The tide of apathy: #indyref ahoy?

For over a year now, I have stood proudly on the side of Yes. I’ve debated with several friends over the upcoming independence referendum, shifting many of them over to Yes and helping many Undecideds gather more info on the process on the possible results ahead.

As I continued to debate, I began to realise how this referendum has perfectly captured exactly what I both love and hate about politics: people and allegiance. People, on the one hand, are fantastic. There are so many people, on both sides of this debate, who are extremely inspiring in the words and grandiose ideas about the future ahead for Scotland and the UK. To pretend that this is exclusive to one side, is to lose faith in democracy itself. On the other hand, I’ve encountered many people, again on both sides, filled with disgusting hate for the other, who will say anything and do anything to discredit their opponent with the sole aim to further their side’s view.

This is not what this referendum should be about, yet allegiance continues to rule over the “right thing” in almost every case. Talking to many Labour unionists, I am left amazed at their faith in a party which they openly admit no longer represents what they want. They remain dissatisfied that Labour is still controlled by Oxbridge elites, by the shiny black-suits of the private education system, yet are left reluctantly accepting of this seemingly inevitable state of politics.

Many on the left, like myself, look at the current state of UK politics and are left exasperated at the dire options laid before them at the ballot box. The Conservatives represent the elite without heart for the poor, the Liberal Democrats remain stuck in the middle of two parties much bigger than them, and after joining the Conservatives in coalition, are hated by so many that they will find themselves frozen out of the mainstream for decades to come. For most, there is only one option left: Labour. But Labour also have become complacent, thinking that simply by not being the other two, they will win the Left by default.

It is exactly this complacency that has led Scotland to a referendum on leaving these options in the dust.

I do not pretend that the referendum would solve the issue of poor representation of the Left, but I certainly don’t think it will be solved under the current constitutional arrangements.

Many understand that Scotland wants continued devolution not necessarily because it thinks of Holyrood favorably, but because Westminster forms less public favour than the Westboro Baptist Church at a funeral.

The main issue for most on the side of Yes is the absolute despair the face under continued rule of Westminster: in its current form.

Many would shift back to Undecided, or No, if the parties of Westminster outlined proposals for reform for the London government — not giving more powers to Holyrood. You’ll find more people who take issue with the House of Lords than those who want income tax devolved to Holyrood.

The dissatisfaction with the UK’s government and the apathy towards Holyrood is integral to the continued moral victory that the Yes side can claim. “The SNP may not be perfect, but we’re not the Tories/Labour/Lib Dems.” It doesn’t exactly inspire you, does it?

This is where I now find myself: in continued despair at the UK government, regardless of the leading party; in continued appreciation that Holyrood is not the former, but not particularly in love with it either.

The price of allegiance is what makes the Yes side look empty to many on the side of No, and the same applies vice versa.

I recently finished an article for National Collective, an online website pushing for a Yes vote by young “creatives and artists”. Their work is consistently interesting yet empty for one reason: the refusal to criticise others under the Yes umbrella. Some I have spoke to say they do not want to criticise other Yes groups because it could fracture the Yes side, makes them look weak. Perhaps this is true, but therein I find Yes’ weakness.

The Yes side has been continually gaining ground yet has stagnated in the past two months, now why is this?

I’m personally inclined to blame this on most of Yes’ gains being from those who were Undecided. Yes now finds itself trying to dig through the brick wall of No, which will not be done if it continues to criticise everything the No campaign does while refusing to look at itself in the mirror.

Both Yes and Better Together are filled with many bitter followers, who will take every chance they get to throw mud at the other. They forget that people don’t tend to change their opinions if you insult them or tell them how stupid their position is. You must carefully persuade, recognise your own weaknesses but then contrast it with the greater weakness on the other side.

In July 2014, I find myself as tired of the independence referendum as I still am with the state of politics in the United Kingdom. I still lean towards Yes, but if Yes wish to keep me and gain the votes they absolutely need, they’ll need to start being more grown up and admit their mistakes. Otherwise, the tide of apathy will wash over the public once more, and the unhappy Union will continue with over a third of the public continually ignoring all options presented to them.

Whether Yes or No wins on September 19th 2014, it is not an outright victory in any form. It will be a great loss to the other side. To forget this is the most dangerous mistake we can make.