Women Saying No: Making a Positive Case Against Independence

Edited by Maria Fyfe

(Luath Press, £7.99)

IN THE eternal political debate about the pros and cons of Scottish independence there has been a very important viewpoint missing, that of women. 

Yet they are the silent majority who are apparently more likely than men to vote No in the referendum.

In this book, 14 Scottish women give their personal reasons for voting No. They include women deeply embedded in the Scottish working-class and Labour movement such as Maria Fyfe — the book’s editor and former Labour MP for Glasgow Maryhill — Johann Lamont MSP, leader of the Scottish Labour Party and Sarah Boyack MSP, Labour shadow cabinet member for local government and planning. 

Others are leaders of pensioners and disabled people’s organisations, community activists, trades unionists, feminists, social workers, representatives of the Asian and African Scottish population and a solitary student. 

What is obvious is the pride and commitment these women have in their Scottish ancestry or adopted Scots nationality. Despite this they express serious misgivings about a Yes vote which would set back all the advances made by devolution. They argue that devolution retains its traditional links with progressive and working-class forces in the rest of Britain while establishing a clear Scottish governmental identity. Some hint at a federal Britain.

Many envisage the disruption to family ties if a border were formed between Scotland and the rest of Britain, separating them from their relations and roots there. 

Anna Dyer looks at the effects on women in the newly independent states of eastern Europe, where free market economics and foreign investment have resulted in a drastic decline in the percentage of women in the labour force and their involvement in politics. Privatisation has removed their leading positions in industry and state enterprises. 

Even in the Scandinavian countries, the social-democratic social fabric has been eroded by global neoliberal forces. Could an independent Scotland prevent this, she asks? 

Few of the contributors are in favour of a withdrawal from the European Union — which overrides Westminster powers anyway — although Elinor Mackenzie points out that better social welfare provisions in some EU states are the result of a stronger class struggle than has taken place in Britain. 

This book represents a very important area of criticism from the women’s angle on the issue of Scottish independence. As retired book seller Esme Clark — concerned for her pension and taxes and the future of national cultural collections — says: “I admit it, I’m feart.” As an Anglo-Scot she feels safer with her British passport when travelling abroad. “Why would we want to take apart something that works?” she asks.

Not high politics, but a viewpoint that many must feel in their hearts.