THE KING IS IN HIS COUNTING HOUSE

It was known on 19 September 2014 that Clackmannanshire represents Scotland in miniature; my home county with the greatest and the worst that life in Scotland may bring. 

Our numbers on homelessness, children’s referrals, drugs and alcohol addictions and deaths are the worst. Suicides especially within young men are hellish. Violence against women and girls pitiful.

But we have a most beautiful landscape. Hills, parks, a dam, scenic cycle paths, towers and a castle. 

Small and larger businesses proliferate. Our teachers in schools and colleges try to do their best.

In the midst of the pain of austerity, hunger, fear of our older folk who need and can’t get care at home or elsewhere we all do our best. 

What we really do not need is a visit from a privileged entitled monarch divorced from reality whose coffers would clear all our overdrafts and payday loans and credit in a heartbeat. His back pocket and chump change down the back of his hundreds of couches would pay the fuel bills for every pensioner in Clackmannanshire for a few decades. 

This is not good enough; the comfort and entitlement of one man speak volumes about the country Scotland has never been and should never become. 

Old folk are dying in Scotland from hypothermia and neglect. A national recurring shame inscribed upon the hearts of every politician of this country. Every single one who never lifted a finger to prevent this. 

Working poor remain poor even though they work a full hard week. They deserve the dignity denied to them and a government enjoined to lifting them into a life where hope and efforts can be fulfilled.

I have no idea how many people of Clackmannanshire will greet the King on Thursday. I won’t be there but if he has a moment I’d be happy to debate him about democracy, fairness and entitlement; maybe we could have a wee chapter about pillaging; as an aside he’s not King of Scots but King of a foreign country. What I do believe is that there is no great support for an unelected monarch who regards his citizens as his lowly subjects or who hoards his wealth as his people suffer, hunger and die. His days are numbered and his conduct hastens the revolution and the independence of Scotland.