11 August 2014
With the Scottish Independence referendum fast approaching and both camps seeking support from media figures and personalities I, like many others, have been asked to declare my voting intentions and to become actively involved in campaigns.
It will come as no surprise to fans of my music, and to most people who know me, that I have been an advocate for Independence for a very long time and as such my views have not changed in recent months. I have listened to the debates and arguments with interest and an open mind and have considered both sides of the equations on offer.
I personally believe that Scotland as a nation can make it on its own although I do not envisage it being an easy ride in the formative years. I am dismayed by the anti-European stance prevalent in the UK in general and I am tired of a London-based government which I believe is not beneficial to the UK as a whole. I am not “anti-English” and I think a vote for an independent Scotland could shake up British politics and wake a tired government up to the realisation that more regional control is required in general and a more fair distribution of wealth is necessary throughout the UK. The referendum could provide a key to a door that opens up an entire new era of political thought and for that I can only hope.
These are my opinions and I am sure there are those who will disagree with me but as a resident of Scotland and as a tax paying citizen in the UK I have the right to vote on September 18th and as such I will be voting “Yes”.
However I have elected to refrain from becoming actively involved in the “Yes” campaign and in public debates as it is highly likely I will be taking up permanent residence in Germany in the next 2 years with my German partner and her children. My honesty and integrity are important to me and with this proposed move to Germany, which is being made for purely personal reasons, I believe it could be seen as hypocritical of me to argue for independence and then leave Scotland during a period of transition should the “Yes” campaign be successful.
I am and always will be Scottish, whatever the outcome of the referendum and wherever I choose to live, and the future of Scotland will be decided by the people of Scotland on September 18th. I know the decision will be taken wisely and I urge everyone, no matter who they decide to vote for, to cast a ballot paper to determine our future so no one can question the eventual result.
Read Fish’s thoughts on writing Internal Exile and watch the video on YouTube