My passion for Scottish independence builds from the extent of our differences from England; Neal Ascherson is good with words: “We are a country with different traditions – communitarian rather than individualistic – deeply suspicious of our and everyone’s elites – obsessive about equality”. I’ve long assumed that I’d be dead when Scotland wins freedom to shape our own future – but recent events have accelerated matters. Brexit Boris, intentionally invoked an English nationalism which said it was willing to ‘lose Scotland’ (revealing words) to gain Brexit. There is building consensus that this is what they’ve done. Ascherson again: “It is the union with Scotland that holds the decayed UK fabric together. End it, and the unique intimacy between England and Scotland can flourish in a confederation of independent states”.
On Thursday, I got the Astra/Zeneca jab, along with a dozen fellow octogenarians; most predictable disabilities accompanied us – loss of mobility, sight, hearing etc – but my spirit was lifted by the general mood of conviviality. The central challenge of human existence remains constant throughout life; I’ve seen it expressed as: “to go from failure to failure without losing heart”. Our ability to ‘endure’ – and keep an enthusiasm for life, is not about physical, but spiritual resilience: soul stuff. At the end of President Biden’s inauguration ceremony – a young, black woman, Amanda Gorman, ‘performed’ her poetry; I remember her closing words: “For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only, we’re brave enough to be it”.
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This week, the UK Covid death toll went past the 100,000 mark – among the worst countries in the world. Making the announcement, our PM, a narcissistic charlatan, was temporarily humbled – no gags; “We will learn lessons,” he said abjectly. John Crace’s practised characterisation of the Westminster farce is bitingly cynical – nails it. We Scots, appreciate the leadership Nicola Sturgeon has provided during the pandemic – but I thought she looked exhausted on Sunday’s Andrew Marr show. We welcome personal commitment from our leaders in public life – but not to the level of burn-out. She could certainly do without the ongoing hassle from her predecessor – Scotland’s own narcissistic charlatan.
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In October 2019, 48 Scottish men and women – mostly from the creative/media sector – signed a ‘Declaration for Independence’ – guiding principles for a new and better Scotland (see signatories). The text is short, but offers the flavour of a future constitution – the kind of country we’d want to live in.
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Just as the pandemic has exposed familiar flaws in our system of govt – it has also demonstrated the power and importance of the state in times of crisis. Progressive economist, Mariana Mazzucato, in her new book, ‘Mission Economy’, explores how to unleash the full power of the state to ‘heal’ capitalism – solve current global challenges. Guardian Review.
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The deliberate, unnecessary austerity which Tories imposed on the UK (UK Rapporteurs judgement) has left millions of our poorer citizens at the mercy of Covid economic turbulence. This Open Democracy article discusses how, for the first time in history, UNICEF has launched an emergency UK plan, to help feed British children.
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A passionate promoter of social and community enterprise for 40 years, I’ve never considered that the private sector/capitalism had any concerns about societal inequality; but last week, the boss of corporate giant, Unilever, made some very impressive commitments about everyone being paid enough. Perhaps there’s a growing global understanding – that no-one is secure until everyone’s secure?
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I went to hear the Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) in Edinburgh in 2003 – wrote about it at the time – rare spiritual leader.
“Meditation is to be aware of what is going on in our bodies, in our feelings, in our minds, and in the world. Each day thousands of children die of hunger. The superpowers now have more than 50,000 nuclear warheads, enough to destroy our planet many times. Yet the sunrise is beautiful, and the rose that bloomed this morning along the wall is a miracle. Life is dreadful and wonderful. To practice meditation is to be in touch with both aspects. Please do not think we must be solemn in order to meditate. In fact, to meditate well, we have to smile a lot.”
