I won’t amplify the voice of an embittered journalist, but it must be stated that when @AlbaParty launched it embodied hope, the opportunity to create a majority vote for #Independence, the power to transform Scotland for good. Whilst there was great love and admiration for Alex Salmond’s achievements, the purpose was to regain our nation’s independence; this was not the blinkered, bewitched cult following some suggest and even a casual observation of the personalities involved would have confirmed such. Lazy copy to fill a hateful page is so disappointing and puerile. 

Policies beyond achieving self-determination addressed Scotland’s ills, included support for sex based rights, as confirmed by the Supreme Court, proposed increasing the Scottish Child Payment, as has happened, removal of the two child rape clause, separation of powers or status of the Lord Advocate, the retention of the right to trial by jury and inclusion of offences against women within hate crime legislation.

Activists with input from the whole movement pleaded for a national house building programme, a national energy company, ferries to Europe, radical action on education and on equality generally, including an apology for the ‘Tinker Experiment’ as has subsequently also occurred.

That body of independence supporters were amongst the visionaries of Scotland, those who understand the cost of the Union and the value of independent thought, local democracy and the power of the people. They and thousands of others remain determined, come what may, to set Scotland free and to realise the potential of every Scot once freed from the warmongering, wrong minded shackles of a Union whose days must be numbered. 

Almost every single political advancement and every benefit for the people of our country achieved since devolution in 1999, from prescriptions to education, transport, infrastructure, ambition and pride can be attributed firmly to the endeavours of a man who prioritised Scotland’s needs at every turn, recognised our nation’s potential and strove for its attainment with his every breath. 

To traduce after his passing the achievements of a man who taught Scotland how to walk tall in the world, no better than but equal to every independent nation on this earth, with innuendo and apparent malice must be the last resort of the scoundrel. I write as a founding and former member of Alba but remain at one on the principles underscoring its existence.

Whatever the future holds, be sure that these things at least remain – the #Independence movement is strong, there will be unity and Scotland will be free. That we lost the Gaffer too soon, that Scotland remains lacking a single leader behind whom our clans might unite is a deep and painful loss, but there are hundreds of leaders within the cause who are determined to restore our country’s ability to make decisions in Scotland, by and for ourselves. That day will dawn. There was no vendetta, no desire for revenge; no narcissism, simply the normal, natural desire of a country to make her own way in the world. And that dream shall never die. Hope over fear. Scotland will flourish.