We're not just living in interesting times.........

I have to admit it, I’m excited. We’re not just  living in interesting times: we’re making interesting times, but even more, we’re making history.

Last week  (March 29^th 2017) we had  the triggering of Article 50, and the Scottish Parliament’s vote for a 2^nd independence referendum, (28^th March 2017)  not now, not today, but when the time is right for Scotland, this is history in the making. That the UK PM should visit Scotland, last month March, not meet in Bute House, not hold a press conference, far less a joint press conference, nor issue a formal, agreed communique, smacks not just of disrespect, but has a whiff of being ‘feart’! This PM, unelected, with a small majority in Westminster, is currently presiding over a constitutional crisis that might be deemed ‘unprecedented’. NI potentially returning to direct rule, not voted for by the electorate in the recent elections there; Wales beginning to flex its political muscles, and with a failure to discuss and negotiate with Holyrood, we clearly see a government in disarray. And that’s before we consider their (lack of) preparedness to actually conduct Brexit negotiations.

Oh, did I forget the wee matter of war with Spain.

So, what did the PM’s visit achieve when she shuffled into Scotland and left, rather hurriedly? Virtually nothing, except perhaps a kick in the teeth for Northern Ireland . She felt  it was sufficient  to leave NI out on the periphery, being dealt with by her MP, Brokenshire, (Broken? Aye, probably a foretaste for rUK) but not sufficiently important for her to go there, to demonstrate a caring belief in the future of NI and its ability to manage its own affairs from Stormont.

At least though, NI has been spared another glib phrase, such as ‘now is not the time’.

The PM has no rationale for continuing to state the obvious. We know now is not the time:  that’s why our FM Nicola Sturgeon laid out a time table that follows the rationale of 18 and 6 months. Rationale and pragmatism in action. From my memory of 2014, one accusation thrown at pro inde people was the romantic view we were adopting with regard some mythical, utopian rosy future, lacking resources and sustainability. So I must ask, how more pragmatic do we need to be, as we witness the failure of the PM to halt the slide into inward looking protectionism, obviously centred on London and the Tory shires Actually, it’s not a failure on the part of the Tory govt; it’s their aim and objective: survival at any cost, and at the cost of others, including ours.

The vote in the Scottish Parliament 28 March 2017 is our history in the making, Either we make it work this time, or we slide into the abyss of Tory mis-rule for years to come, and the almost certain diminishing of devolved powers hard won. I know what I would want to see.

But as the plates shift on the island of Ireland, and with the Spanish Foreign Minister  Alfonso Dastis, showing movement, we hear the same negativity from unionists here. ‘She should be doing the day job’ Well,

The FM has been in the USA with news of a climate change agreement with the Governor of California and a £6.3 million deal for jobs here on the first day of her visit

Please note: This is the day job!

So with the May elections looming, will unionists really band together with tactical voting in certain constituencies and local authorities?

Is the visceral hatred (or fear?) of the word ‘independence’ such that (some, nay many) Labour voters will hold their collective nose and vote Tory just to keep the SNP out?

Why do (some) Labour voters ut Tory ideology before the socialism that Labour espoused for so long?

Since I can’t answer any of that, the least I can do is welcome the revitalisation of

Labour for Independence and others such as

Pensioners for Independence and these are pensioners from all political party persuasions and none.

No matter differences along the way, surely the time to debate the particulars of political parties and their policies should be an independent Scotland.

We all appear to want to fight austerity, and protect workers’ rights.

We all appear to agree that a hard Brexit will be detrimental to future prosperity.

We all realise that the future could be so much better and the best way to achieve that is  if we decide our future, and not have it decided for us by others.

There is a role for Labour in Scotland but in the future and in an independent Scotland.

Labour, it’s just not now.

Now is not the time for Labour in Scotland

so please

look to Labour for Independence

 

Labour for Independence  

 https://www.facebook.com/labourforindependence/

Article 50 https://www.planforbritain.gov.uk/news/prime-ministers-letter-donald-tusk-triggering-article-50/ 

 

Scottish Government votes for 2^nd referendum

http://www.itv.com/news/2017-03-28/snp-wins-vote-for-second-referendum-on-scottish-independence/

 
Scottish Pensioners for Independence  https://www.facebook.com/PensionersforYes/

A bad day to bury bad news.

I'm referring to Wednesday 8^th Feb when we saw the House of Commons with that massive majority of 372, (thank you Labour! ) vote to give a third reading to Article 50. Bad enough, yes, but that was the same day the Dubs Amendment was scrapped and the figure of 3,000 (child refugees) was slashed to 350. 

Was that sufficient for one day of infamy? NO, the rUK govt went for broke by refusing to support and guarantee EU citizens in the UK. It would appear then that child refugees are no more than casual statistics and EU citizens are clearly to be bargaining chips in the months to come, along the lines of ‘reciprocal’ when considering ‘Brits abroad’. 

What a shameful period in our history! 

There may be some redress in the coming months, and I believe our MPs will continue the fight in Westminster, but nothing will erase the stigma of that particular day and the actions of government and those pretendy, opposition parties. 

Both sides of the House appear more interested than ever before in appeasing the Brexiteers, especially with those two by-elections later this month. Should Labour lose one seat to the Tories, that will be bad enough, but to lose two, with the other going to UKIP  would clearly signify long years in the wilderness with no hopes of governing. 

So, how much longer will voters in Scotland believe the posturing of  Dugdale and her call for  new Act of Union?  

I’m not alone in believing it’s better to revoke that Union, and most definitely not renew it by rewriting it! 

How long will there be in a belief in Davidson and her ability to flip her flops in line with Tory HQ requirements, as opposed to getting on with her real, day job job namely as an MSP, fighting  for the economic, fiscal, social well being of Scotland?  

Hopefully our May elections will send a clear message to the Unionists’ parties and their HQ’s by Scotland clearly setting out  our direction of political travel in the coming months ahead. 

And now that we have Nutt True seeming to have joined the pantheon of alternative facts, economical with the truth  and project fear, then we need to be prepared for all that and more,  and worse: 

the resurrection of the Browns, the Murphys , maybe even some luvvies all telling us how better off we’ll be in a union bent of self destruction from within. The irony of the Labour party unable to oppose a destructive government, trying to tell us to stay with them, is obviously lost on them.

But as we already know Bettertogether2 will be potentially astoxic for political parties in the coming months as it was in 2013-14  let them fight that one out amongst themselves. 

Our challenge is bigger: ensuring the ‘when’ we leave this union and that day is the day when we can shout the good news.

👀    .............................................

Nutt True:  The National Feb 15th 2017  www.thenational.scot/

alternative facts ....... used by U.S. Counselor ( to President Trump ) Kellyanne Conway during a Meet the Press interview on January 22, 2017. She defended White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer's false statement about the attendance numbers at Donald Trump's inauguration as President of the United States.

'economical with the truth '  ....comes from a statement given in evidence by Sir Robert Armstrong, British cabinet secretary, in the 'Spycatcher' trial (1986), conducted to prevent publication of a book by a former MI5 employee, 'It contains a misleading impression, not a lie. It was being economical with the truth.'

project fear  ...1 and 2! The first was set up  in 2012 and ran thru 13-14 . Set up with support of the three main pro union political parties in Scotland: Labour, Tory, Lib Dem, as an inti independence platform, and the 2nd was a prime factor in the EU referendum held in 2016. Both gave out bad news, very bad news stories  
18 Sep 2015 / Andrew Learmonth, Journalist / @andrewlearmonth      www.thenational.scot/

Now's the time.....

.......... to prepare, and be bold enough to believe in ourselves and the future as we determine…not as some after thought  hitched up to Westminster.

PM May has boxed herself, and by implication, us, into a tight corner, sealed with a couple of handshakes, Trump, that visit, Erdogan in Turkey and that arms deal. It cannot be anything other than sheer desperation brought on by  a lack of economic pre-planning for a post-Brexit state, that caused PM May and her government to push for an early state visit by President Trump. And the notion of ‘unintended consequences’ never once crossed the mind of anyone in the rUK government?

No matter that the national petition to withdraw the invite has forced its way on to the  Parliamentary timetable, the date for the debate being set as February 20^th, it will be very difficult if not impossible for the UK government  to downgrade the visit from ‘state’ to ‘official’. From what we have seen of Trump, a ‘carrot’ of the state visit postponed until later will be unacceptable.  So, the UK is stuck with him, his entourage, his demands: no to Prince Charles, but yes to the obligatory horse drawn carriage. Perhaps HM has some old nags somewhere (no I am not referring to family hangers-on) that can do no more than amble along at a very slow pace, up the Mall, that tree lined avenue crowded with protesters and their placards. You must admit that many of those seen on Monday 30thth January across Scotland (and yes, the rest of the world, too) were real crackers. Have those same powers-that-be considered the other ‘unintended consequences’ of potentially exporting Trump up to us and Balmoral? Have they forgotten Farage on the High St in Edinburgh, the pub and taxis fiasco? I can see a wee daunder up to Balmoral, placards, protesters and more pussy hats: a fine walk in the country side you could yet provide us with, PM May!

But whilst this is of importance, the EU question is more so when set in the context of the love-in trade deals being pursued by the PM with Trump and Erdogan. Where next one fears, with whom, and what would we be offering up this time?  It’s a sair feicht right enough when we see the likes of Ken Clarke in Parliament, 31^st Jan, outlining why he will vote against the government and with the SNP. This is what a sound opposition should look like, seeking consensus, building allies, pursuing common interests. It is was correctly rumoured that even Ian Murray would vote against his party whip, leaving just wee Mundell running after his London masters.

The Scotland we want to be in the future with regards our socio-economic well-being and international positioning is obviously at odds with Westminster and won’t  be achieved within this unequal union. As we continue to see our nation disregarded, thrown some ‘scraps’, a Commission here or there, now and then, some glib phrases and empty promises,  the point is...when will we say enough is enough?

That second referendum is coming, have no doubt. But if pro inde parties need to wait for the starting gun to be fired, we don’t. Those meetings, assemblies, discussion groups, that grass roots movement, need to regain that earlier momentum. We need to take the vision of our inde Scotland, and demonstrate across the whole spectrum including  the £, our foreign policy, a food policy, a citizens income even, that a different Scotland is possible.  

We have to be bold enough to evidence and deliberate alternatives that show a Scotland changing for the better as shaped by us, and not Westminster can be gained. So now, it’s time to challenge those who don’t agree with us to demonstrate what their vision of a future Scotland looks like.

They can’t and they won’t, since they know full well that our future will be no more than a forgotten foot note, the negated part of an unbalanced union. Very scary since that means:  even more bleak now compared to the past.

So, as  rUK scrambles for an identity and the fiscal means to sustain itself, it’s  time to remember other (former) colonies as they watched their resources continue to be plundered, their people continue to emigrate, their aspirations wither, their determination falter.

That second opportunity when it comes is all that we will have. Indeyref2 is it…we’ll be laughed off the pitch if we vote no and then try a third time…..**remember Quebec. October 30, 1995, and that slim majority that said 'no'!

Now’s it's our time to prepare, and be bold enough to believe in ourselves and our future as we determine…not as some after thought  hitched up to Westminster.

** Quebec sovereignty referendum 

Do you agree that Quebec should become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of the bill respecting the future of Quebec and of the agreement signed on June 12, 1995?
Acceptez-vous que le Québec devienne souverain, après avoir offert formellement au Canada un nouveau partenariat économique et politique, dans le cadre du projet de loi sur l'avenir du Québec et de l'entente signée le 12 juin 1995?

	October 30, 1995 Results
Results Votes  % Yes 2,308,360 49.42% No 2,362,648 50.58% Total votes 4,757,509 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 5,087,009 93.52%

Ae Fond Kiss, and with more than a nod to Robert Burns.

With apologies to Rabbie B*, but Ae fond kiss, and then we sever; Ae fareweel, alas, for ever, and isn’t it about time we did, too? Sever, that is.

When written  by Burns in 1791, Scotland was already bedding into this unequal union of crowns and parliaments. Well, we’ve stuck it.  We tholed it for the sake of the kids, the grand kids, and the next generations all the way from then  til now. 

We watched them grow up,  join up, fight fights, help build and defend the empire.

We watched the glens denuded of people then turned over to sheep. 

We cried when they left, and promised to write and maybe return, though we knew it unlikely. 

We shared our talented people, women and men in every field, in every century. Poets, artists, actors, scientists, inventors, we shared them all. 

Even the sporting arena: derided as Scottish  if (?)  we  lost but cleaved to the UK bosom when we win.

How ironic after all that, and that having fought hard and long to defeat fascism and Nazism in mainland Europe the question of Europe is possibly the final nail,

As a couple,.we’ve tried something akin to counselling and listening to each other. 

We’ve  listened, been swayed even, but the sweet nothings you murmur turn out to be just that: nothing! And after our last attempt to leave in a dignified way, you made just one promise too many, and all too many of your promises have been broken. . 

You vowed to change for the sake of us both, and the weans. You see the past has caught up with me, and I’m really worried about the grandkids these days and their future.

So, you can keep the cds, no please, do keep them. 

And as for the debt, well, I think you’ll be hearing from the lawyers over that one. 

Income? When has there never been an income of one sort or another? It’s the ability to work, create, diversify, find markets, and when you buy, buy canny.

Do we really need a potentially dud bomb down the road? Dud or not, I can see some crazy neighbour eyeing it, so perhaps you could take that with you, too. 

But then, maybe not since you have always tried to get the best of the bargains, and it's well known you're always saying you don't have room.   

Over this long relationship, it's kind of been a one way one. We know we’ve done our bit, put in our share, but we've just not seen sufficient divi-ing up on equal terms., 

And it's you who's forever saying we don’t pull our weight, so let us go, don’t fight us any longer. We’ve already heard there’s a new blonde overseas, eyeing you up, but.....

Don't worry about us, Do you really believe your other alternative facts, that we we’ll end up ‘Johnny no mates’?  

No, there’s plenty of places, not too wee, brave enough, and with jingling money in their pockets that we can learn from and share with.

Regrettably then, the  time has come, to do it our way….sever and forever. 

* Happy Birthday, Robert!!

*If ever a poet understood the character of his nation, he was Robert Burns. The language he was most fluent in wasn’t so much Scots or English – it was the language of the heart. All too human in his personal life, he carried that humanity over onto the page. Nothing was too small or too large to escape his notice, from a mouse in the mud to God in his heavens. A poet for all seasons, Burns speaks to all, soul to soul..............Reference:  http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/