Surge for independence

If you asked me in 2014 what my opinion was on whether Scotland should have been independent, I would have firmly said no. Quite frankly I did not have any knowledge of politics. I was a 14 year old girl who formed my opinion on what would get the biggest reaction out of people. But, after Brexit, a pandemic and a few years of Tory government, my opinion has changed. 

I think that this pandemic has made clear to us how disparate politics is in Scotland and England. We have had our own rules for lockdown which have differed significantly from England. We have had a glance of what it would be like to form our own policies in devolved matters like health and this has given us more hope and trust in the Scottish government to make policies on all areas. It is therefore no surprise that support for Scottish independence is surging. 

I feel that my views on my own future are certain. I want to work abroad for some period of time in my life. 14 year old me had no clue what she wanted to do with her life. I had no vision of how politics affected my life. Now I want an independent Scotland. As a country, we have Brexit looming. A decision that Scotland never voted for. This could have dire implications for my future and make working abroad more challenging. 

Brexit was the final branch that snapped in the unionist tree. This provoked a further increase in support for Scottish independence. Sir John Curtice, of the University of Strathclyde, confirmed this by saying the poll by Panelbase had put the yes vote at 52%, confirming a trend showing a gradual increase in support for leaving the UK. This trend continued and has further increased as we come out of lockdown. 

Our messaging by the government was much more clearer in terms of what we could and could not do. It truly highlighted the divide in our nation, as some people payed more attention to Boris Johnson than Nicola Sturgeon throughout lockdown. Personally, I think Sturgeon has managed the politics of the crisis openly, honestly and caringly in comparison to Johnson. The difference in their style of politics is apparent and I prefer Sturgeon's style. 

Even in the Scottish Parliament, the style of the building highlights the vast difference in how politics is viewed. We have a European democratic chamber that is designed to promote inclusivity and serious debate. Not encourage opposition and punch and judy politics like the House of Commons. A Parliament with a maze of dark corridors, where lobbyists run riot and reporters from billionaire-owned papers trade in gossip and constituents struggle to have their say. We have a proportional voting system. Our politics is completely different. 

Boris Johnson is currently doing a tour around Scotland just now in what seems like an attempt to counteract this surge in support for independence. But he is sadly being met with a less welcoming response in places like Orkney - with protesters and abuse. I think it is such a strange time for him to do a tour. I'd rather he use his time to work out a deal for the UK leaving the EU or to help the surge in unemployment. A tour around Scotland will not drastically change people's opinions for independence but actions will. 

This is the reason why the first minister's personal ratings have soared throughout lockdown as her actions taken were admirable. She faces a difficult time where she has to push for independence whilst also not being seen as getting to align with the status quo of being part of a union. It can be hard to push for independence in the midst of a crisis but the fact that she has not done it, has made people rise in support for the issue. Her actions have made the public entrust in her more to run the country independently of the UK as she has not succumbed to the pressure of following Johnson's lockdown rules. Her own independence has made us want independence for our country. 

Between now and next May, we have the Scottish Parliament elections, the turbulence of Brexit and transitional arrangement. The divide could be expected to increase. We could see Sturgeon reelected and a fresh mandate which will compel Westminster to legislate for an independence referendum rather than Johnson repressing the will of Scotland. I cannot see any sign of Tory revival in Scotland in the year to come or any threat to the SNP in Parliament. 

I feel as a population we are in a bit of a waiting game. I would say the common consensus is that we want independence but where we are disagreeing is over the fact if we want independence now, a bit later on or even more later on. The SNP is now making independence feel inevitable in the country. Johnson perhaps does not want to be defined in his political career as the man who broke the kingdom. But I think from this pandemic, we have seen that the kingdom is now well and truly broken.