The Independance Debate
Published 1 Dec 2011 10:00
THE independence debate is set to run until the referendum is held in the second half of this parliamentary term, as promised by the SNP during the successful election campaign earlier this year.
It will be no surprise to readers that I will be fully supporting and campaigning for a 'Yes' vote.
I do hope that the level of debate improves over the coming months. I am dismayed at the tactics already being used by the unionist Parties, such as scaremongering about companies not investing in Scotland, border controls, and soldiers being forced to leave their regiments.
The unionist Parties are treating the people of Scotland with contempt and we will not be fooled by their lies and innuendo about Scotland's ability to stand on our own two feet and take control of our own affairs.
For too many years, successive Westminster Governments have used Scotland as a testing ground for flawed policies like the Poll Tax and have shamelessly raided our substantial natural assets with very little coming back across the border in return.
The current financial crisis was not of Scotland's making, yet it is ordinary Scottish people who are paying the price for Labour, Tory and Lib Dem mismanagement.
Let's just look at two current issues that have arising while we are part of the Union.
Firstly, last week, the Westminster Government decided to close the Clyde and Forth Coastguard Services. Nobody in Scotland thinks that this is a good idea.
It is being done to save money and address the Westminster deficit, and there is scant regard for the lives that are being put at risk with this shocking decision.
Secondly, the decision to make sweeping changes to the welfare system will affect thousands in West Dunbartonshire.
On top of earlier cuts made by the previous Labour Government to the Independent Living Fund for people with disabilities, this unionist attack on vulnerable people is shameful and dangerous and will put people at risk.
I am confident that these issues would have been dealt with in an entirely different way in an independent Scotland; the coastguard stations would remain open and no SNP Scottish Government would put the most vulnerable in our society into poverty to pay for nuclear weapons and bonuses for city bankers.
An independent Scotland will have the power to decide all the issues which affect the way we live and not just those that the unionist Parties think are enough to keep us quiet.
This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 29 Nov 11
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