A Year A


S DAWN broke to lead-gray skies over Glasgow on September


19 last year, the fine early morning drizzle mixed with the tears running down Calum Noble’s face.


For days the 25-year-old delivery driver had been one of thousands of pro- independence supporters gathering in the city’s St George’s Square in the run up to the referendum.


He had pinned his hopes on his fellow countrymen relishing the opportunity to reclaim self-determination. It was the first time he had ever voted or taken a political stance on anything and he had invested his heart and soul into the dream.


Instead of the independence he yearned for, some 55.3 per cent of Scots voted in favour of staying in the UK. As the result sank in, he sat with a small group of dispirited indy supporters, among the discarded Yes posters and bedraggled saltires.


“I had never voted before or 4 September 2015


got involved with politics in any way but this time I thought my vote would count for something,” said Calum as his voice cracked with emotion.


“I wanted a beter country, one where there’s no need for food banks and our military doesn’t get involved with illegal wars but instead is used for humanitarian purposes.


“I really thought we could change things and I could be part of something, but it’s all been for nothing. I don’t believe we will get any of the things the London politicians promised.”


Calum was not alone in his desire for change. More than 4.2 million people had registered to vote, many of whom had never bothered before.


“I wanted a better country, one where there’s no need for food banks and our military doesn’t get involved with illegal wars but instead is used for humanitarian purposes.”


The whole country had been swept up in a fever of anticipation, widespread debate and political awareness. It had been billed as a ‘once in a generational opportunity’ and a chance for change, regardless of the outcome.


In the closing days of the campaign the unionist parties had become increasingly worried about the rise in support for independence - from a litle over 20 per cent at the outset to the eventual 45.3 per cent of votes cast in the final ballot.


In an atempt to sway the undecided they promised a No vote would not mean a return to the status quo but herald changes that would include stronger powers for the Scotish


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100