There have been many thoughts running through my head lately. I am often left aghast that some nationalists think admitting their nation experienced famine and suffered the Highland Clearances is a weakness. We lost millions of Scots. Scotland also suffered from potato blight, yet some ignore these facts.

I have often felt, at times, in despair because if we claim to be the party of Scotland, we have to keep Scotland’s interests first. We must not forget whom our fight is with: it is with the Labour Party, the Conservative Party (at least what is left of them), and now Reform UK. These facts are researchable and widely known.

We often try to be palatable to those not of an independence-supporting mind—and we never will be. People often assume our independence movement is new. Our independence movement was born on the 1st of May 1707, the day the Union became law, and there were riots. The modern interpretation of Scottish nationalism is peaceful, but it was not always that way. I mention history because the people alive today did not create the movement—they were not even close to being of age to do so. Not even the SNP created it; the movement created the SNP because it needed a political vehicle for independence.

I have often been told that I would have a difficult time being part of the wider movement and the SNP, but that could not be further from the truth. The movement, for me, is what propels me within the party I am a member of. The aforementioned age of our movement, beginning with the imposition of the Union on our nation, was not always peaceful. For me, the way I look at things is: if you are honest with the movement, the movement will be honest with you.

There are now many political parties within the movement. There is a certain apprehension toward some parties. Yes, we may disagree on day-to-day politics, but we believe in one core aim: Scottish independence. I truly believe we are an independent nation in the making. Multiple independence-supporting parties will eventually replace the status quo and make an independent Scotland politically healthy. I feel strongly that, when we are independent, we will have a very healthy political landscape in Scotland. The Union has been around for longer than anyone’s lifetime within any party.

From other movements, I have been asked: why is your nation not free? I have often tried to answer this to the best of my ability. I can firmly say that, as Scots, we are prone to factionalism. This is no plea for anyone from another political party to join mine, or vice versa, but it is something that holds us back. I believe we should put the politicking aside for the moment and use all our might to achieve Scottish independence. I firmly believe that Scottish independence will be achieved through political means, but it will take all of us to accomplish it.

Our nation is in pain, and it can be felt. She is the most distressed nation, and so are her people. Our nation needs to be consoled, and that consolation is Scottish independence. Although I am fairly young at 24, I have always known my nation must be free. It is something that will heal the soul of our nation. I am studying law, and I am often asked why so many graduates leave Scotland for work. The answer is clear: there are no jobs in Scotland. There is an unhealthy expectation to stay because taxpayers fund our degrees, but that is an impossible imposition on many graduates if there are no jobs.

It is often thought that young people are not involved in the independence movement because we are lazy. We are not involved because of the situation we find ourselves in: a cost-of-living crisis, a housing crisis, and a jobs crisis. These are all imposed by a Union that is now unsalvageable. There is also a view that Scotland will be a wasteland when we are independent. This could not be further from the truth. We are moving into a position where our people are among the most educated in the world again.

People often romanticize their version of Scotland, but Scotland is the most distressful nation. This is the important part: if we want independence, we have to be honest with our fellow Scots about Scottish history, and with that honesty, our nation will gain its independence naturally. Why? Because this truth is not under the guise of the British state. We must, most importantly, be honest with our fellow Scots about their history, or else nothing will change. I believe Scotland’s independence is not about converting people; it is about educating them about their nation. Believe me, no unionist will be able to escape it.

Hypothetical thought experiment:

Imagine that a person who has been educated on Scottish history speaks to a unionist and asks this question: “Why are you propping up a union that has propagated so much pain upon the Scottish people?” Our nation’s liberation requires education, and let that never be forgoton.