From Chick McKenna - An open letter to Oliver Mundell MSP

Dear Mr Mundell
I note that you consider the March for Independence held here in Dumfries to be both a waste of time and an affront to the people of Dumfries. You also indicated that the large numbers were due to people being bussed in to the town.
I would ask you to note that yesterday`s march, by the way, was not a protest, it was a very public display of support for an independent Scotland, something which neither you nor your Westminster colleague the Secretary of State for Scotland wish to see happen. Those attending did so voluntarily and were not coerced into attending.

And were greeted in the main by a very welcoming Dumfries population-apart from the 15 union jack waving unionist supporters. I doubt if any were affronted. Indeed there was enthusiasm, support and no small measure of encouragement by those standing on the streets.  You may wish to consider why that might have been the case. Could it be that people have had enough of your party and its persistent attacks on Scotland, the denigration of our society as being too small, not clever enough and not wealthy enough to make our own decisions? Or could it be that people are fed up of jobs being exported to England-supported by your colleagues at Westminster? Might it also be the case that the constant belittling of those unfortunate enough to be poor, whilst at the same time your party is supporting tax incentives for the rich, losing files on the alleged behaviour of some of its members, giving support to the most bigoted and prejudiced political organisation on these isles and many other examples of ignoring the wider population are causing a huge change of attitude in the Scottish people.
I would also remind you that the numbers attending more accurately reflect the wishes of the wider population than do the policies of the party you represent. The numbers significantly outweigh the handful whose signatures were bought to ensure that Scotland would be put in its box to be ignored forever. And those numbers are growing with each passing day and each new disaster being visited upon us by an out of control group of your colleagues who are displaying a very limited grasp on modern society and its needs. When your party is presiding over multiple problems in Health, Education, living standards, rising racial crime and so on then we need no lessons on what constitutes a waste of time and an affront to the people. We see the evidence of rising foodbanks as a result of austerity policies. The rise of homelessness, the neglect of the elderly, the targeting of immigrants and the effect this is having on our farming industry in particular. While you and your colleagues whinge on about there being no appetite for independence it is clear to many of us that you do not have the competence to govern and therefore the need for independence is growing stronger.
Yesterday`s march was not a protest. It was a statement. Those who do not listen to what is being said risk losing their right to represent us in the future

Chick McKenna