LESSONS OF 2014 INDY VOTE

WHEN the referendum result was announced three years ago, I felt absolutely gutted.

I had toured the length and breadth of Scotland trying to spread the message about the importance of voting Yes.

During the campaign, support for independence increased from 29 per cent to 45 per cent – not enough to win but a good base to build on for future success.

I still think independence is only a matter of time.

The exact timing is difficult to predict but during the last campaign I thought that, for oldies like me, the referendum was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I have changed my mind and I now fully expect Scotland to be independent within my lifetime.

I have spoken to many people who now share my views, including senior citizens who voted No in 2014 after being told that a Yes vote would put their state pensions at risk, despite a written assurance from the Department for Work and Pensions that the pension rate would be maintained in an independent Scotland.

I am not a nationalist and, although I was virtually born and brought up in the Labour Party, I am no longer a member of any party and have no political axe to grind.

I do not see independence as an end in itself but as a means towards building a fairer Scotland with higher standards of social justice.

I believe that aim is shared by most people in Scotland but all too often, we have been ruled by governments who do not reflect such values.

When I was a Labour MP for over a quarter of a century, most of that time in opposition, it was absolutely frustrating.

We were winning the debates and winning the votes in Scotland but we were able to deliver very little because we were constantly outnumbered and out-voted at Westminster.

It is ironic that, in the lead-up to the 2014 referendum, the No camp told us an independent Scotland would be kicked out of the European Union.

Now we are on the verge of being kicked out of the EU because of our UK membership, despite the fact that 62 per cent of Scots voted to remain.

Brexit will threaten thousands of jobs and cause an exodus of EU citizens who contribute so much to our economy and our public services, especially the NHS.

Narrow-minded British nationalists like Theresa May and Boris Johnson are treating Scotland and Europe with absolute contempt.

Some Scottish politicians now belatedly tell us that federalism is the answer. But federalism would still mean the UK Government dictating on matters such as the economy, relations with Europe and renewal of Trident nuclear weapons.

Independence is the best option for Scotland, so decisions affecting the people of Scotland will be taken by the people of Scotland.

That is the surest way to deliver a better Scotland which will play a full part in the international community to help build a better world.