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Scottish independence: voting yes is just the start Scottish independence: voting yes is just the start
(8 months later)
I'm aware that if you're Scottish this is the last thing you need – someone who no longer lives there sticking their oar in. Wouldn't a London-focused (I'll be amazed if they leave that bit in) newspaper have at least one other number to call? If you're used to the UK media, the referendum may simply seem disorientating: a possible redefinition of national identity as something inclusive and outgoing, extensive coverage suggesting that somewhere regional/foreign has significance – like the US. Or Chipping Norton. And if you're a progressive based in England – or as the elegant wit of current British political debate would put it, a "leftard Guardianista moron" – you don't want to be reminded that a yes vote will cast England into the thirteenth circle of hell, ruled over by the zombie corpse of Pinochet.I'm aware that if you're Scottish this is the last thing you need – someone who no longer lives there sticking their oar in. Wouldn't a London-focused (I'll be amazed if they leave that bit in) newspaper have at least one other number to call? If you're used to the UK media, the referendum may simply seem disorientating: a possible redefinition of national identity as something inclusive and outgoing, extensive coverage suggesting that somewhere regional/foreign has significance – like the US. Or Chipping Norton. And if you're a progressive based in England – or as the elegant wit of current British political debate would put it, a "leftard Guardianista moron" – you don't want to be reminded that a yes vote will cast England into the thirteenth circle of hell, ruled over by the zombie corpse of Pinochet.
But, let's talk about the real world. The world where massive paradigm shifts can happen without establishment consent and the removal of roughly 10% of an electorate wouldn't necessarily plunge the remainder into the End of Days. Why would I be voting yes if I could and why would I recommend it to those who can?But, let's talk about the real world. The world where massive paradigm shifts can happen without establishment consent and the removal of roughly 10% of an electorate wouldn't necessarily plunge the remainder into the End of Days. Why would I be voting yes if I could and why would I recommend it to those who can?
Very simply, yes is the progressive vote. It continues the vast expression of disillusion that produced a landslide protest vote for Scotland's only non-Westminster party. Since then, a novel political situation has seen voters go feral – abandoning party rhetoric, holding meetings, researching, expecting a democratic vote to effect genuine change. For yes, the referendum continues a process of holding Scotland's averagely shoddy politicians to account and hopes to build new models of financial practice and social cohesion.Very simply, yes is the progressive vote. It continues the vast expression of disillusion that produced a landslide protest vote for Scotland's only non-Westminster party. Since then, a novel political situation has seen voters go feral – abandoning party rhetoric, holding meetings, researching, expecting a democratic vote to effect genuine change. For yes, the referendum continues a process of holding Scotland's averagely shoddy politicians to account and hopes to build new models of financial practice and social cohesion.
For yes voters – and many no voters – Scotland's public sector isn't bloated: it provides incomes that are spent on goods and services, restrains private looting and preserves social cohesion. For yes, devolution's ability to slightly defend Scotland against austerity's blood sacrifices suggests more could be achieved. Scotland's priorities (more than 300 libraries closed in England and Wales, for example; none removed in Scotland) could be defended and enjoyed. It's a vote that expresses hope in Scottish voters' ability to produce a country they deserve. For yes voters – and many no voters – Scotland's public sector isn't bloated: it provides incomes that are spent on goods and services, restrains private looting and preserves social cohesion. For yes, devolution's ability to slightly defend Scotland against austerity's blood sacrifices suggests more could be achieved. Scotland's priorities (more than 300 libraries closed in England and Wales, for example; none removed in Scotland) could be defended and enjoyed. It's a vote that expresses hope in Scottish voters' ability to produce a country they deserve.
No wonder this has moved David Cameron to tearful dismay. Having your world view fundamentally questioned, your sense of self, your financial security – it's a shock. In the current UK, it's the kind of shock that's meant to happen to the poor, to people with disabilities, to Other People. The yes vote is about Other People crying as little as possible. Life will still happen, politicians will still be politicians and there's a huge amount of work ahead – with land ownership reform and environmental protection high on the list – but yes is about possibility, about a positivity with which Scots are not usually associated, a moral outrage with which they often are.No wonder this has moved David Cameron to tearful dismay. Having your world view fundamentally questioned, your sense of self, your financial security – it's a shock. In the current UK, it's the kind of shock that's meant to happen to the poor, to people with disabilities, to Other People. The yes vote is about Other People crying as little as possible. Life will still happen, politicians will still be politicians and there's a huge amount of work ahead – with land ownership reform and environmental protection high on the list – but yes is about possibility, about a positivity with which Scots are not usually associated, a moral outrage with which they often are.
Disillusion is often a negative word, but in this case it's literal and liberating. The illusions have gone. Establishment representatives approached a savvy, philosophical electorate with threats, insults and bungs. They implied yes voters don't love their children and suggested Scots working-class women have the intellectual capacity of herring. The UK media have often been either complicit, or out of touch.Disillusion is often a negative word, but in this case it's literal and liberating. The illusions have gone. Establishment representatives approached a savvy, philosophical electorate with threats, insults and bungs. They implied yes voters don't love their children and suggested Scots working-class women have the intellectual capacity of herring. The UK media have often been either complicit, or out of touch.
The financial world, so fond of representing its own interests as manifestations of natural law, has muddled its narrative, faked figures, played the usual shell game. The pillars of establishment control – politics, media, finance – and the Omniterror that gives them carte blanche have been examined and found unconvincing. In other words, the paradigm has shifted. This could and should be good news. Not Paradise Now, but certainly Progress.The financial world, so fond of representing its own interests as manifestations of natural law, has muddled its narrative, faked figures, played the usual shell game. The pillars of establishment control – politics, media, finance – and the Omniterror that gives them carte blanche have been examined and found unconvincing. In other words, the paradigm has shifted. This could and should be good news. Not Paradise Now, but certainly Progress.