The National newspaper in Scotland had an article on Monday in which I was featured, but which I did not write. In that article, it was reported that:
A major new project from Scotland's leading pro-independence think tank aims to address key concerns of undecided voters, The National can reveal.
Common Weal has appointed a panel of experts, including lawyer and former SNP MP Joanna Cherry and Professor Richard Murphy, to address a raft of concerns the think tank believes the independence movement has so far failed to answer.
The project will focus on a number of issues ranging from currency to what the think tank called “the boring work” including how an independent Scotland would establish new regulatory agencies and the transition of the postal service.
Common Weal said that addressing the granular detail of building a new, independent Scottish state would win over voters who were concerned about the feasibility of such an undertaking.
The think tank has drawn up a “matrix” of more than 80 separate issues “that must be properly addressed” and are focused not on political questions but “public infrastructure and transition process” to ensure that an independent Scotland would run smoothly from day one.
The work will be guided by the expert panel involving Cherry and Murphy, who will advise on legal matters and tax and accounting policy, respectively, who will be joined by Frances Guy, a former British ambassador who will advise on foreign policy, Ian Stewart, the chair of the Scottish Currency Group who will advise on currency and banking, and Dr Gail Lythgoe, of Edinburgh University who will steer work on international law and treaties. Also on the panel is Richard Norton Taylor, the former defence editor of The Guardian, who will advise on defence and national security.
I confirm that I have agreed to join this group for a number of reasons, even though I am usually reluctant to take on such commitments these days, because despite all appearances to the contrary, I do like a little time off.
Firstly, I have always enjoyed the work I have undertaken with Common Weal, and I expect I will with this as well, because they bring together a range of people who share in common the ability to think that a different world is possible.
Secondly, I believe that this cause is incredibly important. As England descends into an ever deeper neoliberal mire, which has nothing at all to offer Scotland because it treats that country as an asset to be exploited, and not as a country that should flourish, the need for independence grows by the day.
Thirdly, I think I have something to offer. I have previously written two white papers on the potential structure of a Scottish tax system, both of which integrate with the thinking around macroeconomic management that I believe this group will embrace, and I also contributed to Common Weal's book How to Start a New Country. Since these were written, events and my thinking have developed, and I now hope to contribute again.
I am aware that some might think it odd that a person living in England, who holds both UK and Irish passports, should be a part of this project, but as strongly as I believe that Ireland should be a unified independent country, so too do I believe that both Scotland and Wales should share that same opportunity.
I also happen to think that England might be improved as a consequence. It might finally be shaken out of its exceptional thinking as a result, and cease to believe that it has an entitlement to extract rents from other countries in a fashion that could never, has never, and never will be economically, socially or politically justified. It might, in other words, finally realise that it might be time for it to grow up, stand on its own two feet, and work out what its own place in the world might be, and what it might have to offer, which at this moment is very hard to work out when financial extraction appears to be its primary offer to the world.
We have work to do.
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As one who has campaigned for many years in a quest to make Scotland an independent nation once again, can I thank you for for joining this group. I am quite certain that your knowledge, and expertise, will be invaluable.
Thank you
I agree 100% with Alex, and look forward to Common Weal’s output.
You misspelt independent
Sorry
Good luck and I hope you contribute in some way to securing a Referendum on both sides of the border so that the English get the chance to tell Scotland to leave, as well as Scotland getting the chance to say “we’re off”.
Said like a true “little Englander”
one very strong Irish (Scotch) coffee winging it’s way
Thank you
I would like to second the thanks offered to Richard by Alex, above, for agreeing to join the project led by Common Weal.
I confess to being a little wary of initiatives sponsored by Common Weal in that they are rather too fond of committees making decisions rather than leadership and concencus reaching a conclusion. I am a great believer in democracy but do believe things can get bogged down if not kept on track. I am reminded of the old adage that avers that a camel is a horse deigned by commitee!
That this looks to be a broadly based initiative is most encouraging and I wish you well in your deliberations. I turn 78 next week and time is running out for me to see an independent Scotland!
We must live in hope….
Presumably some of the work you do may be relevant to a future England as well?
Yes, if England wants to grow up and smell the coffee instead of stopping taking the piss.
Thank you, both.
Richard’s comment should apply to most, but not, all of the residents of a village a few miles up the A41, Piddington.
🙂
Good luck with it, and that’s an interesting group of people.
It’s strange, though, that the SNP hasn’t been doing this for the last few decades. Rather than whatever they’ve been doing instead.
What have they been doing instead?
They’ve been getting on with the day-job, Andrew: running Scotland’s day-to-day governance for the good of the Scottish people (no easy job when the UK government treats Scotland as a colony), while the opposition parties and 98% of the media do their damndest to trip them up. I disagree with some of their policies and get frustrated too with the slow pace of change, but we need to cut them some slack. I’d love to see the day when Scotland regains its independence, but I’ll settle for my children and grandchildren getting that thrill and the chance to live in a country run for the benefit of its people.
Congratulations to Richard: it’s great news that he’ll be working with Common Weal on matters of economy, taxation, accountancy etc, as he’s not only got huge practical experience in these fields, he’s also very knowledgeable about Scotland, its people, its history and its treatment as a component of the UK.
Thanks, Ken.
I would dearly love to see you get a chance to put your ideas into practice and thus, hopefully with a minimum of kerfuffle, hone them into a truly workable politics and economics of care.
Thank you
Thanks Richard, your knowledge and input will be invaluable! x