So what other political party supports independence in Scotland or are you one of these people who sits on the fence spoiling for an argument decrying the sources of information used by others while supplying no credible sources of your own
Off the top of my head, The Scottish Greens, SSP, Solidarity, Not to mention other bodies and individuals, for example, The Independence Commission, a multi-partisan grouping set up to "Firstly, to create a forum for those of all political persuasions and none who support independence; and secondly, to be a national catalyst for Scottish independence."[SUP]
[[/SUP] Then there were National Collective, a group of pro-independence artists, Radical Independence Campaign, a group further to the left than the mainstream of independence supporters. There was also Business for Scotland, whose name tells you all you need to know. On top of that, there grew a Consititutional Convention, whose main aim was to draft and champion a wirtten constitution, which for me can be no bad thing. It was envisaged as a unicameral democracy, not a republic as one ignoramus has stated so far. In fact, although there was a definite republican element within the supporters of independence, it was a relatively small faction and keeping the Queen as head of state was always likely to be the preferred option, at least in the medium term. What really characterised the campaign for me, though, the thing which swayed me from being anti- (yes folks) to pro-independence was the adult fashion in which the SNP had learned to conduct itself. I had previously viewed them as disruptive, not without cause, but Alex salmond's second term as leader transformed them into a party which the people decided they could trust. Having served one hair raising term in minoirty government. they were then elected outright and have served ever since.
Now, the referendum campaign, to the neutral, must have looked as if nobody believed that Scotland could manage its own affairs. "Too small, too poor, too stupid" became the battle cry of Bitter Together. The media, with only one singular exeception (Sunday Herald) adopted the BT party line, and thsi includes BBC Scotland. At the last minute, Brown managed to persuade the leaders of the major parties to cobble together The Vow, which may or may not have swayed the vote. Who knows? What I do know is this; for the first time in my life, I was involved in a political campaign which felt right. We went from, a few months before the referendum, being 20 and more points behind in the polls to, with very little time left, a slender lead in a couple of them. In the end, the margin was narrow, but we attempted, having dried the tears to accept the defeat with grace. There was a sting in the Unionist tail though. A peaceful celebration of having taken part in something good was hijacked by unionist thugs wielding EDL, SDL, National Front, BNP, Orange Lodge, Rangers FC and other regalia. Two young women were beaten and their Saltire taken and burnt. Gays, Scots, anyone who didn't fit their hateful profile were attacked and beaten, flares thrown and passers-by terrorised. Still, the next day, Alex salmond did the right thing in his usual dignified manner and Scotland moved on.
Moving on, though, does not mean the dream died. Mine never will. If id doesn't happen during my lifetime, my sons won't stop working towards independence, and they have every right so to do, and none of you have any right to say otherwise, at least not if you want to go on keeping up the pretence of democracy.
