Early tomorrow I could be a foreigner, a different nationality from my wife, my parents, my brothers. All rather odd. I dont know what that will mean, will I get a new passport? Will I lose rights in rUK and gain them in Scotland? This isnt a popular view, but im going to say it: Im hoping for a Yes vote. Purely on the optimism that should a radical shift in the constitution will usher forth a new form of politics, less metropolitan, less mired in the turgid right of centre, less arrogant in its assumed right to govern. I was a firm No at the beginning of the campaign (I cant vote, so it was a hypothetical position), but changed as the campaign progressed for a multitude of reasons, not least the arrogant No campaigns insistence that they were the head vote, the heart the Yes camp. Thats the same as that shite about if you dont vote Labour when young, you have no heart, but have no brain later if you dont vote Tory. Its a huge insult to a country that has given us the most enlightened thinkers of all time: this condescending idea that the savages are acting up, and must be quelled by a trio of Westminster suits all dashing North like Colonial administrators putting down the restless natives. The endless metaphors and analogies using marriage are also bizarre and desperate, as useless and redundant as the Tories continued insistence that the economy is like a household credit card. Condescending guff. The media should be ashamed for parroting it so readily. The way the No campaign has, in the last days of the campaign, tried to smear the campaign as a whole, painting it as divisive (rather than a truly exciting democratic discussion, which we need more, not less of), polarising (then why hold any form of election?) and aggressive (again, this is code for passionate. Such an engagement with politics is unknown these days): this has been the true disgrace and insult to democracy. The way the Establishment has rallied and shown its workings as been enlightening, and terrifying. The sudden consensus amongst all parties. The medias near blanket opposition. Corporations blackmailing threats issued routinely in cahoots with Cameron. The true, unspoken constitution of this country has been exposed, and it needs desperate reform. A No vote will not do this. I cant stand Salmond, but its not about him. I really like the Green party guy who is also prominent on the Yes campaign and it would be great to see the ascent of the Greens North of the border showing what is possible. Yet thats up to the Scots to decide. Credit them with having the sense to do so. Also, ive had my hair done different since the last passport so that would be a boon as well. And not at all the main reason why im hoping to be a foreigner tomorrow.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 11:11:26 +0000
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