There is a reasonably well-known politician on Twitter who frequently evangelises in support and defence of the patron saint of zero progress. This individual is also prone to attack with zeal the alleged heretics in the ALBA Party who believe that progress on independence is an urgent and pressing need, who have come together with the full and unashamed intention of pursuing that case for Scotland.
I understand why Twitter folk get annoyed at the continuous stream of hostile and barbed comments being made. Comments which are all the more bewildering when they come from someone who allegedly wrote the ALBA Party off months ago, yet still holds a pressing need to write continually about a political party he repeatedly assures his followers are no threat.
In my view such febrile messages of faith, inaction and intolerance have not served Scotland well, but they do have a resonance, and they are having an impact. Thus far over 6,000 independistas have walked away from that negative narrative to join ALBA in the pursuit of our ‘hopeless cause’, and yet more are coming with many others considering their options as impatience grows. However, what won’t encourage any of them to join us is to meet the toxic hostility directed at us with mudslinging back the other way.
It’s a far cry from the positive campaign many of us embraced in 2014 and why I have chosen not to respond directly to much of the provocative drivel directed at me and I would encourage others to do their best to do the same.
Now I am not suggesting for one second that we don’t call out hypocrisy, failure, or poorly thought-out policy from any other political party — of course we do, and collectively we must. But we should always strive to do so with the strength of our arguments and with the good nature of fellow travellers to independence. What we must resist is any descent to the level of appalling behaviour that a small number of career-nats have adopted as a foil for political acumen and respectful debate.
We know that there are bad faith actors with an unhealthy obsession about the ALBA Party or more bizarrely with my male pattern baldness. While they may even masquerade as malcontent ALBA supporters they do this because they have no serious arguments against our position on independence, our balanced approach to equalities or our ambition to proactively tackle the scourge of poverty. As annoying as the infantile name calling can be, they’re not Scotland and we must resist in any way becoming a facsimile of them.
Let them speak shrilly into the dark corners of their own minds.
For all that intemperate hot air, it’s an unavoidable fact that there are many people in the SNP who remain firm friends and fellow travellers and like many others I have every intention of rolling up my sleeves with them to secure independence. They have no quarrel with me and indeed make very positive comments about the ALBA Party’s ambitions and policy positions, especially the urgency with which we campaign for independence as an immediate priority – not something for a future when Westminster have made all the major Covid recovery decisions for us and decimated our green energy ambitions.
So here is a wee secret, it was the litany of excuses, the evangelising of zero progress, the deprioritising of independence for niche group hegemony, but mostly it was the disgraceful and dishonest behaviour towards people of good character and outstanding ability that played a central and decisive role in my decision to join ALBA. That and my determination to actively pursue the central cause I was elected to further – we were sent to Westminster to settle-up for Scotland.
Whilst assertions that I was not forced out of the SNP are manifestly true, it is also without any doubt that I was given absolutely no positive reason or encouragement to stay.
So, let’s not entertain their taunts and false narratives. We have an exceptionally positive message to take to voters as we progress to next year’s local elections and beyond.
The emergence of ALBA became a necessity, and its continued need remains every bit as compelling to me now as it did when I joined. There is no other party in Scotland in which I would feel politically at home, whose political message gives me hope that the independent country we have been campaigning for will be delivered in my lifetime.
We’ve a serious challenge ahead, but let’s do it together with focus, bravery, honesty, and integrity. Be in no doubt, ALBA stands for Scotland.
The very same ALBA hater you mention Neale, was a strident critic of the YES movement in the 2014 referendum campaign, to the extent of deliberately seeking to undermine the YES movement because it didn’t always play to the SNP’s rules. So there is a degree of consistency there !!
Here I am racking my brains trying to work out to which Westminster chap you refer – I’m kidding , it was far too easy. I get singularly disgusted with the ridiculous guff which emanates from that source , I think the childish whine accompanying the playground politics should be challenged but I realise it might degenerate into a foolish slanging match so I take your point – but dear lord it is irritating!
If you’re talking about who I think you are talking about, then he’s a lost cause. I got blocked by suggesting to him that blocking caused offence, while muting avoids that offence. Can he use the mute button instead and avoid creating friction within the Yes Movement. I thought I was being reasonable and it got me blocked.
Does anyone remember the Indy Pledge? Can we resurrect it and start talking to each other like adults, where we accept our differences and concentrate on our shared beliefs?
I never cease to be impressed by Neale Hanvey. He speaks and writes with such eloquence, humility and compassion. We don’t really need to look that far for inspirational role models here in ALBA. At conference, there was an almost constant stream of superb speakers. Scotland is truly blessed with the presence of these outstanding women and men of integrity and commitment.
Well said Neil. Totally agree.
I wholeheartedly agree with you, Neil.
That’s very kind of you to say Neil. Best wishes to you and yours. Neale
Aye, bit it’s awfy hard tae haud yer tounge when faced wi’ evangelical Sturgeon worshipping eejits.
I do promise to try harder…
Fingers crossed behind back.
Looking back on where playing nice got us.
Ha ha Mark, Aye I know I’m no saint myself🤞But the baiting is exactly that. They’re desperately looking for a reaction to feed their faux outrage.
Blocking and muting are the only effective responses, they’re not looking for a debate.
Hope all is well with you and yours Neale
Like many in the SNP during 2012/14 I received abuse from a small inner clique of the SNP brand old guard, which every CA has, about spending more time on promoting the YES message than on the SNP election campaign. I was asked why I was fund raising for YES instead of the SNP. I was told I was wrong to distribute the Wings Wee Blue Book. Etc etc.
It became much worse after Alex resigned. The “SUN revolves round the SNP” cliques became stronger and stronger until their iron grip on the Party was absolute. The vast bulk of the members are decent people who are passionate about Independence. However although the engine was healthy the clique were now holding the steering wheel. It took a long and painful time for me to leave the Party in which I had been an office bearer and very strong activist. It is still painful to watch such a well built vehicle being driven in circles now.
My realisation should have came in 2012/14. It was obvious then what my motivation was The Self Determination of the Scottish People to decide their future, it was not Party Politics. That is the obvious ranking to me now.
Never again will I put ANY Party above my Nations future. As a Nation we put Party Politics aside in the run up to the first Referendum. That YES T-shirt and YES badge were our Political allegiance.
When my old YES comrades from SSP, SNP,Labour, LibDems and the re-positioned ones in ISP, ALBA and No Party now get back on track we will win.
EU membership, EFTA, Global Warming, Nuclear weapons etc require Independence first for our voice to be heard. However I cannot support “wheesht for Indy” so I will not support legislative changes impacting on Women’s Rights without proper debate. I am not alone.
Every “leader” in the Independence debate should be focused on uniting the movement in common cause instead of placing rigid rules on how Scotland will be shaped as a condition.
When the SNP make it an absolute that I must take “ A Party Deal” approach then division is guaranteed. I will not be blackmailed on the GRA issue any more than I could be forced to accept an Independence package with Coulport and Faslane leased to London.
One question required for Unity. “Should Scotland be an Independent Country”. It didn’t say after that “……with the following prerequisites”
‘Independistas’
Have walked away from that negative narrative to join ALBA,
As did the editor/writer of these words that you’re reading;
Not everyone is like you, yet, many others are thinking ‘Aha’
Non-political people are really reviewing this understanding!
© Ewen A. Morrison 🏴
16/11/21
Good blog post and agree though it can be frustrating at times. However, if Neale and/or colleagues should read this can they please stop sitting in the back of the chamber of the parliament of GB. Scotland is an equal partner to the treaty. As such Scotland’s representatives (government) should be sitting on the benches at the table directly opposite the English government as an equal partner and signatory to the treaty. If Alba want to show they mean business they need to assert Scotland’s authority and stop accepting English parliamentary customs as though they are legit. And if they do sit at the table and are challenged then they must ask whether Scotland is an equal partner with equal authority to the treaty as a signatory to it. This would force the English government and its establishment to either state Scotland is in which Scotland should then take full responsibility for its governance just as the English government does for England or they state Scotland isn’t and therefore violate the treaty of 1707 and international law in which case Scotland suspends with immediate effect the treaty or wholly dissolves it for terminal breach.
HI Gayle, I have a piece that will touch on some of these questions coming soon. They are important, but the key question is how do we populate the green benches with MPs who will have the guts and gumption to be bold, informed and determined to succeed. The stuff the SSRG and others have done is important, but we need folk with the will to deliver.
Indeed, Neale, which is why we need yourself and other Alba representatives to challenge the narrative and English parliamentary customs folk take as law. The English parliament having been abolished in 1707 removes their right to treat the parliament of GB as though the English parliament merely incorporated the Scottish government. Every instance of Scottish authority being removed or trampled upon must be fought directly against. May I also suggest you start referring to the English (UK) government as the English government thus placing them as merely the treaty partner and not sole authority of GB. Lead by example. Others will then follow when Scotland stands up for itself.
Looking forward to your next article.
Wouldn’t be a former keyboard player by any chance, would it? LOL
“Wouldn’t be a former keyboard player by any chance, would it? ”
SPOILER ALERT 🙂
Very sensible words by Neale but unfortunately WE are not dealing with normal independence supporters , I am not and have never been a member of any political party so this continued adulation and sycophancy for any politician who has failed so SPECTACULARLY and publicly to protect and serve OUR Scottish citizens is horrifying to me , there is NO EXCUSE for this celebrity adulation when the evidence of her many failures , lies and corruption are visible for all to see without even having to dig for it
I believe the sycophants and adorationists are our biggest threats to independence , the unionists talk more about independence than Sturgeon or the greens , the only time they mention independence is at election time or if their hegemony is threatened , the cult of celebrity is causing the same damage to the SNP and Scotland as the loyalty to liebour shenanigans did to Scotland
I also agree with Gayle, Neale has proven he is no one’s fool he and Kenny should FORCE the seating position in the houses of corruption
Without being overly argumentative Neale this accommodation strikes me as being similar to the Wheesht For Indy mantra which I vehemently object to , when something is wrong and rotten it should be exposed and cauterised not hidden away for it to become rancid and fetid like an old pair of comfy slippers (ahem)
Mr Alex Salmond tried to appease and compromise with the lunatics by proposing SNP1 ALBA2 and the head lunatic took this as a weakness and went out of her way to denigrate , ridicule and demonise that same Mr Salmond , she CONTINUED and accelerated her accusations of guilt against Mr Salmond ably and eagerly supported by her lunatic fringe including her ministers , so I’m afraid I won’t be letting my guard down
Hi Robert, I am in no way saying wheesht, we’ve all had enough of that. It’s the quality and direction of our conversation I’m suggesting we focus on. So, let them shriek all they like, ignore their jibes, give them no oxygen and concentrate on our positive proposals and organise ourselves to campaign for independence.
I have no confidence that a referendum will be delivered, but we need to prepare for all eventualities and building support is central to our ambitions. I have a piece on this germinating in my head which I am currently sketching out so should be out soonish. Hopefully that will clarify my thoughts on the options available to the indy movement. We need to be prepared, because the FM is doing nothing to prepare a case for Scotland’s future. If she won’t build a positive case, then we must.
Slàinte Neale
Sorry once again Neale ( as per your post on not calling out the betties in HofCommons) I disagree.
Treat Westminster in the same disdainful way it treats Scotland.
Well said Neale, I’m hoping that the Alba party is backing and promoting the SSRG’s route out of this union at every turn.
Sorry Neale. They will have to clear out the cesspit at SNP HQ before I before I would even consider working with them.
I say that as a once branch convener of many, many years. I still bitterly regret voting SNP at the last GE in the hope a SNP1/ALBA2 would at least show some basis for a collective endeavour. I got another slap in the face from Sturgeon instead. The remaing members are mostly good people but when you turn a blind eye to democracy within your own Party being removed then I have little hope of collaboration.
We have to start again and unfortunately at some GE down the line we will split the Indy vote and open the door to the Unionists. I prefer that rebuild journey to a Sturgeon Scotland.
I still cannot believe the number of accounts on twitter and FB who tell me to wheesht for indy & that I should vote for the Queen of Covid & her merry men/women/other
I sometimes wonder what drives their blind faith as they tell me that the SNP are the only path to Independence – my response is “and when are they going to start on the path?” Maybe they need a machete to hack through the pile of mandates, lies and missed opportunities blocking their way 🤔
I will have no regrets at voting for ABSNP in the Cooncil elections next year, and I hope this is an opportunity to send a message to them all – Nicola, you’re the biggest disappointment I’ve ever had (apart fae the time when someone broke the news tae me that the guy in Green, Green Grass of Home wisnae actually going back tae his sweet Mary 😢)