WORDS The last couple of years have been exhausting, exasperating and exhilarating. My opinion about the yes/no question has not changed in that time, although it has been challenged - by others, and by myself. I have broad contempt for both Yes and No campaigns, for sharply different reasons. The Better Together campaign has been comprehensively ineffective. While I do not agree with most of the accusations of scaremongering that have been levelled at it - when the question is framed as yes vs. no, it is in the nature of the debate that the side arguing for no will appear to be more negative - it has failed on just about every level. For people who are inclined to vote no, Better Together has been an embarrassment throughout this protracted campaign. Yes Scotland, on the other hand, has struck me as being more akin to a pseudo-religious cult than a political organisation. It reminds me of the Church of Scientology more than anything else. To me, it seems that the Yes campaigns primary aim is to recruit supporters for Yes. What Yes stands for is nebulous, and depends entirely on whichever person under the Yes umbrella is talking. My opinion is that Yes Scotlands promises are, by their nature, empty and meaningless. Vote Yes, because Yes! Share Yes propaganda, because Yes! If anyone disagrees with Yes, contradict them because Yes! And it doesnt matter if theyre actually making a good point which really should be addressed, because Yes! Obviously, this is my opinion and mine alone, and my own prejudices feed into this perception. But my perception is that the Yes campaigns default response to any challenge was to shout it down or smear it with meaningless accusations of scaremongering, while peddling the most cynical, blatant lies and scaremongering themselves - particularly, recently, with regard to the NHS. In terms of effectiveness, though, nobody can dispute that Yes Scotland wiped the floor with Better Together. Thankfully, though - and despite what so many people on social media bizarrely seem to think - the vote isnt about which campaign you think was more effective. The question was should Scotland be an independent country? I voted no, because I do not believe that Scottish independence from the UK would provide any realistic answers any problems we face. Additionally, I believe it would result in the creation of many more problems for people in Scotland; and for our friends, relatives and neighbours in the rest of the UK. I believe that independence as a panacea is a myth, and - frankly - I think that the SNP are full of shit. BUT... The level of engagement has been incredible, and the turnout looks like its going to break all records. Whatever the result, Scotland - and the rest of the UK - will be changed. People in Scotland and the rest of the UK have engaged with politics in a way that I really didnt think was possible. Whatever the result, lets all give ourselves a round of applause, and keep the momentum going after tomorrow. We have the power to change our country for the better, whatever country means after breakfast.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 00:18:07 +0000
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