In Scotland, they like to use the slogan “The Clans Must Unite!“, but do we really want it? Haven’t we historically revealed a greater involvement in civil wars than in all other fights, invasions and uprisings? Even today, it is hard to resist the impression that we are not worried about the vision of a nation divided as never before: not only on independence or BREXIT, but also on lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic. But we should be.

Independent Scotland Without Farming & Fishing?

Living in Aberdeen and working all over Aberdeenshire I can see these present “clans” almost every day. With each subsequent election I drive through Blue villages, farms and harbours, and then I can read Yellow FB posts again “Ha, you complain about blocked borders, good for you, you shouldn’t vote LEAVE!“, etc. Frustration grows and some people prefer to laugh at the problems of others more and more often than try to solve them together. But is independent Scotland not going to have fishing and farming at all? Well, I hope we will not give up on them, and therefore not for elections only or a referendum, but because of common strategic interest it should be explained what the advantages of independence are for these specific groups. Simply, why will it be beneficial for Scottish farmers and fishermen to live in independent Scotland? There is nothing to be outraged here, the Arbroath Declaration will not fill us up, we must talk seriously.

Not A Question Of The EU

Therefore, the issue of “farmers and the matter of Scottish independence” cannot be reduced only to the point “Scottish independence as a way of returning to the European Union“. First, for a large part of Scottish farmers and fishermen, it is still a tough counterargument against the YES vote, despite the hard experiences of the first weeks after BREXIT. And secondly, it is…not true, because the question of the possible affiliation of an independent Scotland to the EU should be resolved separately and independently, e.g. in another referendum preceded by a respectable, nationwide debate, primarily economic, to a large extent also on agricultural issues, maritime economy, trade, investment policy, with maximum limitation of PR and party tricks. And exactly the same procedure should be followed with regard to NATO, the presence of nuclear weapons on the territory of independent Scotland, the monarchy and land reform.

COVID & Climatism Instead Of Independence & economy

It is also true that significant parts of the country are still maybe not exactly Tories’ Blue as simply sceptical of the uncompromising YES, and the current advantage in the polls does not allow this opposition (not party, but grassroots one), to be underestimated. Let’s remember how in 2014 Unionists simply voted down the other part of Scotland and then forgot about even its own allies here. I remember my regret and despair then, but the most important thing is to draw conclusions. If the supporters of independence in the next referendum just outvote the rest and pass over its concerns, including doubts about an independent Scotland’s agricultural, maritime and trade policies, that would be worse than a disaster. That would be mistake. It will be a mistake to disregard demands to protect our own internal market and entrepreneurship, both affected by BREXIT (caused by Westminster) and the COVID lockdown policy implemented in the name of the Greater Necessity, but even more destructive, and what’s worse, now replacing any pro-independence activity of Scottish Government. It will be a mistake to ignore an issue of decentralization as a safety brake for those who do not have to agree with the Bute House on everything. And it is really hard and will be much harder to pass through only COVID- and queer-oriented Nicola Sturgeon’s policy…

Lots of absolutely pro-independence people simply do not believe that the First Minister of Scotland and her SNP establishment are able and willing to solve the nation’s real economic problems in a true progressive way. Scottish political elites have largely fallen into as much dependence on international banks and corporations as their British opponents. So, the work on establishing the National Bank of Scotland or restoring its own Scottish stock exchange is dragging on forever. The “pro-climate agenda” imposed by the SNP and Greens alliance poses a real threat to the North Sea oil and gas industry and the jobs it creates. And betting on renewable energy sources has only left the Scottish market in the hands of international corporations, which although they built wind turbines and control electricity production, they do not give the promised employment to the Scots.

Majorities Pass Away, But The Nation Continues

And when we win the referendum, without solving these problems, additionally aggravated by the omissions of the establishment, our independence will be weak and uncertain. And this solution cannot be a dictatorship, the use of the one Party’s majority, even if the political opponents previously did the same. But they are guided by party interests, while the future of Scotland must be decided in the spirit and intention of national interest, national consensus and national reunification.

For today it seems that it will not be difficult to win the referendum when it is finally held. The most important thing, however, will be to win independence itself. The independence of one, undivided Scotland.