Leaving home as a young adult is scary and exhilarating; off to Uni 40 odd years ago I wasn’t the free spirit imagined as naturally there was dependency on parents for money, for support with the washing at weekends and a place to stay during holidays. It was devo max. That’s where Scotland is today. Half in and half out the door, whining about house rules but unable to claim her own income, spend it as she thinks fit, happy to blame parents for the unrelenting boredom of dependency, lack of invention and settlement for the status quo. In a word – feart. 

With age sometimes there arrives a degree of maturity though it has often evaded me, youthful idealism gives way to pragmatism, and in my bus pass years desperation to put into practice those plans which are now five decades old. 

I remember with remarkable clarity the overwhelming surge of confidence and belief of 1974 – 1974 – half a century ago – with two elections and seven then eleven SNP MPs. Govan, Margo, Jim, Alex – the complete delight of 2007, driving with our three year old son to Edinburgh to celebrate that SNP win. 2011 the icing on the cake and the chance, the once in a generation opportunity in 2014 to vote on our nation’s future status. Opportunity knocks again within a year or so.

Now I know, after escapades with two different independence supporting parties, whose raisons d’être may be controversial in the one case and obvious in the other, that party politics isn’t bringing Independence any day soon. Loyalty is rewarded, loyalty to party, not country. Fealty matters, principles less so for some, not all. Smears and mischief -making damage our country’s prospects and the success of a noble cause. 

It is evident, from discussions occurring often, that there is a deep desire for action. Alba, ISP and Indy4Indy recognise, welcome and have bought into the longing for unity. SNP leadership not so much though SNP grassroots, like grassroots elsewhere, are keen to see a national, coordinated campaign.

Scotland’s independence supporters need to grow up and abandon the plooks and awkward gangle of adolescence. That will occur with a #ScotlandUnited moment when Pete Wishart unblocks his allies who desire the goal of #Independence, when John Swinney finally ditches the calamitous GRR and competent government is reintroduced. A good start would be a call to Alex Neil on the housing crisis, another to Ian Moir on legal aid, Harry Burns on health, Callum Steele on policing. You see the adults Scotland has who can advise and deliver – that’s what we need today, government of all the talents, showing clean pairs of heels, with which Scotland will surge, exploding with energy, vision and hope. A vibrant grown up country ready to step onto a world stage as an equal partner. 

Overall, confidence in political parties is dented. Madcap policies have damaged confidence in our country’s ability to deliver competent government. Voter apathy is rife. That failure to engage with democracy can be cured overnight with independent candidates, local people of integrity and dedication, making a stand for a rainbow parliament in 2026. People power can trump party politics and deliver the dream. Deserts discovered oil and prospered. Scotland is becoming a desert. Our people are hungry and cold; a choice has to be made and hopes fulfilled. #ScotlandFreeOrADesert.  #Indy4Indy.