A decade ago, the world’s eyes were fixed on Scotland as millions of people came together on 18 September 2014 to decide on whether or not we would vote to be an independent nation for the first time since 1707.
The atmosphere during that time was electric with hope, optimism, and a belief in a better future. The Yes campaign brought together people from all walks of life, united by a common vision: a Scotland that could stand as a proud, independent country amongst the nations of the world.
The energy and enthusiasm of the Yes movement was unlike anything any of us had ever experienced. Even minute details of the economics and policies of an independent Scotland became topics of everyday conversation.
Of course, the result of the referendum wasn’t what I had hoped for. The Yes campaign made huge strides but at the end of the night, of those who voted, 9 out of 20 people backed independence and 11 out of 20 voted No.
Despite the disappointment, one thing we can all take immense pride in is the conduct of the referendum. We showed the world that Scotland could debate its future with both passion and dignity. There was no violence, no bloodshed, just millions of people peacefully exercising their democratic rights. In a world where political disputes so often lead to conflict, this is something truly remarkable, and something all Scots - whether Yes or No - can be proud of.
However, reflecting on the warnings made by the No campaign, it's hard not to feel a sense of bitter irony and even betrayal.
We were told that staying in the UK would protect us from economic hardship, that an independent Scotland would be forced out of the European Union, see lower household incomes, higher energy bills and its pensioners would struggle to make ends meet.
A decade later the dystopian picture the No campaign painted has become reality – but with Scotland still in the UK.
Wages have stagnated and the cost of living has skyrocketed, hitting the most vulnerable in our society hardest. Energy prices have soared, leaving households across Scotland struggling to heat their homes. Pensioners, far from being safeguarded by Westminster, are now being stripped of their Winter Fuel Payments at a time when the Republic of Ireland is considering raising its Winter Fuel Payment to 1,000 Euros - £844!
The state of politics in the UK today only adds to the sense of despair. Any hope people may have had that a Labour government would bring change has not survived the summer. The Tories and Labour are more and more seen as two sides of the same coin, two peas in a pod, two cheeks of the same… - well, you get the idea. Both are bound to the same outdated, London-centric vision of the economy and society.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that Scotland’s best chance for a fairer, more prosperous future lies as an independent country. Our nation faces myriad challenges and opportunities over the coming years. These need solutions and approaches tailored to Scotland’s needs if we want our country to thrive. And many of our European nations smaller than Scotland and with fewer resources have shown the way.
The dream of independence is still very much alive, with the support of around half of Scots. With each passing year, more people see that our best future is one we build ourselves.
The question in 2014 was whether we could afford independence. The question now should be: can we afford not to be independent?
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