Step aside, old timers, as Scotland moves on

Life moves on! It appears a number of writers to this newspaper are not only living in the past, but wish to condemn future generations to the same fate.

There was a time when it was entirely logical to encourage our youth to follow the well-trodden path, for our most academically gifted, to Oxford and Cambridge and on to rewarding posts within the British Establishment, whether within the UK or countries scattered around the globe within “The Empire”. Certainly we have all recently witnessed evidence of the huge financial advantages of being close to those currently enjoying power and influence at Westminster, but as the UK’S influence in the world diminishes, so do opportunities for our youth to build their careers within the framework of the Establishment, even those hoping to find shortcuts to riches through influence rather than merit.

Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat supporters should have the democratic confidence to vote for the SNP, or the Greens, at the next Holyrood Election, at least on the list, or have the moral integrity to abstain. Assuming most wish to have a closer relationship with Europe than we are currently compelled to endure within the Union and also wish to remain true to the principles of the party whose political objectives they endorse, then the only sincere way they can achieve the outcomes determined by those principles is to support self-determination so that the people of Scotland can have the opportunity to be persuaded by arguments around those principles. Those lacking the confidence to win those arguments in a referendum, overwhelmingly desired by Scotland’s youth, or in a subsequent election for an independent Scottish Parliament, should recognise it is time to move on and let others who do have belief and genuine ambition determine the future of our country.

The world is changing fast and seeking a long-term career in a contracting oil and gas industry or the UK’S shrinking military is likely to be increasingly frustrating for many with ambitious goals. Of course not everyone can step outside of their own personal preferences and experiences, especially in advanced age, and take an objective look at the emerging world facing the youth of today, but perhaps if it can at least be accepted that it is time to trust younger generations to take more control of their own destinies we will not stand accused of blocking their path (even with good intentions).

STAN GRODYNSKI

Cairnsmore, Longniddry