More Of That, Please

 

by Rab Bruce’s Spider

 

Mastodon: @RabBrucesSpider1@Mastodon.Scot

BlueSky: @RabBrucesSpider.Bsky.Social

X / Twitter: @RabBrucesSpider

 

A poll released over the weekend provided some much-needed encouragement for the Yes movement, putting support for becoming a normal country at 54%. As I mentioned on social media, that’s only 1% short of being decisive if the claims of better Together in 2014 are to be believed. Mind you, they lied about everything else, so who knows?

 

Some have pointed out that the pollsters are still weighting their results in accordance with the 2014 IndyRef result. With 10 years having passed, the validity of that must be questionable, so the actual Yes number could be a bit higher. Still, it’s only a single poll, so let’s not get too excited.

 

The most important thing to note is that this upsurge in support comes after the announcements in the Scottish Government’s Budget. If a single announcement like that can be so influential, even if helped by the cruelty and incompetence of the UK Government, then let’s hope the SNP learn the lesson. Pushing legislation in support of minority groups or interests is perfectly valid, and can make a huge difference to the lives of people in those minorities, but focusing on those issues and ignoring matters of wider public concern has been the Scottish Government’s problem in recent years. I hope this Budget is the start of some serious policy making which catches the public interest. Given Keir starmer’s refusal to focus on public welfare, this really shouldn’t be too difficult, although the financial constraints will, as ever, be an inhibiting factor. Even so, the Scottish Government should be arguing their case loudly now. The mainstream narrative has been critical for so long, yet it seems to be left to individuals within the Yes movement to point out that things are generally better in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK. In fairness, that’s a pretty low bar, but the Scottish Government needs to blow its own trumpet a bit more. Indeed, a lot more Government Ministers need to replicate the strong performance of Ivan McKee when, in a recent television interview, he constantly argued back against the usual attack lines of the Unionists and the presenter by pointing out facts and providing figures to back up his arguments. Well done. I think every Yesser would like to see a lot more of that.

 

In the past, I have expressed doubts about John swinney’s ability as an inspiring leader. I really hope he proves me wrong and starts coming up with some really eye-catching policies between now and the next Holyrood elections. If he does, there is no doubt that the wider Yes movement will be right behind him.

 


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