Tomorrow is a day when the people living in (not the people of) Scotland will take part in the referendum. For 23 years, since I started Modern Studies and learned of the SNP’s existence, I have been staunchly against that party and Independence. I’ve been subjected to watching people use “Nationalism” as an excuse for blatant Xenophobia, I’ve been told that I’m not Scottish enough because I live in England and that my opinion isn’t worth anything. I have been witness to “Yes” supporters claim that everything that is wrong with Scotland is the fault of Westminster and the current state of affairs is nothing to do with Salmond or the SNP. It is ignored that the SNP have powers to get people into work, but refuse to do it because it would mean more money going to the Exchequer, ignoring the fact that that would result in more money available to those living in Scotland. I wouldn’t even attempt to pretend that the governments of the 80’s did not see a demise in industrialisation throughout the UK, but to say Scotland has been laid waste because of it & not other parts of the UK, is short sighted & discriminatory. None of the staunch “Yes” people seem bothered that taxpayer money has been spent on legal advice on the future stance of Scotland within Europe, but the SNP refuse to reveal the outcome. The use of taxpayer money to calculate the cost of Independence, but when asked for the result told there was no investigation, so they don’t actually have an answer to “How much will it cost?”. Or that the SNP bought PIK and continue to have to bail it out, and again despite using taxpayer money to fund a report, haven’t released the information. The cynic in me would think that’s because it’s not viable, but to admit that would lose votes. Salmond & Co’s vision of a “Fairer society” is ludicrous when they openly discriminate against EVERY young person in England, Northern Ireland & Wales who wishes to study in Scotland, but again, why let facts get in the way. No-one from either side of the campaign seems willing to acknowledge that the majority of the people in Scotland did NOT vote for the current government, as more people did not vote for them or did not vote at all, but hey why let facts get in the way? People praise Wee Eck, but everyone seems to forget that he stayed out of Holyrood until the SNP looked like it would actually be successful. Then he became party leader again & was not only FM of the minority government, he was also a MP in Westminster, claiming both salaries, but only doing one job, yes, that’s a man who is all about a fair society! I’ve seen numerous people slate “celebrities” who dared to speak out against independence, including the most successful Scot of them all JK Rowling. Alan Cumming (Star of hit US TV show “The Good Wife” & currently starring in Cabaret on Broadway, New York) though is allowed an opinion as having not paid a penny in tax in The UK in years and giving up his citizenship to become a US Citizen, he’s giving that one up, to register on the electoral roll somewhere in Scotland to have a vote, despite still living & working in the USA, but it’s ok he’s a “yes”. If you’re famous and don’t live in Scotland, or are Scottish but against it, then you’re told “this isn’t yours to decide”. Why are only the yes voters allowed an opinion? This is a vote which concerns the entire United Kingdom however if you dare to speak out and support the no campaign as a celebrity, Scottish or not, the vitriol, hatred and in some cases, uncensored racism which has been directed towards them has been shameful, particularly when it is patently obvious that if they had chosen to voice support instead for the yes campaign, they would have been lauded and heralded as “forward thinkers” and “realists not tied to the shackles of Westminster-centric dogma. They claim that if you vote no that you’re voting for the coalition or are only doing it because you don’t like Salmond & co, but if you’re voting yes you’re not voting for Salmond & the SNP. I’m sorry but you can’t have it both ways. If a yes is not a vote for Salmond, then a no is a vote to remain in The UK and continue as a union, not necessarily supporting the Coalition. There’s even a member of the SNP party, a former MSP nonetheless stating that if you vote no & you have kids, you’re a bad parent…REALLY? Parent’s aren’t allowed an opinion that differs from that of the government? I know Salmond is a fan of Putin, but surely that’s a step too far? Or perhaps the Yes voters claiming if you vote no that in “an independent Scotland, you’ll be known as a traitor of Scotland”, REALLY? Why is it that you’re told that a yes is a vote of belief in the future of Scotland, but a no is not. Can’t a no vote be a belief in the future of Scotland, but as part of the United Kingdom? Or if you don’t live in Scotland not to worry about the people there, regardless if you have genuine concerns for your family & friends, it’ll be fine as it’s nothing to do with you. To those that live in Scotland, I ask on behalf of the people OF Scotland around the world that don’t get a say to make sure you vote, no matter which way you intend to vote. I’ll return to social media in 48(ish) hours when I’ll know if the SNP will allow me to apply (yes I’ll be allowed to apply!) for my birthright, or if I’ll be a “traitor” to a new Independent Scotland. One thing is a certainty, whether or not Salmond successfully splits the Union, he has successfully split Scotland, and despite his claims of a bit of rebranding to a “Team Scotland” rather than a yes or no, it’ll take generations for those divisions to heal. If you’re offended by any of this, no matter which way you vote, I don’t care. I was witness to someone who regarded a yes as a “Free Scotland” having just left Palestine, without a sense of irony, that was offensive. For the most part I’ve tried to keep my thoughts to myself on here, apart from the odd joke being taken the wrong way and am sick of the complete Bulls**t coming from both sides. If you feel like leaving a snide comment, please don’t, just unfriend me, if you don’t feel I am entitled to an opinion or a rant, then it’ll say more about your view of our friendship/history. I don’t get a say on the 18th of September, but I needed to get this off my chest. See some or all of you on the 19th!
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 08:39:58 +0000
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