A bit long but a must read from a wise man regarding this point in the independence campaign: Alex Salmond’s approach to independence has always been that it would be a long march with various significant points along the way. This was something he said openly during the 80s and 90’s and which was met with disapproval by the SNP old guard. Achieving devolution and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament was the first milestone. This was achieved. Milestone 2 was the acquisition of more powers for the Parliament in terms of greater, if not total, control of our finances. That was the Devo Max which Alex wanted on the Referendum Ballot. He wanted that because he knew that most people in Scotland were not ready for independence. Cameron said no to that. There is great irony in Alex Salmond resigning because the referendum has actually advanced the process towards independence. Devo Max is now on the table. Perhaps it might probably only be a mini-devo max but it is a step forward nonetheless. What makes it all the more interesting is the added bonus of the English demand for an equivalent devo max. If such a change is going to be given to Wales and Northern Ireland as well as Scotland and England then the Union will become MUCH weaker. The leap to Scottish independence from that position will not then be as great as that which was being asked of a fearful people last week. In the long view of things last week was an advance towards independence. In some ways we actually won. Oscar Wilde once said that: It is the vanity of every age to think of itself as the age of the Apocalypse. Perhaps we, the Yes voters, were getting ahead of ourselves and the historical process. It’s a war in four parts. We’ve won 1 and a half parts. Next year it might be 1 and 3 quarters or even two. The campaign achieved 2 significant points of progress: 1) the emergence of possible new powers which will weaken the Union and 2) the emergence and formation of a new and large group in the independence struggle: the young people who took part in politics for the first time and who were mostly Yes supporters. They are going to be around for a long time. In terms of political battles last week was not really a loss, nor was it a draw. Historically it might even have been a wee victory. Maybe 20 years from now Alex Salmond might be called out of retirement to become Scotland’s first president. I hope it is sooner than that. So cheer up, comrades.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 21:52:46 +0000
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