I’m a scrounger

Our next blog post comes from Debra Torrance. A short piece of literature meant for the spoken word, she wrote it as a stress reliever. She said “PIP sounds so scary” and probably echos the views of many disabled people in Scotland. Debra is on Twitter – @FewArePict

At 14 years old I donned my kilt and peeny. A waitress at Knochendarroch hotel, it wisnae very easy. In Pitlochry, that’s the way it wis, work your fingers to the bone. Didnae matter though, those pennies I made were my own. Odd jobs here and there as I worked through college and uni. I even worked for the government, I was a photographer too, I know “ya beauty!” But I got sick, couldn’t continue that dream career. So I changed my views on what I could do, worked in the science centre up here. But then once again, illness reared its ugly head. It tried to keep me down and keep me in ma bed. So I worked for myself, and returned to education. Who could have known I’d get even more sick, causing so much frustration. After weeks in hospital, needles in my spine. I kept telling myself that I was gonna be fine. More tests than I had at school,still no-one knew what to do. That’s when I had to go down to the bru. They were very nice, helped me out a lot. But now all has changed and they seem to have forgot. We are not all scroungers, in fact none of us are. Westminster government has just gone too far! Every day I hear on the news, about benefit fraud, folk not paying their dues! But I did! I made my NI contribution, this truly is unjust retribution! Millions of folk rely on the state. I know it’s not ideal but let’s make no mistake, the Scottish parliament opposed such cuts,Scotland put their most vulnerable first! Doesn’t matter though, Westminster rules! Lets stop listening to these godamn fools! Millionaires, Etonian school boys, all pally pally telling us what to do, never not once has any of them had to sign on at the bru! While billionaire tax cuts are passed through as policy, the poorest are attacked. How is this democracy?

The worst of it is the division it will cause, folk judging us as cheats,lazy, worse than dirt on dogs paws! Our UK government telling us we are not worthy without evidence. How can we remedy this? Lets vote YES to Scottish independence!

Who doesn’t want independence?

Our second blog comes from Sign for Scotland, a group for those within Scotland’s ‘signing’ community who believe in Independence and want to participate in the referendum debate. We’re delighted to have them on board.

Who stands to gain and lose if Scotland becomes independent?  A ‘Yes’ vote will result in many changes over time, so let’s consider both sides, starting with the ‘winners’.

Having a more representative parliament that is closer to the people will result in better governance, more jobs, less poverty and efficient public services.  This is to the benefit of the vast majority of us in Scotland.  Those of us in minority groups (through language, ethnicity, etc) will enjoy greater protection from the presence of a written and easily understood constitution.  Archaic laws which only entrench the wealth of a few will be swept away by reforms, allowing the most dynamic and imaginative amongst us to become successful.

A modern, progressive Scotland can also lead by example, and help support movements for reform in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  This would be much more effective than our meagre 4% stake in Westminster.  Having a more ethical foreign policy will allow us to be more influential abroad, as we won’t be dismissed as hypocrites.

http://www.stopwar.org.uk/index.php/united-kingdom/2227-how-a-sycophantic-media-ignored-the-hypocrisy-of-david-camerons-qa-better-africaq-tour

http://blog.eurojobs.com/2012/08/britains-hypocrisy/

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/david-cameron-faces-eu-charge-of-hypocrisy-over-demand-for-cuts-8341097.html

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/222543.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jun/10/expecting-immigrants-speak-english-hypocritical (this one is particularly poignant as the UK’s policy is not in relation to speaking ‘a’ national language, but English.  Once again, Westminster ignores Scots, Welsh, Gaelic, Cornish and Sign Language).

So who stands to lose if Scotland becomes independent?  Let’s start with politicians at Westminster.  Scotland is a net contributor to the UK.  We provide 9.9% of all tax revenues but receive only 9.3% of expenditure, and this is including £17 billion (that’s 17 with nine ‘0’s at the end of it) per year which is classified as ‘Scottish Expenditure’ but isn’t actually spent here.  That’s a lot of money and a lot of jobs.  Could Westminster successfully compete without this subsidy?  They don’t believe they can.

Those who use warfare to advance foreign policy aims stand to lose too.  Anti-war sentiment in Scotland will be reflected in her parties following a ‘Yes’ vote, making it less likely that we’ll be dragged into unwanted conflicts.  Could those who want the UK to export war successfully engage in conflicts around the world without our unquestioned and uninterrupted support?  They don’t believe they can.

Many of those based in the City of London aren’t keen either.  If Scotland were to adopt tougher regulation on banks and financial institutions, for example, then we’d be able to gain more trust from investors.  Edinburgh, Scotland’s financial capital, could avoid the AIG, Madoff, MF Global, London Whale, Libor, CDS miss-selling scandals which have plagued London over the last few years, and become a real competitor for the South East.  Could the City of London successfully compete with a freed Scottish Economy?  They don’t believe they can.

So who wins if Scotland becomes independent?  Primarily it is the majority of the people who actually live in Scotland.  Those who work hard in their jobs, those who need a little help through tough times, and those who have a real talent and skill can all expect to see life incrementally improve as successive Governments become more focused on our needs and wishes.

So who loses if Scotland becomes independent?  Primarily it is those who believe they cannot succeed on a more level playing field. Do the privileged few who attend the House of Lords genuinely believe they can match their current levels of wealth and power with their current level of effort and talent?  Do those who long for Britain to wage war to prove it is still a global power genuinely believe that their military campaigns can continue on the same scale without Scotland’s wealth and people?  Do those who currently profit from inherited wealth and power genuinely believe that they can still succeed when confronted by reforming Scottish Governments who have the support of the people?

It is impossible to say what the future holds, but for the privileged few, their chances of holding onto power are much greater in a stagnating, and inflexible Britain, than in a dynamic, more proactive Scotland.  Many of the no campaign’s leaders are currently benefiting from the UK Government’s policies, either directly or indirectly.  Is it surprising that they speak out against changes and reforms that could force them to compete?

Sign for Scotland Facebook

Sign for Scotland Twitter

Sign for Scotland Blog

It’s time to leave our Legacy

Our first blog comes from Nathan Sparling. Nathan Sparling is a former National Union of Students’ Disabled Students’ Representative, serving on the Disabled Students Committee between 2011 and 2012. He is currently co-ordinating the Disabled People for Independence group.

Over four years ago I suffered a brutal attack that left me almost for dead, had it not been for the fact I hadn’t moved most of my kitchen utensils from my old flat – I probably wouldn’t even be able to write this article. I was subject to a random attack in my halls of residence by a gang of four who forced entry into my flat and assaulted me with golf clubs and a dog chain, among other things. Not long after this attack and the subsequent court appearances that led to jail sentences, my best friend Terri passed away in her sleep – Adult Sudden Death Syndrome.

Two very personal tragedies that have affected the rest of my life. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder shortly after Terri’s death. I felt like it was unmanageable at first, medication, counselling, psychiatrists and self-help classes. It was overwhelming to think that my own brain was putting me through this.

People were told not to trust me because of my mental health problem. Friends distanced themselves and I learnt who my true friends were. Despite this, I’ve never been ashamed to call myself disabled.

Why have I gone into detail about my personal life? Some people don’t understand Mental Health issues as a disability. I get told that I don’t have a right to call myself disabled, despite the fact my mental health issue causes me severe problems in my day-to-day life. Yet I never let my disability get in the way.

I’m a positive person. I only look for the best in people, in situations and in life. It’s why I feel so strongly about Independence for Scotland. My disability gave me a positive outlook in life, to be aspirational. Independence for Scotland doesn’t mean any policy is set in stone, it doesn’t mean that we have guaranteed income streams – but it does mean that we can aspire to do our best and run our country how we choose.

80% of those affected by the Bedroom Tax are disabled, forced to give up their home because of Conservative Housing Policies of yesterday, and Conservative Welfare Policies of today. It is quite simply a form of social discrimination that should not be tolerated in our country.

The UK Government Welfare Reforms show why Independence for Scotland is the answer for Disabled People. Only with a Scottish Parliament with full responsibility for the people of Scotland can we ensure that such vicious and savage cuts against those most in need in our society never happen, guaranteed in a written constitution.

The aspirations of disabled people can be met in an Independent Scotland and we have a once in a lifetime chance to get involved with the debate. Disabled People have the chance to lead the debate within Disabled People for Independence. It is an open group that everyone can get involved in, everyone can share their aspirations and vision of an Independent Scotland and everyone can join together to say Yes to fairness, Yes to equality and Yes to an Independent Scotland.

I received and continue to receive a lot of support from our National Health Service. It’s been there when I needed help and most importantly it has been free and accessible at my point of need. I don’t want to risk losing such an asset in our society, because without our NHS and the staff that helped to support me through my worse times, I’m not sure where I’d be.

Disabled People for Independence was started to give Disabled People a platform to show their discontent at the unfairness of policies opposed by Scotland but imposed by Westminster. It’s a chance for people to give their personal stories about why they believe in Independence.

I’ve given my personal story. My aspirations to see equality enshrined in a written constitution, to never have to endure savage cuts to those in need and to resist any attempt to privatise the National Health Service.

I also want my newly born twin brothers to have their roots in an equal society, free of hatred. I know Scotland can be that country and it is our aspirations and vision that will make it so. It’s not just about our futures, but the futures of our siblings and our children. We can leave a legacy for the future, so get involved and help to shape the history of our nation.

This blog is open to any disabled person who wants to write about why they support Independence. You can get involved in Disabled People for Independence through email (disabledppl4indy@gmail.com) Facebook: Disabled People for Independence or on Twitter @DisabledPplIndy.