On September 19 2014, I woke up to a text from my Dad saying :”Good morning, unfortunately we’re not in an independent Scotland.” It was disappointing for myself and people who felt the same way about the issue. That might not have been our day, but the Yes movement were hopeful they’d get what they want eventually.
It now looks like #indyref2 will be upon us before we know it. After the no vote two years ago, most of us couldn’t anticipate another referendum happening so soon. It’s something I want to be excited about, but if I’m being honest, I’ve never felt more nervous about anything else in my entire life.
I didn’t have to think twice when I was asked what I’d vote the second time round. Of course, I’ll be voting ‘yes’. I’ll do all I can to help make this happen, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop worrying about it.
Following Brexit many people who initially voted no have since their changed their minds. I would find this reassuring if it weren’t for the fact that I know people who originally voted yes, but now say they’d vote no. Their reasons for this is because, to them, independence will mean being dragged back into the EU, which is something they don’t want.
I’m not going to hide the fact that I did vote to remain. Many will see this as being hypocritical, and will question why I’d want to be part of one union but not another. I admittedly didn’t do enough research into Brexit as I should have, but I still have reasons for voting the way I did. I’m not particularly keen on the government at Westminster, and I personally feel the EU benefits Scotland more.
However, it’s not all about the EU for me, nor was it in the first place. For me it’s the fact that whatever Scotland votes for, it always seems to be a government we didn’t vote for that takes charge. The decisions made by these governments usually involve something that Scotland didn’t want to be a part of, or do something that doesn’t benefit us in anyway. In my eyes, we’re a country that has so much potential to thrive on our own, but we’re continuously being held back by this.
It’s still early days to try and encourage others to see the issue from a different point of view. The same pro-union arguments are already making a reappearance (it always comes back to oil and currency). So, I’ve been assured this time round we’re more prepared for whatever is fired at us. Part of me is still scared that despite this, Scotland may reject independence again.
This time feels more serious. It’s a bit like resitting an exam; it didn’t matter too much if we failed the first time, but if we don’t succeed on the resit then it could be a long time before we can prove that we can do it. Presumably most people would have liked a bit more time between the two, but that doesn’t seem like an option for us now.
Getting the result we want this time won’t be easy and we can’t convince ourselves that we’ll get the result we want if we don’t put the work in.
Featured image credit: YouGov
When we get independence, we still have to trade. We want to do that with as many people as possible. We don’t want to be tied to England and dependent on them. We can trade with our European partners and get the best price for doing do, that is, trading with the many, rather than sprachling (such a word?) around trying to get best price with whomsoever. England has already started this process by way of Donald Trump !!! There are many things to be taken into account, but I trust the Government to do this with Scotland’s best interests at heart. Saor Alba