I rarely add political opinion to my Wandering with me posts but this one is about an Indie March, I will make an exception. So here’s my take:
I am a firm believer in the rights of all nations, all peoples to self-determination. In fact when Thomas Jefferson was writing the US Declaration of Independence he, as a British citizen, had many British references to help him formulate his thoughts. It is reported (by TJ) the Magna Carta of 1215 and the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320 were on easels before him and the writings of John Locke were on his desk. In 2014 Scotland voted on leaving the “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland“. The “No” side won with 2,001,926 (55.3%) voting against independence and 1,617,989 (44.7%) voting in favour. The main arguments presented by the “No” side were the love between the divers nations in the Union which at one time included Ireland and that if Scotland voted to Leave, they would be out of the EU, and the majority of the people of Scotland voted that they liked being part of the EU and voted to not leave that Union in the 2016 referendum called BREXIT, 62% of Scots voted to stay but since just over half, 51.89%, of the voters in the UK voted to leave the EU and due to it’s size of nearly 10X greater than Scotland, what England wants England gets. As has long been the case, since 1707 at least. And that is a huge part of the problem, second only to the belief that self determination of a people is a natural right validated by the UN. Many people in Scotland and elsewhere think that being forced to leave the EU against their will was a premeditated and secret scam planned in 2014 and along with promised but undelivered devolved powers and the blatant disrespect shown to Scotland by many in Westminster, especially the PM, feel reasons enough to justify another independence referendum. I totally agree, but who knows, maybe this Brexit thing will work out?
The second question is if the UK government grants Scotland permission for another referendum (and the fact that Scotland has to ask permission sticks in many a craw) and Scotland votes to Leave what will their relationship be with the EU and could Scotland survive as an independent country?
The EU leaders have all said that if Scotland were to become independent they would be welcome in the EU so that question is sorted. And as far as surviving, Scotland has a million more people and vast more resources than Ireland which has been independent for nearly 100 years and seems to be very successful. Of the 60+ countries that have received independence from Great Britain a total of zero have requested to come back. Will the transition be smooth and easy? Of course not, and only a fool would say yes. The are trade rules, currency to be determined, a border issue (probably along the lines of whatever the EU & UK arrive at on the Irish/NI border) a splitting of the debt and defense forces, the relocation of the Trident submarines that few in Scotland want, and many other issues and I’ll leave that for the Scots and Westminster to work out.
It is often said that there is no longer any interest in independence other than a few diehard member of the Scottish National Party (SNP) but after witnessing a massive rally last autumn in Edinburgh and this one in Glasgow, I don’t see the as true.
I positioned myself in this doorway to stay out of the rain as I knew that the march would turn here from Sauchiehall Street (I love that name, originally meaning: Meadow by a river).
And I visited this pub across the street which is a video game bar with a convenient loo! People come here because when you’re gaming apparently speed counts and here internet connections are faster than home. Plus there is a social aspect like any pub and the opportunity to try out new games before purchase. The barkeep was unaware that a march would soon pass his door but a few minutes later I noticed a Saltire hanging above the entrance to entice thirsty marchers!
A few short clips.
I hadn’t planned to march, just observe but when Mick called out I joined him. That’s him in the red. We’ve chatted for awhile now on FB but yesterday we finally got to clasp hands. I didn’t want to tell anyone that I’m not a fan of soccer, but I am for the right for a nation to self determination.
A wet and miserable day. Thankfully not too cold but the marchers needed a boost and this wee group of Unionist counter protesters lifted the spirits nicely. I counted 50 Union Flags and 50 cops with a 1/2 dozen on huge horses and 2 vans across the way.
I also marched with this banner and chatted a bit since it is what I believe. How they vote is up to them but for Johnson to not allow a vote is terribly undemocratic. And pointless as the UK government, has no longer assess to the Hessians that they used to stop American Independence and who General Washington crushed at Trenton, so how exactly would they stop a referendum?
And at the end, a wee bit of Scotland the Brave. The march went on to Glasgow Green but I was soaked & parched so I tucked into this pub for a pint. I should remember to always order a half until I suss the joint out. Turns out this was a Unionist or at least anti independence pub crowd. I started as usual chatting to the lads next to me on the bar, about mid 40’s. It came around to what I had been up too and I responded I had watched a wee march. One guy turned to his mate and asked “what march?” (it was on the next street) and he replied “a F’in SNP F-note, F-note useless pile of crap”. As I slowly zipped my coat to cover the St Andrew’s flag on my tee shirt I noticed a 3 guys come in with Union beanies, obviously part of the counter protesters. Beer quickly chugged and I was ghost.
I didn’t make this but it quickly shows the size of the event, something not likely shown on the BBC
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