Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
I’m saying no thanks to another referendum
Independence has been the source of much debate in our nation for decades – most notably in recent years – and there are no signs of it stopping any time soon.
However, recently the debate has taken a sharper turn than a suit-clad Lewis Hamilton going over black ice in his MercedesAMG.
We’ve moved on to whether we should even have another vote on independence at all.
Back in September 2014, Scotland’s citizens voted by a short-but-clear 55 per cent to remain part of the United Kingdom.
That was supposed to be the end of the debate but, as is often the case in politics, where issues make more comebacks than horror icons Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, there was more to come.
It’s not that I don’t like a good debate; in fact I love them.
But this is one that is becoming repetitive, divisive and tiresome; a bit like most of the punditry on offer at the World Cup.
In 2015, the question became more prominent when the SNP won 56 out of Scotland’s 59 seats at Westminster, giving them a clear mandate to represent the country.
The second big step was in June 2016 when the UK voted to Leave the EU but Scotland voted to remain.
However, the third step was delayed when the SNP lost 21 of their Westminster seats in last June’s snap election and the potential independence referendum was put on the back-burner.
In recent days and weeks, though, with Brexit issues and the SNP’s walkout of parliament during Prime Minister’s Questions, the issue has been raised again.
We already voted No in 2014 and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon did call it a “once in a generation opportunity”.
I have no real gripes with independence in general, and think Scotland could do well culturally, but I respect democracy and have the same level of respect for the 2014 vote as I do for the 2016 vote.
The pro-indy referendum argument seems to be alright when it comes to accepting the 2016 vote but not so much when it comes to the 2014 vote – and that is less consistent than my last attempt at making a soufflé.
In terms of Brexit, I believe that we’re better off getting on with the job of delivering it, which means we exit the EU’s single market as well.
I’m not so happy, nor should any democrats be, with the House of Lords making decisions.
That institution should be abolished and replaced with an elected senate. Consistency is key so, for now, I’m saying No Thanks to another independence referendum.