The predominant feeling I am experiencing at the moment is one of deep disappointment. I presume that many others will be feeling the same way and will express that disappointment in a variety of ways. I hope that those people remain calm and begin to think of a positive way forward rather than giving way to feelings of negativity or even despair. When I witnessed images of joyful people as the NO vote emerged I tried to put myself in their position and to imagine what it was they felt they were celebrating. I have been a supporter of independence since I was old enough to vote and am quite clear about why. Over the past few weeks I have worked alongside a broad coalition of people who had a clear desire for independence but who had very different visions of what a future Scotland might look like. What united them was the fact that those visions could only come into clear view within a new democratic settlement. It is a vibrant and exciting movement dedicated to change and the desire for a fairer society. So, back to the NOs. What are their visions and how will be they realised? I am currently unclear about the answers. Was NO a vote for no change? Does it mean that people are content with the present arrangement? Many NO voters I have spoken to tell me they were voting for change; for more powers. Pointing out that this was not a choice on the ballot paper did not carry enough weight to change minds. What is clear though is that the nature of an increasingly devolved parliament in Edinburgh will not be at the discretion of voters in Scotland. With a NO vote we have ceded that responsibility to Westminster. How will the Westminster parties coalesce around a shared vision for Scotlands constitutional and democratic future. From what they have said so far it seems unlikely that new powers will be significant and as a result Scotlands desire for change will stall. The NO vote has delivered us into the situation where our political future is no longer in our own hands. However, I have to believe that the NO vote did not consist of a combination of self interest and fear; that there were many in this constituency who would have embraced Devo Max had it been an option. Therefore the 45% YES vote must seek out and make a common bond with those on the NO side who want to see Scotland have more influence over its own affairs. That will be a difficult journey. All that remains to us now as an electorate is to ensure that we elect MSPs in 2016 who will take that agenda forward. By then we should have a clearer idea of what additional powers Westminster is willing to offer to Scotland. It is with a heavy heart that I say this. It is not my instinct that Westminster will offer Scotland what most Scots clearly wanted with regards to additional powers. The journey continues.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 11:21:49 +0000
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