Yes/No debate
On Friday 6th June a large audience filled the Community Theatre at Arran High School for a debate on Scotland’s future. Chaired with admirable firmness by Colin Turbett, the event was a courteous one, almost to the point of being muted, with no more than an occasional mutter of dissent, and little expression of real passion. Everyone was, it seemed, leaning over backwards to be reasonable.
Councillor Tom Marshall (Conservative) spoke on behalf of the ‘Better Together’ campaign and was backed by David O’Neill (Labour), President of COSLA, who put forward the middle argument of wanting Devo-max, in which Scotland had full control of its own affairs yet remained in the Union. Though a persuasive speaker, he thus seemed in a no-man’s-land situation of being unable to support either side with real conviction.
Dr Malcolm Kerr spoke with his usual good sense about the need for Scotland to take control of its finances, particularly with regard to preservation of the NHS. Pam Currie, particularly after the fiery performance of Dr Philippa Whitford in a recent Women for Independence, seemed curiously low-key, though in common with all the speakers, she gained animation during the subsequent audience contributions to the debate. With the exception of Tom Marshall, who thought Scotland was ‘stronger’ under the dual umbrella of London and Washington, there was universal condemnation of the continued presence of Trident. Other salient points were raised, including Scotland’s intention of developing renewable energy sources, and Sally Campbell of Lamlash put a vital question in asking when the question of land ownership was going to be tackled. There had been a promise from the Scottish Parliament to revise the feudal inheritance that leaves most of its land in the hands of a few privileged families, but nothing had been done.
Debate continued as people dispersed slowly from the building to their cars, still talking. It seemed that among supporters of both sides there was agreement that we need to see revision of out-of-date planning laws and more freedom to build houses where they are needed, using local materials such as the timber that grows on Arran in such abundance.
