Unless something extraordinary happens between now and January this will be my last article of the year. It is a sort of review of the year. Others have done that in greater detail. This is more of an overview of events.
I was thinking back to this time last year December 2020. On January, 31st, 2020 Nicola made her infamous surrender speech from Edinburgh. We had been marched up the hill once again for the UK General Election of December 2019. A vote for Nicola and the SNP means we wouldn’t be dragged out of the EU against our will. A vote for Nicola and the SNP we were told would mean that we would have an Independence referendum in 2020. Now on 31st January, 2020 she told us that we were going to be dragged out of the European Union, and there would be no referendum. (To stop any stupid BTL comments, a full two months before Covid!)
In her speech she told us that one more Independence Mandate at the May 2021 Holyrood Election would ensure an independence referendum in 2021. She also promised us that before December 31st, 2020 the much mentioned SNP Draft Referendum Bill would be through all stages of the Holyrood Parliament and ready to go immediately after the Election. It was time to get your up the hill shoes on again.
Like so many independence supporters it was no surprise to me last December that the Bill never made it on to the statute. Early January this year and Nicola and The National Newspaper were assuring us that the Draft Referendum Bill would be finalised before the Parliament rose in April for the election.
We were once more set to be disappointed as all work on the Bill ceased in March 2021. We only found that out post election when an FOI revealed the truth to us. We were back at the bottom of the hill.
On February 8, 2021, at last some excitement for the independence movement. This was the day that the Alba Party came into being, led by none other than Alex Salmond. Alba was joining ISP, Scotia Future and AFI all independence parties that had been formed during Sturgeon’s tenure as leader of the SNP. It is worth noting that from 1934 when SNP was formed until May 2020 there was a single independence party in Scotland. Here seven years into Sturgeon’s leadership we had five independence parties.
Only the most devoted and blinded SNP supporters can ignore the significance of that fact. Frustration at the lack of movement towards independence and the repetitive broken promises at every election under Sturgeon forced the hand of many independence supporters.
Great credit has to go to those parties that viewing the arrival of Alba Party of Scotland stood down from the Holyrood Elections to give the Alba Party and The SNP a run at achieving a Super Majority that would take Scotland’s destiny out of Westminster’s hands and place them firmly in the hands of Holyrood and Scotland. The Alba Party outstretched a hand of unity to the SNP. Sadly, Sturgeon slapped it away and instead flirted with Unionists!
The SNP put the spite of their leader and their party before the good of Scotland. Their selfish actions in promoting Both Votes SNP not only scuppered a great opportunity for Scotland it gave the Unionists a strong representation at Holyrood.
The SNP openly lied to the Scottish voters by spreading the story that the second vote was to elect Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister. All it did was give the Unionists a landslide victory on the lists. So instead of getting Alex Salmond, Kenny Macaskill, in our Parliament we got Tories like Douglas Ross and the vile Stephen Kerr instead. That is what both votes SNP gave you!

Throughout the campaign the SNP spent more time attacking the Alba Party and Alex Salmond than attacking the British Unionists. Indeed she went further and in an interview in the Labour supporting Daily Record she indicated she would and could work with British Unionist Labour.
In an exclusive interview on the eve of the Holyrood election, she signalled a new co-operative approach as First Minister saying: “I’ll work with Labour on good ideas”
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/sturgeon-promises-work-labour-rebuild-24047919
In the same slavish Britnat paper, she said,
“I don’t know what Alba stands for but from what I’ve seen so far I’d probably have some concerns about that.” Sturgeon also hit out at the approach Alex Salmond and his Alba Party were taking during the election.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-wont-work-alex-23934832
This in effect said, Sturgeon could work with the Unionists but she could never work with another independence party! She was though very relaxed to work with the Labour party that formed Better Together with the Tories. She openly admitted she didn’t want a Super Majority to take Scotland’s future out of England’s hands. This also signalled to her supporters to attack and traduce another independence party. They have kept up that behaviour ever since.
Indeed, it is a rare event to see any SNP supporter attacking the Unionists. However, go to social media any day, and you can see attacks on Alba, ISP and anyone that dares to question anything that the SNP say or do.
Since May we have noted that the famous Draft Bill still sits gathering dust at Holyrood. No request for a Section 30 has been sent to London for its out of hand rejection.Two SNP Conferences in 2021 and not a hint of discussion on Independence was allowed by the delegates.
There has been no work carried out by the SNP on Currency, Borders, Secession, Constitution or a route to independence. No instruction has been shared with the branches to prepare for a 2023 Referendum. Nothing has been discussed at NEC. The reality, nothing is being done to prepare or advance the cause of independence.
We are now in December 2021, nine days away from 2022 and no preparatory work to get us out of this failing state, the UK. Covid runs amok and our leadership is sticking strictly to a 4 Nation approach on the pandemic. Sturgeon went further and called for a 4 Nation approach for our Oil.

Another shibboleth of the SNP is in mortal danger that of unilateral removal of WMD. After a visit to US by her defence spokesman Stewart Macdonald, the SNP began to waver on their commitment to unilaterally remove nuclear weapons. It seems just like Labour before them the SNP is sliding into a very British multilateral disarmament position.
However, the SNP has now called on the UK government to commit “wholeheartedly” to a multilateral approach in its integrated foreign policy and defence review.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/snps-commitment-to-unilateral-nuclear-disarmament-questioned-hd3hh0l6m
This flies in the face of multiple Conference votes over decades. The SNP membership has always been unilateralists. Just like currency it seems Ms Sturgeon will ignore the supposed ultimate power of SNP Conference and do just what she wants.
There are Council Elections in May. Unlike campaigning for independence according to Nicola and the SNP Covid will not effect these elections. Covid only strikes when you campaign for independence. She and her devotees will tell you that the only way to send a message to Westminster and get a referendum in 2023 is to Vote SNP in May. They will tell you they need just one more mandate, and The Tories will crumble.
The Draft Referendum Bill will start getting mentioned early in the New Year. Talk of independence and a 2023 Referendum will be mentioned. Then come December 2022 and I will be writing another blog saying we have been marched up and down the hill again!
In Scotland we have Groundhog Years, not Groundhog days! We need to take the matter of Scotland’s Independence into our own hands and out of the hands of dishonest politicians. That is why I am advocating a People’s Constitutional Convention in 2022.This will be my driving force in the year ahead. We need to mobilise the people of Scotland. Like the famous phrase from the movie, ‘if we build they will come’ Politicians are ambulance chasers and when they see we are serious and their cosy seats are in danger they will act. The thought of losing their gravy train and comfy slippers motivates them. So let’s motivate them!
Have a wonderful Christmas and may 2022 be the best year of your life for you and yours.
Till next year, you take care now!
BEAT THE CENSORS
Unfortunately a number of pro Indy sites have turned out to be merely pro SNP sites and have blocked a number of bloggers, including myself. Indeed, I am at present on another 30 day FB ban. We have managed to frustrate these efforts to close us down through our readers sharing our articles and building our audience.Sharing is very important and helps the Independence message to reach a much wider audience. In addition many have taken out free direct subscriptions. I very much appreciate this support.
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Well said indeed! Indisputable truth.
May I wish you a very happy and relaxed festive season so that you can come back in fighting form in 2022.
Its not hard to see the Future though is it ?
2022 snap General Election called either after Bojo is replaced and the Tories are sailing high in the Polls again or else a vote of no confidence in the current Government made by Labour and supported by all other parties.
Sturgeon announcement made “Only way for any Independence Vote in Scotland during 2023 is to Vote SNP ”
(GE result ends with another Tory majority in WM and an SNP majority in Scotland, SNP ecstatic to get the result they wanted, Independence put back in its box and back on its shelf till next Scottish Election due)
You saw it here first. The very same suckers will fall for it that always do.
Its simple , if you don’t want a Tory Government don’t Vote SNP.
An SNP vote has nothing to do with a Tory or Labour victory that is just utter nonsense. What England votes is all that matters that is, why there are independence movements in Scotland and Wales and a reunification party in Ireland. England and its live if right wing jingoistic racist incompetent corrupt Tories is the problem. Independence is the solution.
No Roddy . Labour WOULD need to win MP’s in Scotland to win any GE majority, thats simply another fact you either don’t like or more likely just don’t understand.
It won’t be too long now before Sturgeon starts bleating that she will work with Labour to try to keep Her Cult followers Voting for Her instead of Voting for Alba.
Alba will never be Sturgeons biggest challenge after only winning 1% in the last Scotttish election that is hardly difficult to work out. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2017/07/snp-mps-fear-another-snap-election-it-was-one-way-traffic-labour
Only twice since the end of WWII has Scottish seats made any difference to the outcome of Westminster. In 1964 and in 2017 when sadly 10 Tory MPs saved them. Fact here is the other thing Labour will NEVER, EVER again be a major party in Scotland. They are English Nationalists and an anti Scottish Party Their betrayal with their coalitions with Tories in Better Together and throughout Scotland’s councils will never be forgiven or forgotten. They are yesterday’s news and they have no future in Scotland.
I forgot to include this , the writing on the wall for the next GE couldn’t be any clearer
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/11/labour-races-to-nine-point-lead-in-polls-in-wake-of-sleaze-controversies-at-no-10
Tory Labour no difference both right wing English Imperialist Parties slaves to the bankers and wankers a curse on both their houses. Hopefully the next GE will be the last one Scotland participates in and we can leave England to their racist right wing neoliberal isolation hell.
Is that right …what does this make the SNP then ? Yellow Tories ? The New Elites seem to have had a blue rinse ?
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16123031.snp-tories-join-forces-green-plan-abolish-council-tax/
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13785772.snp-energy-minister-on-brink-resigning-fracking-policy/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/snp-leader-in-westminster-took-cash-from-tory-donor-mghmlj2vd
“Andrew Wilson is an economist, businessman and former Member of the Scottish Parliament. He is a founding partner at strategic communications firm Charlotte Street Partners corporate lobbying company. https://www.charlottestreetpartners.com/andrew-wilson/
Like most unionist trolls that arrive here you wrongly assume this is a pro SNP site you pathetic stupid little Uncle Jock.
A fair and accurate summary.
Ian S. – That labour horse died long ago. Please stop flogging it. No one, and I bloody mean no one is buying it.
Hope everyone has a happy Christmas and a good new year.
Rumours seeping out of negotiations going on in Westmonster about Devo Max and no Indy in 2023. Puts it in line with Cummings saying Sturgeon does not want Indy before 2024. I will need to find someone to change my favourite meme with all the Indy years being scored out. You could be in line to be sold down the river if true.
So another shit year comes to a close, Queer theory run riot, corrupt lying politicians, Covid, prices going through the roof and no independence on the horizon, can 2022 be any worse.
Maybe next May will bring us some cheer but I’m not banking on it.
Anyway Roddy have a merry Christmas and a happy new year and go easy on the gin
Same to you and yours Graeme. BTW you were doing great right up till the bit about Gin!! 😊👍
Brilliant post Roddy. Have a wonderful Christmas and New year. your posts and podcasts through this year have been a source of information and joy for me. here’s hoping for no more groundhog years and a practical mo e to independence next year.
The SNP is a party of home rule, not independence. Sturgeon is Scotland’s John Redmond. The Irish got rid of Redmond and his IPP and replaced it with a party which truly wanted independence and would do anything to achieve it. In contrast the SNP sits on its erse as more and more unionists from England settle in Scotland.
If only Doug,
They can’t even explore the full envelope of devolution.
“A liar is always lavish of oaths”.
Pierre Corneille
Sturgeon squealed with delight and said they’re dead when the Alba party failed to win a seat at Holyrood, does that sound like an FM who wants to work with other indy parties to achieve Scottish independence.
Anyway Roddy thank you for the wonderful articles I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas as for New Year, Lang May Yer Lum Reek.
Have a great Christmas Roddy and all the very best for the New Year. I’m a bit sad that I’m going to have to wait more than 2 weeks for the next Prism Show which is always the highlight of the week.
Two more shows before years end.
Well said, it’s useful to both read and remember the political timeline that 2021 has been. Although the people of Scotland always have the inalienable option to make a change, it gives us an indication of how the start of this next year will begin and progress until we get the chance to once vote again – thanks.
Something (anything) positive for indy NEEDS to happen before May 2022.
Let’s rock the way into 2022! Take two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fvAywpTCe8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdU_otNPl8M
The ‘i’ of our Scottish Pr’i’sm is a thistle.
Cheers to yerself and all 🙂
Scots peoples are being manipulated like never before
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/sturgeon-s-war-on-the-scottish-press?fbclid=IwAR2Mboq9CC8VYMNJzE1d7oK15HBYAaHs-aSfSF1ylJRCZIkv-dc-Y-jTatw
This morning, I had a video call with my friend, Chris who lives in Nija, Almeria area. He was walking back to his property. Through the cobbled streets and whitewashed buildings, sparkling in the sunshine. He’s always doing this to me. Making me jealous. I guess you have a similar lifestyle to Chris, up there, to the south of Barcelona. You make me envious too, Roddy. My consolation is, I’m sure you deserve your lifestyle.
Thanks for all you do.
Merry Christmas and enjoy your rest time. Take care of yourself, Roddy….
Have a merry Christmas Roddy, and a guid nerdy.
Gas and Elecricity Bills doubled yet the SNP cuts funding to Scottish Councils by £371 Million.
Why does the SNP hate the Scottish People Roddy ?
https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19803112.scottish-budget-cosla-demands-urgent-sit-down-sturgeon-371m-cut-revealed/?fbclid=IwAR2GUlESLW_T9YjIwg3PDqckj14hplT0DeYlgesVj8hu99bOoLVVjrF2dQ8
https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/rishi-sunak-unveils-spending-spree-with-scottish-government-to-receive-extra-ps46-billion-a-year-3435142
Why do you hate Scotland and the Scottish people Brian?
Have a wonderful Christmas and an amazing New year Roddy, here’s to a better 2022 and hopefully 🤞 we will be forcing movement on indy after the council elections.
Scotland could be like any other normal international independent country…
Scotland could be like Canada, Scotland could be like America, Scotland could be like France, Scotland could be like
EnglandSpain, Scotland could be like Ireland+, Scotland could be like all of inner & outer continental Europe plus, Scotland could be like the World! Scotland could be like all of these fine places…Och n aye-aye Scotland should be, like Scotland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbcX8uCLsAA