So the big day is tomorrow, and we finally get to decide, 900 days has been one hell of a campaign, weve had highs and we have had lows on both sides of the debate, but one thing cannot be argued, the No campaign has been one of fear and pessimism, the yes campaign has been positive and optimistic, we have an opportunity tomorrow, to take control of our own destiny, to make the decisions about how we run our country in ways that suit us, and only us. Over the course of 900 days we have debated currency, EU membership, Border controls, the BBC, Private License plates, the Military, WMDs, NATO, more currency, The commonwealth, our place in the international community, then some currency again, pensions, taxes and welfare, constitutions, sporting events, political corruption, world events, social policy, immigration, domestic and foreign security, food banks, the economy, the democratic deficit and goodness knows what else!! But the choice tomorrow isnt actually about ANY of that, its a simple choice: Which fully empowered parliament will do the best job for the people of Scotland? One which has to cater for the needs of 65 million people and is based in London, ran by elitist, right wing, self-serving neo-liberals, or one ran by the people of Scotland in Edinburgh? That is the basic question that is on the ballot, its a simple choice to make, whichever way you decide, now some people say that independence is a risk, because 5 million people is a smaller group than 60 million, and therefore we are leaving the Strength, Stability and Security of the United Kingdom, however, that same 60 million people are in the same boat with a government that cares little for the vast majority of them. If you look at the top 10 OECD countries, they are ALL small, 5-6 million population countries with strong, diverse economies and we have the added bonus of a sh*t load of oil & gas as well as some impressive natural resources (water, wind, tidal) one of Europe’s best renewable energy potentials and we have all the necessary tools to make a fantastic, fair and just country. At the moment, we simply cant do it properly, we need to control all the levers to make it work properly in our favour A yes vote will deliver constitutionally protected sovereignty, and new political mechanics to deliver the will of that constitution, we will get the governments we vote for and far greater control over the politicians and representatives that we elect to take us forward as a nation. instead of a block grant that only seems to get smaller currently at £27 billion or so, we are able to utilise ALL tax receipts generated in Scotland, Airport Tax, Fines, Corporation Tax, VAT, National Insurance, Road Fund Tax and so on and a whole bunch of money that currently is attributed to the UK treasury and not counted in GERS, year 1 estimates put that around the £243 billion mark. That is a much better budget, a far more manageable population size and a generally better economic model for the modern times, the modern world is no longer compatible with monolithic super-state empires, smaller more diverse economies can react and recover quicker from global financial turbulence Conversely, a no vote offers absolutely nothing! A woolly promise about more powers, with more barriers in the way than you can possibly imagine, they are party dependent, so completely unfeasible until the next general election, and in no way guaranteed whatsoever, the next parliament doesnt even have to bother acting on them if it sees fit not to, and given the opposition to these promises by MPs and Lords, they will be a challenge to get through the two houses and gain royal ascent. Additionally, given the promises, the 3 main Westminster parties risk electoral votes in the general election by giving powers to Scotland and they will not give you what you want, a federal UK is not even on the table and further devolution is nothing more than a fairy tale/pipe dream at the moment, you are voting no on a hope & a prayer, trusting an institution to deliver them with a track record for lying and not delivering on promises? So tomorrow, you have two choices: 1) Take your sovereignty in your hands and keep it, using it to drive real, beneficial changes in the way we do politics and deliver a fairer, more socially just society 2) Take your sovereignty in your hands and then give it back to Westminster and simply hope they know whats for the best Personally, I want the chance for my kids to be able to go to university, find a good job, be able to buy a house and raise a family without all the severe pressures and hardships that a vast majority of us have to face. I want them to grow up in a country which places needs above nepotism, which treats all members of society fairly and which is compassionate at home and internationally, for me the best way to achieve that is through independence as we get 100% of all the powers, we make our own decisions, as opposed to some token powers to shut them up for a bit, maybe.. Perhaps, for example: To get all powers and full control of our decisions, 1) Vote yes OR 2) Vote no 2.1) hope that a party you support puts together a manifesto with the power package you like 2.2) hope that party gets elected out with a coalition 2.3) hope that they draft those promises into a bill 2.4) hope it makes it through the Commons and the Lords un-amended 2.5) hope that it gains royal ascent Which seems the bigger gamble, especially given the now rising temperament down south to quash any such further devolution? Anyway, thats my two bobs worth, but I have been thinking back over the last two years.....
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 21:00:45 +0000