UNITED WE SHALL GOVERN

(from Democracy Now No. 2)

By Dr Bill Wilson

That year of infamy looms. Almost 300 years ago the people stormed the parliament and ‘a parcel of rogues’ was obliged to flee by the back door. Regrettably, they were not obliged to flee prior to signing away our people’s liberty. That they were so cheaply bought can hardly be of great surprise; a cursory examination of history does not suggest a disinterested nobility. On the whole it was not the nobility that died on Falkirk field. It was not the nobility that marched in 1820. It is not the Scottish establishment which is calling for independence today. Almost 300 years, what better time to strengthen the struggle, to seek new ways of uniting the people of Scotland in a campaign for independence. The great advantage of organisations such as Independence First or the Independence convention is that they can be cross-party and non-party.

The launch went well. True the original plan to keep the speakers to ten minutes or so each did not work, but with three politicians on the stage who the heck thought it would? What it did do, however, was show that we can act together, that we can, if only for short periods, bury the political hatchet in the Union rather than each other’s backs. The political speeches went well, but who was not impressed by the complete change in pace offered by Joyce Falconer, freedom in song and poetry. You never know, it might just catch on? She was followed by Elaine C. Smith, calling for the artistic voice of Scotland to be heard, and added her voice to the demands for a ‘Scottish Six’. There was also a fine speech from Mike Danson of Paisley University presenting the economic arguments and parallels with Scandinavia. Yes, I appreciate that this is ground covered before, but it can never be covered enough (and frequently not as well). We hear far more from the Unionists on how Scotland is too poor/small/stupid to be independent than we do from those of Prof. Danson’s calibre, reminding us that what Norway or Sweden can achieve, so too can we. The evening ended with the signing of a declaration in support of independence, a declaration which I trust will travel furth of the hall. The launch of a new covenant for independence on the day of the signing of the declaration of Arbroath should help build the convention nicely. The general mood of cooperation and friendliness was confirmed in the impromptu social gathering later that evening. For future events the organisers might consider recommending an informal gathering point to the meeting – the importance of the social aspect of bringing pro-independence Scotland together should not be underestimated.

The convention, after lengthy discussion and negotiation, has finally left the starting blocks. The opportunities it offers are endless. It might seek to hold debates on a future Scottish constitution, it could identify ways in which we might tackle poverty or social exclusion, or routes to a better environment. It need not make decisions; holding the debates, seeking new possibilities, raising the issues in public profile, can be ends in themselves. The convention might seek to launch a new petition for an independence referendum. It may do no more than act as a social forum bringing the disparate supporters of independence together. If the convention can manage this alone, uniting independence supporters for all parties and none, then it will have achieved something singular. Aside from the call for independence we will, in our myriad forms, not reach agreement on all things, nor should we seek to do so. But we must find common ground, we must learn to live and work with each other.

Divided we shall be ruled, united we shall govern.