Scottish Peace Network Vigil at Faslane, 20 September 2014 (Harvey) and HMS AmbushIt’s hard to find words to say how we feel after the Referendum vote last Thursday. To say we feel gutted and deeply saddened seems hardly adequate, but there is no point in pretending otherwise. And we feel this, of course, not just for ourselves, but for the tens of thousands of our fellow citizens who really thought that we had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to try a new way of living and working together, which might even offer a way forward for the many, many thousands in the other parts of these islands who want the same as we do, or something very similar.

But it didn’t happen. We fully accept the view of the majority, and we recognise that there are also tens of thousands on the NO side who also want change, albeit wanting it in a different way from us. So we will now seek ways to work together with everyone to bring about change in the way we govern ourselves in these islands, and help to bring about the more just, the more equal, and the fairer society which we all long for. And we take great encouragement from the huge involvement of our fellow Scots, of whatever persuasion, in this debate — 85 per cent of the electorate voting on such an issue is something to be very proud of, and grateful for, and we must not let such enthusiasm and energy dissipate.

Molly Harvey at FaslaneWe joined about 80 people on Saturday, from the Scottish Peace Network, to hold a short Vigil at the gates of the Nuclear Submarine Base at Faslane, to recommit ourselves to the campaign to remove from Scottish, and hopefully from British, waters, these weapons of mass destruction against which we, with so many others, have struggled for decades. This was a healing moment, as it helped us to remember that we are still engaged in specific actions for justice and peace — and we were very grateful for the opportunity.

So we go on. We’re still alive, even if a bit subdued right now.  But we are full of hope, and so grateful that we are able to express our honest opinions in a democratic way, and live together with those with whom we may disagree. Not everyone has such a privilege!