The political news today is dominated by the Scottish Government’s timetable for the year and a half after a Yes victory in the looming referendum. This has, of course, invited charges of hubris and complacency from many in the press, not to mention comments that the SNP is happy to say when ‘Independence Day’ will be (March 31st) but not the actual referendum date.
These are all fairly low brow objections. The precise date of the referendum is not occupying the minds of anyone save perhaps the odd antsy journalist, and despite the suggestion that the SNP is planning ‘parties’, there is no such mention in the report released today. The Electoral Commission found that the public were uninformed as to what a Yes or a No result would mean and the SNP, for its part, is doing something about that.
Of course, one clear offshoot of today’s news is the indirect invitation for Scots to consider what would happen in the aftermath of a No victory. The unionist camp may be cleverly trying to paint this referendum as a choice between full independence and further powers, but there’s no Devo Max option on the ballot slip and it’s not difficult to imagine the current status quo remaining the status quo long after 2014 is done and dusted, the needle returning to the start of the song and us all muddling along as before.
Comparing and contrasting with the hint of national jubilation after a Yes vote, the extra bank holiday and the feel good factor of having delivered change may be seductive for many. Even the sight of Yes supporters proudly wearing their Yes t-shirts (once the weather warms up a bit) might start to turn a few minds. Will there be No t-shirts in parks up and down the country? Would that even be good PR if there was? It’s nice to feel like you are a part of something and it’s difficult to get excited about being part of ‘No’, irrespective of what that No entails.
So by laying out a post-referendum timetable to independence and subtly challenging our ambitions, the SNP is keeping up its positive agenda today and once again pushing the unionists onto the backfoot. After all, it begs the question, how would Scotland celebrate a No victory?
There ain’t no party like a Yes club party
Feb 5
#1 by pat kane on February 5, 2013 - 12:22 pm
How would Scotland celebrate a No victory? Imagine the longest, sorest, most nihilistic post-whisky hangover of your tiny life, and multiply by ten…
#2 by Craig Gallagher on February 5, 2013 - 3:00 pm
Imagine how you felt just before that Stephen McManus goal against Liechtenstein at Hampden in the 97th minute went in, when all the world seemed to be collapsing around you, and multiply that by ten as well and add to the above.
#3 by Allan on February 5, 2013 - 9:03 pm
Followed within 9 months by the most spiteful Westminster election campaign since… well, in living memory really. A No vote will not be a bed of roses for any of the political McChattering classes.
#4 by Commenter on February 5, 2013 - 12:31 pm
“How would Scotland celebrate a No victory?”
I believe alcohol would be involved.
#5 by Juteman on February 5, 2013 - 1:51 pm
I think i would leave the country. The shame of being a nation that had just voted for another country to rule over us would be too much to take.
#6 by Craig Gallagher on February 5, 2013 - 3:03 pm
I think you’re right, Jeff, to paint this as a great tactical move and also a genuine attempt to give the public more information. YesScotland (despite claims to the contrary) have generally got the better of the Electoral Commission’s report, particularly on funding but also on this issue of setting out more detail.
I think Yoons have convinced themselves that the SNP absolutely do not want to talk about what Scotland will be like post-independence, and to be fair I’ve heard that opinion voiced here and in more straightforward nationalist-talking shops as well. But for the average Yes supporter, a demand to set out your vision of an independent Scotland is ambrosia. I think the SNP’s prior reluctance on this matter stems more from not wishing to dictate one particular future than it does muzzling those who have a vision for Scotland.
#7 by Doug Daniel on February 5, 2013 - 3:06 pm
Let’s face it, the people who will really be celebrating if Scotland votes No will be English Tory MPs, who will be absolutely overjoyed that the moaning Jocks have just chucked away their only bargaining chip, and take it as a green light to remind us who the boss is. You can just imagine the Barnett “reforms” in the 2015 Tory manifesto…
I don’t think the reality of what people had voted for would hit until after the 2015 election, after which I think a considerable number of No voters will be left thinking “oh bawz, what have we done?”
I think I’ll “celebrate” a No vote by firing my CV off to some German IT firms (and Norwegian, if I ever get around to learning it…)
#8 by Craig Gallagher on February 5, 2013 - 3:35 pm
The Scandinavians speak better English than we do, Doug! So you’ll be all right.
#9 by Doug Daniel on February 6, 2013 - 11:42 am
True, but I would feel a bit cheeky moving to a country and just expecting everyone to speak English. Plus, when I visited Molde for work last year, I realised you do get some Scandis who don’t speak English very well.
Probably not the case in an IT department, mind!
#10 by Allan on February 5, 2013 - 9:22 pm
The charges of hubris & complacency shouldn’t really be levelled at plans for a post Yes vote, more in the optimistic timetable being pursued here. Im not really sure that I-Scotland will be ready within 18 months of a Yes vote, and I certainly don’t think that negociations with Cameron & co will be a smooth as is being made out. Those English Tory MP’s (egged on by UKIP) will be baying for some sort of revenge on the Scot’s for having the temerity to vote Yes…
#11 by Indy on February 5, 2013 - 9:47 pm
have you not seen the Better Together t-shirts then Jeff? Plain white with UK OK in red and blue.
Just UK OK. Not even UK – OK! Just UK OK. Which some people have nastily pointed out could also read U KOK.
I don’t know why they didn’t just get t-shirts with the Better Together logo which at least looks vaguely professional. Also don’t know why I should be bothered by the inferior quality of the No campaign’s merchandise! It’s all good for us.
#12 by Jeff on February 6, 2013 - 1:10 am
Thanks Indy. Don’t know why I didn’t just think to Google it before.
They don’t look too bad to be fair. I see what you mean about not too professional but I wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear it if I was voting No.
#13 by FormerChampagneSocialist on February 5, 2013 - 10:48 pm
I’m only sticking around in the hope that we, collectively, grow a pair and finally decide to run our own country.
If we vote no, then I’m off. Hong Kong most likely. If I have to be ruled from abroad, then I might as well pay 15% tax rather than 45%.
FCS
#14 by theshooglypeg on February 6, 2013 - 6:19 pm
Very interesting, but mostly I just wanted to congratulate you on a tremendous headline. There aren’t enough political blog posts with S Club-themed headings. A job well done!