, still standing as we will be, with stout hearts, steely determination and unquenchable belief in the people of Scotland. When the sma’ folk are empowered, Scotland will vote for independence. It could have been this time, had there been unity; bloody noses for some will ensure that united approach will follow. It will become more urgent than ever as Labour’s promises unravel as sure as night follows day.

Those of us who’ve seen more than one rodeo hold unshakeable beliefs in the spirit of the Scots – we will fight on, win, lose or draw tomorrow – what is important is to provide a cogent pathway to restoring our country’s independence, the choice of the majority – countless conversations, shouting matches and rants on the doorsteps and shopping centres of Scotland confirm this to be so.  Scotland needs leaders driven to extend the march of our nation towards that worthy goal and the day when we begin to realise the potential of our greatest resource, the people of Scotland. 

My abiding memories of this campaign will be the women in the High Street in Alloa one Saturday who were surprised to be asked their views, listened to and learning that their opinions mattered, and the two wee laddies on a scooter in Clackmannan tonight, one giving the other one a backie, singing to each other ‘Vote Eva.’ I think they were hoping for a scramble.

Thank you to everyone who donated, delivered a leaflet, posted a pic, shared a tweet. If you trust me with your vote, and I hope you have or will, I promise not to let you down. On that you have my word.

ELECTION ANTE MORTEM

Not only am I writing this before the count; I sit incredulous that in Edinburgh, Fife, East Lothian and Perth, at the very least, not all postal ballots have yet been delivered by the Royal Mail, though Scottish school holidays have begun, families departed on holiday so many parents and young teens, first time voters, won’t vote.

In addition, Sally Hughes, Independent for Independence candidate in Perth and Kinross-shire, has incontrovertible corroborated evidence proving that her election communication has been delivered by the Royal Mail, more than once, to thousands of homes outside her constituency and not to thousands of others within; to that extent her visibility is damaged. That will erase her vote and affect the outcome. Indubitably.

These two episodes however they have come around damage the integrity of the election. Their impact strongly suggests that results declared without remedial action will be unreliable and lack trust. Politicians lost trust as is without processes also becoming suspect. For a believer in democracy to turn a blind eye is an impossible ask.

But set aside a little the ‘technicalities’ vital though they are and consider the level of engagement voters have been able or encouraged to have with candidates – it has been unforgivably miniscule I suspect for deliberate reasons. 

Within Alloa and Grangemouth, a target because of the refinery, there’s been two hustings, one arranged by ‘Keep Grangemouth Working’ and the other by Alloa Community Council. They’d a combined audience of less than 300. I respect the organisers but worry about why so few were willing to attend let alone pose questions to the panel.

Politicking on doorsteps has been sparse; many have told me, a part timer as I’m self employed so need to keep a hand in making a living and fulfilling a professional duty, that I’m the only one they’ve encountered in the streets and on the doors. You only have to check social media against pics of paid staff and elected members to vouch that claims of huge numbers of supporters for individual parties are pure bunkum and spin except if your party, founded to create Home Rule for Scotland and abolish the House of Lords, boasts of bringing to Clackmannanshire on a day trip a Member of the House of Lords. 

Tell me how a fellow paid £320 per day or part of a day for turning up, excluding food, drink and travel, explains that to a bairn in the Mar Policies whose family ‘survives’ on Universal Credit, whose Mum depends on food banks, can’t afford her heating bills, is malnourished, ill clad and cuts her own hair, does without so her bairns are fed ? 

 There’s a major ongoing kidology and the electorate deserve and pay for far better.  Candidates are unwilling to be scrutinised because in the main they have nothing reliable or trustworthy to say, cannot defend the records of their own parties, let alone justify the promises made in manifestoes of spin and twirling fairy dust.

Overall electorally and democratically the losers are naturally the people, the public, the electorate, especially those with most to gain from political change – this is where the heart and spirit start to divide us in Scotland into those who will demand and agitate for change and those who might become dispirited and stop. Some have the natural or financial resources to endure; others just don’t. 

In the High Street and Mar and Mill Streets in Alloa, in La Porte Precint in Grangemouth, these last few weeks, I’ve met dozens of women and men keen to talk about how we can fix Scotland and they’ve all been right – we need to be led and governed with honesty, integrity and an overriding sense of public duty and accountability. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear, but that should apply to the politicians this time, not the people.

Overwhelmingly I’ve listened to voices of experience talk of the impact of the cost of living crisis, Brexit, fuel poverty, the educational attainment gap and lack of hope in a Scotland in bondage to a remote government out of touch and disinterested in the needs of the people.

I met women for whom I’d argued in court for interdicts, protective orders, divorces, men who had won residence and contact orders, tenants who’d retained their homes, children who kept good relationships with both parents; most of all I remembered the humanity of the village where I have spent most of my life and the value of friendship and care. And I regret the unnecessary losses through poverty and inequality that are all too familiar in the landscape of Scotland I know at times too well.

Most of all I have learned beyond any shadow of doubt that the vast majority of people in my wee part of Scotland desire Independence equality and fairness without delay; they expect need and deserve representatives who are honest and tell it how it is.

That honesty requires an explanation about the health and social inequalities in Scotland, the reasons why we are energy rich yet fuel stricken, asset rich but hungry, the inventors and the engineers, the builders and creators of the world but a quarter of our bairns are poor and thousands of our single working men and women go without.   #Scotland Free Not A Desert. 

I was born in Stirling and brought up in Alva, Clackmannanshire where I went to school. My home and office are there. Four decades of legal practice, regularly appearing in courts in Alloa, Stirling and Falkirk, in cases of crime, family and child law enabled me to recognise the vulnerabilities of local people and to know the challenges faced.

Those include generational poverty and deprivation, entrapment in a vicious circle some find it impossible to escape. Parts of Alloa have 51% of children living in poverty – shameful statistics in a land of energy bounty.

Inequality and hopelessness affect every demographic but most often overlooked are the single men and women including those in work described as the working poor.

Our area suffers more than most the impact of poor mental health, challenging circumstances, addictions and suicides. I know the bereaved and the broken. They are countless and these losses are painful, unnecessary and a most unwelcome stain on our country. They betray a lack of political will to change.

The cost of living crisis, fuel crisis, the increasing impact of Brexit, our ageing population, inability to control and increase immigration to assist in health, social care and the rural economy are symptoms of the cost of the Union.

My priorities as a local are :-

To represent the views, needs and interests of those who elected me and rightly expect me so to do; my loyalty is to the people, not to any party – I care about those hidden behind the net curtain, gazing out at the world they feel unable or unworthy to join, yet who have so very much to offer.

To promote and contend for Scotland’s Independence at every opportunity – for it is only with independence that Scotland will have the government of her choice and the ability to prosper free from WM control.

To continue a lifelong pursuit and defence of the rights of women and girls to single sex spaces, services and provisions including in refuge, prisons, sport and in health.

To ensure the continued existence, improvement and replacement of the Grangemouth refinery for Scotland cannot become the country to discover oil and become a desert

To argue daily for national housebuilding and energy companies, cut price energy for all of Scotland’s people, the continuation and expansion of free education for all as a route out of poverty, for free school meals across all education sectors, and for the liberation and promotion of our greatest resource – the people of Scotland.

Raise Our Game 

A football pundit I am not; I only know a few songs and some names. My loyalty is with TeamScotland  and the fans; who could fail to love and follow the Tartan Army ? Ted Christopher, ginger pubes and all ?

At school in 1974 it was party time at camp in Abington watching the games. Hard to believe that was 50 years ago. Like the BCRs. https://x.com/EwenDCameron/status/1799038703870050651

There’s an analogy watching Scotland’s team lose when we have a GE to win. I hope you’ll think about voting for me. I’m independent for independence because I believe in the power, the will and the potential of the people of our country. That power needs unleashed, maximised and let loose. It’s transformational and long overdue. When we govern ourselves, the ball is at our feet and we will score. 

#INDYWIFIES

When I was 5, in Crieff Primary School,  I knew boys in my primary 1 class were better thought of, but I didn’t know why.  

When I was 13, at Alva Academy, all pupils were equal; we’d a fantastic HT, John Murray, who knew every pupil like the back of his hand. He encouraged each of us, boys and girls alike.

With Mr Murray’s encouragement and that of great teachers like Mr Blythe who taught me French, I went off to Edinburgh Uni. 

I was taught by men and women whose intellectual capacity was huge; for political reasons my favourite will always be Professor Neil MacCormick. I’ve been forever torn between politics and the law. 

And I’m raging tonight to see that somehow Scotland has a media actively encouraging men in suits exclusively empowered to talk about our politics; no woman’s place at all. No foothold, no voice, haud yer wheesht, doll. 

Aye, so we will – let’s get this job done. Ladies – our time has come. 

Independent for Independence

I’m not naturally a politician; I much prefer the law and enjoy my work. Over 40 years though it’s become very clear to me that those who fall foul of the criminal law tend to be the voiceless, faceless, the ghosts from the schemes, the care experienced, homeless, unhealthy, addicted, prostituted. You know there’s a backlog of trials, thousands on remand and on bail for years, prisons overcrowded and early release debated far too late when real concerns are ignored and sidelined.  

In Scotland’s civil courts and children’s panels decisions are made daily based on flawed or incomplete information ; civil legal aid lawyers are getting like hen’s teeth and access to justice is becoming dependent on ability to pay not need.

That’s a lot like the health service – we all have friends drawing down pensions to pay for the lasering of eyes, new hips, knees, teeth. The surgeons who say you’ll wait 2 years for the op on the NHS miraculously become available the next day when you flash folding notes or a healthy credit card.

These aren’t the reasons why I seek Scotland’s independence, but they are some of the reasons why I will never give up. No matter what.

When Scotland is independent we will feed all of our children in nursery, primary and secondary school. There will be no working poor for we will pay decent wages. Pensioners won’t choose between eating and heating. The Clyde and surrounding lochs will be fishing and sailing waters not deadly storage centres for WMDs. When you sit on an oil rig or a wind turbine in the North Sea you’ll look ashore to a landscape devoid of food banks, baby banks and school clothing banks.

That’s just starters for my vision for Scotland as a normal independent country – in time we will also have an integrated fully functioning transport network, national housebuilding and energy companies, armies of grannies and aunties helping young parents to bring their children up safely and properly, respect for single sex rights and an end to domestic violence, alcoholism and drug addiction born out of trauma and despair. 

Scotland will flourish when we reap our own harvest and ring our own till. The dream that will never die will be realised with #ScotlandUnited.