I am more open and respectful than most with respect to differences of opinion on Indy. I don't want to argue a moment longer than I have to. If indy is a choice between being poor under a permanent tory govt, or being poor in a new country, I know what I'd choose. But that's me. https://twitter.com/themajorityscot/status/1296392141351026696

And I am afraid that is exactly what the choice will be for many people in Scotland. In 2014, I was rooked. I voted Yes because I felt the risk posed by remaining in the UK was greater, long term, than that of leaving. I also voted Yes because I wanted greater proximity to power.

I wanted to be able to hold people accountable for every aspect of life in my community. I wanted them to act every day with the acute and constant awareness that I was watching them. London, on the other hand, doesn't even take incoming calls.

Will there be a deficit? Yes. Will there be hard as hell choices that could place a Scottish Government in the same morally dubious terrain as the current Conservative govt, yes. The pay off is that there is more democratic accountability.

Don't jump in here and confuse me with a Soar Alba #23897 sock puppet account. I agree there are powerful arguments for remaining in the UK. I would go as far as saying they are moral, but others would. I have urged repeatedly since 2014 that Yes voters should be more respectful

Less tribal. I've been booed offstage at Yes events. I have been piled-on by Yes voters online. So by all means, disagree with me, but recognise that the standard line now trotted out from SNP about being 'respectful' to No and undecided is what I was saying on Sept 19 2014.

The needle has not moved on this debate for years. It's no longer a boxing match, its a dance. I'm not really interested in fighting these same battles over and over. My view is: people who have it shit now will have it shit whether we stay or go.

But if we want to even attempt to create a society where there is a glimmer of hope of doing things even slightly differently, indy may be the way forward. I respect people who disagree. I give their arguments A LOT of thought.

Nobody has yet convinced me that the fundamental character of the UK under this kind of leadership spells anything but hell on Earth of the most vulnerable and marginalised. That's where I am at. Peace and Love.