Why I am Proud to be a Nationalist

“The desire to see independence for your country is the most natural thing in the world and we are far from alone in it’s pursuit.”

When I was invited to attend South Tyrol’s national day as a member of a Scottish delegation I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I’d been invited fairly last minute so hadn’t found out much more other than that the Tyroleans had asked us to come along to celebrate their national day with them.

For a wee bit of background, Tirol was split into two after the end of World War 1 and the Southern half was parcelled off to Italy. Nowadays there is a campaign called “Iatz!”(Now! In English) which is campaigning for Tyrolean independence from Italy.

Scotland wasn’t the only country to send a delegation to Tyrol. We had the chance to meet some amazing people who were involved in the struggle for their own countries independence, from Catalonia and Basque to Flanders and Venice.

While the Tyrolleans and the visiting countries may not have agreed on all policies, there was one overarching desire they all shared, they all shared the desire to see their countries independent and they all believed in the right of self-determination. That those who live and work in a country should make the decisions that affect the country.

It shows that what we were saying in the Yes campaign was true. The desire to see independence for your country is the most natural thing in the world and we are far from alone in it’s pursuit.

Not only that, the coming together of so many brilliant activists to show solidarity with another movement and peoples across a whole continent shows that the desire for independence is not the mythical inward-looking regressive nationalism espoused by champions of the status quo but rather civic and outward looking. It was clear in the conversations and it was clear in all the speeches, as nationalists we are not seeking to cut ourselves of from the world, we are seeking to join “the family of nations” in our own right.

On this note I’d like to thank the wonderful folk at the International Commission for European Citizens, a committee where all these independence seeking countries come together to advance their common goal, who helped organise the International precence and have campaigned tirelessly for independence since their formation.

SNP Youth gave me some of our swanky new boards and the privilege of kick starting the campaign to stay in Europe. The EU like much else in our world is far from perfect but it has also in a large part been a force for good, for example allowing small independent democracies to flourish and have a huge say under its institutions. It has also played no small part in fostering the culture of peace and co-operation we’ve seen between our European nations since its founding.

That is why I’m proud to call myself a Nationalist, internationalist and a Citizen of Europe.

Panama Papers: THE MOST AUDACIOUS ROBBERY OF OUR TIMES

They say that we can no longer afford a something for nothing culture. They say that we have become too greedy. They say that we have to tighten our belts.

“We are all in it together”. That is what they said.

Except now we find out that the politicians, business leaders and privileged few across the world and in the UK who preach welfare cuts for the poor and tax cuts for the rich have been doing their best to avoid contributing anything to our state.

Some of their dodgy dealings have been exposed through the Panama Papers, leaked from a legal company responsible for helping the richest avoid tax.

So far, the files leaked have implicated those close to Vladmir Putin, David Cameron, the President of Ukraine and the Icelandic Prime minister to name but a few.

It is nothing less than one of the most audacious robberies in history, and this is only the tip of the iceberg. This was only one company in a single tax haven.

Not only have they managed to escape with an astronomical amount of money that in one stroke would likely wipe out most of the financial problems we have, they have also transferred the burden of paying for their deceit and mistakes onto their victims.

Be under no illusion that this is what austerity fundamentally is. The disability cuts, the slashing of the public sector in England, the privatisation of the English NHS and the bedroom tax are all ways of making the poorest and most vulnerable pick up the tab.

And while most of the things mentioned impact mainly England, these cuts are then passed onto the Scottish Parliament which leaves us with a budget that is shrinking every single year due to the Government in Westminster that we did not vote for.

It is easy to accept the latest news with resignation, “they’re all corrupt”, “it was bound to happen”. But we cannot let this be our reaction because if we do nothing then nothing changes.

Instead get angry. It is an outrage and it directly affects you and your family.

If nothing changes, then the wealthiest and most privileged in the UK will continue to bend the affairs of our country to their will. As always, it will be the poorest and most vulnerable here in Scotland who most keenly feel the impact of these decisions.

Those abusing their power hope that you’ll give into despair: they think you are weak and stupid.

Take action, and organise. Get involved in politics and help change this. Show them how wrong they are.