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As expected the SNP dominated in Scotland, winning 48 of the 59 seats available to the country, and
gaining 13 seats from the previous election.
I was there at the Glasgow count witnessing history, and watching the room erupt each time the SNP
gained yet another seat (they won all seven in Glasgow). In a shock result, the SNP even managed to unseat Jo Swinson in East Dunbartonshire, forcing the Liberal Democrat leader to resign.
Nothing quite set the room alive like this moment did. I watched as the Justice Secretary, Humza Yousef,
jumped up and down in excitement at the result. I laughed as the First Minister manically fist pumped the
air in front of a dozen television cameras when she got wind of the news.
Despite celebrations and the landslide victory in Scotland, the Tories were still the champions south of
the border, winning a 365 seat majority. Yet another result that bulldozed the voice of Scotland.
I am upset. I am angry. But am I surprised?
No.
This is now just the norm in Scotland. A look at the last few years in politics proves this.
In the 2015 election, the SNP won 56 seats, their best result to date and an impressive 50 seat gain from
the 2010 vote. Despite all but three Scottish constituencies voting for the National Party, the Tories as
per, dominated in the south placing David Cameron back in number 10.
Then in the 2016 European Union Referendum Scotland made it clear they were in favour of the union,
with 62 percent of voters backing remain. The vote of England and Wales drowned out the voices of both
Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The SNP’s popularity took a hit in the 2017 election, likely due to a divide on Brexit, however they still
took the majority in Scotland winning 35 seats. In a surprise result the Tories lost their majority, but with
the support (thanks to a payout) of the DUP, Theresa May was successful in her plight to remain the PM.
If the last four years appal you, it’s worth noting that Scotland hasn’t voted for a Tory Government in over
60 years, yet have been lumped with the Tories for more than half of this time.
These figures scream that our system in broken.
Just look at the Oxford Dictionary definition of Democracy: fair and equal treatment of everyone in an
organization, etc and their right to take part in making decisions.
Scotland hasn’t had true democracy in over half a century.
I often hear people say they don’t believe in an independent Scotland because they don’t like the SNP or
Nicola Sturgeon. At this point, backing an independent Scotland isn’t about liking a particular party or
leader, it’s about so much more.
Sure, the SNP are going to be the ones to lead us to an indy Scotland, however in an indy Scotland
there will be other parties to champion, with their own idea’s and manifestos.
Even Scottish Labour politicians are coming round to the idea of an furthering the home rule cause.
Alison Evison, a Labour councillor in Aberdeenshire recently said that democracy was ‘fragile’ and called
for a second independence referendum.
She said: “It’s straight-forward to me: democracy must be at the core of all we do.
“Recently it has become fragile and we must strengthen it again.
“We can strengthen it by enabling the voice of Scotland to be heard through its formal processes and
that must mean a referendum on independence.”
However, Scottish Labour leader, Richard Leonard, ruled out a second vote in the near future.
Bill Gates once said: “People always fear change. people feared electricity when it was invented, didn’t
they.”
And leaving the Union is certainly a change, but I can’t fear it. I already live in fear.
I fear the repercussions of leaving the EU. I fear for our NHS. I fear for the most vulnerable in our
society; the disabled, the poor and poorly, the homeless, the single mothers using foodbanks to get by,
and our immigrant and refugee communities.
Most of all I fear not having a voice in any of this.
When I march with my saltire flag around my shoulders, I do not march wearing rose tinted glasses.
I know an indepedant Scotland would come with teething problems and unique challenges; but so too
will the people of the United Kingdom under another five years Tory governance (at least). If our nation
can finally rise against centuries of unwanted rule, there’s no question whether we can surmount the
challenges of being our own nation, and build a better future.
A future in which for the first time we can remember, we have a voice, and freedom.
