Based On Principle Not Party-Politics

It is a saddening state of affairs when the independence movement is automatically assumed to be a sole SNP movement, and that everything to do with Scottish independence is to do with the SNP. The march for Scottish independence on the 22nd of September 2012 however, forever destroyed this claim. For anyone who attended the event, or indeed seen videos or photos of the event, will have seen that the independence campaign is a vast cross-party, cross-social and cross-ideological campaign that stretches far beyond the role of the SNP.

Attending the march myself I saw a myriad of different groups showing their support for the campaign, this ranged from the Scottish Socialist Party, Solidarity, Scottish Greens, LGBT, SMNT (Scottish Militant Ninja Turtles), Pensioners, Youth and Students, Women, Christians, Trade Unionists, Labour, International campaigners, SNP and those marching just out of pure principle (I also saw 'Shinty players for independence'...). The breadth and variety of the groups taking part is the main signal from the march, it is a campaign based purely out of principle not politics.

The cohesion and solidarity demonstrated by all groups at the event shows that this is a campaign based on securing the best future for Scotland, for all those who live in Scotland, not for securing political power. All participating groups in the event are fighting for the principles of a fairer society, democracy, a secure economy for future generations, and just being able to make our own decisions.

All groups involved in the campaign want a Scotland in which they can have a real say and influence on how their country is governed. To not be governed by an unrepresentative parliament, built on old-world principles of greed and imperialism, both of which values transpire well into today's world. You do not have to look far to see examples of this. Both the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan were blatant resource-grab attempts by Westminster, Iraq is one of the largest oil producers in the world and Afghanistan has the 2nd largest deposits of rare earth metals on earth.

The greed demonstrated by Westminster is also extremely prevalent in our own country. Millions suffer savage welfare cuts by Westminster which leave the most vulnerable in our society worse off. Billions per year are being pumped into a failed program of 'quantitative easing', which has inflated our currency to never before seen levels, to bail-out a failed, unregulated banking sector which is the very thing which ruined our economy. All the while high-flying bankers who caused the economic disasters are receiving bonuses in the billions and corporation-tax cuts from Westminster.

All groups at the event want an end to this mismanagement. We were marching for the principle of being able to manage our own country, and shape our destiny in a way which provides a real benefit for the people of Scotland. I want to stress by 'Scotland', I do not mean just Scots. Anyone who lives in Scotland and considers it their home, I consider just as Scottish and myself. Politics and ideological differences may divide us, but we are united through principle, standing up for fairness and self-determination.

Based on Co-operation, not separation.

Part of a short-series of articles aiming to explore the positives of the Yes campaign demonstrated in the march for independence.

Many seem to speculate on the Yes movement and draw the conclusion that in wanting independence, we are separating ourselves from the British Isles, and indeed the rest of the world. What was demonstrated on the 22^nd of September in the March & Rally for Scottish Independence however, proved quite the opposite.

Those who attended the march may have noticed the myriad of foreign flags being shown at the event; all from other small European nations such as our self, in pursuit of their own self-determination. The nations shown included: Catalonia, Flanders, Venice, Wales and the Basque Country, all of whom I dare say rivalled our show of Saltires and Lion Rampant’s.

Every nation representing themselves at the event melded together harmoniously, all chatting, dancing, and chanting together as one. What this shows is that the march was not just about Scotland’s self-determination, it represents the worldwide movement for those who want to determine their own destiny. It represents the freedom which all people desire, to be able to know that all the decisions being made in their country are fully representative of their views, aspirations, needs, and priorities.

It represents countries not wanting to be treated as a mere region, which is only there in the central governments’ mind to finance the capital, or to be used as a mere stepping stone to power. Scotland, and all other small European nations, just want to be a part of the world. We want to co-operate together as equal partners to create a fairer, more democratic world which the people of small nations like our own have a chance to contribute to and shape the world we live in, by having our voices fully represented on a national and international scale, not being filtered through an unrepresentative parliament.

The enthusiasm for co-operation demonstrated at the march by all nations just shows how well people get along when they put their views across as equal partners from different countries, because then it can be assured that both sides are fully representative of the people’s views, not a compromise from being part of a dysfunctional union in which unequal nations are said to have an equal input on an international scale.

Scotland does not want independence based purely on our desire to separate ourselves from the rest of the world. We want to be a part of, and contribute to the world. We want to work closely with our European and international neighbours to create a fairer and more democratic world.

Scottish Food & Drink Industry Booming.

The most recent reports from the Scottish Government show that the Scottish food & drink industry is booming. Recent statistics show that the whole industry is worth an estimated £5.4bn to the Scottish economy. In stark contrast to the many news stories published concerning how many British industries are on the decline, the Scottish food & drink industry is in fact, on the rise, and has exceeded previous expectations. 

The original expectations were to increase the industry value to £5.1 billion by 2017. A figure which was already surpassed six years ago. Whiskey, the main product for Scotland in the industry, in 2011 was worth an estimated £4.23 billion (a 23% rise on 2010).

Our exports have seen a major rise. France is up 18%, with £825 million. The USA is up 30%, with £726 million. Exports in Asia have seen a large rise of 44%, Singapore totals £319 million, and China totals £92 million.

What this demonstrates is the strength and ingenuity of the Scottish people & economy even in hard times when the British economy is falling further into recession, economic output is severely flat-lining, and budget deficit reductions are doing virtually nothing to help our total debt of £1 trillion. This recent growth in the Scottish economy however will do nothing to benefit Scotland if the revenues are just going into subsidising a failing economic policy that is dragging the country further into recession.

With independence, (you knew this was coming) Scotland could have full control over all its economic levers and ensure fully that growths in our economy can go back into benefiting the Scottish economy, and not into the pockets of Westminster. It is a well-known fact that Scotland contributes more to the union than we get in return. The GERS report (Government Expenditure & Revenues Scotland) concluded that we have 8.4% of the UK population, contribute 9.6% of the tax revenues,(not counting  and receive 9.3% of government spending. 

With all revenues from the Scottish economy going back into the Scottish economy, we could multiply the growth we have seen under the status quo exponentially.

It is preposterous to state that a government which Scotland did not vote for, who has a completely different political standing from the vast majority of Scottish voters, and is London-centric in its policies can deliver an economic plan for Scotland which will fully ensure that our economy properly grows.

A detailed breakdown of the revenues from foreign exports is provided here:

2011 food and drink exports:Total food: £1.16bn – up 8.6% on 2010 – up 62% on 2007
Total drink: £4.23bn – up 23% on 2010 – up 50% on 2007

Top 5 whisky markets 2011:United States: £655m (+31%)
France: £535m (+27%)
Singapore: £318m (+44%)
Spain: £259m (-3.4%)
South Africa: £166m (-1.9%)

Top 5 Food Markets 2011:France: £289.3m (+5%)
Irish Republic: £103.9m (+5.8%)
Spain: £87.4m (+0.7%)
Italy: £79.7m  (+16.1%)
Germany: £75.5m (+3.6%)