I count myself very fortunate to have Through A Scottish Prism as my vehicle to do my bit for the independence cause. I have had the honour and privilege to interview and share a platform with some great people. The entire #TASP team are good friends. We not only share a common bond about Scotland we actually are also lucky enough to enjoy each others company too.
I look forward to each show and always hope that it meets with the approval of our viewers. I try to bring as many topics and voices to our podcasts as possible. There are too many to mention. Some who were difficult to get to open up, some who were difficult to shut up! 🤪
However, I am satisfied each and everyone that has appeared has attempted in their own way to advance or at least explain their desire for independence.
We pride ourselves in allowing different opinions on our programmes. We never edit anything out because it might offend someone. We tell it as it is! We use the language of the street, not the language of the spads and politicians. Honesty is the key to our shows. We fact check as much as we can before saying or broadcasting anything. We do not make claims that we have a magic bullet solution to our independence. We only debate the possibilities and the options.
We just review the politics of the week and give our opinions. Numerous times we have invited Unionists to appear and give us their positive case for the union. To date nobody has ever taken us up on our open invitation. It remains in place.
We have also countless times invited anyone that believes in the GRA/GRRB Self-identification to come on and debate their case. It has been this issue that has caused the biggest divide in the Yes Movement. Like Unionists, nobody wants to step up and debate. This invitation remains in place too.
Due to the popularity of #TASP we decided to hold midweek specials that could cover topics and events that were not part of the weekly review.
To date we have had programmes on Multipolarity, Middle East problems and solutions. In the coming weeks we will bring more topics and interviews to you. Next week for example, I will be hosting a programme on Celtic Connections. Politicians and commentators from the three Celtic nations will join me to discuss the similarities and differences in our separate campaigns against Anglo imperialism of our nations. Is there anything we can do as a united cause?
This week I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Ash Regan MSP Edinburgh Eastern. As you are all aware she recently stood for the leadership of the SNP. After this interview I am more convinced than ever the she is the best First Minister we never had. Her passion for independence is matched by her resolve to assist the weakest and poorest in our society. Ms Regan is one of the few elected representatives that did not stand for election to get a great pension. Her commitment to the cause of Scottish independence is real and wholehearted.
Throughout our chat her decency, honesty, commitment and compassion shine through. What you see us what you get. It is just a pity Scotland did not get Ash as FM I truly believe if we had, we would already be on the road to freedom.
Watch for yourself and make up your own mind.
I so look forward to TASP and can’t thank you enough for it. I had almost given up of seeing an independent Scotland. You and your guests give me encouragement that I will indeed see Scotland free and that’s not in the too distant future I feel. Thanks again Roddy.
Well with a fine surname like yours and the correct spelling it is our pleasure! 😜👍
Ash is undoubtedly a future leader or a deputy leader. A bit too conciliatory, maybe, but we’ll see.
Yes, the old SNP was a big family, but power destroyed that consensus because power drew in other elements for whom independence has never been a priority: the ‘woke’ faction; and the Greens, which is also part of the ‘woke’ faction. Both infiltrated the SNP with a view to a takeover and to have their ‘woke’ policies pushed through. I think the SNP will destroy itself – which is shame because there are good people within its ranks – rather than take a step back and reassess its future. If there is one thing we have learned about the ‘wokerati’ ‘trans’ wing is that it will not show even a modicum of sense because its whole ideology is based on a lie and unreality. That makes it a dangerous foe.
A S30 referendum can never be repeated. Never. That has to be accepted and the door opened to SALVO and other independence interests, including plebiscitary elections, although the good graces and trust of voters has been lost on a large scale. This is the real casualty of SNP duplicity and stupidity. Unity is gone, too, and many women will never vote SNP again, and they were often the mainstay of local branches, a good number of which have folded for lack of interest.
The SNP chose a side, and it was not the side of 51% of the population, and they will pay the price of that betrayal. Personally, I will vote, but I will spoil my ballot paper if there is no alternative to the SNP, and I am saddened that the likes of Ash and Joanna Cherry think that it can be revived to anything like its past self. It has harmed too many people, loyal, hard-working activists, men and women, to survive more than a few years.
Independence ‘is not a matter of Left or Right, or of Socialism versus Capitalism’ (Albert Memmi). Independence is about ‘breaking the back of colonialism’ (Frantz Fanon).
The bourgeoisie political elites understanding of the colonial situation remains ‘rudimentary’. ‘Good governance’ – in a colonial society? How does that ever work for the oppressed native?
Lorna Campbell is right, the SNP betrayed the people; it has chosen a side – the colonial side. That is why the foundations of the SNP has gone, it has disintegrated, and for good reason – the grassroots never sought a colonial administration, especially an administration that has turned on party members, and the people.
Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey showed the way. Others need to follow, and follow now, not later. There is a window for elected national representatives to demonstrate their allegiance to Scotland and to the cause, but that window is rapidly closing.
Marching is a demonstration of national consciousness, a critical feature in any independence movement. Without national consciousness there can be no motivation for independence.
Agree, Alf. The marches might seem to be little more than expressions of solidarity, but they are much more than that: they are saying loudly and clearly to the world that we will not be told to shut up, that we will fight for our inalienable right to self-determination in the form we choose, which is full independence. Although we would expect the supposedly independence-supporting politicians, if able, to commit to taking part, leading even, the marches are undertaken by the Scottish people who want independence.
Bannockburn may be well in the past, but why is Scotland the only nation on the planet that is not allowed to celebrate its freedom and its heroes and sheroes? Somehow, it is perceived a a slight against others when no such thing is intended. The Welsh still celebrate their native tongue and their old kingdom and its Princes, and their battles to regain Welsh national freedom. The Irish still celebrate their ancient victories and heroes, and the ones from just a hundred years ago. The English celebrate their victories against France and other ancient foes, and they celebrate Magna Carta, in which a mob of robber barons forced King John to acknowledge their rights. So, why should Scotland not celebrate its equally notable events that shaped its present and will shape its future? We have every right to celebrate those things that forged us into the nation we are today: our heroes and sheroes, our battles, our languages, etc? While, like every other nation on the planet, we share our common humanity, we also are entitled, like them, to celebrate our differences from others, those differences that forged us into the nation we are.
“like every other nation on the planet, we share our common humanity, we also are entitled, like them, to celebrate our differences from others, those differences that forged us into the nation we are.”
Yes Lorna, national culture and national consciousness are critical aspects for all ‘peoples’, especially those in self-determination conflict, and vital in the international sense too. As Frantz Fanon put it: “It is at the heart of national consciousness that international consciousness lives and grows. And this two-fold emerging is ultimately the source of all culture.”
Conversely, with colonialism ‘a people and their culture are always perishing’, for they are being destroyed by another dominant culture and people. This is why Fanon described independence as ‘a fight for a national culture’.
Somebody should mebbe tell oor daeless ‘Culture Secretary’, wha refuises tae e’en lairn Scots bairns thair ain mither tongue in Scottis schuils: https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/cabinet-secretary-for-the-constitution-external-affairs-and-culture/
Language and culture is the basis of national identity, and is the way the Yes/No vote splits, which explains why native language deprivation and cultural/colonial assimilation forms a key instrument of colonialism.
I would take issue Alf with your statement that, ” their culture being destroyed by another dominant culture and people…” England is dominant by population, agreed. By culture…eh? Morris dancing, pop groups, and… regalia processions? What else? As stated on the programme, we are subjected to a an England that changes the rules to their advantage, whenever necessary, and that in essense is my experienced view of English culture …PERFIDITY.
A wee boating tale for Alf. I once project-managed a contract in the Far East, and we required a vessel with a crane. The crane repeatedly failed. At an onshore meeting my “fellow Brit” declared that yes you have hired a vessel with a crane but nowhere does the contract say the crane must be operational.
I could go on…well OK… attending a “Brit” doctor for an injured finger, the doctor opined that Scotland is a small country compared to England, I agreed, but then, a diamond is small compared to a lump of coal, I replied.
Cultural Imperialism and Cultural Colonialism are well established theories based on historic and scientific evidence, and there are more related effects to consider, such as Cultural Hegemony, Cultural Cringe, Cultural Obliteration, Cultural Assimilation and the resultant Colonial Mindset, and of course Linguistic Imperialism and the impacts on National Identity:
https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/wp.towson.edu/dist/b/55/files/2022/05/The-Socio-Political-Determinants-of-Scottish-Independence.pdf
Just to add here, given its importance, in the way colonial society is structured and the concept of a ‘Cultural Division of Labour’ favouring the dominant culture/language and its Cultural Values. Clearly, culture and indeed ‘Cultural Conformity’, is far more than the arts, or airts! My book ‘Doun-Hauden’ provides a range of definitions of culture, with particular relevance to colonial societies.
The last 20 odd minutes of that interview delivered a message from Ash Regan about the actual state of the Independence movement within the SNP, the party of? ‘Independence’. It is unfortunate that her message was not as forthright during the hustings leadership charade recently played out in order to shore up the status quo in the policies ordained and prioritised by Sturgeon, the fleeing previous incumbent. I am aware it is an age old cliche but the gloves now have to come off in front of the public at large. I would really welcome the opportunity to hear on this channel Ash Regans appraisal in the aftermath of the forthcoming ‘special conference’!
Conciliation is a good thing. You get more working together than apart.
The Yes movement in 2014 showed that. However there are those in the SNP, and predominately those sitting in elected paid positions who have a visceral hatred against independence supporters.
And focus of their utter hatred is people like Alex Salmond, Kenny MacAskill, Neil Hanvey, commentators like Craig Murray, Stuart Campbell, Grouse Beater, parties like Alba and all who sail in it, together with those in campaign groups like AUOB.
These narrow vicious SNP troughers have absolutely no interest in independence. And consumed with hate against independence minded Scots they are an absolute poison in the service of their unionist masters.
And that is why these people must be removed for they are an absolutely undermining block against independence.
And removed they will be. Their time is coming to an end.
And great to hear a voice like Ash. Not difficult to see how someone like her would promote the inclusive progressive big tent approach.
But that is why the Hate filled clique of control in the SNP did everything to do her in, which they did.
Thanks for this Midweek Special Prism with Ash Regan, I enjoyed your chat.
Good comments too.
Thank you for watching.