There is a very nasty atmosphere around The Meadows this morning. Many of these people are my countrymen and women. But some are clearly from Northern Ireland and England. I want to be compassionate and feel they should be included in the new Scotland that is waiting round the corner. I want to think that they represent a body of opinion and a cultural identity that is worthy of respect. I want to believe that the cause in support of which they are about to march is a worthy one, as valuable as the one I espouse. I want to believe that the young men already drinking at ten in the morning and roving about in gangs are simply expressing an exuberance, getting into the party atmosphere and enjoying this beautiful autumn day. I want to believe that the powers that be did not deliberately allow this gathering to take place, less than a week before the referendum, that they are not hoping that troubles will flare, and there are no agents provocateurs lurking in the shadows. I want to believe that this has been a fair fight and that the best side will have won, that reason was employed and discussions took place between equals who were prepared to listen to all sides and present a positive case for their points of view. I want to believe that this campaign has not been marred by intimidation, threat and bigotry. But standing here at the top of Middle Meadow Walk, these hopes appear to be vain, just another element of my delusional idealism.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 09:34:29 +0000
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