Today is the most important day in the history of Scotland. Today is the day that myself and others who live in Scotland vote whether we stay within the United Kingdom or choose to be independent.
When the referendum was approaching, I had plans to write a long detailed article about why I was voting yes to an independent Scotland. However, all my energy in this discussion has been focused on Facebook. I had been getting very bored of Facebook, but the network has become the forefront of discussion for the future of my country with friends, family, friends of friends, and even those who cannot vote. Countless hours have been spent debating yes and no; and the reasons for choosing yes and no.
We have discussed a wide many of things during the debate such as the bias and fear mongering coming from the media and government, the currency union, nationality, the royal family, economics, the NHS, wealth distribution, and more. With 97% of the adult population registered for this vote and an expected turnout of over 80%, it is safe to say that this debate has galvanised its people.
We have endured love bombing from politicians and celebrities that have never stepped foot in Scotland to not break up the empire. We have even had to listen to the government’s patronising commercial that woman are too stupid to understand the referendum and should just vote no.
The BBC has also been shown up for the biased organisation that it has always been. Their bias has been clear from the start, but the catalyst for the tens of thousands of people who protested outside the BBC studios in Glasgow arose from Nick Robinson’s biased editing of a question he put forward to the first minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond.
Nick Robinson is, of course, the political editor for the BBC. He is also a known Tory who supports the no campaign. He posted questions to Alex Salmond during a debate; and according to Nick Robinson and the BBC, Alex Salmond refused to answer.
The reality is that Salmond did answer Nick Robinson. His response took several minutes and was so good that everyone at the debate started laughing at the stupidity at the questions Nick Robinson had made.
Thousands complained about the bias from the BBC as it is supported to be an impartial news organisation. As you would expect, they rejected the complaint.
Thankfully, Groundskeeper Willie was available to voice his opinion on the issue.
There has been many other funny and light hearted moments during the debate too. My favourite has to be Matt Lygate chasing Labout MPs through Glasgow playing the imperial march tune from Star Wars.
The Real Issues
Patronising ladies and media bias have been big talking points; however the real issue has been about the future of Scotland.
Despite what many people think, this vote is not about Scotland going independent because it has oil (though it does!). It is about the people of Scotland deciding what happens to their country. It is about removing the nuclear weapons that are situated 30 minutes from our most populated city. It is about not going over the countries and killing people with brown skin because we want their natural resources. It is about ending the need for food banks and stopping policies that make the rich richer and the poor poorer.
The yes campaign is not a nationalist movement or anti-English; despite what the media has been reporting. Nor are Scottish people whiners or moaners for wanting to remove Westminster and elitism and make things better.
This referendum is about a country deciding their future. That, at its core, is what democracy is all about.
I hope that at this time tomorrow, Scotland will have voted yes and I will be looking forward to my country becoming independent.
I will not lie and say that I will not be disappointed if we vote no, because I will. Anything to the contrary would be a lie.
Regardless of the result, there are many positives to be taken from the referendum. Over the last 10 or 15 years, Scotland had become widely uninterested in politics as our vote rarely mattered; though now we have a population that wants to have a say in how things are managed.
There has been positivity and negativity on both sides, but whatever happens, we should all remain focused on making Scotland a better place to live. It does not matter what country you were born in, what religion you practice, what colour your skin, or what language you speak. If you live and work in Scotland, you have a right (nay, a duty) to take interest in the future of this beautiful country and decide what is best.
This is an opportunity to create a fairer society which attacks important issues such as wealth distribution. A socialist society in which its citizens can get free health care and free education (something which I received and I want the next generation to receive as well). A society which stops multinational billion dollar companies getting away with paying 0.5% tax on profits and stops demonising those who fall on hard times.
I’ll end this small article with a quote from Nelson Mandela:
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears”
Saorsa airson Alba.
Kevin