Meeting of the Parliament 18 September 2024
In 2014, the royal family—including Will, Kate, Harry and Meghan—were in the news, the Commonwealth games were being held in Glasgow and the world was reporting on a possible Trump presidency. I am almost scared to turn around in case Bill Murray is in the gallery, rebooting “Groundhog Day”, because, 10 years later, a new generation of the royal family is in the news, the Commonwealth games are returning to Glasgow and an older, if not wiser, Donald Trump is campaigning to be the US President again. The only thing not to be repeated is a democratic event that would allow Scots to choose independence.
It is time to break out of that repeating “Groundhog Day” cycle of ask-the-British-Government-and-get-refused, and to put the question back to the people of Scotland by using what has been staring us in the face for 10 years—the ballot box. Let us hold the constitutional convention, assemble the independence commission and put democracy back in top gear in 2026 by putting the question of independence to the people on the ballot. Self-determination is the path to the beginning of our empowered future. A simple majority of pro-independence votes on the Scottish parliamentary list vote will trigger the clear instruction from the people that is needed to demonstrate that democratic authority for Scottish independence.
I cannot say that this has been a very enlightening debate, but at least we found out that Alex Cole-Hamilton is in a buoyant mood after a recent visit to Brighton. However, I caution him that using words such as “fanatic” and “fanaticism” lets him down. There is nothing strange or unusual about believing strongly in the human right to self-determination.
If I understood Richard Leonard correctly, he said that using the 2026 list vote would be an insult to the people of Scotland. I do not agree with that, and the people of Scotland do not agree with that. Just last week, a poll showed that 57 per cent of the Scottish public think that we should have another referendum. The Labour Party and the Conservative Party must say why they are willing to prevent Scots from having their say.
That brings me on to the Greens. I do not say this often, but Ross Greer hit the nail on the head when he spoke of denying Scots’ democratic wishes. That is where we have a deep issue, because not one of the Labour, Tory or Liberal Democrat speakers addressed themselves to this fundamental question: if SNP mandate after SNP mandate did not secure a second referendum, how can Scotland express its choice? What is the democratic route that is open to Scotland? I am still waiting to hear it. Perhaps I will hear an answer to that question in the summing up from the unionist parties.
It is time to say goodbye to this non-functional union and embrace the untapped potential of an independent Scotland. We know that the union’s greatest fear is us firing on all cylinders, with the Scottish Parliament’s full powers and the backing of the Scottish people.
Column inches have been padded out in recent years by how vicious, detailed and incisive our fury with each other has been. I hope that they have seen nothing like what is about to be unleashed by the union, if we can all work together. We are a resource-rich nation and our people deserve so much better than surviving through this UK managed decline. We have in abundance the resources and the talent that we need to thrive under self-determination. No individual can change Scotland; only a collective effort will deliver the Scotland for all of us that we want to see. I urge that we all set aside our differences and work together towards a common goal—our nation’s independence.
The independence phoenix can rise from the ashes, and it will burn brighter and stronger than the fuel of our collective experience. We are taking this fight up a notch to match our rising ambition. We are discussing big ideas and bold promises. I believe that the people’s voice and their votes matter. The people of Scotland are sovereign, and only they will decide when it is time to reject Westminster’s decline and chart a new course into the safety of independence.