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.