Author: Christabel

I was talking with a friend today and she made me wonder if there’s any point to all of this – I don’t mean life itself! I mean writing this, I mean speculating over every political nuance, every twist and turn in the Brexit and Independence journeys. Well I reckon there is, educating and informing yourself, even if you never discuss what you’ve learned with another living soul, is always worthwhile. An informed population is much less vulnerable to exploitation. An informed, engaged population keeps on asking “why?”

One theory for the “Leave” vote is that disaffected voters took the opportunity to “give the establishment a kicking.” Well, I’m all for kicking the establishment, but sorry folks, you got the wrong target. The real opportunity for said kicking was in 2011, remember the AV (Alternative Vote) referendum? Choosing to flounce out of the EU has given “the establishment” in the form of the Tory Eurosceptic wing what they want, and will give the UK public a kicking. Changing to a different electoral system would have forced the “establishment” to change; coalition and minority governments have no choice but to look for common ground. Smaller parties like the Greens, Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru would have a louder voice. And yes, UKIP would get a look in, but actually winning more seats might have revealed just how corrupt and inept they really are. The UK parliamentary system is characterised by a struggle between two old enemies. Labour, Conservative, left and right. The Lib Dems are tolerated as part of the established order. These traditional delineations are fracturing elsewhere in Europe, in Scotland too, but in England the major parties cling to their security blanket. Voting for a different electoral method would have kick-started real, tangible reform. It would have begun with Westminster and led who knows where – House of Lords reform, a UK wide debate about federalism?

The wheels of change in Westminster turn at a glacial pace, the biggest shock for the establishment in recent history was the Indyref near miss in 2014 and the following SNP takeover in Scotland. Were either of these events met with any real soul searching or analysis from the political establishment ? No chance! In 2014 we were treated to EVEL (English Votes for English Laws) followed by a few paltry extra powers, far from the Devo-max promised by the Vow Brothers. The Labour Party reacts to the SNP as though they are aliens from another planet to be opposed on principle. With the notable exception of Henry McLeish, there has been little examination as to why Labour has failed in Scotland, instead we now have the inelegant spectacle of Ian Murray (Labour MP, Edinburgh South) suggesting Scots vote tactically to keep out the SNP!

My point is that the British establishment will always protect its own, Labour or Tory, the Lib Dems mop up any misfits, that’s their part in the ritual. The Tories famously consider themselves to be the natural party of Government. In my lifetime Labour have been the natural party of opposition, or failing that, a punch bag. To form a government they had to become “Tory lite” and appeal to middle England. This is a game, everyone has their role to play, the pesky SNP don’t fit and refuse to play. So Labour and the Lib Dems and middle England regard them with horror. Instead of examining what the SNP have to say, or considering the case for independence on its own merits, they oppose the interloper – just because.

The turnout for the AV referendum was pathetically low (42%) and the idea was rejected by 68%, an interested, engaged electorate would have understood and relished this opportunity for reform. Instead five years later a large portion of the voting public decided that all the UK’s ills could be laid at the door of immigration and the organisation responsible for this was the EU. So commenced the kicking and unfortunately although the EU looks a little sad, I can’t see any bruising. Our huff seems to have induced a collective eye roll across the channel but no meltdown. EU establishment in one piece. If “Call me Dave” and his Eton chums were the target – I don’t think their lives are ruined, lucrative speaking careers here they come. George already has a fortune and 5, or is it 6, well-paid jobs? The poor and disaffected took a swing and sabotaged their own futures – many of the “Leave” voting communities of England, have benefited from EU funding, and those areas reliant on the car industry for employment have imperilled their own job prospects. Instead of reform and consideration for neglected areas, Brexit has raised the possibility of Government using the delightfully titled “Henry VIII Clause”. This will allow the UK Government (I’m assuming this will still be Theresa and her cronies) to amend legislation with minimal scrutiny. An informed population would quail at such an idea and oppose it. Instead support for the Tories appears to be growing. “Strong” government shouldn’t mean hoarding power and burying the opposition. Why is collaboration and consideration of opposing view points seen as weakness?

Since the announcement of Brexit re-loaded, second chance Thursday, the 2017 General election, the BBC has been out and about in England and Wales engaging in that fun activity – asking unsuspecting members of the public about politics. Always a depressing, bewildering listen – Theresa May is strong and sensible, overseas aid should be slashed, migration must be reduced, little mention of the ailing NHS, the Tory election expenses scandal, the rape clause, the money pit that is Trident. The mainstream media shapes the debate and a large section of voters allow themselves to be steered. A majority of the English electorate will not vote Conservative on the 8th of June, a majority will be concerned about NHS funding and the direction of Brexit, but the Tories will likely be first past the post and gain extra seats in the Commons. Dissenting voices will find no space within Government.

If ordinary Brits are to have any chance of precipitating change we need to be able to recognise when we’re being offered genuine, positive reform (AV) and when we’re being chucked out of a plane without a parachute (Brexit). Passively waiting for politicians and the BBC to pipe relevant information into our homes isn’t enough any more, we have to take responsibility for educating and informing ourselves.

In the run up to 2014 Scotland woke up, and in 2015 we decided to stop colluding in the Westminster game. We sent 56 SNP MPs to the Commons to properly represent our interests and stand up for Scotland. To make progress, to become a truly democratic, modern nation the traditional structures of UK governance have to change, and frankly there seems to be no hope of that happening any time before 2020. Independence offers Scotland a chance to create something new and in the process I think the remainder of the UK would be forced finally to re assess its political structures. Independence offers all of us the chance to change. The 2017 General election will likely reveal just what different paths Scotland and England are on. Time to separate and find out what we’re really made of – authoritarian, mired in the past with disfunctional political structures or modern, democratic and European. I know which vision I prefer.

I’ve been trying to think up a cheerful, positive pro-indy “journey to yes” type of essay, but it’s just not happening. At the moment I’m finding it hard to escape the “reallywhat’sthepointofBrexit????” thought train. I have my own personal Brexit alarm-o-meter. At one end of the scale I have a friend who secretly considers leaving the EU to be a jolly good idea, if we all avert our eyes for the next decade or so the whole messy business will magically resolve itself. At the other end of the spectrum I have a teenage employee who has denounced Brexit as “backwards and wrong.” Unfortunately with “precious, precious” Theresa at the helm I think “backwards and wrong” will win the day. There is of course an antidote to my Brexit fretting.

On March 13th Nicola Sturgeon plotted the course for Scotref. As night follows day this prompted an onslaught of hysteria within the mainstream media. The political division hyperventilated behind closed doors and the media wing put its foot on the Better Together gas. Every TV and radio programme I tuned into gleefully informed me that no way (because of José) could poor pathetic Scotland ever join the EU. Breathlessly they moved on to explain that an independent Scotland would face compulsory Euro membership (really strikes me as a tad unlikely that we’ll be outside the EU for all eternity, yet mysteriously using the Euro.) And for the finale – NO-ONE wants ANOTHER divisive referendum on independence! That last one is my favourite, especially when presented by the eternally be-fuddled David Mundell.

Lets just examine the recurring suggestion that Indyref1 was traumatic for all involved. The 2014 referendum has been widely praised as largely good humoured, positive and informative. My experience was that most voters cared, wanted to weigh up the arguments and make a considered choice, I found it to be an engaging and attitude changing experience. Of course there are always angry people, aggressive people, people who behave as though they’ve never been out in public before. But it was ever thus, every side of every argument has trouble makers. No national debate on anything that really matters will be one long round of skipping through fields with bunnies.

Now if you want to talk about divisive, and want to learn a few lessons in how not to conduct a thoughtful conversation….I give you the 2016 EU referendum. Wasn’t that a barrel of laughs? A week before doomsday, there was a “More or Less” programme on Radio 4, it lasted 2 hours, and covered all the EU bases, honestly, we could have washed away the preceding six months of nonsense, had a tea party, listened to “More or Less” and voted. As it was we had a “remain” side performing the old “terrify the voters” routine, and the “leave” side riding the anti immigration wave and lying about money.

In 2014 the Indy movement didn’t shrivel and die, but it did move on and Scottish life chugged on much as before. I appreciate and understand the reasons for voting “No”, there were valid, reasonable arguments on both sides of the spectrum. We all acknowledge that the case for Independence really faltered at the currency hurdle, announcing a currency union with a country which responds “oh yuck, no thanks, find your own currency” isn’t a credible move. But with Brexorama, there is no moving on. Just have a wee look “below the line” on any on-line news article discussing the EU exit, thousands of Brits are relentlessly picking over the Brexit bones. The reason for this sadistic cycle of angst? – the arguments presented for abandoning the EU are leaky as a leaky thing. Yes, yes, there are reasons a plenty for feeling uneasy about the European Union, the refugee crisis, shady trade deals, the Eurozone, but that old ref, wasn’t about any of this and it does nothing to address those concerns. It was about saving money, reducing immigration and re-claiming sovereignty. It’s clear as crystal that we won’t be saving a penny any decade soon, and migrants? Well there seems to be a very belated recognition that our beloved, struggling NHS needs staff from abroad in order to function. Ooh and sovereignty, not much of that happening up here in Scotland, love a bit of sovereignty thanks. Can we have it in the form of independence from Westminster?

This is why Brexitannia is the neverendum, is the debate that will never die, with consequences that will drag on interminably. Scotland has an opportunity to take a different path, there won’t be an immediate transition to greener pastures, we’ll have tough years, but one mega bonus – no more Brexit anxiety. Should we initially follow the EFTA, EEA route I can’t see that provoking the same level of soul searching. I think the first rule of Nationhood should be to find your own tedious source of eternal angst, England has suspicion of the EU, I’m sure there’s some niggle we could needlessly fret over for the next 50 years. And the right wing press in Scotland will need something to whine on about.

I suppose the the referendum lesson is that it’s OK to have a nifty tag line – “take back control” for example, but there needs to be some substance behind this, currency, pensions and the deficit need a thorough, intelligent examination. The Yes movement can’t shy away from admitting some aspects of this are just difficult to quantify. Honesty and debate – good, lying and Eton boys pretending to be populist heroes – backwards and wrong!

I don’t hate Brexit because of an undying love for the EU, I hate it because it’s being imposed upon us in an extreme, uncompromising form. Of course it needn’t have been like this, there is an alternate reality where one of the more sensible Tories is in charge, they tell the Brexit bananas to bog off, commit to full membership of the single market, consult and involve the devolved governments and don’t use EU nationals residing here as leverage. We’re not in that universe, we’re here in the Great Brexit Empire where diplomacy involves Boris Johnson skipping merrily around Europe waffling about prosecco, referencing the 2nd World War and David Davis thinks economics doesn’t involve writing down numbers.

So what I’d like, some-time soon is ANOTHER (hopefully not) divisive referendum! It will be a hard road, there will be debate, confrontation, argument, maybe a bit of shouting, some friendships may wither, there will no doubt be dark, abusive corners online. But we are (mostly) adults, and the alternative is accept we are mute, without influence, our assets a card to be exploited by a narrow cohort of the Tory Party. There are places on Earth where even talking politics amongst friends is a dicey business, in such places divisive referenda are what dreams are made of! We in Scotland are the lucky ones, we are going to be given a choice.

The End! I’ll try and and think of something not in the Brexit bashing arena for next time – not holding out much hope though, article 50 here we…….oh no it’s OK folks Nicola’s got a better idea!

Really, what is the point of Brexit? In the fevered imaginings of Liam Fox and Jacob Rees-Mogg, Brexit means low taxes for the super rich, privatised everything and not much in the way of worker’s rights. What I can’t fathom is what does your average, ordinary leave voter envisage Brexit will deliver for them personally? Yes I know – sovereignty, taking back control, blah, blah, blah. I think everyone’s realised the poor beleaguered English NHS isn’t getting £350m a week any time soon. So how does swimming in sovereignty translate into real life? What is the point of Brexit -what are the tangible positive effects on families and communities?

The Independence movement of 2014 had vision and ambition. It wasn’t independence for its own sake, it was independence with a purpose. It was engaging and inspiring, as well as considering the nuts and bolts and practicalities, as ordinary voters contemplated the kind of nation we could be. People – we had ideas, ideas about democracy, politics, trident, green energy, oil funds and a load of other stuff.

Where’s that vision and ambition within the grass roots Brexit movement (if there is such a thing)?

Brexit seems to be all about the anti – it’s the “we don’t like that thing” vote. Well folks, what do you like? Where’s the pro, where’s the positive, where’s the ambition? (Selling arms to Middle Eastern dictators is not something to aspire to, neither is a deal with Mr Orange. I’m after a better quality vision here.) We’ve heard a lot of waffle about the “opportunities” of Brexit. Well it’s been eight months………still a bit hazy as to where these “opportunities” are hiding. Is a £50 billion divorce bill an opportunity? Sounds more like an unnecessary drain on precious resources to me, but then I did once get 1% in a maths exam.

Maybe I’m just a dreadful sneering, liberal, cynic who needs to put down “The National” and pick up “The Daily Mail”. At some point in the next few years Theresa May is planning a fun activity she’s calling “The Great Repeal Bill”. Now it strikes me that this may be something that turns out not to be “great” or as simple as it’s being painted. But for arguments sake, magical Theresa waves her wand (she’s borrowed it from Hogwarts) and all that pesky EU legislation is re-homed in good old honest Blighty. So what now? Is there going to be a vibrant, radical campaign to IMPROVE this legislation – was that the point all along? We don’t want environmental protections as drafted by the faceless, distant European parliament, we want EVEN BETTER environmental protections, plus MORE animal welfare (all chickens to roam free at all times), MORE paid holiday, MORE funding for deprived areas; you get the picture. Now if this was the plan, then Brexit might not be so alarming, but I’m not hopeful. I’m starting to suspect that Brexit means Brexit means less. “Getting our sovereignty back” sounds OK, getting it back and giving it to an effectively unopposed, righter than right Tory government, maybe not such a cunning wheeze……Nigel Farage presented himself as the radical leader of a revolt against the establishment – then ran off to pose in a golden elevator. I think there’s a metaphor in there – something to do with manipulating people for personal elevation!

Brexit is an imposition, on Scots who don’t want it and on the English and Welsh who do. It’s being done to us, not for us, top down; like it or be denounced as a sneering liberal, divisive nationalist, moaning remainer. When (!) Scotland votes for Independence I don’t expect the winning side to say “fall into line, sit down and be quiet”, I expect collaboration, compromise and a collective effort. Brexit is more along the lines of “winner takes all, winner smashes all” and the Labour party provides the hammer. Isn’t the point of democracy that nothing is forever? We can argue, change our minds, have a re-run, bring down the government and replace them with a cabal of guinea pigs. (Guinea pigs would appreciate the EU’s animal welfare legislation.) 17 million Brits chose Brexit world, it’s their baby, where are the “leave” pressure groups attempting to shape and temper the government stance? I’m fairly certain most voters don’t have a hankering for life in a de-regulated tax haven. So why the unquestioning acquiescence?

I’m no rose bespectacled europhile, I was as anti the now defunct TTIP as the next sensible person, and the EU has really struggled with the refugee crisis, but Brexit, as realised by Theresa May and cronies, has nothing positive to offer Scotland or any average British person. And with the official opposition missing (not in action), the end of the Tory tunnel seems a long way off.

Maybe an independent Scotland won’t join the EU, maybe we will, maybe we’ll form a new confederation of small countries which occasionally experiment with fried confectionery. In an uncertain world I am absolutely confident that a small, independent nation, with an educated population and a wealth of other resources can do sooooooo much better than Brexit. And you know what, that goes for England too.

(with a heavy dose of sea faring metaphors)

The UK’s economic weather is currently viewed through the prism of big business – how are the multi nationals responding to Brexit? – ignoring the fact that 60% of private sector employees work in small and medium sized businesses.

Setting Sail

I am a partner in one such business and Brexit means our endeavour has no long term future. We employ ourselves, two part time staff and occasionally others at busy times. We built our business from nothing, with very little capital of our own, a business loan of £10,000 and no grants. Six years on we are successful, we could even be described as thriving. We could probably chug along as we are for a few more years but in order to make our business sustainable in the long term we need to earn more, to earn more we need to expand, to expand we need to borrow a large chunk of money. That money would be spent on securing premises, employing more people, purchasing building materials – in other words we’d be doing stuff! Wheels would be turning, our little cog in the Scottish economy would be engaged. This was our intention, then the Brexit iceberg hove into view and our plan for the future suddenly seems far too risky.

The Doldrums

So we’re waiting and watching, our cog still turns but our plans have shrunk. We’ll stay as we are for now, and improve our business in less costly ways, but should Scotland remain trapped aboard (not so) good ship Brexitannia we’ll very reluctantly start looking for another option. I’m sure that we are not alone as a (very) small business, feeling unable to carry out planned investments, choosing the “wait and see” option. We are the backbone of the UK economy, if we hold our breath what does that mean for our economy? Nissan, Vauxhall, Apple are not the canaries, we are – British small businesses. If we falter, the economy falters.

We have supported Scottish independence for many years now for a boat load of reasons, but from the point of view of our wee business what does self determination offer? Well, quite simply it gives us a fighting chance. The current UK government appear committed to fatal self harm, prioritising a reduction in immigration above all else. The chilling talk of “rebalancing” the economy, WTO rules and a deal with the orange “dude” doesn’t offer even a sliver of hope for Scotland.

Our business derives part of it’s income from the currently booming Scottish tourist industry. An industry which will start to struggle if staff from abroad are harder to recruit and if further austerity undermines our infrastructure. Brexit Britain may develop an image problem – tales of racist abuse on English streets have travelled the globe. As we know, not all news outlets understand that the UK is a union of nations, rather than a collection of English regions!

A New Course

An independent Scotland would quite simply prioritise Scottish needs – we need migration, a constructive relationship in, or with, the EU and to maintain our reputation as a welcoming, tolerant nation. Isn’t that more appealing than being unwilling guinea pigs in an ill conceived, right wing experiment? The defining feature of Brexit is anxiety over immigration, aided and abetted by hysterical, right wing press. This will define UK policy for years, decades to come. I think Scotland deserves better, can do better, can offer more than a future based on such narrow parameters.

Scottish Independence isn’t a rejection of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it’s about embracing something positive, creative and more suitable for Scotland. It’s about being ourselves and making the most of our considerable resources. How many other small nations have our renewables potential, the city of Edinburgh, science and technology, world class universities, a thriving tourist industry, jaw dropping scenery, Rabbie Burns, world famous food, drink and textiles? Oh and there’s that other stuff – the black substance lurking beneath the rocks under the North Sea.

England has set it’s course, for good or ill, it’s time we did the same. There are stormy seas ahead, all the more reason to plot our own course than have it plotted for us. (Am I overdoing the sailing metaphor??? Naaaah, I could be wittering about lions and unicorns….)

If Scotland says Aye to independence then we’ll press ahead with our business expansion, borrow some cash, build and expand. More than that we’d be a tiny cog in a nation building machine, and we’d be proud to be part of that.